Support services
If you need support, these resources may assist including crisis services, counselling, and financial counselling and help
Crisis Services (24/7 Support)
Lifeline
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and want to talk to someone straight away you can call lifeline;
Lifeline Crisis Support: 13 11 14
They also offer online chat and text crisis services.
Beyond Blue
If you’re going through a hard time and need help, the Beyond Blue Support Service is available 24/7 for brief counselling. You can call them on 1300 22 4636 or chat to them online. They also have a variety of other mental health supports you can access.
Beyond Blue | 24/7 Support for Anxiety, Depression and Suicide Prevention - Beyond Blue
Call a counsellor on 1300 22 4636 or chat to a counsellor online.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
13YARN — call 13 92 76 to talk to an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter, 24/7.
Counselling Services
Mental Health Support via your GP
How to access mental health support by visiting your GP and getting a mental health plan.
Mental health treatment plan | healthdirect
Australian Psychological Society
This website provides a listing of Registered Psychologists, including areas of specialty and location. Psychologists set their own fees so there may also be a gap between what Medicare will pay and what is charged. Some psychologists do not provide a Medicare rebate so it is best to ask about fees prior to your session.
Services Australia
This website explains how the medicare system works in relation to accessing mental health care under the Medicare system
Mental health care and Medicare - Medicare - Services Australia
Youth Services
Headspace
This is Australia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation, providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds. They offer online and phone counselling services and vocational services. headspace can help young people with mental health, physical health (including sexual health), alcohol and other drug services, and work and study support.
phone on 1800 650 890
headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation
Kids Helpline
24-hour phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25.
Open: 24 hours, every day
Call: 1800 55 1800
Website: kidshelpline.com.au
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services
Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service
Legal advice and representation for the Koorie community.
Call: 1800 064 865
Website: vals.org.au
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service QLD (ATSILS)
ATSILS is a community-based legal assistance organisation providing legal services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples throughout QLD.
Call: 1800 012 255
Website: atsils.org.au
Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT
ALS NSW/ACT deliver free, culturally appropriate legal advice, representation, information and referrals for thousands of people each year, alongside critical community services.
Call: 1800 765 767
Website: www.alsnswact.org.au
Northern Australia Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA)
NAAJA provides legal services to Aboriginal Territorians and operates as a policy and advocacy body for the interests of Aboriginal people.
Call: 1800 898 251
Email: reception@naaja.org.au
Website: www.naaja.org.au
Legal Aid WA – Legal Yarns
Legal Yarn is a culturally safe telephone information service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. Staffed by mob for mob, we can help with your legal issues.
call Legal Yarn on 1800 319 803 on Mondays - Fridays from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm (WST)
Aboriginal Legal Services Western Australia (ALSWA)
ALSWA provides legal representation and support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Western Australia.
Call: 1800 019 900
Website: www.als.org.au
Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement (ALRM)
Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement (ALRM) is a legal service provider engaged in criminal and civil claims on behalf of Aboriginal peoples in South Australia. ALRM also carries out social programs to assist Aboriginal prisoners and persons recently released from custody.
Call: 1800 643 222
Email: info@alrm.org.au
Website:www.alrm.org.au
Aboriginal Family Violence Legal Service (Djirra)
A legal service that supports Aboriginal people who are experiencing or have experienced family violence (women and men). They can also assist non-Aboriginal people experiencing family violence who are parents of Aboriginal children.
Open: 9am–5pm, Monday to Friday
Call: 1800 105 303
Website: djirra.org.au
Victims of Crime
Victims of Crime Website (Victoria)
Even though there may not be a criminal finding in your case, this website has resources for accessing legal assistance and explaining more about the court system
Get help | victimsofcrime.vic.gov.au
In other states and territories
Victims Services (NSW)
Support for victims of crime | QPS (Queensland)
https://nt.gov.au/law/crime/support-for-victims-of-crime (NT)
Victims of crime | ACT Policing (ACT)
Victims of Crime Service | Victims Support Services (Tasmania)
Senior
Elder Abuse Phone Line (National)
1800 ELDERHelp (1800 353 374) is a free call phone number that automatically redirects callers seeking information and advice on elder abuse with the phone service in their state or territory. The phone line has been set up in collaboration with state and territory governments.
Seniors Legal and Support Service (Queensland)
If you are a victim of elder abuse or feel that you have been mistreated or taken advantage of financially, help is available. Sixteen seniors legal and support services provide free legal advice, information and social work services for people over 60.
Legal services | Seniors | Queensland Government
Elder Abuse Helpline (Queensland)
If you are experiencing abuse, or are concerned that an older person you know is at risk, call the Elder Abuse Helpline on 1300 651 192 for free, confidential advice and referrals (Queensland only, 9am–5pm, Monday to Friday).
Seniors Rights Victoria
Seniors Rights Victoria provides information, support, advice and education to help prevent elder abuse and safeguard the rights, dignity and independence of older people.
Call: 1300 368 821
Website: seniorsrights.org.au
Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service
1800RESPECT
The national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service offers a phone and online chat service.
Open: 24 hours, every day
Call: 1800 737 732
Website: 1800respect.org.au
Women, Gender-Diverse and Nonbinary Support
Women’s Information and Referral Exchange (WIRE)
Free support, referral and information for all Victorian women, nonbinary and gender-diverse people on any issue.
Open: 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday
Call: 1300 134 130
Website: wire.org.au
Support for Men
Mensline Australia
Telephone and online counselling service for men with family and relationship concerns.
Open: 24 hours, every day
Call: 1300 789 978
Website: mensline.org.au
LGBTQAI+
Switchboard
Switchboard is a volunteer organisation which provides a free, confidential and anonymous telephone counselling, referral and information service for Victorian bisexual, transgender and gender diverse, intersex, queer and asexual (LGBTIQA+) people and their supporters.
Switchboard partners with QLife to provide a phone and webchat service.
Open: 3pm–midnight, every day
Call: 1800 184 527
Website: switchboard.org.au or qlife.org.au
Financial Help
Moneysmart
Moneysmart offers simple tools, tips and calculators help people of all ages, backgrounds and incomes to be in control of their financial lives.
Financial counselling - Moneysmart.gov.au
Financial counsellors are skilled professionals who provide advice and support to people struggling with bills and debt. A financial counsellor can:
- assess your financial situation
- give advice about what to do if you're struggling to pay bills and fines
- help you negotiate with government agencies, your landlord, utilities, telcos, and other creditors
- assist you if you're being harassed by debt collectors
- refer you to other services you might need, such as legal, accommodation, health and crisis services
If you feel overwhelmed by debt, contact a financial counsellor as soon as you can. Their services are free and confidential.
National Debt Helpline - 1800 007 007
The free National Debt Helpline is open from 9:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday. Or live chat, Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 8:00pm.
When you call, you'll be transferred to the service in your state.
Mob Strong Debt Helpline - 1800 808 488
Mob Strong Debt Helpline is a free legal advice service about money matters for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from anywhere in Australia.
The helpline is open from 9:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.
Indigenous Consumer Assistance Network - 1800 369 878
Indigenous Consumer Assistance Network Ltd (ICAN) provides consumer education, advocacy and financial counselling services to Indigenous consumers across the nation, with a vision of “Empowering Indigenous Consumers”.
Small Business Debt Helpline - 1800 413 828
If your business is in financial difficulty, call the Small Business Debt Helpline.
The Helpline is open 9:00am to 5:30pm, Monday to Friday.
Farmers or rural and regional businesses
Farmers and other rural businesses who are experiencing, or at risk of financial hardship, can talk to a rural financial counsellor.
Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) - DAFF
Legal Services
National Legal Aid | Access to justice for all Australians
National Legal Aid represents the eight independent Legal Aid Commissions in each state and territory of Australia. These commissions work collaboratively to deliver essential legal services, making sure that justice is accessible to all Australians. We strive to support those who are most in need, ensuring fair and equitable legal outcomes.
Free legal advice - Moneysmart.gov.au