We can support your patient and/or their carer to manage financial issues arising from a cancer diagnosis.
Our qualified Financial Navigators can provide financial information, guidance and resources to help patients and carers understand their rights and options to help them manage financial issues and make informed decisions.
Our Financial Navigators can:
- provide information about financial rights and options, including managing debts and everyday expenses
- help prepare a budget
- support clients to apply for utility hardship programs and/or Government concessions, where appropriate
- refer to other external organisations for additional financial and practical support.
Health professionals can refer patients and carers for support using the online referral form.
| This is a free service delivered via telephone for all patients and carers with financial issues associated with a cancer diagnosis.
If your patient speaks a language other than English, we can arrange a telephone interpreter for them. |
Our Financial Navigators can connect eligible patients and carers with Cancer Council’s Financial Counsellors, or external Financial Planners for further support (see below for more information on these services).
Our Financial Navigators can provide financial relief towards utilities, groceries, or transport for eligible clients in acute financial hardship (up to $350 as a once-off payment).
Our Financial Counsellors work alongside our Financial Capability Workers to advocate for patients and carers in financial hardship and support them to manage debts and everyday expenses.
Our Financial Counsellors can:
- help clients to prioritise debts
- provide options to manage debts (credit cards, mortgages, car loans, Centrelink, fines)
- negotiate with creditors and advocate on behalf of patients and carers
- access dispute resolution services.
| The Financial Counselling service is provided over the telephone and is free for eligible patients and carers.
If your patient speaks a language other than English, we can arrange a telephone interpreter for them. |
If your patients and their carers are experiencing financial hardship associated with their cancer diagnosis, we can help them access financial advice and support through the Cancer Council NSW’s Financial Planning Referral Service.
Financial planners can provide advice and support on:
- accessing superannuation and insurance
- eligibility for and accessing Centrelink payments
- debt management
- managing lump sum payments
- retirement and estate planning.
| Usually, people meet Financial Planners at their office. Assistance may also be provided via video, phone, and email where appropriate.
If your patient speaks a language other than English, we can arrange a telephone interpreter for them. |
To be eligible for our Financial Planning Referral Service, patients and carers must:
- be having financial issues related to the patient’s cancer diagnosis
- be undergoing financial hardship and be unable to afford the cost of professional advice
- have not already accessed support from Cancer Council NSW with the same issue
- not currently receiving support from a Financial Planner, or seeking a second opinion.
| Cancer Council NSW does not provide this advice directly.
Cancer Council NSW connects eligible patients and carers with volunteer Financial Planners in the community who provide free advice and assistance. |
Find answers to your questions about our Financial Navigation Service in this fact sheet.