Cancer Support Hotlines in Australia
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When you or someone in your family is diagnosed with cancer, it’s natural to look for immediate support. Many people search for a cancer support hotline or helpline, to speak with someone who understands what they’re going through.
In Australia, there are several phone-based cancer support services that provide emotional support, practical guidance, and trusted information. These services can be a helpful first step, especially during moments of uncertainty, overwhelm, or distress. Some of these services run 24 hours a day, while others operate during business hours – this guide explains which is which.
This resource explains what cancer support helplines are, which services are available, and how Cancer Hub can support you beyond a single phone call.
What is a cancer hotline?
A cancer hotline (also called a cancer helpline or cancer support hotline) is a phone service that connects you with trained professionals or volunteers who can offer:
- Emotional support and someone to talk to
- General cancer information
- Guidance on treatment, side effects, or next steps
- Referrals to local services
- Support for carers, friends and family
These services are typically available nationally and can be accessed by anyone impacted by cancer, including patients, carers, and loved ones.
People often search for cancer helplines when they:
- Have just received a diagnosis
- Are feeling overwhelmed or anxious
- Need practical advice quickly
- Don’t know where to start
- Want to speak to someone confidentially
Cancer support hotlines available in Australia
If you’re looking for a cancer support line right now, the following services are available across Australia:
- Phone: 1800 226 833
- Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm (excluding public holidays)
- Cost: Free
- Who it’s for: young people aged 12-25 affected by cancer
Counselling and support for young people dealing with their own diagnosis, a family member’s cancer, or bereavement. Canteen’s online community, Canteen Connect, is available 24/7. Canteen is one of Cancer Hub’s partner organisations.
- Phone: 1800 733 548 (1800 REDKITE)
- Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-7pm AEST (live chat 9am-5pm)
- Cost: Free
- Who it’s for: families of children and young people diagnosed with cancer aged 0-18
Counselling, financial assistance and practical support for the whole family, Australia-wide, including bereaved families. Redkite is one of Cancer Hub’s partner organisations.
- Phone: 13 11 20
- Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm local time (some states have extended hours)
- Cost: Free service – calls charged at local rates, mobiles at mobile rates
Australia’s main cancer information and support line. Trained health professionals provide cancer information, emotional support, practical guidance and referrals to local services – for patients, carers, family and friends. Multilingual support is available in some states.
- Phone: 1800 55 1800
- Hours: 24/7 phone and webchat
- Cost: Free, private and confidential
- Who it’s for: children and young people aged 5-25
Especially helpful for children and young people whose parent, sibling or friend has cancer, or who are going through cancer themselves.
- Phone: 13 11 14
- Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Also: text 0477 13 11 14 (24/7) or chat online at lifeline.org.au (24/7)
- Cost: Free and confidential
Crisis support for anyone experiencing emotional distress, at any time of day or night – including people affected by cancer and those caring for someone in crisis.
- Phone: 1300 22 4636
- Hours: 24/7 phone and online chat
- Cost: Free counselling (local call costs apply)
Free counselling and referral for anxiety, depression and emotional strain, including the mental-health impact of a cancer diagnosis on patients, parents and carers.
- Phone: 1800 022 222
- Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Cost: Free (government-funded)
Speak with a registered nurse about symptoms, side effects or any medical concern at any hour – useful when you’re not sure whether something can wait until morning.
- Phone: 1800 422 737
- Hours: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm
- Cost: Free (Australian Government service)
Practical and emotional support for anyone caring for a family member or friend, including counselling, peer support and emergency respite.
- Phone: 1300 845 745
- Hours: Monday-Friday 9am–6pm, Saturday-Sunday 12pm-6pm (AEST/AEDT)
- Cost: Free and confidential
Support for anyone experiencing grief or loss, with 24/7 online forums for people 18+.
24-hour cancer support hotlines in Australia
Cancer doesn’t keep business hours, and many people need someone to talk to late at night or early in the morning. Cancer Council’s 13 11 20 line operates Monday to Friday during business hours, so there is currently no dedicated cancer hotline in Australia that runs 24 hours – but several free services do operate around the clock:
- Lifeline – 13 11 14 – 24/7 crisis support by phone, plus 24/7 text (0477 13 11 14) and online chat
- Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 – 24/7 mental health counselling by phone and webchat
- Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800 – 24/7 counselling for children and young people aged 5–25
- healthdirect – 1800 022 222 – 24/7 registered nurses for medical questions
In an emergency, always call 000.
If your need isn’t urgent, you can also fill out the Cancer Hub support form at any time of day, and our team will respond within 48 hours to connect your family with personalised support.
Support in your language and accessible options
- If you’d prefer to speak in a language other than English, call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 13 14 50 and ask them to connect you to any of the services above.
- If you are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment, you can reach these services through the National Relay Service (NRS).
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can call 13YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7) to talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander crisis supporter.
What happens after you call a cancer helpline?
Cancer support lines are excellent for short-term guidance and immediate emotional support. However, many people find they still need help navigating:
- Appointments and treatment pathways
- Financial or practical assistance
- Local services
- Ongoing emotional support
- Support for carers and families
- Understanding their options
This is where more personalised, ongoing cancer support can make a meaningful difference.
How Cancer Hub supports you
Cancer Hub provides free, personalised cancer navigation and support for families (with children aged 0-25) across Australia. With just one phone call, we help families easily access a range of cancer support services, including financial assistance, cancer counselling, cancer support events and more. Cancer Hub is delivered by Canteen, Camp Quality and Redkite, so one call connects your family to the combined services of all three organisations.
When you make a call to Cancer Hub, our specially trained staff start by identifying every family members’ needs and can then:
- Find the right support services for your situation
- Help you access financial, practical, and emotional assistance
- Connect you with others who understand what you’re going through, through events like camps
- Provide support options for all members of the family
- Help you to understand what help is available at every stage
You don’t have to navigate cancer alone. Contact Cancer Hub directly via phone or online to access free personalised support.
Frequently asked questions
There is currently no cancer-specific hotline in Australia that operates 24 hours – Cancer Council’s 13 11 20 runs Monday to Friday during business hours. For support at any time, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support), Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 (24/7 counselling) or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (24/7, ages 5-25). For medical questions, healthdirect’s nurse line on 1800 022 222 is also available 24/7. In an emergency, call 000.
For cancer information and emotional support, call Cancer Council on 13 11 20 (Monday–Friday, business hours). For free, personalised support and referral for families affected by cancer, call Cancer Hub on 1800 431 312.
Yes. The major cancer support lines in Australia, including Cancer Council 13 11 20, Lifeline, Beyond Blue, Kids Helpline and Cancer Hub, are free services. Calls are typically charged at local rates, and calls from mobiles may cost more depending on your provider.
Yes. Cancer Hub’s services are free for people affected by cancer, including carers and families.
Cancer helplines can assist you by providing emotional support, information about caring responsibilities, referrals to respite or practical help and access to community services.
Cancer support hotlines usually provide general information and emotional support, but they don’t replace medical care. They can help explain treatment options, side effects, and next steps, and may refer you back to your healthcare team for clinical advice. Cancer Hub complements this by helping you navigate services and support available alongside your medical care.
Yes. Cancer support lines and cancer helplines in Australia are confidential. You can speak openly about your concerns and ask questions without judgement. Cancer Hub also treats all enquiries with care and confidentiality.
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