The 5 Best Oncologists in Melbourne for Compassionate Cancer Care
Receiving a cancer diagnosis can change your life in an instant, which makes finding medical specialists who truly support you so important. The right oncologists in Melbourne can give you the clarity and expertise you need for the road ahead.
So I scoured the city and listed my top picks, featuring dedicated teams that give you the right clinical advice and compassionate, holistic guidance every step of the way.
Before that, it’s important to know that managing the emotional toll matters just as much, which is why many families pair their medical treatment with the best psychologists in Melbourne to protect their mental well-being.
How much does it cost to see an oncologist in Melbourne?
Seeing an oncologist in Melbourne can cost anywhere from $0 out of pocket through the public Medicare system to $250 or more for a private initial consultation, depending on the pathway you choose.
| Healthcare Pathway | Estimated Cost (AUD) |
| Public system (Medicare patients) | $0 out of pocket |
| Private initial consultation | $250 – $500+ ($150 – $350 gap fee) |
| Private follow-up appointment | $100 – $200 (before rebate) |
| Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) general script | $31.60 |
| Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) concession script | $7.70 |
1. Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Website: https://www.petermac.org/
Address: 305 Grattan St
Contact: (03) 8559 5000
Hours: Daily, 8:00 AM-8:00 PM
Facing a heavy diagnosis calls for specialised attention, and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre delivers exactly that as Australia’s only public hospital dedicated solely to cancer treatment, research, and education.
The unique setup brings researchers and clinicians together in a purpose-built facility designed to turn scientific discoveries into patient treatments quickly.
When my close friend went through therapy here, his family deeply appreciated the comprehensive allied health support that coordinates with top physiotherapies in Melbourne directly into the recovery plan.
They also loved the dedicated Wellbeing Centre, with its relaxing lounge and massage therapies.
Just keep in mind that the free in-house patient legal service excludes help with preparing Wills and Power of Attorney documents, so you’ll need an external lawyer for those.
Customer Reviews
A state-of-the-art hospital for cancer patients
Peter MacCallum Cancer Clinic is a state-of-the-art hospital for treating cancer patients. The best options for parking are in the building. The entrance is around the corner from Grattan Street, enter on the service lane off Flemington Road. Plenty of parking, with concessions for patients, and pay stations near the lifts. There is a coffee shop on the ground floor with very reasonable prices.
– Shane Carlin | Google Review
Treated me with the utmost kindness and patience
Staff proved to be extremely organised, efficient and treated me with the utmost kindness and patience. I sent an email after surgery regarding a concern I had, and a nurse contacted me almost immediately and put my mind at rest. She had all my surgery notes at hand and had already spoken to the surgeon’s team. I couldn’t ask for more.
– Angela L | Google Review
2. Cancer Melbourne
Website: https://cancermelbourne.com.au/
Address: 43 Erin St, Richmond
Contact: (03) 9069 8282
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-5:00 PM
Stepping into a clinic without knowing what lies ahead can be incredibly stressful, but Cancer Melbourne softens that with clear, comprehensive patient education and structured action plans.
The team is set up to make a daunting diagnosis feel organised and manageable, turning an intimidating first appointment into a reassuring conversation.
They also empower you with supportive resources to tackle your illness, including detailed lists of questions to ask your specialist before therapy.
And I love how the practitioners explain the goals of each medical option clearly, spelling out whether the aim is to cure or to relieve symptoms.
The trade-off is that their thorough onboarding often means extra testing and a secondary review before a definitive treatment program is locked in.
3. Dr Alysson Wann
Website: https://www.dralyssonwann.com/
Address: 357 Blackburn Rd, Mount Waverley
Contact: (03) 9116 4730
Hours: Tuesday, 9:30 AM-2:30 PM (consulting days)
Finding an available specialist during a medical emergency can be tough, but Dr Alysson Wann delivers compassionate care with a strong focus on prioritising urgent cases.
As a fellowship-trained medical oncologist who specialises in breast and gastrointestinal cancer, she works to give patients rapid access to care. Her ongoing research also means you get access to modern therapies.
When I spoke with a patient who visits her Mount Waverley rooms, they praised the generous consultations that run 30 to 60 minutes. That unhurried approach gives you ample time to process your diagnosis and ask questions without feeling rushed.
Just note that her private consultations typically carry a small out-of-pocket gap fee on top of the standard Australian Medical Association (AMA) and Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) structures.
4. St Vincent’s Cancer Centre
Website: https://www.svhm.org.au/
Address: 41 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy
Contact: (03) 9231 2211
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM
Long waiting times can make an already difficult situation much worse, which is why St Vincent’s Cancer Centre runs a comprehensive, multidisciplinary outpatient service that aims to review all new referrals within two weeks.
Ongoing care here is supported through dedicated nurse-led clinics that keep patients well looked after. The department features a specialised Symptom and Urgent Review Clinic (SURC) built to educate and support patients during active treatment.
You meet with specialised nursing staff to map out personal coping strategies and understand the specifics of chemotherapy clearly.
There’s also an active general practitioner (GP) hotline that streamlines communication with your external doctors.
Even with these efficient systems, new referrals can still wait up to two weeks to be seen by the hospital team.
5. Dr Adam Pendlebury
Website: https://dradampendlebury.com.au/
Address: Suite 6.1, Level 6, 124 Grey Street
Contact: (03) 9115 9336
Hours: Daily: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Managing complex gynaecological conditions calls for highly specialised surgical expertise, and Dr Adam Pendlebury brings exactly that.
As a consultant gynaecological oncologist, he diagnoses and manages complex gynaecological conditions and cancers using advanced, minimally invasive robotic-assisted surgical techniques.
He performs sophisticated procedures with laparoscopy and specialised da Vinci robotic tools across multiple high-quality hospital locations.
His clinical team can also expedite an initial appointment to cut waiting times when a referring doctor formally flags a case as urgent, which offers great flexibility for both inpatient and outpatient care close to home.
Because this runs entirely as a private specialist practice, your consultations will carry specific out-of-pocket fees that standard Medicare rebates don’t fully cover.
Customer Reviews
Almost a pleasant experience
Having recently undergone a major surgical procedure, it was almost a pleasant experience to have had this performed at the Epworth East Melbourne. My extreme thanks go to Nurse Shannon and others on Ward 1 West. Dr Adam Pendlebury and Dr Marcus Carey, you are both eminent people. Sincere appreciation to all, thank you.
– Brenda Ibels | Google Review