癌症委员会新南威尔士州和麦克凯尔研究所联合发布的报告显示，新南威尔士州每年约有3000名癌症患者被迫离开工作岗位[1]。这一现象造成了超过2.4亿澳元的年度工资损失[1]。癌症委员会新南威尔士州政策和倡导经理Brad Gellert表示，这对患者"的心理健康和他们及家人的财务稳定性有巨大影响"[1]。
新南威尔士州每年约有56000人被诊断出癌症，其中约40%处于工作年龄[1]。值得注意的是，工作年龄段人群（30-40岁）的癌症发病率比2000年高11.6%[1]。报告指出，新南威尔士州目前缺乏专门政策帮助患者在治疗期间保持工作或重返工作[1]。
为应对这一问题，报告建议政府和雇主实施有针对性的薪酬补贴方案，直接资助癌症患者薪酬的最多60%，期限最长一年[1]。此外，报告指出维多利亚州和昆士兰州的雇主已可以获得招聘补贴，包括为从疾病中恢复的求职者提供支持[1]。
A report released by Cancer Council NSW and the Macquarie Research Institute reveals that approximately 3,000 cancer patients in New South Wales leave their jobs each year due to their illness [1]. The loss of employment among this population results in over A$240 million in annual wage losses for the state [1].
The research highlights a critical gap in NSW policy, as the state currently lacks targeted programs to help patients maintain employment or return to work during treatment [1]. Among the roughly 56,000 people diagnosed with cancer annually in NSW, approximately 40 percent are of working age [1]. Cancer incidence among working-age populations aged 30 to 40 has risen 11.6 percent since 2000 [1].
To address this issue, the report recommends implementing a wage subsidy scheme in which the government and employers jointly fund compensation for cancer patients during their treatment period, covering up to 60 percent of salaries for a maximum of one year [1]. Brad Gellert, policy and advocacy manager at Cancer Council NSW, emphasized the broader consequences of job loss, stating that "this has a huge impact on their mental health and the financial stability of them and their families" [1]. The recommendation draws on existing models from Victoria and Queensland, where employers can access recruitment subsidies that include support for job seekers recovering from illness [1].