Support and information
Help and support can help make life easier. Below is an overview of different organisations and services that can provide information and help for you and your family. The availability of services may vary depending on where you live. Talk to the social worker at the hospital or call Cancer Council 13 11 20 to find out what services are available.
Find out what services are available in the areas of:
- Accommodation
- Carer services
- Counselling and mentoring services
- Equipment and aids
- Financial assistance
- Funerals
- Home help
- Home nursing
- Legal advice and information
- Palliative care
- Spiritual or pastoral care
- Respite care
- Support groups
Accommodation
|
Cancer Council 13 11 20 Contact the hospital social worker. |
Cancer patients and carers who travel a long way for treatment can often get accommodation at or near the treatment centre. Facilities may be self-contained or shared, and the cost is sometimes subsidised. |
| National Rural Health and search for ‘PATS’ | Every state and territory has a government scheme that provides financial help to people who need to travel long distances to access specialist medical treatment that is not available in their local area. |
Carer services
| Carers Australia 1800 242 636 |
National body representing Australia’s carers; can direct you to local counselling and support services. Carers Associations are available in each state and territory. |
| Carer Gateway 1800 422 737 | Provides practical information and resources for carers, and helps them connect to local support services. |
| National Carer Counselling Program (NCCP) 1800 242 636 |
Offers short-term counselling for carers. The NCCP service is run by your local Carers Association. |
Counselling and mentoring services
| Australian Psychological Society |
Use the ‘Find a Psychologist’ search to look for a practitioner in your area. |
| Better Access initiative | Medicare-subsidised referral to counselling through your GP. |
| beyondblue 1300 22 4636 |
Offers 24-hour telephone counselling service. Online and email counselling are available 7 days a week. |
| Cancer Council’s Peer Support Programs 13 11 20 |
Community of people affected by cancer that you can connect with online, by phone or in person. |
| Canteen 1800 835 932 |
Online, phone and face-to-face counselling for young people aged 12–25. |
| Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 |
Phone, email and webchat counselling for young people aged 5–25. |
| Lifeline 13 11 14 |
A 24-hour telephone crisis support and suicide prevention service. |
| MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78 |
A 24-hour telephone and online support and referral service for men with family and relationship issues. |
Equipment and aids
| Independent Living Centres Australia 1300 885 886 |
Offers advice on a range of products and services to help with aspects of day-to-day living, including mobility, sleeping, eating and transport. |
Financial assistance
| Centrelink 132 717 |
Offers financial support for people with a long-term illness and for primary carers. |
|
Financial Counselling Australia |
Information about financial counselling and help to find a qualified counsellor. |
Funerals
| Australian Funeral Directors Association 1300 888 188 |
Provides a listing of funeral directors and estimates of funeral costs. It also has information on prepaying or planning a funeral. |
| Funeral Directors Australia | Includes a listing of independent funeral directors in your local area. |
| Funeral Celebrants Association Australia | Includes a directory for finding a funeral celebrant in your local area. |
Home help
| Ask your local council or your palliative care team. | Some local councils provide a range of community and in-home services, such as Meals on Wheels or respite care. |
| My Aged Care 1800 200 422 |
Provides information about different types of aged care services and eligibility. |
Legal advice and information
| Cancer Council’s Legal and Financial Service 13 11 20 |
Supports people affected by cancer needing legal advice. This service is free for eligible clients. |
Palliative care
| CareSearch | Online palliative care information, services and evidence for patients, carers and families. |
| Palliative Care Australia | Provides information and resources, and can link you to your local palliative care office. |
Spiritual or pastoral care
| Contact your hospital. | Most large hospitals have a pastoral carer who can talk to you about spiritual concerns (from religious and non-religious viewpoints). |
Respite care
| Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres 1800 052 222 1800 059 059 (emergency) |
Available at home, in a respite care centre or, in some cases, a hospital or hospice. |
Support groups
|
Face-to-face groups Call Cancer Council 13 11 20 for details of local support groups. |
Meet with others who understand what it’s like to have cancer. Many people find they benefit from the close bonds formed at these groups. |
| Telephone support groups Cancer Council 13 11 20 |
There are groups for people with advanced cancer and for carers. |
| Online discussion forum | People can connect with each other at any time, ask or answer questions, or write a blog about their experiences. |
This information was last reviewed in December 2016
Support services
Coping with cancer?
Speak to a health professional or to someone who has been there, or find a support group or forum
Looking for transport, accommodation or home help?
Practical advice and support during and after treatment
Cancer information
What is cancer?
How cancer starts and spreads
Dealing with the diagnosis
Common reactions to a cancer diagnosis and how to find hope
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