Research and data
We provide funding for cancer research to make sure we have the evidence we need to make better decisions.
- Medical Research Future Fund
- National Health and Medical Research Council
- Australian Cancer Trials
- Cancer Australia
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Programs to help detect and prevent cancer
We run free cancer screening programs to help detect cancer before you have symptoms.
The National Cancer Screening Register
We established the National Cancer Screening Register to support our national screening programs for bowel and cervical cancer. The register is used to:
- manage participant details, including invitations and reminders to screen
- collect, store, analyse and report on screening program data.
The comprehensive data helps inform policy, improve program quality and service delivery.
Screening framework
Population-based screening framework
Reducing the risk of cancer
The National Immunisation Program provides free vaccines to eligible people against:
- HPV, which can help prevent cervical cancer, anal cancer and other HPV caused cancers
- Hepatitis B, which can help prevent liver cancer.
We also have strategies to help Australians minimise their cancer risk:
- National Tobacco Strategy 2023–2030
- National Alcohol Strategy 2019–2028
- National Preventive Health Strategy 2021–2030
- National Strategy for the Elimination of Cervical Cancer in Australia.
Treating and managing cancer
We work to support people with cancer and improve cancer outcomes by:
- providing free or cheaper cancer treatment and medicines under Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
- developing national guides to promote best practice cancer care – Optimal Cancer Care Pathways.
- providing access to high quality and culturally safe care regardless of the type of cancer through the Australian Cancer Nursing and Navigation Program
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cancer Plan
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cancer Plan provides a long-term approach that supports community responses to deliver positive outcomes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The plan represents the views of the First Nations communities and health services. It was developed in-codesign with the First Nations health sector and will be owned and delivered by NACCHO.
It is a comprehensive footprint for First Nations cancer reform that is representative of the experiences and views of First Nations people, their families and communities living with cancer.
Committees and groups
We chair committees and groups that focus on cancer screening and improving cancer outcomes.
