Welcome to the Practical Doula’s Blog

End of Life Preparedness in Australia: Why now is the time to act

Melanie Cookes - 31 July 2025

If you had a serious accident or became suddenly unwell—would your loved ones know what medical care you’d want? Would they even know where to begin?

A recent article from Advance Care Planning Australia highlights some pretty sobering facts: most Australians are not prepared for future health care decisions. The research it draws on—Advance Care Planning Prevalence in Australia 2024—shows that only 15% of people have a legally recognised Advance Care Directive, and just 29% have talked to someone about their preferences.

That means the vast majority of us are heading into the unknown without a map—and leaving our loved ones to navigate it for us, often under stress and emotional strain.

This isn’t just a bureaucratic formality. Advance care planning is about making your wishes known before a crisis, reducing the risk of confusion, family conflict, or unwanted treatment. It’s about protecting your autonomy and lifting an emotional burden from the shoulders of the people you love.

So why aren’t more of us doing it?

The truth is, many people don’t know where to begin. Some avoid it because it feels too hard or too morbid. Others assume it’s something to worry about “later.” But if the past few years have taught us anything, it’s that later can arrive suddenly.

That’s why campaigns like Dying to Know Day are so powerful. Held every August, this national event by Proveda is all about breaking the silence around death and dying. Their themes for 2025, “The secret I’m glad I shared” and “We’re not here to whisper about death. We’re here to yell about life,” remind us that there’s no point making a plan if you don’t share it.

You might go to the effort of documenting your wishes, but unless you talk to someone about it—or better yet, lodge it with the correct services and tell your loved ones where it is—it may not help when it matters most. As Dying to Know Day says: planning is important, but talking is essential.

So here’s your invitation.

• Start the conversation.

• Make a plan.

• And most importantly—share it.

Whether you’re in your 20’s or your 90’s, now is the right time to take action. You can begin with a simple chat with a loved one. Or take a deeper dive by reading the news article and the full research report for more insights.

End-of-life planning is one of the kindest things you can do—for yourself and for those who care about you.

If you’re not sure where to start, Melanie can help. Whether it’s completing an Advance Care Directive, understanding your options, or simply getting clear on what matters most to you—this is something we can work through together, gently and at your pace.

To find out more, call Melanie on 0406 622 091 or contact Melanie here.