For women with early breast cancer, multidisciplinary care has the potential to reduce mortality, improve quality of life and reduce healthcare costs. In Australia, the diversity of healthcare delivery settings and types of care means that a single model of multidisciplinary care may not be appropriate. The "Principles of multidisciplinary care" were developed to provide a flexible framework for the provision of multidisciplinary care in Australia. The Principles emphasise five key elements: the team, communication, access to the full range of therapies, standards of care and involvement of the woman. This flexible, principle-based approach to multidisciplinary care is unique. The Principles have the potential to be applied to other cancers and other chronic diseases.