Better cancer care for communities across Australia
Media event date: 10 July 2026 Date published: 10 July 2026 Media type: Media release General public The Albanese Government is investing in more connected cancer care for communities across Australia. A total of 24 recipients will share more than $7.3 million in funding across the three Cancer Australia grant programs to benefit Australians with poorer cancer outcomes, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The funding will strengthen culturally safe cancer care, expand access to networked cancer services in underserviced areas, and back community-led support for people affected by cancer across Australia. Seven recipients under the 2025 Partnerships for culturally safe cancer care grant program will share $4.5 million over two years, with individual grants of up to $700,000.
The program supports partnerships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led organisations and mainstream cancer services to deliver locally designed projects, including service redesign, workforce capability building, patient navigation, care coordination, referral pathways, community engagement, and screening and early detection. Since its inception in 2024, 22 grants have been awarded, worth over $18 million.
The program is funded through the Improving First Nations Cancer Outcomes measure and supports delivery of the Australian Cancer Plan and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cancer Plan. Eight recipients will share nearly $1.8 million over three years under the 2026 Networking for Cancer Equity grant opportunity. These grants will help activate the Australian Comprehensive Cancer Network, improving access to coordinated, high-quality cancer care for people in outer-metropolitan, regional, rural and remote communities.
Nine recipients have been awarded a total of $1.05 million under the 2026 Supporting People with Cancer grant program. These projects will support people whose cancer outcomes are poorest. New grants will focus on children, adolescents and young adults, people affected by sarcoma, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, people living in rural and remote areas, people experiencing homelessness, LGBTQIA+ people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and older people.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister White “These grants help to ensure everyone, no matter where they live or who they are, can access safe, high-quality cancer care. “By working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, we’re supporting solutions that are community-led and culturally safe.” Quote attributable to Cancer Australia CEO Professor Dorothy Keefe “This investment will help deliver the Australian Cancer Plan in practice, supporting more connected, culturally safe and equitable cancer care for communities across Australia.” Grant Recipients The 24 recipients sharing more than $7.3 million across the three Cancer Australia grant programs are: Partnerships for culturally safe cancer care grant program Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (NSW) – culturally safe cancer care navigation and support.
Rural Health Tasmania (TAS) – cancer care pathways for Tasmania’s west and central coast. Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (WA) – Aboriginal Cancer Navigators and culturally safe workforce development. Mid North Coast Local Health District (NSW) – Strong Spirit Pathways to support Aboriginal wellbeing across cancer care.
Bendigo Health (VIC) – Aboriginal-led culturally safe cancer care in the Bendigo region. South Metropolitan Health Service (WA) – co-designed multidisciplinary cancer care with South West Aboriginal Medical Service. Monash Health (VIC) – Walking with Mob with cancer in southern Melbourne.
Networking for Cancer Equity grant program Western New South Wales Local Health District (NSW) – equitable head and neck cancer care network with metropolitan specialist services. Townsville Hospital and Health Service (QLD) – improving early detection of lung cancer. Latrobe Regional Health (VIC) – integrated consumer-centred cancer care networks.
Townsville Hospital and Health Service (QLD) – radiotherapy quality assurance for head and neck cancer in a regional cancer centre. Royal Darwin Hospital, NT Health (NT) – lung nodule multidisciplinary team to support early lung cancer detection. Alice Springs Hospital, NT Health (NT) – networked Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cancer care model.
Western New South Wales Local Health District (NSW) – clinical-led data systems in radiation oncology. Rural Support Service, Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network (SA) – expanded services for haematological malignancies in regional and rural South Australia. Supporting people with cancer grant opportunity Gandangara Health Services (NSW) – First Peoples Walking Together Through Cancer Support Project.
Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media Aboriginal Corporation (QLD) – Our health, our voices, our future. Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service (WA) – Engaging Older Aboriginal Men. Circular Head Aboriginal Corporation (TAS) – Walking Country, Standing Strong.
Palliative Care Victoria (VIC) – CanCare study to support person-centred cancer care for people experiencing homelessness. Umbrella Multicultural Community Care Services Inc (WA) – Connecting Cancer Care. Back on Track Foundation (WA) – Back on Track National Expansion.
Drummond Street Services (VIC) – equitable supportive care for LGBTQIA+ people affected by cancer. Australia and New Zealand Sarcoma Association (VIC) – Sarcoma Patient Support Resources. The Hon Rebecca White MP Accessibility We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, sea and community.
We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past and present. © Commonwealth of Australia