Overview
After cancer treatment, you may be under financial stress, especially if you needed to travel for treatment or take time away from work.
There are a range of support services available, offering financial counselling as well as income support. There are also travel assistance schemes for attending follow-up appointments.
If you are returning to work, your GP can help you decide how much you can do. If you have an employer, talk to them about a return-to-work plan.
What's on this page
Work and financial support
Cancer can affect your income and increase your costs. If you live in a rural or regional area, you may have needed to travel for treatment, take time away from work, or pay people to help run your farm or business. Financial stress is common, and support is available. Options include:
- The Rural Financial Counselling Service Network – This service offers free financial counselling to farmers, fishers, foresters and small rural business owners. Call 1300 771 741.
- Farm Household Allowance – This service can provide income support for farming families experiencing hardship. To find out more, contact the Farmer Assistance Hotline on 132 316.
- The National Debt Helpline – A free service that helps people who are struggling with debt or paying bills. It can connect you with professional financial counsellors. Call 1800 007 007.
Help with transport and accommodation
You may need to travel for follow-up appointments or to see other health professionals after cancer treatment ends. Every Australian state and territory has a patient travel assistance scheme that may help with transport and accommodation costs.
Travel and accommodation schemes
|
State / Territory |
Scheme |
|
NSW |
Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS) |
|
NT |
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|
Queensland |
Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme (PTSS) |
|
SA |
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Tasmania |
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Victoria |
Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme (VPTAS) |
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WA |
Call Cancer Connect on 13 11 20 for help finding transport and accommodation support in your area, or visit our online service finder.
Going back to work
Returning to work can be hard, especially if you have side effects or are having ongoing maintenance treatment. If you work casually, seasonally or for yourself, the financial impact can be immediate and you may feel greater pressure to return to work. Talk to your GP about what you can manage.
If you took time off work for treatment and are returning to an existing job, talk to your employer about a return-to-work plan.
For more information on going back to work, see Cancer, work and you.
What if I can no longer work?
If cancer or treatment means you can’t return to your previous work – whether that’s paid employment, running a farm or business, or contract work – there may be options.
Talk to your GP about rehabilitation or retraining programs that could help you move to different work. If you’re permanently unable to work, you may be able to access your superannuation early, or claim on income protection or total and permanent disability insurance if you have it.
Contact Services Australia on 132 717 to find out about payments like the Disability Support Pension. You can also call Cancer Connect on 13 11 20 to talk through your situation and discuss your options
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