A cancer diagnosis and treatment can affect many areas of a person’s life – including finances.
Cancer Council NSW provides financial guidance, information and support to help people navigate cancer-related financial issues. All patients and carers referred for financial support will be contacted by our qualified Financial Navigators, who will unpack their financial situation and determine which level of support is most appropriate.
Financial Navigation Service
Our Financial Navigation Service is a free telephone-based service that helps people affected by cancer understand their financial rights and options, empowering them to make informed financial decisions. This service can support patients, carers and bereaved carers and is not means tested.
Our Financial Navigators can:
- discuss financial rights and options, including how to manage everyday expenses and debts
- prepare a budget
- provide guidance and help navigating of hardship programs, concessions and rebates
- connect eligible patients and carers who require more intensive support with Cancer Council NSW’s internal financial counsellors and/or external volunteer financial planners
- provide temporary financial relief (up to $350 towards utility bills or food or fuel vouchers) for patients in critical financial hardship who meet a strict means test. We’re grateful to Joyce and Basil Philips and the JEP Trust for its generous support of this program.
Financial Counselling Service
Our Financial Counsellors provide information, guidance and support to help people affected by cancer manage debts and everyday expenses.
They can act as a negotiator, advocate for people who are at financial risk, and work with community organisations that support people experiencing financial hardship.
Our Financial Counselling Service is a free telephone-based service that can help people affected by cancer with:
- budgeting and managing everyday expenses
- options to manage debts, including reducing or pausing repayments
- negotiating with creditors
- information about consumer rights.
How you can access these services
You can access these services by:
- calling our Information & Support Line on 13 11 20
- speaking to a Cancer Council Liaison if there is one based at your treatment centre (see list here)
- speaking to a healthcare professional at your treatment centre and they can refer you.
If you require a translator, you can call 13 14 50 to use our translating service (TIS).
Learn more about Cancer and your finances or download our booklet.
