The Australian Brain Cancer Landscape 2026
A national picture of brain cancer in Australia
The Australian Brain Cancer Landscape 2026 brings together the latest evidence, lived experience and perspectives from across Australia’s brain cancer community.
Released by Brain Tumour Alliance Australia (BTAA), the Landscape provides a national view of where we are today, the challenges that remain, and the opportunities to improve outcomes and experiences for people diagnosed with brain cancer, their families and carers.
Building on the inaugural Australian Brain Cancer Landscape released in 2025, the 2026 edition reflects the evolving needs of the community and the progress being made across research, clinical care and support.
Our 2026 asks
The Landscape sets out eight clear priorities for action. Together, they provide a practical national agenda for improving research, treatment, care, support and accountability for Australians affected by brain cancer.
Research & Trials
Ask 1 – Co-design the Australian Brain Cancer Roadmap
Co-design the Australian Brain Cancer Roadmap through a Joint Steering Committee, working across the Australian Cancer Research Program’s Childhood, Adolescent and Young Adult and Low Survival Cancers missions.
Ask 2 – Build toward the scale required
Leverage the second brain cancer mission against the $200 million over ten years the sector identified as the scale of investment required.
Ask 3 – Faster, fairer access to treatment
Support timely PBS pathways, more phase II and III trials, and an equitable compassionate-access pathway for people who cannot access treatment through a trial or afford it privately.
Clinical Care
Ask 4 – Fund a national Brain Cancer Care Coordination Framework
Invest $8.75 million in 23 specialist coordinators, integrated with the Australian Cancer Nursing and Navigation Program and the McGrath Foundation.
Support Services
Ask 5 – Stabilise the National Advocacy Service
Provide $725,000 a year for three years, co-funded with philanthropy, to sustain specialist advocacy support and meet growing national demand.
Ask 6 – Bring brain cancer into national cancer navigation
Include brain cancer in the Australian Cancer Nursing and Navigation Program Specialist Support Services stream.
Ask 7 – Priority access to disability and aged care support
Establish priority access to NDIS and aged care support, modelled on the Motor Neurone Disease priority pathway.
Accross the system
Ask 8 – measure what matters
Fund outcome evaluation for coordination and support services, and support national expansion of the Australian Brain Cancer Registry.
These eight asks are intended to turn evidence into action and provide a clear basis for government, the health and research sectors, philanthropy and the brain cancer community to work together in 2027 and beyond.
Three pillars of change
Research & Trials
This pillar considers Australia’s brain cancer research environment, including investment, coordination, research capability, clinical trials and access to emerging treatments.
It focuses on how research is translated into better outcomes for patients through collaboration between government, philanthropy, researchers, clinicians and consumers.
Clinical Care
This pillar considers how people experience diagnosis, treatment and ongoing disease management, including specialist and multidisciplinary care, nursing and care coordination, rehabilitation and workforce capability.
It focuses on whether high-quality, brain cancer-specific care is accessible and connected across the patient journey.
Support Services
This pillar considers the practical, psychological, social and financial support required by patients, carers and families beyond medical treatment.
It focuses on access to navigation, disability and income support, employment, aged care and other services that help people manage the broader impacts of brain cancer.
Across each of these areas, the Landscape also considers the broader issues that influence outcomes, including equity of access, care coordination, workforce capacity, data, funding and the experiences of people living with brain cancer and those who care for them.
More than data
Behind every statistic is a person, a family and a community.
Throughout the Landscape, people affected by brain cancer share their experiences of diagnosis, treatment, navigating the health system, accessing support and living with the uncertainty and impact of this devastating disease.
Their stories demonstrate both the progress that has been made and why further action is urgently needed.
A platform for national action
The Australian Brain Cancer Landscape is designed to help inform discussion, collaboration, policy and investment across government, healthcare, research, industry and the community.
It identifies areas where collective action can make a meaningful difference and provides an evidence base to support continued advocacy for better outcomes for all Australians affected by brain cancer.
The 2026 Landscape was launched as part of Head to the Hill 2026, BTAA’s national advocacy event at Parliament House in Canberra, bringing the brain cancer community together with parliamentarians and decision-makers under one shared message:
One Voice. One Community. One National Call to Action
Read the Australian Brain Cancer Landscape 2026
We encourage patients, families, carers, clinicians, researchers, policymakers, advocates and everyone with an interest in improving brain cancer outcomes to read and share the Landscape.
Together, we can continue to build a stronger national response to brain cancer.
Personal Stories in the Landscape Report
The Australian Brain Cancer Landscape 2025
The Australian Brain Cancer Landscape 2025 provided a comprehensive, evidence‑based view of the burden of brain cancer in Australia. Developed by BTAA in partnership with the Australian Brain Tumour Collaborative (ABTC), it highlighted the human, clinical and economic impacts of brain tumours, and presents a clear call to action.