Community Options closing after decades of palliative care
Community Options has provided non-clinical palliative care in Canberra since 1989. It will close by 31 December.
Community Options is winding down after its board voted to close in July. The Canberra organisation currently supports 139 clients across three programs, including palliative care.
The care helps people with life-limiting illnesses stay at home. The closure comes after it failed to get additional 2026-27 budget funding.
The ACT Government provides $141,708 for case management. Opposition leader Mark Parton argues the real cost of in-home support is about $250,000.
Combined with case management, the total cost is around $400,000. Health Minister Marisa Paterson promised the government will name a replacement provider by year-end.
She also promised services will continue.
- 31 December
- Closure date
- 139
- Current clients supported
- $141,708
- Government funding for case management
- $250,000
- Annual cost of in-home services
Why it mattersPeople in Canberra seeking end-of-life care at home face uncertainty. They wonder if support will continue without a named replacement.
AustraliaCanberra residents may be forced into hospitals or residential care if a replacement palliative care provider is not found and funded.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 11 d ago
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