Support is available from a wide range of organisations. Cancer Council SA offers a range of free support services for people with cancer and their family, friends and co-workers. There are also specific resources available for carers.
Support from Cancer Council
| Cancer Council Information and Support - 13 11 20 | This confidential telephone service is staffed by trained health professionals who can provide information about any aspect of cancer. Our 13 11 20 consultants can send you printed information, connect you with counselling and support services in your local area, and provide emotional support. |
|---|---|
| Cancer Council SA website - cancersa.org.au | Provides evidence-based information about more than 30 types of cancer, as well as information about cancer treatment and side effects, living with cancer, prevention, research and advocacy. Information can be read online or downloaded as PDFs and often as ebooks. You can also find links to a range of support services for people affected by cancer. |
| Cancer Council Legal, Financial, Small Business and Workplace Referral Services - 13 11 20 | Program that can connect people affected by cancer with a legal, financial, small business or workplace professional. Advice is free for eligible clients. Available in most states and territories. |
| Cancer Council Online Community - cancercouncil.com.au/OC | This moderated site hosts an online community for people affected by cancer, their families and carers. It is a safe place to connect with others and chat about treatment, specific cancer types, carers’ issues, survivorship, and grief and loss. |
| Cancer Council’s podcast series - cancercouncil.com.au/podcasts | The Thing About Cancer, Cancer Council’s podcast series, provides information and insights for anyone affected by cancer. |
Support from other organisations
| Australian Human Rights Commission - humanrights.gov.au | 1300 656 419 | Receives complaints about discrimination and bullying in the workplace, and promotes fairness. |
|---|---|
| Beyond Blue - beyondblue.org.au | 1300 22 4636 | Offers online and phone support to people affected by anxiety and depression. |
| Cancer Australia - canceraustralia.gov.au | Provides information about cancer control and care. |
| Carers Australia - carersaustralia.com.au | 1800 242 636 | National body representing Australia’s carers. Provides information, advice and short-term counselling about combining work and caring responsibilities. |
| Carer Gateway - carergateway.gov.au | 1800 422 737 | Provides practical information and resources for carers, and links to support services, including respite care. There is also information for working carers. |
| Centrelink - humanservices.gov.au | 132 717 | Offers financial support for people with a long-term illness and for primary carers. |
| Fair Work Commission - fwc.gov.au | 1300 799 675 | The national workplace tribunal. Can also hear workplace bullying claims. |
| Fair Work Ombudsman - fairwork.gov.au | 13 13 94 | Information on pay, National Employment Standards, leave, termination/dismissal and complaints. |
| JobAccess - jobaccess.gov.au | 1800 464 800 | Provides information and assistance to support the employment of people with a disability, including cancer. |
| National Disability Insurance Scheme - ndis.gov.au | 1800 800 110 | Provides supports and services for people with a permanent and significant disability. |
| Office of the Australian Information Commissioner - oaic.gov.au | 1300 363 992 | National body that investigates privacy infringements and handles privacy complaints. |
| Work After Cancer - workaftercancer.com.au | Information about working during cancer treatment and returning to work after treatment. |
Specific types of cancer support
| Australian Gynaecological Cancer Foundation | agcf.org.au |
|---|---|
| Australian Pancreatic Cancer Genome Initiative | pancreaticcancer.net.au |
| The Australian Thyroid Foundation | thyroidfoundation.org.au |
| Bernie Banton Foundation (mesothelioma and asbestos-related support) | berniebanton.com.au |
| Beyond Five: The Face of Head and Neck Cancer | beyondfive.org.au |
| Brain Tumour Alliance Australia | btaa.org.au |
| Breast Cancer Network Australia | bcna.org.au |
| Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation | accf.org.au |
| GI Cancer Institute | gicancer.org.au |
| Kidney Health Australia | kidney.org.au |
| Leukaemia Foundation | leukaemia.org.au |
| Melanoma Institute Australia | melanoma.org.au |
| Myeloma Australia | myeloma.org.au |
| Ovarian Cancer Australia | ovariancancer.net.au |
| Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia | prostate.org.au |
| Rare Cancers Australia | rarecancers.org.au |
Other cancer-related information
| Australian Cancer Trials | australiancancertrials.gov.au |
|---|---|
| Your guides to best cancer care | cancer.org.au/cancercareguides |
Children and teenagers
| Camp Quality | campquality.org.au |
|---|---|
| CanTeen | canteen.org.au |
| Redkite | redkite.org.au |
| Starlight Children’s Foundation | starlight.org.au |
| Youth Cancer Services | canteen.org.au/how-we-help/youth-cancer-services |
Featured resource
This information was last reviewed December 2019 by the following expert content reviewers: Lydia Chin, HR Business Partner, Australian Red Cross, VIC; John Boomsma, Consumer; Emily Gibson, Social Worker, Mater Hospital Brisbane, QLD; Shai Ishaq, Head, Talent and Culture, Pureprofile, NSW; Nick Ruskin, Partner, K&L Gates, NSW; Andrew Smith, Occupational Therapist, Co-Founder and Director, Allied Education Group, VIC; Amy Wallis, Occupational Therapist, Co-Founder and Director, Allied Education Group, VIC; Kerryann White, Manager, People and Culture, Cancer Council SA.
This information is intended as a general introduction and should not be seen as a substitute for medical, legal or financial advice. You should obtain independent advice relevant to your specific situation from appropriate professionals. Information on cancer, including the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cancer, is constantly being updated and revised by medical professionals and the research community. While all care is taken to ensure accuracy at the time of publication, Cancer Council Australia and its members exclude all liability for any injury, loss or damage incurred by use of or reliance on the information provided.