Referrals Directory

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Services that help-seekers may be referred to for support

Crisis Helplines

If you are in an emergency, in danger or you or someone else has seriously harmed themselves, call triple zero (000) for emergency services.

NATIONAL

Lifeline

Australia-wide crisis support and suicide prevention service. Any age. Staffed by volunteers.

  • Phone: 13 11 14
  • Website: www.lifeline.org.au
  • Hours: phone 24/7, online chat 7 pm – midnight, text 6pm – midnight

Suicide call back service

Professionally trained counsellors. Callers 15 years+ with suicidal thoughts, family or friends affected by suicide and healthcare professionals treating suicidal people.

May be eligible for ongoing support – up to six telephone counselling sessions.

Kids Helpline

5-12 year olds, anytime, any reason, qualified counsellors

Samaritans

Crisis support for Australian’s dealing with feelings of depression, sadness, loneliness and despair. Staffed by volunteers

VICTORIA

SuicideLine

Staffed by mental health professionals who provide help and advice as well as local referral to mental health services for children, teens, adults and older people.

NEW SOUTH WALES

Mental Health Line

Trained and experienced mental health clinicians. Advice and information in mental health emergency or crisis. Triage and refer to acute teams where appropriate. Support, information, advice and referral. Access to public mental health services.

QUEENSLAND

Mental Health Access Line

Trained and experienced mental health clinicians. Advice and information in mental health emergency or crisis. Triage and refer to acute teams where appropriate. Support, information, advice and referral. Access to public mental health services.

TASMANIA

Mental Health Services Helpline

Community Mental Health Clinicians can provide assessment, advice and referral.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Mental Health Assessment and Crisis Intervention Service

Trained and experienced mental health clinicians. Advice and information in mental health emergency or crisis. Triage and refer to acute teams where appropriate. Support, information, advice and referral. Access to public mental health services.

Phone: 13 14 65 (SA only)

Website: https://www.mhcsa.org.au/need-help-now/

Hours: 24/7

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Mental Health Emergency Response

Mental Health Clinicians provide assessment, specialist intervention and support in mental health emergencies and referrals if needed.

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Mental Health Line

Emergency help or support for anyone experiencing a mental health issue or those concerned about another person’s mental health and wellbeing.

Phone: 1800 682 288 (NT only)

Website: https://nt.gov.au/wellbeing/mental-health/24-hour-mental-health-hotlines

Hours: 24/7

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

Access Mental Health

Central point of access to Mental health services in the ACT. Provide immediate help if you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health crisis.

Phone: 1800 629 354

Website: https://www.health.act.gov.au/services-and-programs/mental-health/mental-health-services

Hours: 24/7

Domestic Violence

NATIONAL

1800 RESPECT

Support people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence and abuse.

Domestic Violence Crisis Service

Domestic Violence Crisis Service offers crisis counselling, support, and referral to safe accommodation.

VICTORIA

Victims of Crime Helpline

Information and support to help you manage the effects of crime and guide you through the legal process.

NEW SOUTH WALES

Domestic Violence Line

Trained female case workers offer counselling services for women and same sex partners.

QUEENSLAND

Domestic Violence Connect Womensline

Offers crisis counselling, referrals, information, safety plans and safe accommodation.

Domestic Violence Connect Mensline

Phone counselling, information and referral service for men experiencing or using violence.

TASMANIA

Family Violence Counselling and Support

Offers counselling and support, help arranging assistance from police, help arranging a safe place to stay, group work and help accessing services like Centrelink.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Women’s Safety Service Service

Domestic and Aboriginal Family Violence Gateway.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline

Phone counselling, referrals and information

  • Phone: 1800 007 339
  • Website: N/A
  • Hours: 24/7

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Dawn House

Free counselling phone service.  Appointment only via phone or email: dvcounsellor@dawnhouse.org.au

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

Domestic Violence Crisis Service

Offers crisis intervention, advocacy, referrals, information and counselling.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Headspace

National youth mental health foundation, providing holistic mental health support to 12-25 year olds with a focus on early intervention. National Telehealth Service available in rural and remote areas.

100 centres across Australia: https://headspace.org.au/welcome-to-headspace-centres/

Free online and telephone mental health support and counselling to young people and their families: https://headspace.org.au/eheadspace/

  • Phone: 1800 650 890 (refer to website for individual phone numbers of centres or online chat service)

One on one online chat 9 am to 1 am (Melbourne time) 7 days a week.

Centres are usually open during business hours Monday to Friday. Visit for more info: https://headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/

Victoria’s Mental Health Services Directory (VIC only)

Around the clock psychiatric triage service for Victorian’s.

The website provides a list of mental health service providers for:

  • Acute inpatient services
  • Clinical rehabilitation services
  • Early intervention services
  • Community care units
  • Continuing care, clinical and consultancy
  • Crisis assessment and treatment teams

Phone: 1300 721 927 for psychiatric triage (information, assessment and referral)

Website: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/mentalhealthservices/adult/centraleast-a.htm

Wellways

Wellways helpline is for people experiencing issues with their mental health and wellbeing. They provide short term support including scheduled calls, information about support groups, education programs and local community services.

HelpingMinds (WA and NT)

Provide counselling and support groups for family and friends. Assistance and support through NDIS.

Head to Health

If you are trying to improve your own mental health, or support somebody else with mental health issues, Head to Health provides links to trusted Australian online and phone supports, resources, and treatment options.

Has information for specific groups, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and LGBTQI people.

https://headtohealth.gov.au/

Butterfly Foundation

Information, support, and counselling for people with eating disorders and body image related issues.

Blue Knot Foundation

Short term counselling support and information for individuals who have experienced childhood trauma.

Black Dog Institute

Information on symptoms, treatment and prevention of bipolar disorder and depression, PTSD.

Website: https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/

 

Beyond Blue

Support, information, and resources for people dealing with depression or anxiety.

MindSpot Clinic

Free assessment and treatment service for Australian adults with anxiety or depression. 

  • Phone: 1800 614 434 (online assessment available)
  • Website: https://mindspot.org.au/
  • Hours: 8:00am to 8:00pm weekdays / 8:00am to 6:00am Saturday (Sydney time) 

Sane

Information about mental illness, treatments and support for clients and their carers.

Carers Australia

Find out about short-term counselling and support services for carers and their families, each stat has its own website.

Homelessness

VICTORIA

Opening Doors

The 1800 number will direct your call to a housing and support service closest to you, or if the call is outside business hours, it will be directed to Salvation Army Crisis Services.

  • Phone: 1800 825 955
  • Hours: 24/7

NEW SOUTH WALES

Link2Home

Link2Home provides information, conducts assessments, as well as makes referrals to homelessness services across NSW. The service is for people who are homeless or who are worried they will become homeless, as well as for advocates acting on a person’s behalf.

QUEENSLAND

Homeless Hotline (HPIQ)

This is a phone information and referral service for people who are experiencing homelessness.

TASMANIA

Housing Connect

Provides immediate support, information on your options and can arrange immediate emergency accommodation as well as long term accommodation.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Homelessness Gateway

Service that can assess your situation and work with you to find the best option for your needs which may be crisis accommodation.

Phone: 1800 003 308

Youth Gateway 15-25 yrs

Phone: 1300 306 046 / 1800 807 364

Domestic Violence & Aboriginal Family Violence Gateway

Phone: 1300 782 200 / 1800 800 098

Website: https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/housing/emergency-shelter-and-homelessness/accessing-services

Hours: 24/7

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Crisis Accommodation and Homelessness Services

For assistance to access emergency accommodation.

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Shelter Me

Shelter Me is a directory of homeless services for homeless “Territorians” and contains a comprehensive guide to services in all areas of the NT. Very user friendly.

  • Phone: N/A
  • Website: https://www.shelterme.org.au/
  • Hours: 24/7

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

Onelink

Central information/access point for human services for the ACT including homelessness, disability and family support services.

Child, Family and Relationships

 

Organisation

Phone

Website

Hours

Description

Parentline

 13 22 89 (VIC)

1300 301 300 (QLD + NT)

1300 130 052 (NSW)

1300 364 100 (SA)

1300 808 178 (TAS)

02- 6287 3833 (ACT)

 https://www.parentline.com.au/ 8am to 12am,

7 days a week

 Free counselling and support for parents and carers.

Raising Children Network

 Online only https://raisingchildren.net.au/ Online only Has parenting videos, articles and apps backed by Australian experts.

Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA)

 1800 686 268
Live chat available via website		 https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/ Anytime They can provide reassurance and give you knowledge about how breastfeeding works and help in overcoming common hurdles.

PANDA

 1300 726 306 https://www.panda.org.au/ 9:00am to 7:30pm PANDA’s National Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Helpline is a free, national helpline service for women, men and their families affected by perinatal anxiety and depression.

SANDS

 1300 072 637 https://www.sands.org.au/ Any time A volunteer-based organisation providing individualised care from one bereaved parent to another, giving them support and hope for the future, following the death of a baby.

The Compassionate Friends

 03 9888 4944 or 1300 064 068 https://www.compassionatefriendsvictoria.org.au/ Any time Peer support for parents who have lost a child. National helpline in addition to VIC-specific services such as: support groups, bereaved parent and sibling support centre, Facebook group and ‘Time-Out’ program for temporary accommodation at low cost.

Headspace

National youth mental health foundation, providing holistic mental health support to 12-25 year olds with a focus on early intervention. National Telehealth Service available in rural and remote areas.

100 centres across Australia: https://headspace.org.au/welcome-to-headspace-centres/

Free online and telephone mental health support and counselling to young people and their families: https://headspace.org.au/eheadspace/

  • Phone: 1800 650 890 (refer to website for individual phone numbers of centres or online chat service).
  • Website: https://headspace.org.au/
  • Hours: One on one online chat 9 am to 1 am (Melbourne time) 7 days a week. Centres are usually open during business hours Monday to Friday. Visit for more info: https://headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/

Young Carers

For children that are living with or caring for a family member with a mental illness. *connects to carers Australia helpline. 

Helpful tools on website.

Kids Helpline

Free counselling and advice for young people between the ages of 5 to 25. Helpful tools on website.

Youth Beyond Blue

Resources and support for 12 – 25-year-olds with depression or anxiety. Helpful tools on website.

ReachOut

Information, tools, and support for young people with mental health issues. Online forums moderated by mental health professionals.

Good Grief

Grief support service for children, young people, and adults.

National Centre for Childhood Grief

Free and unlimited counselling is provided for bereaved children and young people aged 3 – 18 years.

Counselling sessions are one on one, facilitated in person at the centre/online/via phone and go for up to 2 hours.  

(Note: Referrals from NDIS programs, agencies and other health services involves a fee-for-service)

Feel the Magic

Grief education and support to bereaved children aged 9 – 17 years of age, and their families to help alleviate the pain and isolation felt by the loss of a parent, sibling or legal guardian. Various programs include:

Let’s Talk Suicide (Virtual Camp)

Camp Magic (Face to Face Camp)

Healthy Grieving Program (Virtual Camp)

Magic Quarterly (Face to Face Camp)

Relationships Australia

Services including counselling, family dispute resolution (mediation) and a range of family and community support and education programs.

Men's Helplines

MensLine Australia

MensLine Australia is a telephone and online counselling service for men with emotional health and relationship concerns.

Free, qualified counsellors

MensLine: Changing For Good – Domestic Violence

For men who want to stop using Violence in their relationships.

  • Phone: 1300 015 120
  • Hours: You can call and leave a message and then a counsellor will call to do intake – ongoing program involving male and female parties

Men’s Referral Service

For men who have or still do behave abusively as well as family members, friends, colleagues or professionals.

Veterans and Defence Force

Australian Defence Force (ADF)

Support line for all ADF members and their families.

Open Arms Veterans and Families Counselling

Australia-wide free and confidential counselling, group treatment programs, suicide prevention training and our community and peer network to support mental health and wellbeing.

  • Phone: 1800 011 046
  • Website: https://www.openarms.gov.au/
  • Hours: 24/7

The Defence Family Helpline

The Defence Family Helpline is your first point of call for support, information and connection with your community, including your local DCO team.

TP Victoria Inc – Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Ex-servicemen and Women (VIC only)

TPI Victoria Inc provides support in the form of welfare, advocacy and special benefits, discounts and concessions for its members across the state. Members include ex-servicemen and women, their families and dependants.

NAVY, ARMY and AIR FORCE

Medical and Chronic Health

Poisons Information

Advice about poisonings, bites and medicine overdoses.

National Home Doctor

Bulk bill doctor’s that do home visits.

  • Phone: 13 74 25 (13 SICK)
  • Website: https://homedoctor.com.au/
  • Hours: Outside business hours / 6pm – 8am weeknights / 12pm – 12am Saturday / 24hrs Sunday and Public Holidays

Nurse on Call

Health information and referral advice.

  • Phone: 1300 606 024
  • Hours: 24/7

Cancer Council

Assisting with answering questions about cancer and offer emotional or practical support.

Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD)

Drug and Alcohol Counselling

Confidential alcohol and drug counselling, referral and information. Website chat service available.

LGBTQIA+

Q Life

QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTI peer support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships.

Wire (Victoria only)

Free support, referral and information for all Victorian women, nonbinary and gender-diverse people.

Meridian (Formerly AIDS Action Council) ACT only

Safe, inclusive and professional psychological therapies and social and emotional wellbeing support for LGBTIQA+ people aged 16+

ACON (NSW only)

NSW based organisation specialising in HIV prevention, HIV support and LGBTIQ health. Services include state-wide counselling, care coordination, substance support, peer education and health promotion.

Phone:

  • Sydney: (02) 9206 2000
  • Northern Rivers: (02) 6622 1555
  • Hunter: (02) 4962 7700
  • Mid-North Coast: (02) 6651 6017
  • Southern, Far West and Blue Mountains: 1800 063 060 / (02) 9206 2114

Website: https://www.acon.org.au/

Hours: 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday

 

 

COVID-19

COVID-19 Hotline

Helpline for people who need information about COVID.

  • Phone: 1800 675 398
  • Website: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
  • Hours: 24/7

COVID-19 support for senior Australians

Free mental health support line for senior Australians, their family and carers impacted by the spread of COVID – 19.

  • Phone: 1800 171 866
  • Hours: 8:30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday

Beyond Blue COVID-19 mental health wellbeing line

Counselling support for people affected by COVID-19.

  • Phone: 1800 512 348
  • Website: https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/
  • Hours: 24/7
Financial and Legal Services

Centrelink Bereavement Payment

Contact Centrelink to inform them about the family member’s death.

Centrelink Families Payment

For information on child care subsidy, dad and partner pay, double orphan pension, family tax benefit, parental leave pay and parenting payment.

Centrelink Job Seekers Line

Contact for information on eligibility and any enquiries regarding job seeker payments.

Centrelink Older Australians Line

Contact this number for information on aged pension and other benefits for older Australians.

Centrelink For People With Disability

Contact this number for information on disability support pension, sickness allowance and mobility allowance.

 

Coroners Court Victoria

For information and resources regarding deaths that have been referred to the Coroners Court for investigation.

  • Phone: 1300 309 519
  • Website: https://www.coronerscourt.vic.gov.au/
  • Hours: 8:30 am to 5 pm – Monday to Friday

Email: 

Procedural/general enquiries: courtadmin@coronerscourt.vic.gov.au 

Family Liaison Officers – for information on a specific case: flo@courts.vic.gov.au 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (ATSI)

Thirrili

National Indigenous Critical Response Service provides emotional and practical support to bereaved families and individuals impacted by suicide or other traumatic loss. Our advocates are experienced in listening and providing culturally responsive support.

Victorian Aboriginal Health

Access to a range of health and mental health services and medical clinic

New South Wales Aboriginal Medical Service

Offers counselling and other health related services

Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council

Can help organise contact with a range of health and mental health services

  • Phone: (07) 3328 8500
  • Hours: 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday

Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre

Organise counselling, health and mental health services, ATSI run organisation

Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia

Offers a great deal of information on different health services and programs and can direct consumers to region specific services

Specialist Aboriginal Mental health Service

Can refer people to appropriate mental health services in their region

  • Phone: (08) 9235 2400
  • Hours: 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday

Northern Territory Public Health Network

Shelter Me is a directory of homeless services for homeless “Territorians” and contains a comprehensive guide to services in all areas of the NT. Very user friendly.

Website: https://www.ntphn.org.au/

Hours: 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday

Phone:

  • Darwin: (08) 8982 1000
  • Alice Springs: (08) 8950 4800
  • Katherine: (08) 8982 1040
  • Nhulunbuy: (08) 8982 1000

Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service

Can call to organise counselling, mental health nurse, psychologist and psychiatrist and other health services

  • Phone: (02) 6284 6222
  • Website: https://winnunga.org.au/
  • Hours: 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday
Sexual Assault

Victorian Centres Against Secusal Assault

Offers after hours counselling, CASA website offers information on accessing different centres throughout Victoria for support and counselling.

Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia

Offers trauma specialist counsellors and also offers online counselling.

Sexual Assault Helpline

Counselling and support for people who have been sexually assaulted or abused.

 

Yarrow Place

Rape and sexual assault services for 16+ year olds, crisis response, counselling and advocacy.

Sexual Assault Resource Centre

Offers crisis counselling. Also available is emergency counselling and support, immediately after a sexual assault has occurred or if it has occurred within the last 2 weeks.

Sexual Assault Referral Centre

Counselling services for children and adults, information and support for partners, friends and family members.

Phone:

  • Darwin: (08) 8922 6472 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday)
  • Katherine: (08) 8973 8524 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday)
  • Tennant Creek: (08) 8962 4361 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday)
  • Alice Springs: (08) 8955 4500 (8am to 4.20pm, Monday to Friday)
  • Alice Springs 0401 114 181 (after hours)

Canberra Rape Crisis Centre

Offers crisis counselling, indigenous community support and counselling to victims and their family.

Sexual Assault Support Service (SASS) – Southern Tasmania

Free support and counselling for southern Tasmanians who have been affected by sexual assault.

Laurel House Sexual Assault Support Service – North and North-West Tasmania

Support and counselling for north and north-west Tasmanians who have been affected by sexual assault.

Phone:

 

Refugees

Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC)

Advocacy and support services for refugees in Victoria. They have a centre in Footscray, Victoria.

Suicide Bereavement and Suicide Prevention

Neami National – Life Connect

LifeConnect is a free service providing one-on-one bereavement counselling and group support to families, friends and colleagues who have been bereaved by suicide.

LifeConnect also provides suicide prevention support and counselling.

  • Suicide prevention support available in: NSW, WA, SA, VIC
  • Clinical mental health support available in: SA, VIC, QLD, WA, NSW

Website: https://www.neaminational.org.au/our-services/suicide-prevention/lifeconnect/

Refer to website for the operating hours and phone numbers of individual locations.

Support After Suicide (VIC only)

Support After Suicide provides direct support to people bereaved by suicide. Offers in person and telehealth counselling to individuals, couples and families who are bereaved by suicide.

Also facilitates various support groups including for the early bereaved, parents and partners.

NSW Post Suicide Support Service (NSW only)

Supporting anyone who has been bereaved or impacted by suicide at any stage in their life. Free face-to-face and telephone support.

Road Trauma

Road Trauma Support Services (VIC)

Free face-to-face and telephone counselling sessions for anyone affected by collision on the roads. A referral is not required to access their services.

Counselling services are for bereaved families, friends and colleagues; injured people and carers; drivers and passengers; and people who were first on scene – witnesses, citizens who offered assistance, and emergency service workers.

Road Trauma Support (TAS)

Free and confidential counselling service and support for anyone affected by road trauma.

Sessional Grief and Loss Counselling

Life Supports

A leading network of counsellors and psychologists providing professional, evidence-based counselling that is effective, affordable and client-centred.

Life Supports specialist grief counsellors and psychologists use a combination of evidence based techniques in grief and loss counselling that are targeted to help you move through your grief in a safe, supported way.

Supports clients Australia-wide.

National Centre for Childhood Grief

Free and unlimited counselling is provided for bereaved children and young people aged 3 – 18 years. Counselling sessions are one on one, facilitated in person at the centre/online/via phone and go for up to 2 hours. (Note: Referrals from NDIS programs, agencies and other health services involves a fee-for-service)

 

The Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement (ACBG)

Online telehealth or telephone counselling is available for clients outside of Victoria at a fee for service rate.

The Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement operates a state-wide Bereavement Counselling and Support Service for Victorians. ACGB Specialist Bereavement counsellors provide counselling and support group services to bereaved individuals, families, young people and children at the Mulgrave office as well as via telephone or online telehealth services.  

Please note, fees are waived Australia wide for clients seeking bereavement support resulting from COVID-19 related deaths.

Mercy Grief Services

Mercy Grief Services (MGS) is a specialist bereavement counselling service responding to individuals and families in western metropolitan Melbourne who are experiencing complicated grief issues following the death of a significant person.

Phone: 1300 369 019

Website: https://health-services.mercyhealth.com.au/service/mercy-grief-services/

Hours: 8:30 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday