A cancer diagnosis may mean a loss of income, on top of many out-of-pocket costs that may not be covered by insurance. Our Legal & Workplace Referral Services help people affected by cancer access free legal and workplace assistance, where they would be otherwise unable to do so due to cost, illness or other barriers.
We do not provide advice directly. We connect people affected by cancer with a volunteer professional in the community who will provide advice and assistance. Usually, people will meet professionals at their office, however, assistance may be provided via video, phone and email where needed.
If you speak a language other than English, we can arrange a telephone interpreter for you.
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The staff at the Cancer Council Pro Bono Service have been absolutely amazing. They're just so generous of their time. Martin, lung cancer patient
Legal referral service
Lawyers involved in the Legal Referral Service may be able to assist with:
- Simple wills, powers of attorney and enduring guardianship documents
- superannuation and insurance disputes
- employment law and discrimination issues
- credit and debt matters.
Workplace referral service
HR professionals provide advice to people affected by cancer on employment issues and rights before, during and after treatment.
For people affected by cancer who are employed, HR professionals can provide information and advice on the following:
- disclosure of a cancer diagnosis and confidentiality obligations
- flexible working arrangements entitlements
- leave and payment of salary during sickness leave
- managing expectations of employers and colleagues
- discrimination at work.
For people who would like to return to work following a cancer diagnosis or caring for a person affected by cancer, HR professionals can provide advice on the following:
- strategies when looking for work, including obligations to tell a new employer about past cancer
- how to explain the gap in a CV due to your treatment when applying for a job
- preparing and reviewing a CV and interview techniques.
Accessing these services
To find out more about these services, please call 13 11 20. For a translator, call 13 14 50.
You can also speak to a social worker at your treatment centre and they can refer you.
Your questions
From September 2024, the following changes will apply:
- New service name – to more accurately reflect the support available to people affected by cancer
- New service scope – to prevent duplication across community support services and ensure faster, more specialised support.
You can read more about the changes here.
Advice is provided by volunteer professionals and is free for people who cannot afford to pay for it. Cancer Council will ask a series of financial questions to determine whether you are eligible for free assistance.
If you don’t qualify for free assistance, we can put you in touch with a professional who can assist on a paid basis.
Finance
- Cancer and Your Finances (411 KB)
- Superannuation and cancer (68 KB)
- Dealing with debts (57 KB)
- Help with bills (52 KB)
- Understanding funerals (64 KB)
- What happens to debts after death (45 KB)
- Your role as executor (55 KB)
Legal
- Getting your affairs in order (84 KB)
- Life Insurance (70 KB)
- Family Law (59 KB)
- Immigration and Cancer (122 KB)
Workplace
- Cancer, Work and You (397 KB)
- Employment and cancer (60 KB)
Professional volunteers:
If you are a lawyer, financial planner, accountant or HR/recruitment professional interested in volunteering to assist people affected by cancer through our Pro Bono Program, please contact us via the form below.
Legal volunteer roles
If you are a law student in your penultimate year (or above) or you are looking to gain skills while giving back to the community, the Cancer Council Pro Bono Program offers volunteer roles. Volunteers generally work 1-2 days per week and get hands-on experience in the delivery of legal, financial and workplace services to people affected by cancer.
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