Financial assistance

A cancer diagnosis can be extremely stressful and financial issues can add additional strain.

We help cancer patients who are experiencing financial hardship to access financial counselling and emergency financial assistance payments.

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During my first session of chemotherapy, the social worker came to see me and gave me vouchers for groceries and paid my electricity bill and a phone bill. Emily, breast cancer survivor

Financial counselling

Our financial counsellors provide practical advice to help people with their personal budget and finances. They work with community organisations that assist people in financial difficulty, especially those on low incomes.

They will act as a negotiator and advocate for people who are at financial risk and provide a free service to their clients (they are not allowed to charge fees or commissions).

Financial counselling is offered over the phone or face-to-face in limited locations.

Our financial counsellors can help you with:

  • managing your budget and debts
  • assistance negotiating with creditors
  • applying to change mortgage payments while you are unable to work
  • information about consumer rights.

Emergency financial assistance

We provide emergency financial assistance to people affected by cancer experiencing acute financial hardship.

Patients can receive a once-off financial support towards everyday expenses up to a total of $350. Financial assistance can be provided in the form of bill payments for a range of eligible household expenses, or in the form of emergency food and fuel vouchers.

Patients are assessed by oncology and other health professionals based in hospitals and cancer treatment centres across NSW. We collaborate with health professionals across NSW to make sure that assistance is delivered to people who have no other financial options.


Home help payment assistance

We provide a once-off financial assistance towards household cleaning and gardening maintenance for people affected by cancer who are experiencing financial hardship.

Assistance is limited to $350 and is provided in the form of bill payments paid directly to cleaning or gardening businesses with an Australian Business Number (ABN) only.

Your questions

To be eligible, you must:

  • meet the financial eligibility criteria
  • have a cancer diagnosis
  • have not accesssed the service before
  • be able to find a home help supplier with an ABN.

Patients are assessed by oncology and other health professionals based in hospitals and cancer treatment centres across NSW or by contacting Cancer Council’s Information and Support Line on 13 11 20. Requests will be assessed and if you’re eligible, you will receive approval by email.

Once approved, you need to arrange your own cleaner or gardener who has an ABN and is willing to invoice Cancer Council NSW.

Home Help suppliers need to send invoices to Cancer Council NSW. Payments will be paid directly to the supplier and capped at $350.

Please call us on 13 11 20 or 13 14 50 for our translator service.

You can also speak to a health professional at your treatment centre and they can refer you.

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