Working carers often depend on their income to support their family and the person who is unwell.
If your income drops because you need to take time off work, there are some options:
- Call Cancer Council 13 11 20 to see what support may be available. Cancer Council may be able to refer you to a financial adviser or financial counsellor, depending on your location.
- Centrelink supports carers with a range of payments, including the Carer Payment and Carer Allowance. To check if you are eligible, call 132 717 or visit servicesaustralia.gov.au.
- Call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 or call the Rural Financial Counselling Service on 1800 686 175 for free, confidential financial counselling.
- Speak to a social worker to see what assistance is available.
- You may be able to get early access to your superannuation if you are caring for a dependant, such as a child. Make sure you get financial advice about how this may affect your retirement and your ability to claim on any insurance policies linked to your superannuation. Contact your super fund for more details.
For more on this, see Cancer and your finances.
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Brooke Russell, Principal Occupational Therapist, WA Cancer Occupational Therapy, WA; Bianca Alessi, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council SA; Dr Prunella Blinman, Medical Oncologist, Concord Cancer Centre, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, NSW; James Chirgwin, Physiotherapist, The Wesley Hospital, QLD; Danielle Curnoe, Consumer; Simon Gates, Barrister, Tasmanian Bar, TAS; Justin Hargreaves, Medical Oncology Nurse Practitioner, Bendigo Health Cancer Centre, VIC; Kaylene Jacques, Director, People and Communications, Cancer Council NSW; Alex Kelly, Senior People Attraction Advisor, Human Resources, Allianz Australia Insurance, NSW; Legal reviewer; Georgina Lohse, Social Worker, GV Health, VIC; Lesley McQuire, Consumer, Cancer Voices NSW.
View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.
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