Executive summary
All Australians affected by cancer should be supported to access and receive optimal cancer care. For those unfamiliar with the intricacies of the Australian healthcare system, navigating fragmented services and providers can be difficult, leaving people affected by cancer at risk of system-related stresses and sub-optimal care.1
Navigation support which is effective, accessible, safe, and responsive will assist individuals to actively participate in their cancer care. Cancer Council’s navigation priorities support a person-centred approach to cancer navigation and aim to ensure equitable access for all to optimal cancer care.
The immediate priorities for enabling people to navigate their cancer care are:
- Fund the development and implementation of a Australian Cancer Information Strategy.
- Ensure all Australians are connected to the appropriate level of navigation support regardless of their entry point to cancer care services.
- Fund community-based organisations to support the development and delivery of safe and appropriate cancer navigation support.
Further work is required to address the underlying fragmentation of the health care system that creates the need for navigation support, but this is a long-term goal requiring system-level reform. We will continue to support work towards this goal.
Acknowledgements
Cancer Council Australia would like to acknowledge the following people for their contribution to this section as part of the Navigation in Cancer Care Policy.
| Name | Organisation |
| Amanda Piper | Cancer Council Victoria |
| Amanda Robertson | Cancer Council South Australia |
| Andrew Mosley | Leukaemia Foundation |
| Beth Doggett | Oncology Social Work Australia New Zealand, and Rare Cancers Australia |
| Brad Gellert | Cancer Council New South Wales |
| Drew Meehan | Cancer Council Australia |
| Fiona Crawford Williams | Flinders University |
| Clare Lynex | Cancer Council Australia |
| Genevieve Antill | McGrath Foundation |
| Jenni Bruce | Cancer Council New South Wales |
| Kate Pallot | Cancer Council New South Wales |
| Kate Whittaker | Cancer Council Australia |
| Kimberley Williamson | Cancer Institute New South Wales |
| Kristina Coomber | Cancer Council Western Australia |
| Megan Varlow | Cancer Council Australia |
| Nicole Parkinson | Lung Foundation Australia |
| Olivia Hart | Cancer Council Australia |
| Kate White | Cancer Nurses Society of Australia |
| Patsy Yates | Queensland University of Technology |
| Tanya Buchanan | Cancer Council Australia |
| Rebecca Rees | National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation |
| Shelley Rushton | Cancer Institute New South Wales |
| Tim Rogers | Redkite |
| Tri Nguyen | Cancer Council Australia |
Cancer Council Australia extends its appreciation to those people and organisations who contributed to developing this section, but for privacy and other reasons, have asked not to be identified. We would also like to acknowledge and thank the members of the community reference group who contributed their time and experience to guide and shape the development of this policy.
External reviewers: Mei Krishnasamy and Leonie Young.
Policy review period
This policy was published on 8 May 2024, with the most recent update made on 8 May 2024.
This policy will be updated as required as new information and evidence is available. A full review will be considered every 3 years, with this next review due to commence May 2027.
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- Calder R, Dunkin R, Rochford C, et al. AUSTRALIAN HEALTH SERVICES: TOO COMPLEX TO NAVIGATE. 2019.
