News

We are delighted to announce three additional keynote speakers in Clair Scott (Haematology CNC), Shannon Philp (Gynae Oncology NP) and Steph Barrett (Palliative Care), further strengthening a line-up that will help shape an exceptional Congress in Perth. This year’s program will explore how innovation, education, integration and advocacy intersect to elevate cancer nursing practice and showcase nurse-led models of care.

It's that time of the year - your CNSA membership is due for renewal! After another record breaking year, we're encouraging members to get in early and complete the process to maintain uninterrupted access to your member benefits. 

Recently, CNSA’s Education Manager, Dr Pammie Ellem, travelled to Darwin to represent the Cancer Nurses Society of Australia and support local cancer nurses through targeted professional development.

Attending Congress is one of the most valuable professional development opportunities available to cancer nurses; and we know that making it happen can sometimes require a little extra support. Download our letter of support or apply for a travel grant - keep reading to find out how.

CNSA is currently coordinating and facilitating a series of nurse-led advisory discussion, in collaboration with industry, to ensure that the nursing voice informs the patient experience - find out how you can get involved.

Early Bird registrations are now open for the 2026 CNSA Annual Congress, and we’re delighted to invite you to join us in Perth from 17–19 June 2026. This year’s Congress is built around a clear and purposeful program for cancer nurses, focused on how we can Innovate, Integrate, Advocate and Educate to elevate cancer nursing.

Last week saw an exciting development for Cancer Nurse Practitioners, who are now authorised to prescribe an expanded list of oncology and haematology medicines listed on the PBS General Schedule, further strengthening their ability to deliver timely, comprehensive cancer care.

CNSA is proud to partner with Australia and New Zealand Sarcoma Association (ANZSA) to launch the new Sarcoma CoP, created to support nurses with access to important information, resources and peer connection in this specialised area of cancer care.

CNSA has launched a new joint Position Statement with the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia on The Contribution of Nurses to Cancer Survivorship Care in Australia.

Today, on World Cancer Day 2026, the Cancer Nurses Society of Australia (CNSA) and the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA) proudly launch a joint Position Statement on The Contribution of Nurses to Cancer Survivorship Care in Australia.

Read this Message from the President for important updates on the Australian Cancer Nursing and Navigation Program, including recent announcements, upcoming information sessions, and how cancer nurses across all settings can continue to shape how this program is understood, integrated and funded into the future.

CNSA members are encouraged to take part in a national evaluation of the Australian Cancer Nursing and Navigation Program (ACNNP) and the Cancer Patient Support Program (CPSP). These Programs are designed to improve access to information, navigation and wrap-around support for people impacted by cancer, and to integrate seamlessly with existing health services.

Planning is well underway for our 28th Annual Congress, taking place in Perth from 17–19 June, and it is shaping up to be the must-attend event on the cancer nursing calendar. We are delighted to announce our first keynote speakers Professor Kim Alexander, Professor Mei Krishnasamy and Daniel Johnstone (consumer and PhD Candidate), who will set the stage for an outstanding Congress program.

We're thrilled to open applications for the 2026 Mentoring Program, offering a unique opportunity for early-career cancer nurses across Australia to connect with experienced mentors and grow both professionally and personally.

This January we're excited to offer 15 months of CNSA membership for the price of 12* - valid right through to 31 March 2027.

In collaboration with Flinders University, CNSA is currently developing a capabilities framework for Australian Cancer Nurses. If you would like to participate in the Delphi study to obtain expert consensus and have not yet received an invitation through previous consultations, you can still express interest in being involved.

The Australian Government has announced $1 million to fund projects that build stronger networks between cancer services in outer metropolitan, regional, rural, and remote communities, and larger metropolitan centres.

We are pleased to advise that the Ordinary Resolution to extend the terms of office for three current Directors by one year — allowing each to serve up to seven consecutive years if re-elected — was passed by a majority vote.

CNSA's ever popular Tune in Tuesday series will start up again in February 2026 - with a range of practical, conversational evidence-based professional development available for members across the country. 

We are pleased to share the release of the Nursing and Midwifery Research Career Framework (NMRCF), an important new resource from the Council of Deans of Nursing and Midwifery (Australia and New Zealand) that strengthens the bridge between clinical practice and research.

Have you submitted yours yet? We invite all cancer nurses, researchers, educators and healthcare professionals to contribute to the 2026 program and share the incredible work happening across Australia.

Thanks to everyone who joined the 2025 Cancer Nursing 101 series! Your participation, questions and engagement made it a vibrant learning community. If you haven’t had the chance yet, now’s a great time to dive back in, catch up on missed sessions, and get ready for 2026.

We’re excited to share that our next CNSA Mentoring Program is just around the corner — with applications opening in mid-January 2026 and only 20 places available for early-career cancer nurses across Australia.

Looking to complete your Post Grad qualification in Cancer Nursing? The McGrath Foundation is offering 15 individual scholarships to the wider cancer nursing workforce to support the completion of a Graduate Certificate in Advanced Clinical Nursing - Cancer Nursing, offered at Monash University.

CNSA is proud to announce the launch of a new Gastro-intestinal Cancers Community of Practice (CoP), developed in partnership with Bowel Cancer Australia, Pancare Foundation, and the Gastro-intestinal Cancer Nurses Network (GICaNN).

Don't miss out on our next Rare Cancers CoP meeting with respected bioethicist and public health scientist, Dr Evie Kendall, as she uncovers Challenging Conversations in Unfunded Therapy.

Although asbestos use was banned decades ago, the legacy of exposure continues to emerge in our hospitals and cancer care settings. November is Asbestos Awareness Month - a timely reminder that asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis remain very real health concerns.

To improve the care and experience of older people with cancer across Australia, an Optimal Care Pathway (OCP) is now available to ensure older patients receive the right care, at the right time, in the right place. The OCP is a framework for the delivery of consistent, safe, high-quality, and evidence-based care for older people with cancer, covering every step from prevention and early detection through to recovery, living with a chronic disease, or end-of-life-care.

Our State Groups work incredibly hard to deliver meaningful and accessible education. In the past month, we've covered 12 locations across four dinners, with popular hybrid events in SA and QLD delivering for regional and remote areas. From melanoma to brain cancer, and colorectal to lung cancer, these recent events created real opportunities to learn from one another, connect locally, and share experiences.

The Australian Government has launched the National Cancer Data Framework, marking a major step forward in improving accessibility, consistency and comprehensiveness of cancer data in Australia. Developed by Cancer Australia in partnership with Cancer Council Australia and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the National Cancer Data Framework sets the strategic direction and priorities for collecting, managing and using comprehensive cancer data.