Referrals & Admission Criteria
Supporting guests and families through life-limiting illness – from early symptom management to end-of-life care.
Referrals & Admission Criteria
We welcome referrals for guests at any stage of their palliative care journey. This includes early clinical assessment, short-term stays, and 24/7 inpatient care – regardless of a guest’s geographical location.
Anam Cara is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to delivering the highest standard of care to all, regardless of individual circumstances. Our services are currently accessible through Private Health Insurance, NDIS Plans, Home Care Packages, self-funded arrangements, Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) entitlements.
We remain committed to advocating for sustainable government funding to ensure our services are accessible to a broader segment of the community in the future.
Step 1: Check Our Admission Criteria
We accept guests who:
- Have a progressive life-limiting illness
- Require assessment, symptom management or end-of-life care
- Are funded by Private Health Insurance, NDIS, DVA, Home Care Packages or are self-funded
We are unable to accept guests who:
- Require care beyond a 21-day length of stay unless in the terminal phase
- Are under 18 / paediatric
- Present with complex behavioural issues (e.g., psychosis, wandering & aggression)
- To learn more about our model of care, visit our services page.
Step 2: Submit a Referral
Referrals can be submitted via our online portal. You’ll be asked to provide:
- Medical referral (with provider number) from either your GP or Specialist
- Current health summary, medication list and any recent clinical information
- Relevant hospital discharge/specialist letters, blood tests results, or scans
- Bulk-billed outpatient appointment with our Palliative Care Doctor
For assistance, please contact our Access and Resource team at referrals@achg.org.au.
Step 3: Review & Triage
Our Access & Resource team will follow up with the referrer, guest or carer to:
- Confirm consent for shared information
- Confirm financial consent
- Discuss admission goals and eligibility
- Triage the referral using the RUN-PC tool in PalCare
Understanding Costs
Anam Cara is a not-for-profit organisation. Our services are available to:
- Guests with private health insurance
- Guests who are self-funded
- Eligible guests with DVA entitlements
- Guests with NDIS or a Home Care Package
If you fall into one of these categories, our Access & Resource team will connect you will our Finance team to discuss your funding options.
If you have private hospital cover with a Private Health Insurance fund that is affiliated with us, your fund will cover you for admission, minus any excess or co-payment applicable to your level of cover.
If your private health insurer is not affiliated with us, a daily co-payment of approximately $200 will apply.
To find out if your fund is affiliated with us, please contact us on (03) 5222 5831.
We provide you with full Informed Financial Consent (IFC) before admission, including a breakdown of estimated costs. If your financial situation prevents co-payment, we can discuss options confidentially on a case-by-case basis.
Transparency & Communication
We commit to:
- Notifying referring clinicians of admission, discharge, or change in condition
- Developing Advance Care Plans with each guest
- Upholding Palliative Care Outcomes Collaboration (PCOC) standards
- Providing equitable, compassionate, and person-centred care
You’re Worried, We’re Listening
If you or a loved one ever feel unsure or concerned during your time at Anam Cara, we have a clear process in place to ensure you’re heard. View our C.A.R.E approach to communication and escalation.