FINANCES
Who can help me with my financial decisions?
Along the way, you may need to make some big financial decisions or find extra money for
bills and treatment. If you would like to seek help from a professional who has extensive
knowledge of all the areas listed in this section you may want to see a financial counsellor or
financial planner.
A financial counsellor can help resolve your money problems and assist with certain aspects
of your financial affairs (eg. negotiating payment plans for debts). Free and independent
services are offered by community organisations, community legal centres and some
government agencies.
For information on financial counselling services visit www.fido.gov.au and click on the
‘Free Financial Counselling’ link in the Personal Support section.
A financial planner will consider all aspects of your lifestyle, goals and financial requirements
and tailor a personal strategy that suits your individual needs. Most financial planners aim
to have long term relationships with their clients and will review your needs and strategy as
your situation changes.
For more information on financial planners please visit www.goodadvice.com.au.
How do I find out the cost of my treatment?
The cost of your treatment will vary according to your diagnosis and the recommendations
of your treating team. Whether you are treated within the public or private system will also
have an impact.
We encourage you to speak to your team about what the out of pocket costs of your
treatment plan may be.
Am I eligible for Centrelink benefits?
You may be eligible for Centrelink payments and services while you are going through
treatment, depending on your financial situation and your ability to earn an income. All
Centrelink services have different eligibility requirements. Centrelink will need full access to
your personal financial and medical records. You will need to be prepared to fill in a lot of
paperwork, visit your local Centrelink office and provide personal records and letters from
your doctor.
As soon as you are diagnosed, you must call Centrelink on 13 27 17. They can register your
diagnosis date and may be able to back pay any payments to this date. Ask for them to send
you a ‘Claim for Disability Support Pension or Sickness Allowance’ kit. This kit contains the
four booklets that Centrelink use to determine your eligibility:
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Claim for Disability Support Pension or Sickness Allowance. These are available to
people who are unable to work or study temporarily because of illness, injury or
disability.
Income and Assets
Medical Report (Disability Support Pension)
Information Booklet.
Be aware that the application process can be quite long and take a lot of work. If you find
you are stuck and need some advice you can make an appointment to see a Centrelink
social worker or a Financial Information Service Officer. They can help you with your
application, further information and referrals. Your hospital social worker can also help you
complete these forms.
The typical length of time for Centrelink to process your claim is up to 49 days. To ensure
your claim is processed quickly, ensure you have all your IDs and the three documents
completed correctly. Most successful applicants will also receive a Health Care card which
can be used to receive cheaper medicines and other concessions.
Centrelink has other support options that may be applicable to your situation, so it is a good
idea to speak to a staff member about other services that may be helpful to you.
For more information on payments and eligibility requirements, please go to
www.centrelink.gov.au or call 13 27 17 for more information.
Am I eligible for home help?
Local councils often provide home help services to eligible residents in their area. Services
can range from helping with household tasks, having meals delivered or having visitors.
It is best to call your local council for more information on the services they provide and find
out what the eligibility requirements are.
Am I eligible for reimbursement of travel costs?
Each state has assistance schemes to help ease the financial burden of travel costs for
patients who live between 50 – 100kms from their treating hospital. Each state has different
eligibility requirements and reimbursement rates as listed below:
Australian Capital Territory
Name of scheme: Interstate Patient Travel Assistance Scheme (IPTAS)
Distance for eligibility: Must be referred to the nearest treating specialist for specialist
treatment
Accommodation allowance: Yes
www.health.act.gov.au/iptas
(02) 6205 3299
New South Wales
Name of scheme: Isolated Patients' Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS)
Distance for eligibility: 100 km one way from the treating specialist
Accomodation allowance: Yes
www.health.nsw.gov.au/initiatives/iptaas
(02) 9391 9000
Northern Territory
Name of scheme: Patient Assistance Travel Scheme (PATS)
Distance for eligibility: 200 km one way from treating specialist
Accommodation allowance: Yes
www.health.nt.gov.au/Hospitals/Patient_Assistance_Travel_Scheme/index.aspx
(08) 8999 2400
Queensland
Name of scheme: Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme (PTSC)
Distance for eligibility: 70 km each way for cancer treatments
Accommodation allowance: Yes
www.health.qld.gov.au/iptu/html/ptss.asp
13 432 584
South Australia
Name of scheme: Patient Assistance Transport Scheme (PATS)
Distance for eligibility: 100 km each way from medical specialist
Accommodation allowance: Yes
www.countryhealthsa.sa.gov.au/Services/PatientAssistanceTransportSchemePATS.aspx
1800 188 115
Tasmania
Name of scheme: Patient Travel Assistance Scheme (PTAS)
Distance for eligibility: 50 km one way from oncology treatment centre
Accommodation allowance: Yes
www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/ambulance/ptas
(03) 6233 3252
Victoria
Name of scheme: Victorian Patient Transport Assistance Scheme (VPTAS)
Distance for eligibility: 100 km one way from treating specialist
Accommodation allowance: Yes
www.health.vic.gov.au/ruralhealth/vptas/patients.htm
1300 737 073
Western Australia
Name of scheme: Patient Assisted Travel Scheme (PATS)
Distance for eligibility: 70 km each way for cancer treatments
Accommodation allowance: Yes
www.wacountry.health.wa.gov.au/pats
How can I deal with my existing & continuing debts?
Many people experience financial strain whilst going through treatment. Trying to keep up
with existing debts and regular bill payments can be very hard if you have no replacement
for your income.
If you are experiencing financial hardship it is best to call your bank, lender or service
provider straight away to let them know you are having difficulties. They each have their
own rules regarding hardship claims, but will work with you to create a payment plan for
your situation. You can also speak to your financial advisor your options.
What financial aid is available from other organisations?
Various organisations across Australia can assist you financially during your treatment, some
of which are listed below. Each organisation has different eligibility rules and processes.
NATIONWIDE
Breast Cancer Australia
Provides financial support on an individual basis for things such as household bills,
medical treatment and travel expenses for those with breast cancer.
www.breastcanceraustralia.org
1300 850 551
Cancer Council
Most Cancer Councils across Australia offer limited grants and financial assistance.
Ask the social worker at your treating hospital for more information or contact the
Cancer Council direct.
www.cancer.org.au
13 11 20
Centrelink
Government disability, sickness and carers payments.
www.centrelink.gov.au
13 2717 (Disability, Sickness and Carers department)
The Leukaemia Foundation
Provides financial assistance, accommodation, and transportation.
www.leukaemia.org.au
1800 620 420
Red Kite
Provides emergency and practical financial support to families where a child or
young person up to the age of 24 is being treated for cancer.
www.redkite.org.au
1300 722 644
Salvation Army
Provides emergency financial assistance, clothing, house furnishings and shelter.
www.salvos.org.au
13 72 58
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
Anglicare Canberra and Goulburn
Provides a range of emergency relief and assistance programs.
www.anglicarecg.org.au
(02) 6245 7100
ACT Eden Monaro Cancer Support Group
Provides financial assistance to families who are experiencing difficulties because a
member of the family is undergoing cancer treatment.
www.actemcsg.org.au
(02) 6297 1261
NEW SOUTH WALES
Anglicare NSW
Provides emergency food and financial provision in most regional community care
centres.
www.anglicare.org.au
Please look up your local area for the appropriate phone number
Cancer Assistance Network (CanAssist)
Provides accommodation services and financial assistance for country NSW patients
and their families.
www.canassist.com.au
(02) 8217 3400
Nelune Foundation
Provides post-operative medical aids not covered by government or private funding.
www.thenelunefoundation.org
NORTHERN TERRIOTY
Anglicare NT
Provides financial counselling at low cost or free where appropriate.
www.anglicare-nt.org.au
(08) 8985 0000
Catholic Care NT
Provides emergency relief to eligible people experiencing financial crisis.
www.catholiccarent.org.au
(08) 8944 2033
QUEENSLAND
Anglicare QLD
Provides limited emergency relief and financial counselling and referrals.
www.anglicarecq.org.au
Please look up your local area for the appropriate phone number
Gynaecological Cancer Society
Offers limited and restricted emergency financial assistance to gynaecological
patients and their carers.
www.gcsau.org
(07) 3881 2515
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Anglicare SA
Provides emergency food and crisis accommodation as well as community support
services such as financial counselling.
www.anglicare-sa.org.au
(08) 8305 9200
Country Health South Australia
Provides practical support to people from country SA who require access to health
services in metropolitan Adelaide.
www.countryhealthsa.sa.gov.au
(08) 8226 6120 - Adelaide
(08) 8648 5640 – Regional
TASMANIA
Anglicare Tasmania
Provides emergency relief to help people in urgent financial crisis and financial
counselling.
www.anglicare-tas.org.au
1800 243 232
VICTORIA
Anglicare Victoria
Provides food parcels, financial assistance in paying household bills, no-interest loan
schemes, crisis accommodation and financial counselling.
www.anglicarevic.org.au
1800 809 722
Utility Relief Grant Scheme
Provides once-off assistance for domestic customers who are unable to pay their
gas, electricity or water bills due to a temporary financial crisis.
www.dhs.vic.gov.au/concessions/entitlements/hardship/utility-relief-grant-scheme
1800 658 521
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Anglicare WA
Provides food vouchers, food relief, basic essentials and financial counselling.
www.anglicarewa.org.au
(08) 9263 2000
Breast Cancer Foundation of WA
Provides practical and financial support to people affected by breast cancer.
www.breastcancer.org.au
(08) 9324 3703