Hospitals and COVID-19 resources 

COVID-19 has been identified as a key issue for health and aged care. The Australian Government has adopted a whole of government emergency response which provides a framework for preparing for, responding to and managing COVID-19 in Australia.

Demand for acute care is anticipated to increase rapidly as the spread of COVID-19 increases. This creates new challenges in providing care at the end of life for patients with COVID-19 who are seriously ill or dying, for palliative care patients whose care may be impacted by demand for acute services, and for older Australians who may have more limited access to acute services.

Variations in guidance between countries, states and health networks may occur. Please refer to local guidance where available and consider non-pharmacological and pharmacological approaches as appropriate.


Getting more information


Visit the National Palliative Care projects including:

Advance Care Planning Australia End of Life Essentials End of Life Law PCOC

Some medications listed in these guides are not available or are administered differently in Australia. See palliAGEDgp App for Australian guidance regarding medicines and dosing.

Some medications listed in these guides are not available or are administered differently in Australia. See palliAGEDgp App for Australian guidance regarding medicines and dosing.

Getting more information

You can call the National Coronavirus (COVID-19) Health Information Line on 1800 020 080. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you require translating or interpreting services, call 131 450.

There is also a phone number of each state or territory public health agency. To find out about local restrictions put in place as part of the response to COVID-19 visit the Health Direct Restriction Checker.

Visit the following websites:

Last updated 25 October 2023