Get involved and help Queenslanders living with cancer by volunteering. Volunteers are the heart of our organisation. Join us to make a greater impact and connect with like-minded people.
Every contribution helps support those living with cancer. Whether a one-off donation or monthly gift, your support ensures funding stability for long-term goals and future generations.
Leave a legacy by including a gift in your Will, starting a tribute page for a loved one, or funding a research grant for early-career cancer researchers driving clinical innovations.
Organise a fundraising event in your community, either as a team or an individual. You can join one of our existing fundraising events or you might like to come up with your own way.
When organisations work together, we can have a greater impact for every Queenslander going through cancer and help amplify our message for all Australians.
However you get involved, you’re making a direct impact on the lives of Queenslanders affected by cancer. See the results of what we’ve all achieved.
Many cancer carers juggle the responsibilities of work alongside their caregiving roles. Your job and your role as a carer may be both important and necessary parts of your life. We’re here to provide you with practical tips to help balance the demands of caregiving, work, and family, as well as where to find support.
Our team is here to listen and support you.
Cancer carers are any people who balance paid employment with providing unpaid personal care, assistance and support to someone going through cancer. There are many different situations that qualify as providing care:
Understanding your paid carer’s leave entitlements is crucial for cancer carers because it allows you to make informed choices about the care you can provide. Paid carer’s leave is available to cancer caregivers when looking after certain members of your family or people you live with, including:
When considering becoming a cancer carer you will need to weigh up your ability to handle both your care commitments and your responsibilities at work. Caring can affect your work in various ways, including your hours, productivity, the time you may need to take off, and your ability to focus.
It can also take a toll on your emotional and physical wellbeing. When making decisions, consider factors like:
You aren’t required to tell your employer that you are a carer, but opening a conversation with your employer about your role as a cancer carer may help them to understand and accommodate your needs. It may also help you access carer’s leave and flexible working arrangements.
You may wish to discuss:
Get to know the policies your workplace has for employees with caring responsibilities and what your employment contract, award or enterprise agreement says before you speak with your employer. The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 protects carers of people with cancer from workplace discrimination. This means that you can’t usually be dismissed for taking the caring leave you are entitled to.
Discussing your role as a cancer caregiver with your co-workers is an entirely personal decision. If you prefer to keep your caring role confidential, your employer needs to respect your wishes. If you tell your co-workers about your caring role, they may be a source of support or provide some ideas for how the team can adapt to your changed needs. Some of your fellow employees may also be working carers.
You should also talk to your employer if you are thinking about resigning. They may not want to lose you and may suggest some options to help you remain at work that you hadn’t thought about.
It may be necessary to take time off work or to stop working for a while to look after the person with cancer. Your employer can ask for basic facts about why you need time off, however an employer cannot take action against you for taking your leave. Leave you may be entitled to includes:
Working carers often depend on their income to support their family and the person who is unwell. If your income drops because you need to take time off work, there are some financial help for cancer caregivers options available:
There is a wide range of cancer carers support available to help you with both the practical and emotional aspects of your caring role. The availability of services may vary depending on where you live. Some services are free, but others may have a cost. Cancer carers support services include:
A carer provides unpaid personal care, assistance and support to someone with an illness or disability, including cancer. Centrelink supports carers with a range of payments, including the Carer Payment and Carer Allowance. To check if you are eligible, call 132 717 or visit the Services Australia website.
You may be entitled to financial support when providing care for a child who is an immediate family member (child, grandchild or sibling), an immediate family member of your partner (a child, sibling, or grandchild of your spouse, partner or de facto partner) or a household member (any person who lives with you). Centrelink supports carers with a range of payments, including
the Carer Payment and Carer Allowance. To check if you are eligible, call 132 717 or visit the Services Australia website.
No. A carer provides unpaid personal care, assistance and support to someone with an illness or disability, including cancer. That person may be a partner, relative, friend or neighbour.
Personal leave (which includes sick leave and carer’s leave) is paid leave. The National Employment Standards outline the rules for personal leave which include 10 days of paid personal leave each year for full-time employees. Part-time employees receive this entitlement on a pro rata (proportional) basis, based on the number of hours they work.
