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.
