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.
The impact of cancer extends beyond the physical, affecting many aspects of a person’s life. You’re not alone—we’re here to help through our Financial Counselling Program. This program may also provide access to financial assistance and pro bono services.
Services available Monday – Friday (excluding public holidays) 9am – 5pm.
Our team is here to listen and support you.
Cancer can bring unexpected financial challenges when going through treatment, or in supporting loved ones who have received a diagnosis. Whether it’s managing reduced income, paying bills, or planning for the future, financial counselling is available at no cost to support you.
Financial counselling is free, confidential and independent, with financial counsellors who are qualified professionals able to provide practical advice tailored to your unique situation.
If you’re a Queensland resident aged 18 or over and facing financial challenges due to your or your loved one’s cancer diagnosis, you may be eligible.
Anyone can self-refer to the Financial Counselling Service by calling 13 11 20. You can choose from a face-to-face appointment (in Brisbane), phone appointment or video appointment.
As a health professional, you can refer someone to this service by:
You will be contacted within 2-3 business days from the time of referral. The initial assessment takes approximately 60 minutes, typically involving an in-depth review of your current financial situation. Subsequent sessions will last 30-60 minutes, depending on your needs.
What to Bring You may be asked to share personal financial documents, such as bank statements, pay slips, or loan agreements, to help us better understand your situation and provide the most effective support. To make the most out of your financial counselling session, please come prepared with the following:
During the initial assessment This may include:
Setting financial goals and action plans Once our assessment is complete, your financial counsellor will support you with your financial goals.
This may include:
Once you have spoken with our Financial Counselling team, they may identify that you could benefit from financial assistance. This is granted to those experiencing severe financial hardship while accessing treatment and at risk of not participating in treatment due to said hardship. To confirm eligibility your referral must be submitted by a health professional on your treatment team.
We may offer a $100 Coles gift card for groceries and essential items during your treatment, and/or a $100 Ampol Cash fuel card to assist with travel to and from appointments. Assistance may be accessed every 6 months during treatment and is capped at a maximum of $200 per calendar year.
These gift cards are delivered digitally and can be used immediately by printing them or saving them to your phone. If you can’t access email, we can email them to your referring health professional to provide them to you at your next appointment.
Please note: The below are general steps to take when applying for financial assistance. We understand that everyone’s situation is unique and may not follow these steps.
To be eligible for assistance, you must:
Approval for financial assistance for cancer patients is not guaranteed and will be at the discretion of Cancer Council Queensland and subject to available funds. We treat all applications carefully and confidentially.
Once you’ve put through a referral, you’ll receive an email confirming your successful submission. If you don’t receive an email, please check your form for errors and resubmit.
If you have submitted a request for Financial Assistance and an error or change needs to be made (for example, from fuel card to food card or method of sending voucher), please email FinancialAssistance@cancerqld.org.au so the change can be made to the application.
A member of the Financial Counselling Program will contact you within 14 business days to process your referral and discuss your eligibility for Financial Assistance. You will receive an outcome notification email once completed from FinancialAssistance@cancerqld.org.au. Approval is dependent on available funds.
You may also benefit from a referral to our Financial Counselling Program and/or the Pro Bono Program which we can discuss with you over the phone.
If you require the services of a professional to help you with the administrative challenges of dealing with cancer, the Pro Bono Program may be able to help. A member of our team will be in contact to first ensure the matter isn’t something one of our Financial Counsellors can assist with. If not, we match up skilled, professional volunteers via our Pro Bono Program, with people who need their services.
The Pro Bono Program is means tested to ensure those who cannot afford to pay for professional advice have the best chance of accessing it.
Services include help with legal matters (wills, insurance, employment disputes), workplace advisory (managing treatment-related work issues), and advice for small business owners affected by cancer.
Please note: The below are general steps to take when applying for the Pro Bono Program. We understand that everyone’s situation is unique and may not follow these steps.
If you’re a Queensland resident aged 18 or over and facing financial and/or legal challenges due to your cancer treatment, you may be eligible.
A member of the Financial Counselling Program will contact you directly to discuss eligibility for Financial Assistance. Approval is dependent on available funds. The gift card/s will be sent to you via email from FinancialAssistance@cancerqld.org.au. You may also benefit from a referral to our Financial Counselling Program and/or the Pro Bono Program which we can discuss with you over the phone.
Pro bono is a Latin phrase that means for the public good. The Cancer Council Queensland Pro Bono Program is means tested and is free for people who cannot afford the cost of advice. Clients can call us directly on 13 11 20 to find out if they are eligible.
A cancer diagnosis and treatment can impact many areas of life, including your finances. You may find yourself navigating new financial challenges, such as reduced income, increased costs, or the need to adjust your financial plans. There are many different types of costs that can add up during cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery. These will vary depending on cancer type, stage and treatment options, and whether you have treatment as a public or private patient. The out-of-pocket cost of cancer treatment in Australia can range from a few hundred dollars to more than $10,000.
Sorting out financial issues can strain your wellbeing and your relationships. Talking to a trusted family member or a professional financial counsellor about your finances may help you clarify your situation and find solutions or financial support. Whether it’s managing reduced income, paying bills, or planning for the future, free financial counselling is available to support you. Call 13 11 20 to connect with Cancer Council’s Financial Counselling Program.
The Australian Government provides a range of assistance payments through Centrelink that may be available to people with cancer and their carers. These include:
The information available on this page should not be used as a substitute for advice from a properly qualified medical professional who can advise you about your own individual medical needs. It is not intended to constitute medical advice and is provided for general information purposes only. See our disclaimer.
