Ready to write your first Will

On this page you will learn:

• How to write your Will and the best approach
• What is a gift in a Will and what types of gifts you can give
• How to leave a gift in a Will and things to consider
• The impact your gift could have
• Our promise to you

How to write your Will and the best approach

A Will is a legal document that sets out your wishes for what should happen after you die. It usually explains:

• Who should receive your money, property, and possessions (your estate)
• Who will carry out your wishes (your executor)
• Who will care for any dependents, if relevant
• Any specific gifts or donations you want to leave

Why you need a Will

Without a valid Will, the law decides how your estate is distributed, which may not reflect your wishes.

It helps manage the assets that you leave behind.

A Will ensures that your loved ones are cared for with these assets. And if you want to leave a legacy gift to a charity that inspires you, you can.

This means you can make a better world for future generations.

How to write a Will

There are a number of ways you can write a Will, for ease, we have two options we share with Cancer Council NSW supporters.

1. Meet with a solicitor

For a more personalised approach, connect with a solicitor who understands charitable giving from one of the participating firms of the Planned Giving Platform – an initiative that brings charities and solicitors together to help Australians leave more than memories.

You can use your own solicitor or use the search tool to see the available solicitors, choose one and book an appointment. When you do this, Cancer Council NSW will put up to $300 towards your appointment to help cover costs.

There is no obligation for you to leave a gift in your Will to Cancer Council NSW, although we do hope that once you look after the ones you love, you consider us on this journey.

Pros:

• Face to face meeting with a specialised solicitor of your choice
• Have a professional relationship with the solicitor managing your affairs
• Have your concerns and questions answered in your appointment
• Be provided with a clear personalised path to finalising your Will the way you want it
• Affordable – Cancer Council NSW will put $300 towards your appointment
• Can be done remotely over the phone or video chat if preferred

Cons:

• Needs to be done within the available times of the solicitor you want to engage with.
• If your estate is more complex, there could be more costs (however you would be advised of this exact amount before moving forward).

2. Write one online

For more simple Wills, you might find the Safewill online Will writing website valuable. There is a standard set of steps when writing your Will, and Safewill have created an online portal where you can plug in your own information. It is then reviewed by their team of solicitors. You then receive your legal Will and can go back and use their services anytime to make an update.

Cancer Council NSW is proud to partner with Safewill.

Pros:

• Secure
• Backed by a specialised legal team that review your information.
• Flexible: You can do it at anytime day or night and save your information and come back later to continue with the process.
• $80 with Cancer Council 50% discount, with optional in app costs

Cons:

Possibly not suitable for complicated estates which may require a face-to-face conversation with a solicitor and a more in depth look at their assets and how they will be allocated.

Take a look at the Safewill website to see how it works

What is a gift in a Will and what types of gifts you can give

A charitable gift in a Will – often called a Gift in Will or bequest – is a donation that someone chooses to leave to a charity as part of their estate planning. It’s a way for individuals to support causes they care about beyond their lifetime and create a lasting legacy.

In practical terms, this means including instructions in your Will that allocate a portion of your assets to a charitable organisation.

You can choose from many options, such as;

• A percentage (residual) gift 
• Fixed sum of money (pecuniary) gift
• Specific gift.

Do you need to be wealthy?

Anyone can leave a gift in their Will. Every gift, no matter the size makes a huge impact, ensuring our research, cancer prevention programs, and support services for people affected by cancer can continue well into the future.

To leave a gift in your Will, you just need the correct wording

When going through a solicitor, your solicitor can help ensure the wording is legally valid.

When going through an online Will writing service, like the Safewill website, the wording is created for you as part of the template

Wording for different types of gifts

The impact your gift could have

Funding Research Breakthroughs

Gifts in Wills help fund world-class cancer research, leading to life-saving discoveries. For example, thanks to gifts in Wills, the world’s first cervical cancer vaccine was developed in Australia, which is now preventing thousands of deaths and is expected to help eliminate cervical cancer in Australia by 2035.

Supporting Cancer Information and Prevention Programs

Your gift could enable programs that educate communities about cancer prevention, early detection, and healthy lifestyle choices—reducing cancer risk for future generations.

Providing Care and Support Services

Gifts in Wills fund vital services for people affected by cancer, including emotional support, practical assistance, and information resources, helping patients and families navigate their cancer journey.

Our promise to you

Leaving a gift in your Will is a deeply personal decision. It reflects your values, your experiences, and the legacy you wish to leave behind. We are honoured that you are considering including Cancer Council NSW in those plans.

When you choose to support Cancer Council NSW through a gift in your Will, we promise to:

Most importantly, we promise to honour your generosity by striving every day towards a future where no one faces cancer alone. 

Daffodil Circle stories

Ann – has left a gift in her Will to Cancer Council NSW

Ann feels hopeful that the gift in her Will is going to have a direct impact on those affected by cancer. She hopes that others will join her in leaving a gift in their Will, too. “I recommend it to everyone – it gives you a warm feeling inside too, to know your money is going somewhere good”.

Read more Daffodil Circle stories

Contact Details

For any enquiries around writing your Will and including a gift to Cancer Council NSW, please reach out below:

• Phone: (02) 9334 1479
• Email: [email protected]
• Contact form: Use our website form