Help & support
Crisis & Support Helplines
Free phone and online support services across Australia, with NSW services marked. Counselling with Forward Steps is not a crisis service. If you need help right now, please use one of these numbers.
In an emergency, or if you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000.
Crisis and suicide support
If you or someone else is in danger, call 000. These services are free and confidential.
National24/7
Lifeline
Crisis support and suicide prevention for anyone having a personal crisis.
Text 0477 13 11 14 · online chat
Hours: 24/7
National24/7
Suicide Call Back Service
Counselling for anyone feeling suicidal, worried about someone, or bereaved by suicide.
Hours: 24/7
National24/7
Beyond Blue
Support for anxiety, depression and mental health concerns, for you or someone you care about.
Online chat
Hours: 24/7
National24/7
13YARN
Crisis support run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Hours: 24/7
National24/7
MensLine Australia
Counselling for men with relationship, family, stress or emotional concerns.
Online chat
Hours: 24/7
National
Medicare Mental Health
Free advice and help finding the right local mental health service. Not a crisis line.
Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30am–5pm (not public holidays)
NSW services
Free services for people living in New South Wales.
NSW24/7
NSW Mental Health Line
Mental health professionals who assess what help you need and connect you with NSW Health mental health services.
Hours: 24/7
NSW24/7
NSW Domestic Violence Line
Counselling, information and referrals for anyone experiencing domestic or family violence in NSW.
Hours: 24/7
NSWNational24/7
NSW Sexual Violence Helpline (Full Stop Australia)
Trauma-specialist counselling and support for anyone affected by sexual, domestic or family violence.
Hours: 24/7
NSW
Parent Line NSW
Counselling and support for parents and carers of children in NSW.
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–9pm · Sat–Sun 4pm–9pm
NSW24/7
NSW Child Protection Helpline
Report concerns that a child or young person is at risk of significant harm.
Hours: 24/7
Family, domestic and sexual violence
If you are in immediate danger, call 000.
National24/7
1800RESPECT
Counselling and support for anyone affected by domestic, family or sexual violence, and for people supporting them.
Hours: 24/7
National24/7
Full Stop Australia Rainbow Helpline
For LGBTQ+ people affected by sexual, domestic or family violence, and their family and friends.
Hours: 24/7
National24/7
Men's Referral Service
Support for men who use, or are worried about using, violence or controlling behaviour, and for people concerned about them.
Hours: 24/7
National24/7
Brother to Brother
For Aboriginal men experiencing relationship issues, family violence or other challenges.
Hours: 24/7
Young people, parents and families
National24/7
Kids Helpline
Counselling for children and young people aged 5 to 25. Parents and carers can call too.
Online chat
Hours: 24/7
National
headspace
Mental health support for young people aged 12 to 25, and their family and friends.
Online chat
Hours: See website for hours
National
ReachOut
Online peer support and information for young people aged 16 to 25.
Online peer chat
Hours: Mon–Thu 3pm–8pm · Fri 11:30am–4:30pm
National
PANDA
Support for anxiety and depression during pregnancy and the first year of parenthood, for mums, dads and families.
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–7:30pm · Sat 9am–4pm
National
ForWhen
Connects new and expecting parents with local perinatal and infant mental health services.
Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–4:30pm
Specific support
National
Griefline
Support for anyone experiencing grief or loss.
Hours: 7 days, 8am–8pm
National
Butterfly National Helpline
Support for eating disorders and body image concerns, including for families.
Hours: Weekdays 8am–midnight
National
Blue Knot Helpline
Support for adult survivors of childhood trauma and abuse, and the people who support them.
Hours: 7 days, 9am–5pm
National
QLife
Peer support for LGBTIQ+ people about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships.
Online chat
Hours: 7 days, 3pm–9pm
National24/7
Open Arms
Counselling for veterans who have served at least one day in the ADF, and their partners and families.
Hours: 24/7
National24/7
National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline
Advice about alcohol and drugs. Connects you to the service in your state or territory.
Hours: 24/7
National
Carer Gateway
Support and services for unpaid carers, including carers of someone with a mental health condition.
Hours: Mon–Fri 8am–5pm
National
National Debt Helpline (Financial Counselling Australia)
Free financial counselling if you’re struggling with money or debt.
Hours: Mon–Fri 9:30am–4:30pm
Language and accessibility
National24/7
Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National)
Call and ask for an interpreter in your language. They can connect you to any of the services on this page. 한국어 통역이 필요하시면 131 450으로 전화하세요.
Hours: 24/7
National24/7
National Relay Service
For people who are Deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech difficulty, to call any helpline.
Relay calls 24/7 · video relay Mon–Fri 7am–6pm, Sat 8am–12pm
Hours: 24/7
National24/7
healthdirect
Talk to a registered nurse about any health concern. In Victoria this is NURSE-ON-CALL.
Hours: 24/7
Mental health crisis lines by state and territory
Public mental health services in each state and territory have their own phone line for crisis support, assessment and referral. Victoria doesn’t have a single state line, so SuicideLine Victoria is listed. Lifeline (13 11 14) works everywhere.
| State | Service | Phone | Hours | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | NSW Mental Health Line | 1800 011 511 | 24/7 | Website → |
| VIC | SuicideLine Victoria | 1300 651 251 | 24/7 | Website → |
| QLD | 1300 MH CALL | 1300 642 255 | 24/7 | Website → |
| SA | Mental Health Triage Service | 13 14 65 | 24/7 | Website → |
| WA | Mental Health Emergency Response Line | 1300 555 788(Metro) 1800 676 822(Peel) |
Check website for current hours | Website → |
| TAS | Access Mental Health | 1800 332 388 | 24/7 | Website → |
| ACT | Access Mental Health | 1800 629 354 | 24/7 | Website → |
| NT | NT Mental Health Line | 1800 682 288 | 24/7 | Website → |
Details were checked in November 2026 against official sources, including healthdirect, NSW Health and each service’s own website. Hours can change, so please check the service’s website if you’re unsure. Forward Steps is not affiliated with these services.
Looking for ongoing support rather than crisis help? Send me a message to talk about counselling.
