Digital cancer hub to provide thousands of young Aussies with support

A digital hub will be rolled out in Australia to change the way young people with cancer access support services.

The federal government says the online cancer hub is a "game changer" and will provide online counselling for young people with cancer and their parents.

Children under 12 will now be able to access the online counselling services which are already available to people aged 12 to 25 and their parents.

READ MORE: Huge Bunnings sausage sizzle shake-up after 15 years

"Wherever the diagnosis lands, it impacts every single member of the family," Health Minister Mark Butler said.

"It will make the lives of these tens of thousands of Australians going through a tough time a little bit easier."

Butler described the hub as a "one-stop shop" for support for children with cancer, siblings, or parents of children with cancer or if they themselves have cancer.

The digital hub is expected to help more than 70,000 Australians navigate their or their loved one's cancer journey and the accommodation or financial impacts along the way.

A further 20,000 will be supported through the mental health impacts of a cancer diagnosis and treatment.

The federal government said every major capital city in Australia will have staff "on the ground" for the hub and some regional areas will also benefit.

READ MORE: Confusion over rules as COVID-19 cruise docks in Sydney

Butler said digitising cancer services is an "important step forward" to help children and young adults access support.

"I pay tribute to Canteen, Camp Quality and Redkite for their steadfast commitment to supporting children and young people with cancer and their families – a commitment which the Australian Government shares," he said.

The federal government is providing $3.3 million towards delivering the project.