In the wake of the report of the Productivity Commission, ageing policies currently under development may be able to clearly articulate the need for funding and support for older people as they approach the end of their life. In the meantime, the intersections and links between policies and strategies for chronic disease, palliative care and ageing and with funding and service provision are few. Current policies reflect a lack of understanding of the needs of people with advanced chronic disease and there is little consensus around how such services should be provided