6 ways the government can support working people with cancer
By
Cancer Council NSW
Almost 1 in 2 people of working age with cancer are not in the workforce.
Without access to a stable income, people in this situation are often unable to afford vital out-of-pocket treatment costs and deal with a reduced quality of life on top of the physical and emotional toll of cancer.
To understand some of challenges and opportunities surrounding cancer and work, we held a community forum “Cancer, Work and You” in Tamworth.
The forum, opened by The Hon. Kevin Anderson, Member for Tamworth, brought together people affected by cancer to share their experiences, discuss the barriers to working or employing someone with cancer and explore the practical and government supports needed to make a real difference.
Working with the community to identify areas for improvement
To help frame the group discussion, we heard from several people living with cancer who shared their experiences of balancing work and treatment.
Community members Dane O’Connor, Sue Woodall and Ryan Brook spoke about how cancer has impacted their working lives. Then lawyer, Joey Tass, Partner at Hunt & Hunt Lawyers, gave a rundown of key employment law rights and responsibilities.
Throughout the forum, participants shared ideas through presentations, discussions and group activities.
These ranged from extending entitlements to casual workers through portable leave schemes, reviewing eligibility for government support payments, and mandating flexible work arrangements.
Our recommendations to the government to support working people with cancer
From the ideas that came up in the forum, Cancer Council NSW has identified six key recommendations. These include:
- Tax concessions for downsizing a business and/or review of the asset test for government support payments: Advocate for a review of tax guidelines with the Australian Government and ATO to introduce compassionate exemptions such as waiving capital gains tax when selling a business or stamp duty when forced to sell a home due to cancer.
- Extending entitlements and protections for casual workers: Partner with government bodies to push for reforms that ensure casual workers impacted by cancer have access to basic protections and leave entitlements.
- Cancer and work helpline and advisory service: With additional funding, expand Cancer Council NSW’s existing support line to include a dedicated workplace advisory service for both employers and employees navigating cancer-related issues in the workforce.
- Support payments or additional leave for carers: Work with government to expand carer leave entitlements for those supporting loved ones with cancer.
- Employer training and upskilling: Develop workplace-specific education modules to help employers manage and support employees diagnosed with cancer.
- Simplifying compassionate release of superannuation: Collaborate with the Australian Government and ATO to streamline and redesign the compassionate release process, making it more accessible and flexible for people living with cancer.
Turning stories into action
Looking ahead, Cancer Council NSW will be advocating that the NSW Government adopt our recommendations to create a NSW that better supports working people affected by cancer.
“Cancer affects everything such as mental health, finances, relationships. That’s why tonight’s inaugural forum by the Cancer Council is so vital.”
To learn more about the forum, read our full report Cancer, Work and You: Community Forum