In 2025, with the support of the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, National Palliative Care Week (NPCW) will run from Sunday, 11 May until Saturday, 17 May.
For thirty years, National Palliative Care Week (NPCW) has sparked discussions, increased awareness, and advocated for improved access to and acceptance of palliative care. With the theme “What’s your plan?” it encourages Australians and their families to engage in conversations about what is most important at the end of life and to create a plan that honours and supports their choices in the final years, months, and days of life.
The theme ‘What’s your plan?” challenges and inspires different groups:
For individuals and families – it challenges them to think about their own future and quality of life, make informed choices, and decide how they want to be cared for.
For the health and care sectors – it prompts reflection on capacity, innovation, and readiness to meet growing demand in a community that feels empowered by end of life planning.
For government – it calls for accountability, opening an opportunity to discuss policy, investment, and strategy, and addressing the future palliative care needs of our community.
Thank you for your interest and support – let’s get going! Order your merchandise, download resources, attend an event, or buy an orange heart pin and start a conversation.
- Date: Friday 16th May 2025
- Time: 9am – 4pm
- Venue: Rydges Parramatta (116-118 James Ruse Dr, Rosehill NSW 2142)
- FREE for PCNSW members or $75 (+ GST + Booking fees) for Non PCNSW members
Not a PCNSW member yet? Become a member by clicking here and attend the event for free, plus your membership will be valid until 30th June 2026.
Please note: Once you have joined us as a PCNSW member you will need to come back to this page to register for the event for free.
Orange heart pins
The orange heart is the national symbol for Palliative Care. By wearing an orange heart pin, you are showing your support of palliative care and helping start a conversation.
The pins have a retail value of $5 per pin, which is an agreed value across all palliative care peak bodies who have the rights to sell these pins. A % of this is retained by the palliative care peak bodies to assist fund ongoing advocacy, promotion and awareness of palliative care. You could also choose to sell these pins to recover your costs, but they must be sold at the agreed $5 per pin price point. Your support through these pins is greatly appreciated.
A minimum quantity of 10 ($50) is required for an order to be placed. There is no maximum order. An invoice will then be generated and your order will be dispatched.
You can buy the pins in packs of 3 or 5 by clicking HERE
Volunteer
your time
Reach out to local palliative care volunteering services and enquire about volunteer opportunities. Whether it’s providing companionship to patients and their families, assisting with administrative tasks, or organising fundraising events, your involvement can make a significant impact.
Find out more on our Volunteer Hub
Advocate for
policy changes
Get involved in advocacy efforts to improve access to palliative care services in your region. Write letters or contact your local representatives, urging them to support policies that ensure equitable access to palliative care for everyone in NSW.
Click HERE to find out your local Member of Parliament.
During National Palliative Care Week, let’s come together and show our unwavering support for palliative care nurses, doctors, allied health workers, carers and volunteers.
Consider Palliative Care as a career path. We talk to nurses from all over NSW in this short video to find out what a career in Palliative Care looks like.