Financial Assistance
A child’s cancer diagnosis is often sudden and can come with unexpected costs.
This is why Redkite offers financial support to parents, guardians and carers of a child with cancer, as well as independent teenagers (aged 16-18) with cancer, by helping them pay for:
- Rent and mortgage
- Essential household bills (eg. mobile phone, electricity and internet)
- Groceries
- Petrol
Redkite offers three levels of cancer financial support to suit different needs and these funds can be accessed from the time of diagnosis until 12 months after treatment ends through their online portal ‘myRedkite’.
Financial Assistance FAQs
Who is eligible to receive financial assistance through Cancer Hub?
The financial assistance is available for families experiencing childhood cancer. If you are not sure if you are eligible, contact our team on 1800 431 312
What types of expenses are covered by the financial assistance program?
The financial assistance program covers things like groceries, household bills, rent, mortgage, petrol, car expenses, or phone expenses.
How can families apply for financial support?
Families can get in contact with the Cancer Hub team via the form here or call us on 1800 431 312
Is there a time limit for accessing financial assistance after a cancer diagnosis?
Funds can be accessed from the time of diagnosis until 12 months after the treatment ends.
Are there different levels of financial support available to suit varying needs?
Yes, there are varying levels of support which depend on the cancer diagnosis that a family is facing. We will support families in finding the right financial support for their needs.
Where can I get help with bills during cancer treatment for families managing cancer costs?
Financial Assistance (Redkite), accessed through Cancer Hub, helps families impacted by cancer pay for essentials like fuel, groceries, electricity, school costs, parking at hospital, and household bills. It is paid as direct support, not a loan, and is available to families where a child or young person has cancer.
On top of charity assistance, Centrelink offers payments that may apply depending on your situation. The most relevant ones for families dealing with cancer are JobSeeker Payment with a medical exemption (if a parent cannot work due to illness), Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment and Carer Allowance (for the person providing care), Family Tax Benefit adjustments, and Youth Allowance for young people 16 and over. The Centrelink guides linked from each audience page break down what applies and how to apply.
When cancer is affecting income at the same time treatment costs are climbing, bills can stack up quickly. The most useful first step is letting Cancer Hub’s intake team work through your situation with you, so you are not chasing every option separately while trying to manage treatment.
Call 1800 431 312 or visit our support page to see how you can get in touch..
Are there grants for cancer patients for families managing cancer costs?
Yes. Through Cancer Hub, families impacted by a child or young person’s cancer can access Financial Assistance (Redkite), which is paid as direct support for essential costs rather than as a loan. Typical uses include fuel for hospital trips, groceries, electricity, school costs, hospital parking, and household bills during treatment.
Eligibility, what is covered, and how the payment works are handled through the Cancer Hub intake process, which is faster than applying to multiple organisations separately. Centrelink also offers payments that operate alongside charity assistance, including JobSeeker Payment with medical exemption, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment and Carer Allowance, and Family Tax Benefit. See the Centrelink guide for parents and carers and the Centrelink guide for young people for details.
When cancer affects a family’s finances, getting clear on what is available is the part most people get stuck on. The intake team carries that for you.
Call 1800 431 312 or visit our support page to see how you can get in touch.
What financial help is available during cancer treatment for families managing cancer costs?
A combination of charity assistance for essentials and Centrelink payments for income support.
Financial Assistance (Redkite) pays for essentials like fuel, groceries, electricity, school costs, hospital parking and household bills when cancer is affecting a family’s income or running up unexpected costs. On the Centrelink side, families dealing with cancer may be eligible for JobSeeker Payment with a medical exemption (if the parent with cancer cannot work), Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment (income support for the partner or family member providing care), Carer Allowance (a supplementary fortnightly payment), Family Tax Benefit adjustments, Youth Allowance for young people aged 16 to 24, and Crisis Payment in severe financial hardship.
The most useful starting point is one call to Cancer Hub. The intake team works through your situation, identifies what you qualify for on both the charity and government side, and helps you set up the right combination. Cancer is a lot to manage on its own. Navigating financial support should not also fall to you.
Call 1800 431 312 or visit our support page to see how you can get in touch.
Last reviewed: June 16, 2026
About Redkite
Holding it together when your child’s life is in question can feel impossible. Redkite provides practical, emotional and financial support for families who have a child with cancer aged 17 or under, so you don’t have to face it alone.
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