In 2015, there were 446 neonatal deaths in Australia, 215 occurring in the early neonatal period. These data do not include stillbirth and perinatal death, the latter for whom perinatal palliative care would be a valid option. In 2012, a Commonwealth of Australia inquiry into palliative care included neonatal palliative care, bringing this neglected aspect of neonatal care to the forefront for the first time.

Up to, and around this time, neonatal palliative care has increasingly been part of the neonatal unit’s vernacular. While Australia has contributed markedly to the growing body of knowledge in this area, there is a clear research agenda ahead to ensure the country meets the same standard for neonatal palliative care as it does with the meticulous medical and nursing care already provided.