You’re Not Alone: Free Helplines and Support Services Available Nationwide

INS LifeGuard • December 17, 2025

Caring for someone, experiencing emotional distress, or navigating life’s challenges can be overwhelming, but you are not alone. Across Australia, a wide range of free and confidential helplines are available to provide support, advice, or just a listening ear.



Whether you’re a carer, an older Australian facing a crisis, or looking for health advice, here is a comprehensive guide to the services available to help you or someone you care about.


Crisis & Suicide Prevention

Lifeline

Phone 13 11 14 – Available 24/7

Lifeline offers free, confidential support for anyone in emotional distress, feeling overwhelmed, or experiencing a personal crisis. Trained crisis supporters provide immediate assistance via phone or online chat and can help you feel heard, supported, and safe. You don’t need to be in crisis to call, they’re here to listen.

Suicide Call Back Service

Phone 1300 659 467 – Available 24/7

This national service provides free phone and online counselling for people at risk of suicide, those supporting someone else, or those bereaved by suicide. In addition to crisis support, the service offers ongoing counselling sessions with professional psychologists. No referral is needed, and support is available Australia-wide.

Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing

Beyond Blue

Phone: 1300 22 4636 – Available 24/7

Beyond Blue provides free, confidential support for people experiencing anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges. You can speak to a trained counsellor via phone or online chat, and access a wide range of digital resources, including peer support forums and self-help tools. Support is available for individuals as well as friends and family.

MindSpot

Phone: 1800 61 44 34

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 am – 8:00 pm; Saturday, 8:00 am – 6:00 pm (Sydney time)

MindSpot is a free, government-funded mental health service offering online and phone-based support for adults with anxiety, depression, stress or chronic pain. Services include clinical assessments, professionally guided treatment courses, and tools you can use at your own pace. No referral is required, and you can access support from home.

Carer Support Services

Carer Gateway Counselling Service

Phone: 1800 422 737 (Option 2) Monday to Friday, 8:00 am – 6:00 pm

This free phone counselling service supports unpaid carers facing stress, burnout, or emotional challenges. It offers flexible, confidential support with access to interpreters and culturally safe services, including for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers. You can book sessions over the phone or online.

Support for Children, Men, LGBTIQ+ and First Nations Communities

Kids Helpline

Phone: 1800 55 1800 – Available 24/7

Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free, confidential service for children and young people aged 5 to 25. Counselling is available by phone, webchat, or email, and young people can talk about anything from family and friendships to mental health and school stress.

MensLine Australia

Phone: 1800 61 44 34

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 am – 8:00 pm; Saturday, 8:00 am – 6:00 pm (Sydney time)

MindSpot is a free, government-funded mental health service offering online and phone-based support for adults with anxiety, depression, stress or chronic pain. Services include clinical assessments, professionally guided treatment courses, and tools you can use at your own pace. No referral is required, and you can access support from home.

QLife (LGBTIQ+ Support)

Phone: 1800 184 527 - 3:00 pm – Midnight (local time)

QLife provides anonymous, free support and referral for LGBTIQ+ people across Australia. Trained peer supporters offer help via phone and webchat for anyone looking to talk about sexuality, gender, relationships, or mental health.

13YARN (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Support)

Phone: 13 92 76 – Available 24/7

13YARN is a free and culturally safe support line run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It offers confidential support for anyone feeling overwhelmed, stressed or having difficulty coping.

1800RESPECT (Domestic, Family & Sexual Violence Support)

Phone: 1800 737 732 – Available 24/7

1800RESPECT is the national service for people impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence. It offers confidential counselling, information, and referrals via phone and webchat, and includes resources like the Daisy app for safe browsing.

Medical & Nurse Advice Lines

Healthdirect Australia

Phone: 1800 022 222 – Available 24/7

Healthdirect offers free, non-urgent health advice from registered nurses, available to people in most parts of Australia. Nurses can help you decide whether you need to see a doctor, go to the hospital, or manage your symptoms at home. The service also includes a symptom checker and health information online.

Nurse-On-Call (Victoria)

Phone: 1300 60 60 24 – Available 24/7

Nurse-On-Call is a free telephone service for all Victorians, offering health advice from registered nurses. It’s ideal for after-hours concerns, when you’re unsure whether to visit a GP or need help understanding symptoms.

13 HEALTH (Queensland)

Phone: 13 43 25 84 – Available 24/7

This free service provides Queenslanders with access to qualified nurses who offer health advice and direct you to appropriate care. It’s especially useful for after-hours support or when you're unsure where to turn for help.

Medical & Nurse Advice Lines

Healthdirect Australia

Phone: 1800 022 222 – Available 24/7

Healthdirect offers free, non-urgent health advice from registered nurses, available to people in most parts of Australia. Nurses can help you decide whether you need to see a doctor, go to the hospital, or manage your symptoms at home. The service also includes a symptom checker and health information online.

Nurse-On-Call (Victoria)

Phone: 1300 60 60 24 – Available 24/7

Nurse-On-Call is a free telephone service for all Victorians, offering health advice from registered nurses. It’s ideal for after-hours concerns, when you’re unsure whether to visit a GP or need help understanding symptoms.

13 HEALTH (Queensland)

Phone: 13 43 25 84 – Available 24/7

This free service provides Queenslanders with access to qualified nurses who offer health advice and direct you to appropriate care. It’s especially useful for after-hours support or when you're unsure where to turn for help.

State & Territory Mental Health Support Lines (Free & Confidential)

These helplines are operated by each state or territory's public mental health system. They are staffed by mental health professionals who can assess symptoms, provide urgent advice, and refer you to local services, including community mental health teams, hospital-based care, or mobile crisis response units where available. If you're worried about your mental health or supporting someone in distress, these services can guide you to the right support near you.

New South Wales (NSW) – Mental Health Line

Phone: 1800 011 511 – Available 24/7

This 24-hour service connects NSW residents with mental health professionals who can assess symptoms, provide crisis support, and refer to local health services. It supports individuals, carers, and health professionals concerned about someone’s mental health. In serious situations, they can coordinate urgent care or contact emergency services.

Victoria (VIC) – SuicideLine Victoria

Phone: 1300 651 251 – Available 24/7

SuicideLine Victoria offers confidential support to people experiencing suicidal thoughts, caring for someone at risk, or dealing with loss due to suicide. Counsellors provide both crisis assistance and ongoing support through scheduled sessions. While it’s not a direct link to hospital services, it can refer callers to local mental health teams where appropriate.

Queensland (QLD) – 1300 MH CALL

Phone: 1300 64 22 55 – Available 24/7

1300 MH CALL is Queensland’s mental health access line for the public health system. Clinicians provide mental health triage, crisis intervention, and referrals to community and hospital-based services. Carers, GPs, or anyone worried about someone can also use this line to seek help or request urgent support.

Website: www.qld.gov.au/mentalhealth

South Australia (SA) – Mental Health Triage Service

Phone: 13 14 65 – Available 24/7

This service is the first point of contact for mental health support in South Australia. It provides telephone triage, crisis support, and referral to public mental health services or acute response teams if needed. It’s also available to carers and health professionals seeking guidance or support.

Website: www.sahealth.sa.gov.au

Western Australia (WA) – Mental Health Emergency Response Line (MHERL)

Metro: 1300 555 788 | Peel region: 1800 676 822 – Available 24/7

MHERL offers 24/7 support for people in mental health crisis in Perth and Peel. Clinicians provide over-the-phone assessment, de-escalation, and short-term intervention. When required, they can organise mobile mental health teams to visit the person in crisis or coordinate inpatient admission.

Tasmania (TAS) – Mental Health Services Helpline

Phone: 1800 332 388 – Available 24/7

This helpline provides access to public mental health services across Tasmania. Mental health clinicians can assess needs, offer crisis advice, and refer to acute care or community teams. It's available to individuals in distress as well as carers, family members, and health workers.

Northern Territory (NT) – NT Mental Health Line

Phone: 1800 682 288 – Available 24/7

This line offers mental health triage, advice, and access to NT Health mental health services. Clinicians can provide support for urgent concerns and arrange referral to community mental health teams or inpatient services where needed.

Website: www.nt.gov.au

Australian Capital Territory (ACT) – Mental Health Triage Service

Phone: 1800 629 354 – Available 24/7

Access Mental Health is the central point for public mental health support in the ACT. The team provides phone assessment, crisis intervention, and can activate the Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team (CATT) for urgent in-person response. Suitable for individuals, carers, and health professionals.

Elder Abuse & Advocacy

Older Australians have the right to feel safe and respected. These services provide confidential support, advocacy, and pathways to report abuse, neglect, or exploitation — whether in aged care, at home, or in the community.

1800 ELDERHelp (National Elder Abuse Line)

Phone:  1800 353 374 - Operating hours depend on the state/territory

This is a free and confidential national elder abuse phone line that automatically connects callers to the appropriate state or territory elder abuse service for information, support, advice and referrals. It is a collaborative service set up by the Australian state and territory governments. Operating hours and specific services may vary depending on the state or territory you are connected to when you call.

OPAN – Older Persons Advocacy Network

1800 700 600 – Available Monday to Friday, 8 am to 8 pm; Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm

OPAN provides free, independent and confidential advocacy support for older people and their families who are receiving or seeking government‑funded aged care. Advocates can help with understanding rights, navigating aged care services, raising concerns with providers, and accessing further support. OPAN connects you to a local advocacy service in your state or territory.

State & Territory Elder Abuse Support Services

NSW – Ageing & Disability Abuse Helpline

Phone: 1800 628 221 – Mon–Fri, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Run by the NSW Ageing & Disability Commission, this helpline supports anyone reporting or concerned about abuse of older people or adults with disability in the community.

VIC – Seniors Rights Victoria

Phone: 1300 368 821 – Mon–Fri (business hours)

Free information, advocacy and legal support for older Victorians experiencing elder abuse.

QLD – Elder Abuse Prevention Unit

Phone: 1300 651 192 – Mon–Fri, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Offers confidential support, information and referrals related to elder abuse.

SA – Adult Safeguarding Unit

Phone: 1800 372 310 – Mon–Fri, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Receives and responds to reports of abuse of older and vulnerable adults.

WA – WA Elder Abuse Helpline

Phone: 1300 724 679 – Mon–Fri, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Provides local elder abuse advice and referrals in Western Australia.

Website: wa.gov.au

TAS / NT / ACT

Phone: 1800 353 374 - Operating hours depend on the state/territory

These regions use the national elder abuse number (1800 353 374) to connect to local services.

Disability Support & Advocacy

People with disability have a right to safety, inclusion, and support. Whether you need help reporting abuse, understanding your NDIS plan, or accessing independent advocacy, the services below are here to help.



National Disability Abuse & Neglect Hotline

Phone: 1800 880 052 – Mon–Fri, 9:00 am – 7:00 pm

This national service lets anyone report abuse or neglect of people with disability in government-funded services. Hotline staff offer guidance and connect you with appropriate complaints bodies.

Disability Gateway

Phone: 1800 643 787 – Monday to Friday, 8:00 am – 8:00 pm (AEST)

A national support line that helps people with disability, families and carers find trustworthy information and local services. The Gateway covers topics like housing, transport, health, employment and daily living. It’s not just for NDIS participants; anyone with a disability can use this service.

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) – Contact Centre

Phone: 1800 800 110 – Monday to Friday, 8:00 am – 8:00 pm (local time)

The NDIS Contact Centre can answer questions about access, funding plans, service providers, complaints, and participant rights. Interpreters and Auslan support are available, and you can request call-backs.

People with Disability Australia (PWDA)

Phone: 1800 422 015 – Monday to Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (AEST)

PWDA is a national disability rights and advocacy organisation run by and for people with disability. They provide free, independent advocacy, help with complaints, rights education, and systemic reform. Services are confidential and available Australia-wide.

Disability Advocacy Finder

Online Only

This is a national online tool to help people find independent disability advocacy organisations near them, based on location and type of support needed (NDIS appeals, abuse, discrimination, etc.).

TAS / NT / ACT

Phone: 1800 353 374 - Operating hours depend on the state/territory

These regions use the national elder abuse number (1800 353 374) to connect to local services.

Domestic, Family & Sexual Violence Support

If you’re feeling unsafe in your home or relationship, there is help, and you are not alone. These services offer free, confidential support for people experiencing domestic, family, or sexual violence. Support is available 24/7 in many cases, and you can reach out whether you’re in crisis, planning to leave, or just need someone to talk to.

1800RESPECT – National Sexual Assault, Domestic & Family Violence Counselling Service

Phone: 1800 737 732 – Available 24/7

Confidential support for people impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence. Trained counsellors provide phone and online chat support, safety planning, referrals, and information. Interpreters and accessible services are available.

Daisy App

App: Free to download (Google Play & Apple App Store)

Designed by 1800RESPECT, Daisy is a discreet and secure app that helps people experiencing abuse find local support services. It doesn’t store personal data and includes safety features.

MensLine Australia

Phone: 1300 78 99 78 – Available 24/7

Free support for men experiencing or using family violence, relationship breakdown, or emotional distress. Also supports men navigating parenting, separation, or mental health challenges.

13YARN

Phone: 13 92 76 – Available 24/7

A national helpline providing culturally safe support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in crisis, including those impacted by family violence.

QLife (for LGBTIQ+ people)

Phone: 1800 184 527 – 3:00 pm to midnight (local time)

LGBTIQ+ inclusive support for people experiencing domestic violence, isolation, mental health challenges, or relationship abuse. Webchat is also available.

If you’re in immediate danger, call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department. If it’s not safe to speak, you can call 000 and press 55 when prompted, police will be dispatched without needing to talk.

Dementia & Aged Care Support

National Dementia Helpline (Dementia Australia)

Phone: 1800 100 500 – Available 24/7

This free, national helpline provides information, support and advice for people living with dementia, their families, and carers. It’s staffed by trained professionals who can help you understand symptoms, navigate care options, and connect with local dementia services and support groups. Online resources and translated materials are also available.

Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission

Phone: 1800 951 822 – Available Monday to Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (local time)

The Commission handles complaints and concerns about aged care services funded by the Australian Government. You can report issues related to neglect, poor care, safety risks, or rights violations in residential, in-home, or community aged care. Complaints can be made by phone, online, or in writing, and you may remain anonymous.

Food, Housing & Emergency Support

If you or someone you know is at risk of going without food, losing housing, or facing financial stress, there are free national and local services that can help. Many offer immediate assistance, including meals, housing advice, emergency relief, and connections to local support networks.

Ask Izzy – Find Food, Housing & Local Help

A free and anonymous directory of over 400,000 local services across Australia, including food banks, housing, emergency payments, legal support, domestic violence assistance, and more. Just type in your postcode and what you need.

If you're on a mobile and have no credit, you can still access Ask Izzy if you're with Telstra

Salvation Army – Emergency Relief & Crisis Services

Phone: 1300 371 288 – Mon–Fri, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

The Salvos provide food hampers, vouchers, assistance with overdue bills, housing support, and financial counselling. Support is available for people of all backgrounds facing hardship.

St Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies)

Phone: Check local number or use online form

Vinnies offers help with food, furniture, utility bills, short-term accommodation, and referrals to wraparound services. Availability and programs vary by state.

UnitingCare Emergency Relief

Contact details vary by state — visit the website to find your local Uniting agency.

UnitingCare agencies across Australia provide emergency relief for food, rent, utilities, and crisis support. Services are free and open to anyone in need, including older people and carers.

National Debt Helpline

Phone: 1800 007 007 – Mon–Fri, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm

If you're struggling with money, this free service offers independent financial counselling to help you understand your options, manage debts, or avoid eviction or disconnection.

How INS LifeGuard Can Help

While this guide includes national helplines and support services, we also know that sometimes, having help at your fingertips right when you need it can be life-saving.


That’s where INS LifeGuard comes in.


We provide a range of 24/7 monitored personal alarms designed to support safety, health and independence, whether at home or on the go. Our solutions are ideal for:

  • Seniors living independently
  • People with disability
  • Carers and lone workers
  • Those with chronic health conditions
  • People at risk of falls
  • Anyone seeking peace of mind for themselves or a loved one


All INS LifeGuard personal alarms connect to our Australian-based Emergency Response Centre, staffed around the clock by nurses and other healthcare providers.


Key Features Can Include:

  • Check-In Timers — set a time to check in, and if you don’t, we’ll follow up.
  • Silent Alarms — discreetly raise an alert if you’re feeling unsafe but can’t speak.
  • Clinical Triage — get advice or assessment from a nurse in real time.
  • GPS & Location Tracking — so we know where you are when you need help.
  • Two-Way Communication — speak directly with our team, not a call centre.
  • Smartwatch Vital Signs Monitoring — track key health stats. If readings fall outside safe limits, we’ll alert you and offer guidance, with the option to speak to a nurse.


Our goal is simple: to help people live independently, safely, and with confidence wherever they are.


Learn more or speak to our team: Call 1800 636 040 or visit our website to find out more.

Support is always available, and it’s okay to ask for help.

These services exist to listen without judgment, to support without obligation, and to offer real help when it's needed most. Whether you're struggling with mental health, supporting someone else, or navigating your role as a carer, there is help available.



You are not alone.

In an Emergency

Triple Zero (000)

For Police, Fire or Ambulance


If someone is in immediate danger or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department.


Free Helplines and Support Services in Australia: Mental Health, Crisis, Carers, Seniors & More


Why it works:

  • “Free Helplines and Support Services” = top keyword phrase
  • Includes “Australia” for local search intent
  • Covers key audiences: Mental Health, Crisis, Carers, Seniors
  • Uses natural language for better CTR (click-through rate)

About

INS LifeGuard is the only 24/7 nurse on-call personal and medical monitoring in Australia. We provide monitoring technology for both in the home and on the go and can also monitor other provider's equipment. Our services are suitable for anyone wanting support to stay independent such as the elderly, those with medical conditions and disabilities plus enhancing safety and security for lone workers.

Get In Touch

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    I hope you enjoy reading this blog post


    INS LifeGuard is the only nurse on-call personal and medical alarm service in Australia. If you would like more information about INS LifeGuards solutions, visit our website here. 

I hope you enjoy reading this blog post.

INS LifeGuard is the only nurse on-call personal and medical alarm service in Australia. If you would like more information about INS LifeGuards solutions, visit our website here.