🆘 Complete Australia Community Help Directory 2025: Your Lifeline to Support Services

This is your one-stop directory for finding help in Australia. Whatever crisis you're facing, support is available. Covering all states and territories: NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, and ACT.

🚨 EMERGENCY NUMBERS - SAVE THESE NOW

Life-Threatening Emergencies

• 000 - Police, Ambulance, Fire (works from any phone, even without credit)
• 112 - Emergency from mobile (works even without signal in some areas)
• 106 - Text emergency for hearing/speech impaired (TTY only)

24/7 Crisis Support Lines

• Lifeline: 13 11 14 - Suicide prevention & crisis counselling
• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 - Depression, anxiety & mental health
• 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732 - Domestic violence support
• Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 - Support for young people 5-25 years
• Elder Abuse Helpline: 1800 353 374 - Help for elderly abuse/neglect

Essential Support Services

• Centrelink Crisis: 132 850 - Emergency financial help
• My Aged Care: 1800 200 422 - Emergency aged care services
• healthdirect: 1800 022 222 - 24/7 health advice
• Translating Service: 131 450 - Free interpreter services

🗂️ CRISIS SUPPORT BY TYPE OF EMERGENCY

🆘 Immediate Physical Danger

If someone is hurting you or threatening you:

• Call 000 immediately
• 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732 (domestic violence)
• Elder Abuse Helpline: 1800 353 374 (if elderly)
• Emergency departments (safe places, treatment always free)

Read our complete Domestic Violence Escape Plan →

🧠 Mental Health Crisis

If you're thinking about suicide or self-harm:

• Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis counselling)
• Crisis Text Line: Text HELLO to 741741
• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
• Go to nearest emergency department immediately

For parents with children in crisis:

• Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 (your child can call anytime)
• Parentline: Varies by state (see our parent's guide)

Read our Complete Mental Health Crisis Guide →
Parents' Emergency Guide for Children's Mental Health →

🏠 Housing Crisis and Homelessness

If you have nowhere to sleep tonight:

• NSW: Link2home 1800 152 152
• VIC: Launch Housing 1800 825 955
• QLD: Brisbane Homelessness Service 3407 8700
• WA: Crisis Accommodation 1800 996 622
• SA: Housing SA 131 172
• TAS: Housing Connect 1800 800 588
• ACT: Housing ACT 6207 1111
• NT: Territory Housing 1800 645 783

Also call:

• Salvation Army: 13 SALVOS (13 72 58)
• St Vincent de Paul (local branches)

Read our Complete Housing Crisis Guide →

💰 Financial Emergency

If you need money for food or bills RIGHT NOW:

• Centrelink Crisis Payment: 132 850 (can be approved within 24-48 hours)
• Salvation Army: 13 SALVOS (food vouchers, emergency relief)
• St Vincent de Paul (visit local branch for immediate help)

For utility bills:

• Each state has emergency bill assistance (see our financial guide)

Read our Complete Emergency Financial Help Guide →

🏥 Health Crisis

If you need medical care but can't afford it:

• Emergency departments (completely FREE for everyone)
• Bulk billing doctors (use healthdirect.gov.au to find)
• Community health centres (comprehensive free care)
• healthdirect: 1800 022 222 (24/7 health advice)

Read our Free Healthcare Access Guide →

👴 Seniors and Elderly Crisis

If you're an elderly person needing help:

• Elder Abuse Helpline: 1800 353 374 (abuse/neglect)
• My Aged Care: 1800 200 422 (emergency care services)
• Dementia Australia: 1800 100 500 (dementia crisis support)

Read our Complete Seniors Crisis Support Guide →

🌍 New to Australia

If you're a new migrant or refugee needing help:

• Settlement Services (available in all areas)
• Translating Service: 131 450 (free interpreters)
• Centrelink Multilingual: 131 202

Read our Complete New Migrants Support Guide →

⚖️ Legal Problems

If you're facing court or legal issues:

• Legal Aid (varies by state - see our legal guide)
• Community Legal Centres (free advice for specific issues)
• 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732 (for domestic violence legal support)

Read our Complete Free Legal Help Guide →

📍 HELP BY STATE AND TERRITORY

New South Wales (NSW)

State Emergency Services:

• Crisis accommodation: Link2home 1800 152 152
• Legal Aid: 1300 888 529
• Health: healthdirect 1800 022 222
• Tenancy: Tenants' Union 1800 251 101
• Domestic Violence: Women's Crisis Line 1800 811 811

Victoria (VIC)

State Emergency Services:

• Crisis accommodation: Launch Housing 1800 825 955
• Legal Aid: 9269 0120
• Health: Better Health Channel
• Tenancy: Tenants Victoria 9416 2577
• Family Violence: Safe Steps 1800 015 188

Queensland (QLD)

State Emergency Services:

• Crisis accommodation: Brisbane Homelessness 3407 8700
• Legal Aid: 1300 651 188
• Health: 13 HEALTH (13 43 2584)
• Tenancy: Tenants Queensland 1300 744 263
• Domestic Violence: DV Connect Women's Line 1800 811 811

Western Australia (WA)

State Emergency Services:

• Crisis accommodation: 1800 996 622
• Legal Aid: 1300 650 579
• Health: WA Health
• Tenancy: Tenancy WA 9221 0088
• Family Violence: Women's Council DV Helpline 9420 7264

South Australia (SA)

State Emergency Services:

• Crisis accommodation: Housing SA 131 172
• Legal Aid: 1300 366 424
• Health: SA Health
• Tenancy: Tenants Information Service 8223 2641
• Domestic Violence: Domestic Violence Crisis Line 1800 800 098

Tasmania (TAS)

State Emergency Services:

• Crisis accommodation: Housing Connect 1800 800 588
• Legal Aid: 1300 366 611
• Health: Department of Health
• Tenancy: Tenants Union TAS 6223 2641
• Family Violence: Family Violence Support 1800 608 122 (North) / 1800 633 937 (South)

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

Territory Emergency Services:

• Crisis accommodation: Housing ACT 6207 1111
• Legal Aid: 1300 654 314
• Health: ACT Health
• Tenancy: Tenants Union ACT 6247 2011
• Domestic Violence: Domestic Violence Crisis Service 6280 0900

Northern Territory (NT)

Territory Emergency Services:

• Crisis accommodation: Territory Housing 1800 645 783
• Legal Aid: 1800 019 343
• Health: NT Health
• Tenancy: Tenants Advice Service 8982 1472
• Domestic Violence: Dawn House 8945 1388 (Darwin) / 8951 4251 (Alice Springs)

🎯 HELP BY SPECIFIC GROUP

Children and Young People (Under 25)

• Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 (ages 5-25, 24/7)
• Youth crisis accommodation (available in all states)
• Headspace: 1800 650 890 (mental health, ages 12-25)
• eheadspace (online counselling)
• School counselling services (through all schools)

Women

• 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732 (domestic violence, 24/7)
• Women's Legal Services (available in all states)
• Women's refuges (confidential accommodation)
• Women's Health Centres (all capital cities)
• Sexual assault services (available in all states)

Men

• Men's Referral Service: 1300 766 491 (domestic violence support for male victims)
• Men's Line Australia: 1300 789 978 (support and counselling)
• Male-specific services (available in major cities)

LGBTI+ Community

• QLife: 1800 184 527 (counselling and referral)
• ACON (NSW): 9206 2000
• Thorne Harbour Health (VIC): 9865 6700
• Specialist LGBTI+ services (available in all capital cities)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People

• 13YARN: 13 92 76 (crisis support)
• Aboriginal Legal Services (all states)
• Aboriginal Medical Services (all areas)
• Link-Up services (family reconnection)
• Indigenous-specific services (widely available)

People with Disabilities

• NDIS: 1800 800 110 (disability support)
• Disability advocacy services (all states)
• TTY emergency: 106 (text emergency for hearing impaired)
• National Relay Service: 1800 555 660

Multicultural Communities

• Translating Service: 131 450 (free interpreters, 24/7)
• Settlement services (all areas)
• Multicultural community organisations (specific to your background)
• Culturally specific services (major communities covered)

Rural and Remote Communities

• Royal Flying Doctor Service (emergency medical)
• Rural Financial Counselling: 1800 686 175
• Telehealth services (available Australia-wide)
• Mobile services (visiting health, legal, social services)

🏢 MAJOR SERVICE ORGANISATIONS

Salvation Army: 13 SALVOS (13 72 58)

Services:

• Emergency relief (food, vouchers, accommodation)
• Financial counselling
• Family support
• Employment services
• Aged care services
• Drug and alcohol programs

St Vincent de Paul Society

Services:

• Emergency relief
• Home visits
• Youth programs
• Disability services
• Migrant and refugee support
• Find local branch: vinnies.org.au

Red Cross: 1800 RED CROSS (1800 733 276)

Services:

• Emergency relief during disasters
• International family tracing
• Migration support
• First aid training
• Community programs

Anglicare Australia

Services:

• Family support
• Emergency relief
• Employment services
• Aged care
• Housing services
• Contact local Anglicare in your state

Mission Australia: 13 14 57

Services:

• Housing and homelessness
• Youth services
• Employment programs
• Family support
• Community services

UnitingCare

Services:

• Family services
• Aged care
• Mental health programs
• Emergency relief
• Community support

📱 ESSENTIAL APPS FOR CRISIS SUPPORT

Emergency and Safety Apps

• Emergency Plus - Helps emergency services find your location
• bSafe - Personal safety app with emergency contacts
• What3Words - Precise location sharing for emergencies

Mental Health Apps

• Beyond Blue Support Service
• ReachOut Breathe - Anxiety management
• Smiling Mind - Meditation and mindfulness
• MindShift - Anxiety and worry management

Service Finding Apps

• Ask Izzy - Find services for homelessness, housing, food, health
• Service Seeker - Government and community services
• Street Swags - Homelessness support information

Health Apps

• healthdirect - Health services and advice
• Emergency Plus - Emergency services with GPS location
• MyGov - Access to Centrelink and Medicare services

💻 ONLINE SUPPORT RESOURCES

Government Resources

• servicesaustralia.gov.au - Centrelink, Medicare, Child Support
• myagedcare.gov.au - Aged care services
• australia.gov.au - Government services directory
• business.gov.au - Business support and grants

Health Information

• healthdirect.gov.au - Health services finder and advice
• beyondblue.org.au - Mental health information and support
• lifeline.org.au - Crisis support resources

Legal Information

• lawaccess.nsw.gov.au - NSW legal information
• legalaid.vic.gov.au - Victoria legal help
• [Each state has legal information websites]

Community Support

• salvationarmy.org.au - Salvation Army services
• vinnies.org.au - St Vincent de Paul Society
• redcross.org.au - Red Cross services and programs

🔄 HOW TO USE THIS DIRECTORY

If You Don't Know Where to Start

1. ✅ Immediate danger? Call 000
2. ✅ Need someone to talk to? Call Lifeline 13 11 14
3. ✅ Specific crisis? Use the "Crisis Support by Type" section above
4. ✅ General help? Start with Salvation Army 13 SALVOS or local council
5. ✅ Language barrier? Call Translating Service 131 450 first

If You're Helping Someone Else

1. ✅ Listen to their concerns without judgment
2. ✅ Encourage them to seek professional help
3. ✅ Offer to help them make calls or attend appointments
4. ✅ Respect their choices and timeline
5. ✅ Get support for yourself as a helper

If Services Seem Overwhelming

1. ✅ Start with one service - they can refer you to others
2. ✅ Ask for a case worker who can coordinate multiple services
3. ✅ Write down important information and contact details
4. ✅ Don't give up if the first service can't help - try another
5. ✅ Ask family/friends to help you navigate services

📞 QUICK REFERENCE EMERGENCY LIST

Save these numbers in your phone under "CRISIS HELP":

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2
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8
9
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11

EMERGENCY: 000
LIFELINE: 13 11 14
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: 1800 737 732
CENTRELINK CRISIS: 132 850
HEALTH ADVICE: 1800 022 222
KIDS HELPLINE: 1800 55 1800
ELDER ABUSE: 1800 353 374
SALVATION ARMY: 13 72 58
INTERPRETERS: 131 450
[YOUR STATE CRISIS ACCOMMODATION NUMBER]
[YOUR LOCAL GP AND HOSPITAL]

🌟 TYPES OF HELP AVAILABLE

Immediate Emergency Help (Available 24/7)

• Crisis counselling and support
• Emergency accommodation
• Medical treatment
• Police protection
• Crisis financial assistance

Short-term Support (Days to Weeks)

• Temporary housing
• Emergency relief (food, clothing, bills)
• Crisis counselling
• Medical care
• Legal advice

Medium-term Support (Weeks to Months)

• Case management
• Transitional housing
• Job search assistance
• Ongoing counselling
• Skills training

Long-term Support (Months to Years)

• Public housing
• Ongoing income support
• Disability services
• Aged care services
• Community connections

🤝 REMEMBER: HELP IS AVAILABLE

You Are Not Alone

• Thousands of Australians seek help every day
• Services exist specifically to help people like you
• Professional helpers are trained to support you without judgment
• Community support recognises that everyone needs help sometimes

It's Okay to Ask for Help

• Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness
• You deserve support when you're going through difficult times
• Help is available regardless of your situation or background
• Most community services are free and accessible

Services Are There to Help

• Community services exist because society recognises we all need support
• Trained professionals understand crisis situations
• Services are designed to be accessible and non-judgmental
• Your privacy and dignity will be respected

Things Can Get Better

• Crisis situations are temporary
• With proper support, you can work through difficulties
• Many people who have used these services have gone on to help others
• Recovery and stability are possible

🔄 WHAT TO DO RIGHT NOW

If you're in immediate crisis:

1. ✅ Call 000 if in physical danger
2. ✅ Call Lifeline 13 11 14 if you need someone to talk to
3. ✅ Use the specific crisis guides linked in this directory
4. ✅ Don't try to handle everything alone
5. ✅ Accept help when it's offered

If you're concerned about someone else:

1. ✅ Take their concerns seriously
2. ✅ Encourage them to seek professional help
3. ✅ Offer practical support (transport, childcare, moral support)
4. ✅ Don't try to be their counsellor - connect them to professionals
5. ✅ Look after your own wellbeing too

For ongoing support:

1. ✅ Connect with appropriate services from this directory
2. ✅ Build a support network of professional and personal connections
3. ✅ Create an emergency plan for future crises
4. ✅ Help others when you're in a position to do so
5. ✅ Remember that seeking help is normal and necessary

📖 RELATED COMMUNITY HELP GUIDES

This directory connects to our comprehensive crisis support guides:

Crisis Support:

• Immediate Crisis Help: Australia's Emergency Guide
• Domestic Violence Escape Plan

Mental Health:

• Parents' Emergency Guide: Children's Mental Health Crisis

Housing and Financial:

• Housing Crisis and Homelessness Emergency Help
• Emergency Financial Help: Centrelink and Crisis Payments

Healthcare and Legal:

• Free Healthcare: Bulk Billing and Emergency Care
• Free Legal Help: Legal Aid and Community Services

Specific Groups:

• New to Australia: Complete Support Guide
• Elderly and Seniors Crisis Support

This directory is your lifeline to support. Whatever you're facing, help is available. You matter, your wellbeing matters, and there are people ready to help you.

Last Updated: August 28, 2025
Service Information Last Verified: August 2025

This directory provides general information only. Services and phone numbers can change. Always check current information with service providers. In emergency situations, always call 000.