Cancer Council Australia

What Cancer Council Australia does

Cancer Council Australia, founded in 1961 (originally as the Australian Cancer Society), is the federally constituted peak non-government cancer control body for Australia, headquartered at Level 2, 320 Pitt St, Sydney. It operates a federated structure with eight member organisations covering every Australian state and territory (ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA), with the national body focused on independent cancer control policy while state and territory entities deliver research, patient support, and education programmes. The organisation's offering centres on a consumer-facing digital platform (cancer.org.au) with comprehensive cancer information across all major cancer types, the free 13 11 20 confidential support helpline, community and online support groups, practical support services (wig service, transport assistance, cancer support nurses), multilingual and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander–specific resources, evidence-based clinical practice guidelines and Cancer Care Guides for health professionals, and the Cancer Council Shop retailing sun protection products. Strategic research is concentrated at The Daffodil Centre, a partnership with the University of Sydney, with clinical content co-developed alongside the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA).

Revenue is generated through community donations and flagship fundraising events (Daffodil Day, Australia's Biggest Morning Tea, Relay For Life), a bequest (legacy giving) programme, partnerships and sponsorships, and e-commerce via the Cancer Council Shop. Services to the public are free, and donations over AUD $2 are tax-deductible. The organisation is a registered charity (ABN 91 130 793 725) with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, classified as a large charity; it has no parent company, is not publicly traded, and is led by CEO Jacinta Reddan at the federal level. Technology is built on a federated digital stack with an Optimizely-based web platform and a recently announced IT modernisation at Cancer Council QLD partnering with Macquarie Telecom to improve cybersecurity, connectivity, and adopt AI-driven services; no public APIs, SDKs, or developer programmes are documented.

Name

Cancer Council Australia

Legal name

Cancer Council Australia

Website

https://cancer.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cancer Council Australia is the federally constituted peak non-government cancer control body, operating across all eight Australian states and territories to deliver cancer information, the 13 11 20 support helpline, practical and community support services, evidence-based clinical guidelines, and national fundraising events for cancer research and prevention.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Health Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Social Assistance (624), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Community Health, Prevention & Health Education (BPAGACAC)

Keywords

• Cancer information services
• Cancer support helpline
• Cancer research funding
• Cancer prevention advocacy
• Cancer clinical guidelines

Headquarters

HQ city

Sydney

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Primary revenue through community donations and fundraising events including Daffodil Day, Australia's Biggest Morning Tea, Relay for Life, and individual donations.
2. Bequests: Legacy giving programme where supporters leave gifts to Cancer Council in their wills to fund life-saving work.
3. Shop Sales: Sun protection products sold through the Cancer Council Shop (cancercouncilshop.org.au).
4. Partnerships and Sponsorships: Corporate partnerships and sponsorships, including roles such as Manager - Partnerships & Sponsorships (Cancer Council Tasmania).

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Cancer Council Australia is Australia's peak independent cancer control charity providing free cancer information, confidential telephone support via the 13 11 20 helpline, practical assistance (wig service, transport, cancer support nurses), and evidence-based resources. It funds cancer research, advocates for prevention policies, and operates a federated network of eight state and territory bodies serving all Australians affected by cancer, supported by community fundraising events and a sun-protection e-commerce store.

Product overview

Cancer Council Australia operates as a federated not-for-profit organisation consisting of eight state and territory cancer organisations plus a national body. The organisation's offerings are centred on a consumer-facing digital platform (cancer.org.au) providing comprehensive cancer information across all cancer types, supported by a national helpline (Cancer Council 13 11 20), community support services (online community, support groups), practical assistance (wig service, transport help, cancer support nurses), and financial/legal support resources. Fundraising is driven through signature events including Daffodil Day, Australia's Biggest Morning Tea, and Relay For Life. The Cancer Council Shop sells sun protection products. For health professionals, the organisation provides Clinical Practice Guidelines and Cancer Care Guides. The portfolio is structured around four strategic pillars: prevention policy, early detection, treatment and care, and health systems and populations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cancer Council Shop: Online shop selling sun protection products designed for Australia.

Products and services

• Cancer Council 13 11 20 Support Helpline

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 5,200 cancer cases annually linked to overweight and obesity
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Macquarie TelecomcoreTechnology or Integration · 2 October 2025Cancer Council QLD partnered with Macquarie Telecom to improve cybersecurity and connectivity as part of a major IT transformation. The partnership includes plans to adopt new AI-driven services, enhancing operational capabilities and data protection.
• University of SydneycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Daffodil Centre is a partnership between Cancer Council NSW and the University of Sydney, conducting research on cancer control including studies on alcohol, obesity, and breast cancer risk.
• Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCancer Council works closely with COSA, the national organisation representing health professionals working in cancer, for content development and clinical guidance.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• American Cancer Society: The US national peak cancer control nonprofit, operating across research, prevention, patient support, and advocacy. Closest international analogue to Cancer Council Australia's federated, full-spectrum model.
• Cancer Research UK: The UK's leading cancer charity combining research funding, public health information, and policy advocacy. Directly comparable in mission scope, donation-based funding model, and clinical guideline production.
• Canadian Cancer Society: Canada's national cancer charity with a federated provincial structure, delivering research, support services, and prevention programmes. Near-identical federated model to Cancer Council Australia.
• Macmillan Cancer Support: Major UK cancer charity focused on practical, financial, and emotional support for people affected by cancer. Comparable in operating the national support helpline and community services that complement Cancer Council's 13 11 20 line.
• National Breast Cancer Foundation: Australia's leading breast cancer-specific nonprofit, funding research and delivering education. Direct domestic competitor for donor share within the Australian cancer charity market.
• Leukaemia Foundation: Australian disease-specific cancer charity providing patient support, accommodation, and research funding. Competes with Cancer Council state bodies for donations and corporate partnerships in blood cancers.
• Bowel Cancer Australia: Australia's peak national body specifically for bowel cancer, focused on screening, early detection, and patient support. Directly competes for the same donor and screening-awareness audience in the largest Australian cancer by incidence.
• Movember Foundation: Australia-headquartered global charity funding prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men's mental health programmes. Directly competes for male-cancer donor share and has built a strong digital-first fundraising brand that contrasts with Cancer Council's traditional model.

Broad incumbents

• Heart Foundation: Australia's largest non-government funder of cardiovascular research and the closest analogue within the domestic NFP health sector. Comparable in federated structure, mass-event fundraising (Big Heart Appeal), and national prevention advocacy.
• Alzheimer's Association: The US national peak body for Alzheimer's and dementia, combining research funding, a national 24/7 helpline, and policy advocacy. Comparable as a large, multi-pillar disease charity with a flagship helpline and clinical guidance products.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CancerCouncilOz
• Facebookfacebook.com/cancercouncilaustralia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cancer-council-australia_2

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cancer Council Australia