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.
If you’re having difficulty paying your living expenses, there are some ways you may be able to add to your income. This page can help you learn about the benefits for cancer patients and other options to help reduce financial pressure or hardship.
Our team is here to listen and support you.
Many people need to find other means of income to manage the financial impact of a cancer diagnosis and treatment. There are options and benefits for cancer patients to support you and your family in navigating cancer.
Understanding your options for supplementing your income and accessing more money can help reduce financial stress during treatment. You could be eligible for Centrelink payments, early access to your superannuation and cancer-related insurance payments, and other benefits for cancer patients and their carers.
The Australian Government offers a few different types of payments through Centrelink for cancer patients and their carers (that is, if you have a dependant who has cancer) that may be available to you.
Centrelink benefits for cancer patients and their carers include:
You could also be eligible for a Pensioner Concession Card or a Health Care Card, which can help reduce medical and other helpful costs.
Visit servicesaustralia.gov.au and search for “payment and service finder” to find out what payments you may be able to get.
You can claim payments online through myGov. You’ll need to visit the website and set up an account first.
Centrelink benefits may be income and asset tested or have other eligibility requirements. To check eligibility criteria and for information about how to apply, visit Services Australia or ask your social worker.
Review all your insurance policies, not just health policies, to see if they cover your situation. This may include income protection, private health, travel, trauma, consumer credit, total and permanent disability (TPD), mortgage and life insurance.
If you are not sure whether you’re covered, contact your insurer and ask. It’s important to make any insurance claims as soon as possible because time limits can apply.
If you’re thinking of resigning from your job, check your insurance coverage first because leaving work may affect some entitlements.
If you think you should be covered but your claim is denied, get in touch with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority. You can also call our Cancer Council support line on 13 11 20 – we may be able to connect you with a lawyer or provide other support or assistance.
If you’re on a low income and don’t qualify for other affordable credit, you may be eligible for a no interest loan. No interest loans help people buy household items to improve their health or wellbeing.
You can borrow up to $1,500 to buy essential items such as white goods, furniture, medical appliances and more. Most no interest loans require repayment over 12–18 months.
Depending on your situation, selling an asset such as a house, car or investment could be a helpful option to cover expenses or repay debts.
It’s a good idea to speak to a financial adviser about which assets to keep or sell. If you are considering selling an asset or accessing your superannuation early, be sure to get advice that explains any tax issues to help maximise your return.
If a lender has a court order allowing them to sell your property to recover a debt, ask them in writing to postpone enforcement of the order so you can sell your asset privately. You will probably get a better return if you arrange the sale yourself or through an agent.
In Australia, you usually need to be at least 55 years old and retired before you can access your superannuation. But you can access your super early under some circumstances, including if you need help paying for medical treatment or you’re experiencing severe financial hardship.
Once you have reached this minimum age set by law (referred to as your preservation age) you can access your super as a lump sum or an income stream.
If you are aged 55–64 you access your super as an income stream to top up your salary but cannot access it as a lump sum.
You can receive a maximum of 10% of your super account balance each year as your ‘transition to retirement’ income stream. If you’re under the age of 60, you may have to pay tax on your super income payments.
You can access your super early only in some circumstances, including if you need the money to pay for:
You can also access your super early if you:
To access your super early, you need to apply to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) or directly to your super fund, depending on the reason you are applying. There are also tax issues to consider.
To find out more about superannuation and cancer, visit the ATO website, contact your super fund or talk to a financial counsellor for more information. You can also call our Cancer Council support line on 13 11 20 for more information, practical advice or emotional support.
In Australia, around 5,000 people are diagnosed with work-related cancers each year. These can be caused by:
If you’ve been diagnosed with a work-related cancer, you may be entitled to workers compensation. Workers compensation covers workers and their employers in the event of a work-related injury or illness, this could include weekly payments, a lump sum and/or payment of medical bills.
It’s important to obtain legal advice from a lawyer who specialises in workers compensation matters. To find a lawyer, contact the Law Society in your state or territory.
To make a claim, notify your state or territory workers compensation authority about your cancer and why you think it is work-related. A time limit may apply for making a claim.
Call our Cancer Council support line on 13 11 20 for more information about receiving compensation for work-related cancer or to see if we can connect you with a lawyer.
You may be eligible to access your super if you meet Australian Taxation Office requirements for early withdrawal.
Yes, some people with cancer have access to benefits to help manage the impact of cancer. Including early access to superannuation, insurance, and Centrelink benefits for cancer patients.
If you’d like to learn more about what benefits or support services are available to you, call our Cancer Council support line on 13 11 20.
You may be eligible for Centrelink payments if you have cancer or you’re the primary carer of someone who does.
You could also be eligible for a Pensioner Concession Card or a Health Care Card.
There is a range of benefits to help people with cancer manage the impact of a cancer diagnosis, depending on your situation.
To learn more about what benefits, or support services are available to you, call our Cancer Council support line on 13 11 20.
Your ability to claim on life insurance after a cancer diagnosis depends on your policy terms.
Key factors affecting claims include the type and stage of cancer, policy definitions, waiting periods and level of cover. Contact your insurer or superannuation fund to understand your options and gather necessary medical documentation to support your claim.
For specific details about what you’re covered for, check your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) with your provider or speak with a financial advisor.
