When cancer affects your finances, seeing a qualified professional for advice can help. Whether you should see a financial counsellor or financial adviser will depend on your circumstances.
Financial counsellors
Provide practical suggestions to help people manage their personal budget and finances, especially those on low incomes. They can negotiate and advocate for people at financial risk, or refer people to legal advice or other services.
Financial counsellors provide a free service to their clients; they are not allowed to charge fees or commissions. To talk to a financial counsellor, phone the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007.
Financial advisers (may also call themselves a financial planner)
Provide advice to help people manage their assets and financial affairs to achieve their personal and financial goals. Financial advisers must have an Australian financial services licence or work for businesses with an Australian financial services licence.
Financial advisers usually charge fees and may receive commissions for selling financial products. Independent financial advisers do not receive any commissions and are not linked with a provider of financial products.
To find a financial adviser, visit moneysmart.gov.au and search the financial advisers register by suburb or postcode.
If you are unable to look after your own financial affairs, you can legally give someone you trust the power to make financial or legal decisions for you. This is known as an enduring power of attorney or appointment of a substitute decision maker. Talk to a lawyer to get specific advice about your situation or call 13 11 20 to see if our Legal Referral Service can help.
You hear that once people are in the credit trap, they can’t get out of it. I called Cancer Council and ended up speaking to a financial counsellor. She helped me sort things out with the bank.
Vincent
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More resources
Rania Tannous, Head of Legal, Corporate, Legal and Governance, AMP; Patricia Troll, Senior Legal Counsel, AMP Financial Services Legal, Legal and Governance, AMP; Lynette Brailey, Program Coordinator, Financial Assistance Service, Cancer Council NSW; Stephen Bray, Financial Planner, FM Financial, TAS; Angela Daly, Senior Social Worker, Cancer Services, The Adem Crosby Centre, Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service, QLD; Sandra Hodge, Consumer; Sandi Johnson, Consumer; Antony Mitchell, Financial Counsellor, Financial Counselling Program, Cancer Council VIC; Lucy Pollerd, Social Worker, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Heather Richards, Consumer; Deb Roffe, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council SA.
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