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 |
Additional resources
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.
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