Suppor t and infor mation director y
A wide range of organisations and health professionals can help you manage the financial impact of cancer.
Financial help
- Financial Counselling Australia – Information about financial counselling and help to find a counsellor. 1800 007 007
- financialcounsellingaustralia.org.au or debtselfhelp.org.au
- MoneySmart – Free financial tips and safety checks from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). – 1300 300 630 – moneysmart.gov.au
- Financial Information Service (FIS) – Free, confidential service from the Department of Human Services to help with investment and financial decisions. -132 300 (say ‘Financial Information Service’) – humanservices.gov.au (type ‘FIS’ in the search box)
- Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) – Information about financial planning and help to find a financial planner. – 1300 626 393 – fpa.com.au
- Cancer Council Pro Bono Program – Program that can connect you with a financial planner or accountant; free assistance for eligible clients. – 13 11 20
Government benefits
- Department of Human Services – Includes Centrelink and Medicare; financial support for people in need. – 132 717 (Centrelink) – 132 011 (Medicare) – humanservices.gov.au
- Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) – Help with cost of prescription medicines. – 1800 020 613 – pbs.gov.au
Bankruptcy
- Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA) Information about bankruptcy and personal insolvency agreements. – 1300 364 785 – af sa.gov.au
- Dispute resolution Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) Free, independent service for resolving disputes with financial services. – 1800 367 287 – fos.org.au
- Credit and Investments Ombudsman (CIO) Free, independent service for resolving disputes with financial services. – 1800 138 422 – cio.org.au
- Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) National independent dispute resolution scheme for complaints about phone or internet services. – 1800 062 058 – tio.com.au
Legal advice
- National Association of Community Legal Centres (NACLC) The peak national body for Australia’s community legal centres, which provide free legal services. – 02 9264 9595 – naclc.org.au
- Cancer Council Pro Bono Program Program that can connect you with a lawyer if you need legal advice; free assistance for eligible clients. – 13 11 20
- No Interest Loan Schemes NILS – Good Shepherd Microfinance Information about NILS providers. – 13 NILS (13 64 57) – nils.com.au
Taxation Australian
- Taxation Office Tax information. – 13 28 65 – ato.gov.au
