The Albanese Labor Government today announced the latest round of funding to help community-based and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups support Australians affected by cancer.
Cancer Australia is offering grants of up to $120,000 through the Supporting People with Cancer grant program. At least $480,000 in program funding is available this grant round.
Supporting People with Cancer is an annual program aimed at promoting equity in cancer outcomes and experiences for all Australians. This includes a focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other priority population groups identified in the Australian Cancer Plan.
Funding is available to support a broad range of activities. Recent grants funded the engagement of First Nations project officers to support culturally safe cancer care, an innovative web-based support for women with breast cancer, and a program to increase cancer screening in culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
Grants are available through two streams: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and community organisations. To ensure meaningful support, organisations must demonstrate ongoing and culturally acceptable connections with community.
Since 2005, the Australian Government has provided over $12 million across 142 grants nationwide through the Supporting People with Cancer program.
For the first time, applications will be through Can-Grant, Cancer Australia's new, streamlined, online grants portal.
Applications close on 5pm, 20 February 2025.
To find out more, please visit the Supporting People with Cancer webpage.
Full details of the funding are available on the Australian Government’s grant website GrantConnect.
QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS HEALTH THE HON GED KEARNEY MP:
“Working directly with communities and with community organisations has strong outcomes. Its about meeting people where they’re already at and taking the best approach to elicit change.
“It is painful for anyone to see a loved one suffer with cancer. Now imagine seeing swathes of your community suffer, and at a worse rate than other communities. Inequality in cancer outcomes between communities is what we have in Australia right now and it simply will not do.
“It is wrong that some group of Australians – including First Nations people - have worse cancer outcomes than others. Closing this gap is a key ambition of the Australian Cancer Plan. I encourage all those eligible to apply for a Supporting People with Cancer grant.”
QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO PROFESSOR DOROTHY KEEFE, CEO CANCER AUSTRALIA
“For almost 20 years, Supporting People with Cancer has helped community-based groups and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations to make a real difference supporting people and communities across Australia.
"By empowering community-based organisations, we can ensure that support reaches those who need it most, tailored to the unique needs of diverse communities across the country.
“I encourage eligible groups to apply and be part of improving cancer care for all Australians.”
CANCER AUSTRALIA: Jack Faulkner-Walmsley/Susie Dobson: 0438 209 833
Media.officer@canceraustralia.gov.au