Canteen

Canteen is the only Australian organisation dedicated to supporting all young people impacted by cancer, operating for over 40 years. The organisation provides free, personalised support services including counselling, peer support, practical resources and 24/7 online support through Canteen Connect. Canteen assists young people facing their own cancer diagnosis, those coping with a parent's or sibling's cancer, and those grieving the loss of a loved one to cancer. The organisation also supports parents and carers, recognising that when families are supported through cancer, young people cope significantly better.

Canteen's core services encompass specialist counselling, community-based peer support programmes, school support initiatives, and tailored resources designed specifically for young Australians navigating cancer. The organisation operates youth cancer hubs and divisional offices across multiple regions, delivering integrated support that addresses the unique psychological, practical and social challenges young people face when cancer enters their lives. Canteen's approach combines professional mental health support with peer connection, ensuring young people never face these challenges alone.

Canteen operates across all Australian states and territories, with divisional offices and hubs in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory. The organisation's headquarters is located in Newtown, Sydney. Young people and families choose Canteen because it is the only service in Australia exclusively dedicated to youth cancer support, offering free services funded by the Australian Government and state and territory departments. With 97 per cent of young people reporting that Canteen provided the cancer support they needed, the organisation has established itself as Australia's most trusted youth cancer support provider.