ARC Portal receives $6.7 million funding boost over 4 years 

The ARC Portal team welcomes the Federal Government’s commitment of $6.7 million in funding to the ARC Portal initiative over the next four years, ensuring life-saving access to specialist care for Australians living with rare cancers, especially those in rural and regional areas.

The ARC Portal is an innovative online service that connects rare cancer patients to a network of expert specialists, clinical trials, and new treatments—all while allowing patients to remain with their local healthcare providers. This funding is a significant step forward in ensuring equitable access to the best possible care, regardless of where patients live.

Principal Investigator of the ARC Portal, Professor Clare Scott, explained the value that this injection of funding will bring to cancer patients and clinicians alike.  

“The ARC Portal is a true one of a kind. It is the only digital platform that connects rare cancer patients to rare cancer specialists, life-saving clinical trials and breakthrough treatments, whilst the patient stays based with their regional specialist, supported by the expert advice” Professor Scott said.  

“Today’s funding announcement is welcomed by the medical community, as it brings much needed hope and relief to those who depend on it, particularly for those in regional areas.

“I commend the Albanese government in recognising the value of the ARC Portal through this crucial funding promise, and I thank our stoic advocates and partners for their support,” Professor Scott concluded. 

Maureen Turner, CEO of Australian non-profit and partner of the ARC Portal, BioGrid Australia, said the company is honoured to be supporting such an important initiative for overcoming the ‘tyranny of distance’ that impacts rare cancer knowledge and treatment. 

“BioGrid Australia is uniquely positioned to support the ARC Portal by facilitating secure links for cancer specialists to expert advice, research opportunities, and clinical trial options, whilst maintaining patient confidentiality,” said Ms Turner.  

“The ARC Portal is exactly the type of innovative, patient-centric initiative that BioGrid was created for, changing the paradigm of isolated clinical practice and data analysis, and we are now seeing how this translates into a tangible, positive impact for both doctors and patients who need help, regardless of where they are located,” she concluded. 

The funding is also going to allow for a targeted expansion throughout Queensland to provide care to people in remote areas, through a partnership with Cancer Alliance Queensland and others. This will mean better access to specialty care for Queenslanders with rare cancers.

Key Partners and Supporting Organisations of the ARC Portal include Rare Cancers Australia, The Clinical Oncology Society of Australia, The NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI), The Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne Health, Sunshine Coast University Hospital, BioGrid Australia, and Omico.

View Rare Cancer Australia’s response to the funding announcement.

Find out more about BioGrid’s work supporting the ARC Portal.