The Albanese Government is taking action to close the gap in First Nations cancer outcomes.
The 2025 grant round of the Partnerships for culturally safe cancer care grant program is now open, investing up to $18 million over three years (2024-25 to 2026-27) to support partnerships between mainstream cancer services and First Nations community-controlled organisations.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer and are approximately 40 per cent more likely to die from cancer than non-Indigenous Australians.
This grant program aims to ensure First Nations communities receive high-quality cancer care in ways that are culturally safe and tailored to meet local needs, aligned with the Optimal Care Pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer.
Previous grant recipient projects include the Cancer Malpa Project at the Alice Springs Hospital in partnership with Nganampa Health Council, focused on improving cancer care for Anangu people.
The program also supports the Optimising cancer care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in South East Queensland project at the Metro North Hospital and Health Service in Queensland. This partners with the Institute of Urban Indigenous Health to ensure a smooth patient journey alongside the Lung Cancer Screening Program.
Individual grants of up to $700,000 over two years (2025-26 to 2026-27) are available in the 2025 grant round to support mainstream cancer services working collaboratively with community-controlled organisations to develop and implement culturally safe, accessible and community-informed cancer care.
Applications are open now until 3 February 2026.
For more information on the Partnerships for culturally safe cancer care grant program and other Cancer Australia initiatives visit Improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cancer outcomes | Cancer Australia
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister the Hon Rebecca White MP:
“This investment demonstrates the Albanese Government’s commitment to improving cancer outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by supporting services that deliver care in a way that respects and reflects culture and community.
“Through this program, we are investing not only in better cancer care but in stronger partnerships between health services and local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations. These collaborations are essential to ensuring care is culturally safe, community-led, and responsive to people’s needs.”
Quotes attributable to Professor Dorothy Keefe, CEO of Cancer Australia:
“The Partnerships for culturally safe cancer care program aims to reduce the burden of disease by supporting innovative projects that improve access, outcomes, and culturally safe services.
“Respectful and inclusive, culturally safe care can only be achieved through genuine collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This new round of funding will support mainstream health services working closely with, and learning from, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, which is key to achieving lasting and meaningful change.”