NSW Department of Health commissioned the Palliative Care Association of NSW to conduct a review of palliative care services in the State. The review revealed a high degree of variability in the structure and resourcing of palliative care services in the NSW health system, reflecting similar variability in other states. The review found it was difficult to benchmark or to plan services collaboratively because of differences in structure, organisation and service. The findings of the review were subsequently considered at statewide palliative care workshops in NSW. The workshops supported the need for a framework to classify palliative care services according to role and resource capability. Role delineation frameworks provide consistent and common language to describe and differentiate health care services. They are used to facilitate strategic planning at area, regional and state levels. They can also be used to support program and service level evaluation, quality and research activity.