National Support Services

1800RESPECT is Australia’s national sexual, domestic and family violence counselling service. 1800RESPECT can be accessed over the phone or online via a chat function 24/7. They have trained counsellors who can provide counselling, information and referrals. It is free to call from all landlines, payphones and most mobile phones.

1800RESPECT provides services for everyone, including those who have communication difficulties such as people who are hearing-impaired, speech-impaired or who can speak limited to no English.

1800RESPECT can also help supporters of those who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing sexual, domestic and family violence.

Daisy is an app developed by 1800RESPECT to connect people experiencing violence or abuse to services in their local area. Daisy can be downloaded for free from the App Store or Google Play. Service websites can be accessed from within the app so the sites do not show up in any browser history, as a way to protect privacy. Each listing includes information about opening times, how to get in touch and the services they offer.

Sunny is an app co-developed by 1800RESPECT and Women With Disabilities Australia to support women with a disability who have experienced violence and abuse. It can be downloaded for free from the App Store or Google Play. The Sunny App was co-designed by women with a disability to include accessibility features such as a screen reader. The Sunny App includes information about understanding abuse, knowing your rights, finding support services that can help and tips on how to share with others your experience of abuse.

13YARN is a crisis support line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that is accessible 24 hours a day. They offer a free and confidential one-on-one yarning opportunity with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter.

Kids Helpline is a national service that provides free, private and confidential counselling for young people in Australia aged 5–25. Kids Helpline can be accessed over the phone or online via a chat service, which has specific links for different ages and demographics including kids 5–12, teens 13–17 and young adults 18–25. This service also offers support for parents and carers, as well as schools and teachers.

Lifeline is a national charity that provides confidential crisis support that is accessible 24 hours a day. Their crisis support services can be accessed via phone, text or online chat.

Beyond Blue provides 24-hour access to mental health support for individuals affected by anxiety, depression and suicide. Their services include a phone line, online chat and online forums.

The Suicide Call Back Service is a nationwide service providing 24/7 telephone and online counselling to people affected by suicide. They also have resources available on their website to assist people through difficult times and educate the community on suicide, mental health and related issues. Online chat support is available on the Suicide Call Back Service website.

Bravehearts provides a range of online services to children and young people who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing child sexual abuse. They also provide services to children who engage in problematic sexual behaviour and non-offending adult family members. National services include a free Information and Support Line, online education and training courses and confidential support for those considering applying to the National Redress Scheme.

Full Stop Australia supports people affected by sexual, domestic and/or family violence. Full Stop Australia can be accessed over the phone or internet 24/7 by anyone who has been affected by violence and/or trauma.

They provide confidential, trauma specialist counselling for people of all genders who are impacted by violence and abuse, best-practice training and professional services to support safe and respectful workplaces, educational environments and communities, and advocacy to governments, businesses and communities to improve laws, policies and practices.

Full Stop Australia can also connect people to the following national support lines:

The Blue Knot Foundation provides information and support to anyone in Australia who is affected by complex trauma.

They also provide a National Counselling and Referral Service for people with a disability, which can be accessed on 1800 421 468. They can be accessed by phone or email.

Living Well provides information and support to men who have experienced sexual abuse.

Living Well has a range of useful resources for victim-survivors and their supporters, including an app. Living Well also has a free Guide for Men, which provides information for men who are dealing with sexual abuse and its effects.

The National Redress Scheme is a national program that provides acknowledgement and support to adults who experienced institutional child sexual abuse.

It can provide access to counselling, financial compensation and/or a direct acknowledgement of the harm caused by an institution through an apology or similar. This scheme is an alternative to seeking compensation through the court system.

To access this scheme, call the information line above or make an online application through their website. Applications will be accepted at any time before 30 June 2027.

Mensline Australia can be accessed by phone or online and provides support and information to men and boys living in Australia who are experiencing issues with mental health, anger management, family violence (whether they are perpetrating it or experiencing it), addiction, relationships, stress and general wellbeing.

Mensline Australia provides free online counselling for men aged 15 years and over, and 18 years and over for counselling via video chat. Additional services offered by Mensline Australia include the Mensline Australia Forum (a peer support program that assists men with parenting and relationship issues as well as their emotional wellbeing) and Befrienders Worldwide, which provides information about suicide and emotional support services available worldwide in multiple languages.

QLife provides nationwide anonymous LGBTI peer support and referral for people wanting to talk about a range of issues including sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships.

QLife services are free and include both telephone and webchat support. They are delivered by trained LGBTI community members across the country. Their services are for LGBTI individuals, their friends and families, and health professionals in Australia. Online chat is available on the QLife website.

The Women's Services Network (WESNET) is a peak body for specialist domestic violence and family violence services, specialising in assisting women impacted by technology-facilitated abuse.

They provide technology safety education and advice, and they can provide new phones and phone credit. Their preferred contact method is via the contact form on their website.

ReachOut Australia is a mental health service that provides self-help information, peer support programs and referral tools to young people aged up to 25 and their parents and carers.

The Men's Referral Service provides support, information and counselling for men who use family violence. It can also be accessed by friends, family or colleagues of people who are using or experiencing family violence and professionals who want to support a client either using or experiencing family violence.

Men's Referral Service can be accessed by phone or through a live chat function on the website. Their additional services include a Brief Intervention Service, a Men's Accommodation and Counselling Service, and the BETTER MAN early-intervention program.

Youth Law Australia (YLA) is a national community legal service offering free and confidential legal advice and information to children and young people under the age of 25, and their advocates.

They can help with any legal issue a young person might have including issues involving sexual harassment and abuse. YLA also runs the Young Worker's Rights Service (YWRS). This is a free and confidential employment law advice service for children and young people under the age of 25 and their advocates in the ACT, NSW and the NT.