The Albanese Government is providing $46.5 million over five years (2027-28 to 2031-32) to further expand the highly regarded McGrath Foundation Cancer Care Nurse service to include prostate cancer nurses from 1 July 2027.
This funding will support 60.5 (FTE) prostate cancer nurse positions in health and hospital services around Australia.
Male cancer incidence rates in Australia remain high, almost one in two Australian men will be diagnosed with cancer by age 85.
As at 1st July 2026, the 128 new McGrath Cancer Care Nurses, placed since the McGrath Foundation announced it was taking its care to all cancers, had supported 7,522 patients nationally, comprising 4,200 males (56%) and 3,322 females (44%).
This latest expansion of the McGrath service will add to existing Cancer Care Nurses which support a range of cancers including breast, gastrointestinal, gynaecologic, genitourinary, multi-tumour, lung and mesothelioma, brain, liver and bile, sarcoma, blood, head and neck, myeloma, melanoma and skin cancers.
Prostate cancer represents around a third of all male cancer diagnoses, with more than 28,000 Australian men estimated to be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2025.
The Australian Government thanks the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) which has delivered a successful, high-quality prostate cancer nursing service.
The McGrath Cancer Care Nurses will continue to work with the PCFA Specialist Support Service, recognising the ongoing value of PCFA’s support, particularly in providing survivorship care for men living with and beyond prostate cancer.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
“The Albanese Government is improving the wellbeing of all people impacted by cancer, including men.
“We are strengthening nursing support and national system leadership by working with the McGrath Foundation to help more men affected by cancer.”
Quotes attributable to Dan Repacholi:
“Today’s announcement is good news for Australian men diagnosed with prostate cancer and their families.
“It highlights the government’s broader commitment to make sure men with cancer, regardless of cancer type, geography, cultural background or socioeconomic circumstances, get the care they need, where and when they need it.”
Quotes attributable to Glenn McGrath, President & Co-Founder, McGrath Foundation:
“We’re incredibly grateful to the Federal Government for their continued commitment to equitable cancer care in Australia through the McGrath Cancer Care Nurse program.
“With one in two Australians likely to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, this announcement reflects what’s possible when government, health services and the broader cancer sector work together with patients at the centre.
“Together, we can ensure more men with prostate cancer can have access to the free, expert support of a McGrath Cancer Care Nurse.”
Quotes attributable to Kerry Patford, Chief Nurse, McGrath Foundation:
“McGrath Cancer Care Nurses provide expert support throughout a person’s cancer experience, helping people navigate treatment, make informed decisions and access the care they need.
“Today’s announcement will help improve equity of access to cancer care by extending the McGrath Model of Care for All Cancers to support men with prostate cancer and their families.”
