Ovarian Cancer Australia

What Ovarian Cancer Australia does

Ovarian Cancer Australia (OCA) is an independent, DGR-registered nonprofit charity founded in 2001 and headquartered at Level 1, 210 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. It is the leading national organisation in Australia dedicated to supporting women and people affected by ovarian cancer - the country's deadliest women's cancer with a 49% five-year survival rate and approximately 1,900 new diagnoses annually. OCA operates as a free, direct-to-patient service provider, advocacy body, and research-funding catalyst, and is the only Australian organisation offering free access to specialist ovarian cancer nurses.

OCA's core service offering centres on the Teal Support Nurse Program (a dedicated specialist nurse for each diagnosed patient), a national Helpline (1300 660 334) staffed by nurses, psychologists and counsellors, evidence-based factsheets and resources, private support groups on Facebook, psychosocial and sexuality counselling, webinars, and the newly launched Clinical Trials Resource Hub. It also runs flagship awareness and fundraising campaigns including Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in February, Teal Ribbon Day (February 28), the annual Parliamentary Breakfast, and Giving Day (target AUD 550,000 for the February 2026 edition). Research initiatives include the TRACEBACK program (with Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, AUD 2.96M government funding, 2018) and TRACKFORWARD, plus partnerships with ANZGOG, ASGO and OCRF on the Ovarian Cancer National Action Plan and Gynaecological Cancer Transformation Initiative.

OCA is funded entirely through donations, fundraising events, corporate and retail partnerships (TerryWhite Chemmart, Black Pepper, Hairhouse Australia), merchandise sales, and government grants. All support services are provided free of charge. The organisation has grown from 3 full-time staff in 2006 to over 40 professionals today and is led by CEO Debbie Shiell and Board Chair Dr Juliet Bourke (appointed December 2024). OCA is nationally recognised, with awards including the 2023 World Ovarian Cancer Coalition Impact Award and the 2023 FIA Winners Seal for fundraising excellence.

Name

Ovarian Cancer Australia

Legal name

Ovarian Cancer Australia Limited

Website

https://ovariancancer.net.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ovarian Cancer Australia is a Melbourne-based nonprofit charity founded in 2001 that provides free specialist nursing, counselling and information services to Australian women diagnosed with ovarian cancer, supported by donations, government grants and corporate partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cancer Support and Advocacy Services

NAICS

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

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Gynecologic Oncology & Women’s Cancer Centers (HLAFAJAK)

Keywords

• Ovarian cancer support
• Cancer awareness services
• Patient support nursing
• Cancer advocacy funding
• Clinical trials information

Headquarters

HQ city

Melbourne

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Ovarian Cancer Australia relies on donations and fundraising activities including Giving Day campaigns, merchandise sales, and general donations to fund its support services, advocacy work, and research initiatives. The organization is endorsed by the ATO as a deductible gift recipient (DGR) organisation.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Ovarian Cancer Australia is a nonprofit charity that provides free specialist nursing, psychological, and emotional support services to women diagnosed with ovarian cancer and their families in Australia. Its core offerings include the Teal Support Nurse Program (dedicated specialist nurse per patient), a national helpline staffed by nurses and counsellors, evidence-based resources and factsheets, support groups, psychosocial counselling, and a Clinical Trials Resource Hub. The organisation also conducts advocacy, awareness campaigns, and research funding initiatives in partnership with other cancer organisations.

Product overview

Ovarian Cancer Australia provides a comprehensive suite of free support services for those affected by ovarian cancer, centered around the Teal Support Nurse Program (which provides dedicated specialist nurses), the Helpline, and evidence-based resources. The organization operates support groups, offers psychosocial services including sexuality and mental health counselling, and provides educational webinars. Additionally, OCA runs annual campaigns including Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in February and provides a Clinical Trials Resource Hub alongside downloadable social assets for awareness raising.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Teal Support Program: Free specialist ovarian cancer nurse program providing personalized support around diagnosis, treatment and beyond for anyone diagnosed with ovarian cancer
• Teal Support Nurse Program
• Teal Tribe
• TRACKFORWARD
• TRACEBACK

Products and services

• Teal Support Nurse Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,000 women have received personalised support from a specialist ovarian cancer nurse since the Teal Support Program began
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Peter MacCallum Cancer CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 February 2018Collaboration on TRACKFORWARD project and TRACEBACK program. TRACEBACK is a ground-breaking program aimed at preventing cases of ovarian cancer by identifying unaware carriers of BRCA gene mutations. The government announced $2.96 million in funding for TRACEBACK.
• Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited to launch the Ovarian Cancer National Action Plan (NAP) 2020-2025, setting out a roadmap to reduce incidence, increase survival rate and improve quality of life for people diagnosed with ovarian cancer in Australia.
• Australian Society of Gynaecologic Oncologists (ASGO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with ANZGOG and Ovarian Cancer Australia to launch the Ovarian Cancer National Action Plan 2020-2025.
• TerryWhite ChemmartcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational retail partner selling teal ribbons for $3 during Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Also running 50 Cent Program where 50c from selected product sales goes to OCA.
• Black PeppercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRetail partner selling limited edition clothing collection. From every style sold, $10 is donated to support OCA and the women they help.
• Hairhouse AustraliacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership includes round-up purchase program and OCA tote bags sold for $5 instore with 100% of profits donated to OCA.
• Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating on the Gynaecological Cancer Transformation Initiative (GCTI) along with ANZGOG to address longstanding gaps across prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, clinical trials, survivorship and supportive care for women with gynaecological cancers.
• Pharmaceutical CompaniesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngagement with pharmaceutical companies to bring new treatment options to Australia. OCA maintains a Collaboration with Pharmaceutical Industry policy ensuring independence from influence.
• Sarah Goddard (Partnerships Contact)minorOthersPartnership enquiries can be directed to Sarah Goddard at [email protected]

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF): Australian nonprofit focused on ovarian cancer through research funding and awareness. Directly comparable as a single-disease ovarian cancer charity in Australia and a confirmed collaboration partner of OCA on the Gynaecological Cancer Transformation Initiative.
• Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA): Australia's leading breast cancer consumer organisation providing support, advocacy, and resources to women. Closely comparable to OCA in mission, structure, and operating model, but serving patients with a higher-profile women's cancer.
• McGrath Foundation: Australian nonprofit funding breast care nurses and patient support. Highly comparable as a nurse-led, women's cancer support charity with a national footprint, strong corporate partnerships, and a model of placing specialist nurses into the care pathway.
• Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG): Co-launched the Ovarian Cancer National Action Plan with OCA. Comparable as a gynaecological cancer-focused organisation operating in research, advocacy, and clinical trials, with overlapping stakeholders though focused on clinicians rather than patients.
• Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre: Australia's leading cancer research and treatment centre and OCA's principal research collaborator on TRACEBACK and TRACKFORWARD. Comparable in gynaecological cancer focus and as a national referral point, though it is a clinical provider rather than a charity.
• Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia: National nonprofit dedicated to a single gender-specific cancer, providing support, advocacy, and research funding. Closely comparable in operating model, structure, and Australian disease-specific charity positioning, with the inverse gender focus.

Broad incumbents

• Cancer Council Australia: Australia's largest national cancer charity spanning research, prevention, support, and advocacy. Comparable as a cancer-focused nonprofit operating across the same donor, government, and partnership landscape, but with far broader scope and budget than OCA.
• World Ovarian Cancer Coalition: Global umbrella organisation for ovarian cancer advocacy that awarded OCA its 2023 Impact Award. Comparable in mission space and serves as a coordinating body of which OCA is a member organisation.

Regional players

• Target Ovarian Cancer: UK-based ovarian cancer charity providing support, awareness, and advocacy. Directly comparable in mission and activities but operating in a different geography (United Kingdom) without direct competition for Australian donors or grants.
• Ovacome: UK ovarian cancer support charity offering helpline, support groups, and information resources. Highly comparable in service mix (nurse-led support, helpline, resources) and beneficiary focus, but UK-based and serving a different patient population.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/OvarianCancerAustralia
• Xx.com/OvarianCancerOz
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ovarian-cancer-australia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Ovarian Cancer Australia