Help and support can help make the life of a carer easier. The availability of services may vary depending on where you live. Some services are free, but others may have a cost. Talk to the social worker at the treatment centre or call Cancer Council 13 11 20 to find out what services are available in your area.
The services below may help you as a carer.
Aboriginal resources
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Carer Gateway |
Resources to support First Nations carers and communities. |
Cancer information
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Cancer Council |
Cancer Council produces easy-to-read booklets and fact sheets on more than 25 types of cancer, treatment options, and emotional and practical issues. |
| Cancer Council podcasts |
Information and insights for anyone affected by cancer. Includes specific episodes for carers; a separate series about advanced cancer; and a |
| Detailed information about cancer types and topics from a health organisation in the US. | |
| Information about cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment from a leading UK cancer charity. |
Carer services
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Carer Gateway |
Practical information, support services and useful resources for carers. |
| Carer Help | Includes resources and information on 5 pathways that may be experienced when caring for someone approaching end of life. |
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Provides information and advocacy for carers. |
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Provides government payments and services for carers; includes Centrelink and Medicare. |
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| Support for young people aged under 25 caring for a family member or friend. |
Counselling
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Cancer Council |
Referrals to counselling services, as well as peer support programs. Can connect online, by phone or in person. |
| Australian Psychological Society | Use the “Find a Psychologist” search to look for a practitioner in your area. |
| Information about Medicare rebates for mental health services. | |
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Beyond Blue |
24-hour telephone counselling service; online and email counselling also available. |
| Carer Gateway Counselling Service 1800 422 737 |
A nationwide program that aims to support the wellbeing of carers of all ages, including young carers. |
| General practitioner (GP) | Can offer support and prepare a Mental Health Treatment Plan so eligible people can get up to 10 Medicare-subsidised sessions with a psychologist. |
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GriefLine |
Telephone and online counselling service and support groups for all Australians who have experienced a loss. |
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Kids Helpline |
Telephone and online counselling service and crisis support for young people aged 5–25. |
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Lifeline |
24-hour telephone and online crisis support and suicide prevention service. |
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QLife |
Provides an LGBTIQ+ peer support and referral service over the phone and online. Available 3 pm–midnight. |
| Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 |
24-hour telephone and online counselling for people affected by suicide. |
Home help
| Call your local council, talk to your palliative care team or call Cancer Council 13 11 20 | Availability of home help services may vary depending on where you live. Some services are free, but others may have a cost. |
| Carer Gateway 1800 422 737 |
Practical information, support services and useful resources for carers. |
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My Aged Care |
Information about different types of aged care services, eligibility and service providers. |
Home nursing
| Talk to the palliative care team and/or the private health fund | Home nursing can be organised as part of palliative care or there are private services |
Legal and financial information
| Cancer Council’s Legal and Financial Referral Program 13 11 20 |
Depending on where you live and if you meet the eligibility criteria, Cancer Council may be able to provide some financial support or refer you to a qualified legal or financial professional for assistance. Advice may be free if you can’t afford to pay. |
| Advance Care Planning Australia 1300 208 582 |
Information about planning for future health care, including making advance care directives. |
| Centrelink 132 7171 |
Offers financial support for people with a long-term illness and for carers. |
| National Debt Helpline 1800 007 007 |
Help with debt problems and finding a financial counsellor. |
NSW Support Links
| Anti-Discrimination NSW 1800 670 812 | Receives complaints about discrimination and acts to promote equality and equal treatment for people in NSW. |
| Carers NSW | Provides information and support to carers in NSW. |
| Community Legal Centres | Provide free legal advice to eligible people. Contact your local community legal centre to find out what assistance may be available to you. |
| Enable NSW | Provides assistive technology and related services to people in NSW to help them live safely at home. |
| LawAccess NSW 1300 888 529 | Legal Aid NSW’s free information and referral service. Provides legal information and identifies services in your area who can help you. Refers eligible people to Legal Aid NSW. |
| Multicultural Health Communication Service | Provides multilingual health information, including information for carers. |
| NSW Health | Links to carer support services in each NSW local health district. |
| Palliative Care NSW | Information and resources about palliative care, including for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and in community languages. |
| Service NSW | Information and support for people with cancer and their carers. Service NSW’s Savings Finder can help you find rebates and vouchers to help with the cost of living. |
Palliative and respite care
| Carer Gateway 1800 422 737 |
Provides information about respite services, including emergency respite care. |
| Website providing evidence-based palliative care information and links to services for people affected by cancer. |
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| Information and resources; includes links to local palliative care organisations. |
Support groups
| An online discussion forum where people can connect with each other at any time, and ask or answer questions. Includes a forum for carers. | |
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Face-to-face groups |
It can help to meet with others who understand what it is like to care for someone with cancer. Many people find that they benefit from the close bonds with others. |
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Telephone support groups |
Includes groups for people with advanced cancer, for carers and for the bereaved. |
More resources
Dr Alison White, Palliative Medicine Specialist, Royal Perth Hospital, WA; Tracey Bilson, Consumer; Louise Dillon, Consumer; Louise Durham, Nurse Practitioner, Palliative Care Outpatients, Princess Alexandra Hospital, QLD; Katrina Elias, Carers Program, South Western Sydney Local Health District, NSW Health, NSW; Jessica Elliott, Social Worker, Youth Cancer Services, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead Hospital, NSW; Brendan Myhill, Social Worker and Bereavement Research Officer, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, NSW; Penny Neller, Project Coordinator, National Palliative Care Projects, Australian Centre for Health Law Research, Queensland University of Technology, QLD; Olivia Palac, Acting Assistant Director, Occupational Therapy, Gold Coast University Hospital, QLD; Nicole Rampton, Advanced Occupational Therapist, Cancer Services, Gold Coast University Hospital, QLD; Shirley Roberts, Nurse Consultant, Medical Oncology, Northern Adelaide Cancer Centre, SA; Dr Elysia Thornton-Benko, Specialist General Practitioner, and UNSW Research Fellow, NSW; Kathleen Wilkins, Consumer; Helen Zahra, Carers Program, South Western Sydney Local Health District, NSW Health, NSW.
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