MEDIA RELEASE
When Neroli Padfield was told she had breast cancer, she didn’t expect to walk out and hear “that will be $600 thanks” – or that she’d end up paying over $10,000 out-of-pocket in the first two years of treatments.
“I never expected a pathology bill of almost $2,000. I didn’t feel I had a clear picture of what I would be paying. I had private health insurance and thought that would protect me from significant costs. Instead, the bills kept coming,” Neroli said.
Her story is not unique. New research from the McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer at Cancer Council Victoria found people affected by cancer are often left to navigate significant and unexpected legal and financial challenges alongside treatment and recovery.
The report, Counting the Cost of Cancer: Legal and Financial Impacts on Victorians, included surveys and interviews with more than 200 Victorians affected by cancer and found that stronger legal protections and support are needed to ensure people can access workplace rights, financial assistance and support when they need it most.
Neroli was diagnosed with breast cancer in early 2024, and went ahead with surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and ongoing treatment, without knowing the out-of-pocket costs would be so high.
“The priority was starting treatment quickly. The costs were described as ‘messy’, but there was no indication they would add up to more than $10,000 in the first two years,” Neroli said.
“There was no proactive discussion of legal or financial planning within the health care pathway, leaving the responsibility on me as the patient to initiate it all,” she added.
The report found the impacts of cancer often extend well beyond diagnosis and treatment, with work, income and financial security identified as major sources of stress for people affected by cancer and their carers.
Director of McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer, Hayley Jones, said no-one should face unnecessary legal and financial burdens while dealing with cancer.
“At a time when people need to focus on treatment and recovery, many struggle to cope with legal and financial issues,” Hayley said.
The complexity accessing Centrelink, insurance and superannuation were described as time-consuming and burdensome, with some respondents saying they were too exhausted to pursue their entitlements.
‘It’s such a horrible, horrible time. When you get that diagnosis, then you have to be worried about finances and possibly a new job and you’re also disadvantaged because often the person that is diagnosed is unable to work as well.’ — Tracey, Regional cancer carer
Tracey Bilson’s experience highlights the often unseen impact of cancer on families, particularly for regional carers. While continuing to work, she supported her husband through 16 years of treatment and care, until he died five years ago, with lasting effects on her own finances and career.
One hundred percent of research participants said they had incurred out-of-pocket costs while navigating a cancer diagnosis and undertaking treatment, while more than 95 per cent reported emotional distress linked to financial hardship.
The research, funded by the Victorian Legal Services Board Grant Program, also found unpaid carers often face significant legal and financial pressures of their own, including lost income, workplace challenges and the responsibility of helping loved ones navigate complex systems and decision making.
Key findings from the report included:
- Almost 9 in 10 people with cancer who reported workplace challenges said those challenges caused distress.
- And of carers who reported workplace challenges, 100% said this caused distress.
- Workplace outcomes often depend on the goodwill of employers or managers rather than enforceable rights.
- Only 3% of workers with cancer surveyed reported receiving information about their workplace rights.
- Existing leave arrangements do not reflect the realities of long-term cancer treatment or care.
These findings reinforce concerns that have been consistently raised through Cancer Council Victoria support services, cancer organisations, legal and financial counsellors, social workers, and previous research over many years.
“Victorians affected by cancer should not have to navigate complex legal and financial support systems to survive while they are fighting for their lives. We’re committed to driving legal and policy reforms that better protect and support Victorians,” Hayley added.
“The Victorian Legal Services Board is proud to support this critical research from the McCabe Centre of Law and Cancer, with Cancer Council Victoria, through our Change Grants program. It shines a light on the hidden legal issues Victorians living with cancer and their carers face,” - Fiona McLeay, Victorian Legal Services Board CEO and Commissioner, said.
With 1 in 2 Victorians diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85, demand for support continues to grow, with Cancer Council Victoria's Cancer Connect service responding to more than 11,000 enquiries in 2025 alone. Referrals to its Legal Support Program have increased by 81 per cent since 2023.
Cancer Council Victoria CEO Todd Harper AM said cancer doesn’t just affect people’s health – it can impact a person's ability to work, earn an income and stay financially secure.
“More Victorians are surviving cancer longer, but too many still face distressing legal and financial issues. This report highlights the evidence and the need for action.” Cancer Council Victoria CEO, Todd Harper, AM said.
Cancer Council Victoria and the McCabe Centre are using the findings to develop new resources and education tools for patients, families and carers, as well as employers and financial institutions, while also informing future service improvements and pursuing law and policy reform.
See the Highlights Report here and the full report here.
Cancer Council’s free 13 11 20 information and support line is available for anyone navigating a cancer journey, where trained professionals can provide information about cancer and referrals to relevant support services.
ENDS
About McCabe Centre for Law & Cancer
The McCabe Centre for Law & Cancer is the only centre of its kind in the world dedicated to advancing law in cancer control.
A unit of Cancer Council Victoria, the McCabe Centre is a joint initiative of: Cancer Council Victoria, the Union for International Cancer Control and Cancer Council Australia.
Cancer Council Victoria established the McCabe Centre in 2012 in recognition that the law is a critical tool in improving cancer prevention and care, for everyone, everywhere. The McCabe Centre has since built an international reputation and is the designated WHO Collaborating Centre on Law and Noncommunicable Disease.
Our heritage is deeply connected to Rolah McCabe, whose courage in standing up to the tobacco industry before her death continues to inspire our fight for justice and the rights of people affected by cancer.
About Cancer Council Victoria
Cancer Council Victoria is the only charity in the state working across every area of every cancer, from research and prevention to support.
For 90 years, we have been relentlessly driving progress, backing bold ideas and supporting people at every stage of their cancer experience.
In the past five years, we have invested more than $138 million into research, contributing to breakthroughs in prevention, screening, early detection and treatment. In 2025 alone, this included approximately $26 million, with over $3.4 million awarded in grants to Victorian universities, research institutes and hospitals.
We help Victorians reduce their cancer risk and provide support from diagnosis through to recovery and beyond. Cancer is relentless, but so are we. Learn more at www.cancervic.org.au
About the report:
Counting the Cost of Cancer: Legal and Financial Impacts on Victorians was undertaken by the McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer at Cancer Council Victoria and examined the experiences of over 200 Victorians living with cancer and unpaid carers across legal, financial, workplace and support systems.
The report calls for systemic legal reform and protections across eight key areas, including workplace, legal and financial support, social security, insurance and superannuation systems, and protections for carers.
The project received funding through the Victorian Legal Services Board Grants Program.