A wide range of organisations and health professionals can help you manage the financial impact of cancer.
Learn more about:
- Financial help
- Government benefits
- Bankruptcy
- Dispute resolution
- Legal advice
- No Interest Loan Schemes
- Taxation
Listen to our podcast on Coping with a Cancer Diagnosis
Financial help |
|
| National Debt Helpline
Help with debt problems and assistance finding a counsellor from Financial Counselling Australia (FCA) |
1800 007 007 |
| MoneySmart
Free financial tips and safety checks from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) |
1300 300 630 |
| Financial Information Service (FIS)
Free, confidential service from the Department of Human Services |
132 300
humanservices.gov.au (type “financial information service” in the search box) |
| Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA)
Information about financial planning and help to find a financial planner |
1300 337 301 |
| Cancer Council’s Legal, Financial, Small Business and Workplace Referral Service
Program that can connect you with a financial planner or accountant |
13 11 20 |
Government benefits |
|
| Department of Human Services
Includes Centrelink and Medicare; financial support for people in need |
132 717 (Centrelink)
132 011 (Medicare) 1300 131 060 (early super) humanservices.gov.au |
| Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
Help with the cost of prescription medicines |
1800 020 613 |
Bankruptcy |
|
| Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA)
Information about bankruptcy and personal insolvency agreements |
1300 364 785 |
Dispute resolution |
|
| Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA)
National dispute resolution scheme for all financial services complaints |
1800 931 678 |
| Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO)
National complaints resolution scheme for phone or internet services |
1800 062 058 |
Legal advice |
|
| National Association of Community Legal Centres (NACLC)
The peak national body for Australia’s community legal centres |
02 9264 9595 |
| Cancer Council’s Legal, Financial, Small Business and Workplace Referral Service
Program that can connect you with a lawyer if you need legal advice |
13 11 20 |
No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) |
|
| NILS – Good Shepherd Microfinance
Information about NILS providers |
13 64 57 |
Taxation |
|
| Australian Taxation Office
Tax information |
13 28 65 |
Keith Manchester, Senior Legal Counsel, Financial Services Legal, AMP, NSW; Alka Bisen, Financial Counsellor and Project Coordinator – Financial Assistance Services, Cancer Council NSW; Patricia Dunn, Consumer; Emily Gibson, Social Worker, Mater Hospital Brisbane, QLD; Caitriona Nienaber, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA; Michelle Ruchin, Social Worker, Cancer Council SA; Robert Simon, Technical Services Manager, Tapln and Technical Strategy, AMP Advice, NSW; Krystyna Wisniewski, Consumer.
View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.
Featured resource
Click below to download a PDF booklet on this topic.
Additional resources
Need to talk?
Support services
Need legal and financial assistance?
Pro bono legal and financial matters, no interest loans or help with small business
Coping with cancer?
Ask a health professional or someone who’s 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
Dealing with the diagnosis
Common reactions to a cancer diagnosis and how to find hope
Your coping toolbox
Different ways to cope with a cancer, treatment and stress
View our publications
Guides and fact sheets for people with cancer, their families and friends