The federal government has opened the 2025 grant round for the Partnerships for culturally safe cancer care program through Cancer Australia.

Indigenous people are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer and are approximately 40 per cent more likely to die from the disease than non-Indigenous Australians.

Addressing long-standing equity and cultural safety issues within cancer services is crucial to ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can access care supported by local expertise.

The program will invest up to $18 million over three years to support partnerships between mainstream cancer services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations.

Cancer Australia chief executive Professor Dorothy Keefe said the initiative aims to reduce the disease burden through innovation.

"The Partnerships for culturally safe cancer care program aims to reduce the burden of disease by supporting innovative projects that improve access, outcomes, and culturally safe services," she said.

"Respectful and inclusive, culturally safe care can only be achieved through genuine collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

"This new round of funding will support mainstream health services working closely with, and learning from, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, which is key to achieving lasting and meaningful change."

This program aims to ensure communities receive high-quality cancer care tailored to meet local needs in alignment with the Optimal Care Pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cancer.

Improving the delivery of culturally safe care builds on the government's commitment to close the gap in Indigenous cancer outcomes and experiences.

Genuine collaboration is required to deliver respectful and inclusive care.

Mainstream services must work closely with local groups to achieve meaningful change.

Individual grants of up to $700,000 are available over two years to help services develop community-informed care.

Applications for the program remain open until 3 February 2026.

Further details regarding the initiative are available via the Cancer Australia website.