External support services

When you need some extra support and care, there are government and community services that may be able to support you.

Updated on December 11, 20252 minute read

Table of Contents

Financial hardship

National Debt Helpline 1800 007 007
Offers independent free and confidential services from professional financial counsellors to help you tackle your debt problems.
Way Forward 1300 045 502
A not-for-profit organisation that helps people facing long-term financial hardship manage their debts and debt negotiation where you have debts at multiple lenders.

1800Respect 1800 737 732
24 hour confidential telephone and online counselling support.
Mensline 1300 789 978
24 hour confidential telephone and online counselling support for men.
QLife (LGBTQI+) 1800 184 527
Telephone and online counselling service for LGBTI individuals impacted by domestic and family violence.
No to Violence (Men’s Referral Service) 1300 766 491
Confidential counselling service for male perpetrators of violence wanting to address and change their behaviours.
Good Shepherd 1300 050 150 (weekdays 9am - 5pm AEST) or email FIH@goodshep.org.au
Through the Financial Independence Hub, Good Shepherd helps people who have previously experienced financial abuse in their journey to long-term financial recovery - regardless of who they bank with. The service provides free specialist one-on-one financial coaching to help people impacted build confidence and capability in managing their own finances, with referrals to support services and, where appropriate, access to financial solutions like interest-free loans.

Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission 1800 951 822
Provides a free service for anyone to raise their concerns about the quality of care or services being delivered to people receiving aged-care services subsidised by the government.
Council on the Ageing (COTA) (02) 6154 9740
COTA can connect older people to different support services
National Seniors Australia 1300 765 050
Connects Seniors to different support services.
Better Place Australia 1800 639 523
Supports older people in resolving conflict and preventing elder abuse. Provides a range of mediation and counselling services for families, as well as financial counselling.

You can access elder abuse information and support, as well as Guardianship information and applications, in your state:

NSW : NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) 1300 006 228 has information on Guardianships, financial management and how to appoint a financial manager if you or a loved one is incapable of making their own decisions about their finances.
VIC : Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) 1300 309 337 has information on Guardians and administrators and how to appoint one.
QLD : Office of Public Guardian (OPG) 1300 653 187 has information on elderly abuse as well as Guardianship and decision-making if you or a loved one has lost capacity to make decisions.
SA : South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT) 1800 723 767 has information on Guardianship, including how to apply and how to resolve a related issue.
NT : Darwin Community Legal Service has an Elder Abuse Information Line – 1800 037 072.
WA : Western Australia Elder Abuse Helpline 1300 724 679 (freecall 1800 655 566), or email rights@advocare.org.au
ACT : Older Persons ACT Legal Service (OPALS) (02) 6243 3436, or email opals@legalaidact.gov.au
TAS : Elder Abuse Helpline 1800 441 169 (9am-5pm), or text 0457 806 963, or email helpline@yoursaytas.org

Relationships Australia 1300 364 277
Provides counselling and family dispute resolution (mediation) to broken families.
1800Respect 1800 737 732
24 hour confidential telephone and online counselling.
Carers Advisory Service (Carers Australia) 1800 242 636
Connects carers with support services and provides short-term counselling.
Carer Gateway 1800 422 737
Online and phone service that provides information to carers. Gateway also provides home modification services.
Rainbow Families Australia 0481 565 958
Provides support for LGBTQI families.

Beyond Blue 1300 224 636
24 hour counselling for those experiencing poor mental health such as anxiety or depression.
Lifeline 13 11 14
24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention service.
MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78
A telephone counselling service available 24/7 for men with relationship or family concerns.
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
Online counselling for kids and young teenagers.

National Association of Community Legal Centres (NACLC)
Independent community legal centres that provide free and accessible legal and related services to everyone. You can find state-based NACLC links on their website.
ASIC - Money Smart 1300 300 630
Providing you with tools to help you manage your money, plan, invest, or pay off debt.
Department of Human Services 13 28 50 (multilingual 13 12 02)
Information on Government initiatives and payments such as Centrelink, Medicare, Child Care.
Senior Rights Service 1800 424 079
Protects the rights of older people. Provides telephone advice, advocacy, legal advice and educational services
National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIS) 1800 800 110
A government scheme to ensure that people with a disability have the support they need.
Government financial information services
A free service that can inform and educate you about financial matters.
Government crisis payment
A one-off payment if you’ve experienced an extreme circumstance and are in severe financial hardship.

Refugee Advice and Casework Service (RACS) (02) 8355 7227
Information and advice about refugee law and processes.
Australian Red Cross 1800 811 700
Australian Red Cross provides information about advocacy, relief and support services for vulnerable people in need and helps to connect migrants with essential support services.

Australian Centre for Grief 03 9265 2100
Links customers to counselling services nationwide.
Government – Bereavement Assistance 132 300
Information on payments available when a partner, child or person someone cares for has died.

National Disability Services 1800 200 110
Australia's peak industry body for non-government disability service organisations. Collectively, 1,000 NDS members operate several thousand services for Australians with all types of disability. Refer to website for contact phone numbers in each state.

Cancer Council Australia 13 11 20
A confidential service for anyone looking for cancer information or support. The line is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (cost of a local call, except from mobiles).
Health Direct 1800 022 222
Contact to speak with a registered nurse or locate a general practitioner.
Capacity Australia 0400 319 089
Provides free education and information sessions on advocacy services for older people and those with disabilities, such as rights and responsibilities within the aged- and community-care sectors.
Dementia Australia 1800 100 500
Advocates for people living with all types of dementia, and for their families and carers. Provides support services, education and information.
Palliative care (02) 6232 0700
Improving the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness.ddiction
Counselling Online – Drug and Alcohol Support
Online support and referrals to relevant state based counselling services.
Gambling Help 1800 858 858
Counselling, information and support for individuals and partners, families affected by gambling.