There is little understanding in Australia of the particular issues faced by gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) people in end-of-life care and advance care planning. This exploratory qualitative study aimed to achieve an initial understanding of these issues to compare with the international literature and inform the development of a larger study involving GLBT consumers. Consultations were carried out with 19 service providers and 6 GLBT community members located in the Northern Rivers and metropolitan Sydney areas of New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Participants reported barriers to health care service access due to discrimination, inappropriate care, and lack of knowledge among both consumers and health care workers of legal rights at the end of life. While advance care planning can assist with improving end-of-life care, respondents reported a number of obstacles. These included a lack of knowledge and absence of perceived need, and the additional obstacle of social isolation, leading to difficulties identifying alternative decisionmakers. The study highlighted the need for community education among GLBT people and health and aged care providers on the existing legal provisions available to prevent discrimination in end-of-life care.

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