In the space of end of life care, a diverse team of professionals works together to support individuals and their families through one of life’s most profound transitions. Among these are End of Life Doulas (EOLDs) and Social Workers – each bringing unique skills, perspectives and approaches to care.
Formalising End of Life Doula Roles
End of Life Doulas are emerging as valued members of the broader care team. Work is currently underway in Australia to formalise Doula roles within health, aged care and community settings. This work includes advocating for professional standards, recognition of services and clear pathways for integration alongside existing supports.
Accredited training is now available, including the Certificate IV in End of Life Doula Services and shorter skill set units that the Doula can add to existing appropriate qualifications, such as aged care, community services and palliative care.
Currently, Doulas can also work in aged care settings under certain service list items, providing non-clinical support that complements nursing and care staff, with future lobbying and reforms aiming to define further and expand these roles.
What Do End of Life Doulas Do?
End of Life Doulas are non-medical professionals providing holistic support – emotional, spiritual and practical – to people who are dying and their loved ones. Their work can include:
- Sitting vigil during the final hours to offer presence and reassurance
- Guiding life reflection conversations and legacy projects
- Supporting families to understand what to expect during dying and after death, including simple rituals and care of the body, when culturally appropriate
- Assisting with advance care planning conversations and documenting personal wishes
- Creating calming environments through music, scent or lighting adjustments
- Offering respite support for family carers to rest or take a break
- Facilitating meaningful rituals or farewells, such as hand casting, memory boxes or blessing ceremonies
- Helping navigate funeral and burial options in line with cultural, spiritual or personal preferences
- Providing early bereavement and grief support, including check-ins and referrals to other services if needed
What Do Social Workers Do in Palliative Care?
Social Workers in palliative and end of life care settings focus on the psychosocial aspects of care. Their work often includes:
- Counselling individuals and families to manage grief, fear and emotional distress
- Assisting with practical matters such as financial concerns, Centrelink or guardianship issues
- Facilitating family meetings to discuss care goals and decision-making
- Advocating for patient preferences and rights within healthcare teams and settings
- Linking families with community services, support groups and resources to meet ongoing needs
- Supporting staff wellbeing through debriefing and reflective practice
Key Differences Between End of Life Doulas and Social Workers
These two roles both offer support during the end of life, but they differ in a few important ways.
Training and Regulation
Social Workers hold degree qualifications and work under regulated professional standards. End of Life Doulas can undertake specific training (e.g. Certificate IV End of Life Doula Services or non-accredited training courses) but are not yet formally regulated in Australia.
Scope of Practice
Social Workers address systemic and practical issues, navigate services and provide clinical counselling within their scope. Doulas focus on companionship, presence and personalised non-clinical support.
Time and Availability
Social Workers often work within organisational hours (e.g. 9 am – 5 pm) and have high caseloads, limiting time per patient. Doulas usually work independently, offering extended time, on-call availability and flexible support tailored to individual needs.
Role Integration
Social Workers are employed within hospitals, hospices or aged care facilities as part of the clinical team. Doulas are engaged directly by clients and families or through emerging partnerships with community organisations, enhancing continuity of care at home or in facilities.
Complementary Care for Holistic Support
Together, Social Workers and End of Life Doulas provide holistic care that meets the practical, spiritual and emotional needs of people approaching the end of life. For example:
A Social Worker might help a family complete guardianship paperwork while an End of Life Doula sits with the person to record life stories for their grandchildren.
A Social Worker may facilitate a family meeting about treatment decisions, while a Doula prepares a calming room setup and sits with the person afterwards to debrief privately.
Why This Collaboration Matters
Australia’s population is changing, and the number of people aged 85 and over is expected to more than double – from around 534,000 in 2021 to 1.28 million by 2041. This sharp rise puts extra pressure on the aged care system and points to a growing need for more support, including palliative and end of life care.
It is, however, important to remember that end of life care is not exclusive to older people. Individuals of all ages – whether facing terminal illness, sudden trauma or chronic conditions – may require compassionate support during their final stages of life. End of Life Doulas and Social Workers play complementary roles in addressing these diverse needs, ensuring that care is person-centred, culturally sensitive and accessible to all, regardless of age.
At the same time, health and aged care systems continue to face growing resource constraints, with staffing shortages, increasing complexity of care and limited time available for meaningful psychosocial support. Integrating End of Life Doulas alongside Social Workers can help bridge these gaps, ensuring people receive the practical and emotional support they need when systems are stretched.
By integrating the unique strengths of both professions, we can build a more responsive and holistic end of life care system that honours the dignity and wishes of every individual.
About the Author
Shannon Beresford is an End of Life Doula, Sound Therapy Practitioner and founder of Your Path Guide in Adelaide, South Australia. He provides calm, ongoing support to clients and families through all stages of end of life care. Shannon is also Vice Chair of HELD Australia Ltd, the peak body for holistic end of life and death care and volunteers in the Central Adelaide Palliative Care Service (CAPCS).
References
- CareAbout. (n.d.). How Social Workers Support in Palliative Care. https://www.careabout.com.au/home-care/palliative/how-social-workers-support-in-palliative-care
- CareSearch. (2024). Social Workers and Palliative Care. https://www.caresearch.com.au/Health-Professionals/Allied-Health/Allied-Health-and-Palliative-Care/Social-Workers
- CEPAR. (2023). New Projections: Australia’s Ageing Population. https://www.cepar.edu.au/news-events/news/new-projections-australia-ageing-population
- HELD Australia. (2025). About HELD. https://heldaustralia.org.au
- Kinder Caring. (n.d.). The Role of Social Workers in Palliative Care. https://kindercaring.com.au/palliative-care/the-role-of-social-workers-in-palliative-care
- PCSWA. (2020). Palliative and End of Life Care Social Work Standards. https://pcswa.org.au/standards.aspx
- PCSWA. (n.d.). Palliative Care Social Work Australia. https://pcswa.org.au
- Preparing the Way. (2024). End of Life Doula Training. https://preparingtheway.com.au
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