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Counselling and support services

If you are experiencing any form of online abuse you do not need to face it alone. Talking to someone makes it easier to decide what to do and deal with the impact.

Crisis Support

If you, or someone you care about, is at risk of harm right now call Triple Zero (000).

Suicide/self-harm

If you are having thoughts about suicide or self-harm please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467

Support services near you

Ask Izzy is a website that connects people with thousands of local services including counselling, domestic and family violence support, and help with housing, meals and money.

Kids Helpline

5 to 25 year olds. All issues. Confidential phone counselling available all day, every day. Online chat available 24/7, 365 days a year.

Lifeline

All ages. All issues. Phone counselling and online chat available all day, every day.

1800RESPECT

Confidential counselling, support and information for people affected by sexual abuse or domestic and family violence. Available 24/7.

Parent Helpline SA

Counselling, information and referral service for parents and carers in South Australia.

Parent Line TAS

Counselling, information and referral service for parents and carers in Tasmania.

Parenting WA

Counselling, information and referral service for parents and carers in Western Australia.

Parentline NSW

Counselling, information and referral service for parents and carers in New South Wales.

Parentline NT/QLD

Counselling, information and referral service for parents and carers in the Northern Territory and Queensland.

Parentline VIC

Counselling, information and referral service for parents and carers in Victoria.

Headspace

12 to 25 year olds. All issues. Phone counselling and online chat available 9am to 1am AEST, every day.

13YARN

Confidential, culturally safe crisis support line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Available all day, every day.

ACON Health

Counselling, health promotion, inclusion and support for people of diverse sexualities and genders, and those with HIV in NSW.

Advocare Inc

A free service that provides information, support and referrals relating to the abuse of older people living in Western Australia.

Aged Rights Advocacy service

A free service that provides information, support and referrals relating to the abuse of older people living in South Australia.

Australian Human Rights Commission

Investigates and resolves complaints of discrimination and breaches of human rights, including racism and sexual discrimination. You can make a complaint no matter where you live in Australia. The service is free and impartial.

Australian Institute of Family Studies

All ages. All issues. A comprehensive list of culturally and linguistically diverse support services and resources is available on the Australian Institute of Family Studies’ website.

Beyond Blue

All ages. All issues. Phone counselling and online chat available all day, every day.

Blue Knot Foundation

Phone counselling for adult survivors of childhood trauma, their friends, family and the health care professionals who support them. Available between 9am and 5pm, every day.

Bullying. No Way!

Information and resources for young people, parents and carers, and schools relating to bullying education and prevention.

Butterfly Foundation

The Butterfly Foundation provides help for people experiencing eating disorders or body image issues, and those that care for them. It also provides support to professionals managing these issues with clients.

Carer Gateway

Support and advice for carers or people who support and help others. Phone support and advice available weekdays from 8am to 6pm.

Community health centres

Local community health centres offer face-to-face counselling. To find one in your local area, search for ‘Community Health Centre’ online.

Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria

A state-wide resource centre offering training, publications, resources and comprehensive list of support services state by state.

Elder Abuse Helpline and Resource Unit

A free service that provides information, support and referrals relating to the abuse of older people living in the community across New South Wales. The service is confidential and callers remain anonymous.

Elder Abuse Information Line

Information, support and referrals relating to the abuse of older people living in the Northern Territory.

Elder Abuse Prevention unit (EAPU)

A free service that provides information, support and referrals relating to the abuse of older people living in Queensland.

Family Relationship Advice Line

Referral service that provides a range of services to assist families manage relationship issues, including counselling, family dispute resolution, legal advice, financial advice, family mediation and dispute resolution and information in other languages.

Family violence law help

Online resources for people wanting to understand domestic and family violence, the law and where to get help.

Gambling help online

Counselling, information and support for anyone affected by gambling. Phone and online chat available all day, every day.

General practitioners (GP)

You can ask your GP for a referral to a counsellor/psychologist if you need. You don’t have to tell the GP what happened — simply explain that you need support as you are feeling very sad/angry/worried. If you meet the criteria for a mental health treatment plan, some of your out-of-pocket expenses for a counsellor/psychologist may be covered by Medicare.

Head to Health

Information, resources and services to support you no matter where you are on your mental health journey.

Intersex Peer Support Australia (ISPA)

Intersex peer support, information and advocacy group for people born with variations in sex characteristics and their families.

Languages other than English

Most of the services listed here accept and pay for calls from the Translating and Interpreting Service. 

Legal Aid

All ages. Directory for Legal Aid in each state and territory. Legal aid commissions provide legal assistance services in criminal, family and civil law matters.

Men's Domestic Violence Helpline

Phone counselling for men experiencing domestic and family violence in Western Australia

Men's Referral Service

This service from No to Violence offers assistance, information and counselling to help men who use family violence.