Public and private service providers are invited to apply for grants totalling $45.5 million, to develop regional radiation treatment centres for local cancer patients in ten regions across four states.

The Australian Government is providing the funding to improve access to radiation therapy for thousands of cancer patients in rural and regional areas of New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia.

Currently, cancer patients in these areas have to travel to major centres to obtain their radiation therapy. This can be an exhausting and expensive process, adding to the stress of a cancer diagnosis on the individual, their family and carers.

The Government’s investment will reduce the need to travel outside the region and allow many patients to access all of their cancer treatment services in one place.

Public and private service providers are encouraged to form consortia to apply for the funding, as this will maximise their ability to provide the new or expanded cancer treatment centres.