Help and support for your family

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Help with money, travel and accommodation

Caring for a child with cancer can affect a family’s income and create unexpected costs.

These may include:

  • Travel to hospital
  • Accommodation
  • Parking
  • Medicines
  • Meals away from home
  • Childcare for siblings
  • Taking time away from work.

Financial support may be available and it is okay to ask about options early. You do not need to wait until money worries become difficult to manage before asking for support.

Talk to your hospital social worker

A hospital social worker can help you understand what assistance may be available and help you complete applications.

They may be able to connect you with:

  • Government payments
  • Travel and accommodation schemes
  • Emergency financial assistance
  • Home support
  • Counselling
  • Legal or employment advice
  • Charities that support families affected by childhood cancer.

Government support

Some families may qualify for payments such as the Carer Payment or Carer Allowance through Services Australia.

Your eligibility depends on your family’s circumstances. Your social worker can help you work out which payments may apply.

Travel and accommodation

In Queensland, the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme provides financial assistance for travel when specialist services are not available locally. Each Australian state and territory also has a patient travel assistance scheme for people who need to travel long distances for specialist medical care.

Assistance may be available for:

  • Fuel or other transport
  • Flights
  • Accommodation
  • An approved support person travelling with the child.

Cancer Council Queensland offer a range of supports and services including financial counselling, accommodation, transport to treatment and more. Visit the Cancer Council Queensland Support & Services page to find out more.

Other organisations that provide specific support for families experiencing childhood cancer include:

Other financial assistance

Organisations including Redkite, Camp Quality and the Leukaemia Foundation may provide practical or financial support to eligible families.

Ask about financial assistance early. Please note that some applications take time, and may require supporting information from your healthcare team. Your social worker can provide assistance and guidance.