Addressing long-standing equity and cultural safety issues within mainstream health services, particularly in specialist cancer care, is crucial to ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can access and complete treatments with improved outcomes. The program emphasises the importance of a culturally safe system, where respect for cultural values and elimination of racism and inequity are paramount.  These are key outcomes of both the Australian Cancer Plan and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cancer Plan.

This national grant program will allocate up to $16.9 million over three years to support up to 20 partnerships between cancer services and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations. Partnerships, with funding of up to $1 million each, will focus on innovative, community-driven local activities designed to improve the delivery of cancer care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Applications are now open.

Closing date: 4pm (AEST) on 23 October 2024

How to apply

Applications can be submitted through Cancer Australia’s grant management system – Can-Grant.

Further information

For grant guidelines and further information visit:

• GrantConnect and search Cancer Australia GO7058
• Cancer Australia’s webpage Improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cancer outcomes

For enquiries email: FirstNationsGrants@canceraustralia.gov.au

In 2022 the Australian Government distributed GP cancer screening engagement packs to more than 7000 general practices across Australia including demo bowel screening kits, cervical screening swabs and waiting room posters.  

As part of the evaluation of that mailout, GPs told us the packs were valuable and future packs should include additional translated resources for consumers from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities.  

As a result, we are mailing new and updated kits and providing translated materials to distribute across practices to help encourage patients to screen for bowel, breast and cervical cancer.  

The packs will include: 

• A letter to the practice manager with information on how to distribute the kits 

• Four posters, one for each national cancer screening program and a self-collect campaign poster. Translations will be available to be printed in-practice.  

• A National Cancer Screening Register flyer with information about how to connect clinical software to the NCSR 

• Five presentation folders for GPs which include: 

• Demonstration bowel cancer screening home test kit and cervical screening self-collection swab 

• Three fact sheets with illustrated reference guides – translations of the reference guide will be available online for printing.  

• A tearaway notepad to write personalised notes for patients with information about cancer screening to take home 

Digital copies of the printed materials within the pack, can also be found on the Collaboration Hub and on the Department of Health and Aged Care website. 

Moranbah registered nurse (RN) Tasmyn Van Leeuwen is passionate about nursing in general practice.  

It’s the reason she accepted a sponsorship, funded by Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN), for a Graduate Certificate (Primary Healthcare) at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT).  

NQPHN in partnership with QUT, recently funded nine scholarships for a Master of Nurse Practitioner or Graduate Certificate (Primary Healthcare) for primary care nurses from Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Collinsville, and Moranbah. 

“My commitment to general practice nursing stems from a passion for comprehensive patient care, a love for community engagement, and the continuous professional growth that comes with the role,” Ms Van Leeuwen said. 

“I am involved in all aspects of patient health, from preventative measures and health education to managing chronic conditions and acute illnesses.  

“This means I can make a significant impact on my patients’ overall wellbeing.”  

The Oaktree Family Medical Centre RN said one of the most fulfilling aspects of her job was developing long-term relationships with patients. 

“I enjoy getting to know my patients, understanding their health needs, and watching them progress over time,” Ms Van Leeuwen said. 

“In a rural setting like Moranbah, the impact of my work extends beyond individual patients to the entire community.  

“By promoting health and wellness, I can contribute to the overall improvement of public health in the area, which is incredibly gratifying.” 

The nursing scholarship means more than just financial support to Ms Van Leeuwen. 

“It represents an investment in my future as a healthcare professional,” she said. 

“It enables personal and professional growth, enhances the quality of care I can provide, and motivates me to make a positive impact on my community. 

“I am thankful to Oaktree Family Medical Centre for supporting me with the scholarship and my studies.” 

Collinsville Family Practice RN Grace Paulson also received a scholarship to study a graduate Certificate (Primary Healthcare) at QUT.  

Ms Paulson said the scholarship was a validation of her hard work and the realisation of a career aspiration. 

“To me, the scholarship symbolises my belief that with dedication and hard work, anything is possible,” she said. 

“I chose a career in general practice nursing to help others and for the diverse and rewarding work it brings. 

“Every day brings new challenges in general practice and learning opportunities for me as a nurse.  

“I also have the opportunity to develop long-term relationships with patients and their families, which I also enjoy because I can provide more personalised care for them.” 

Ms Paulson said she was thankful to Collinsville Family Practice for supporting her studies.