Welcome to our useful links, support and referral page. Please use the links below to navigate to your chosen area of help:
- Children and fathering
- Family and relationships
- Family law
- Family violence
- Men’s physical health
- Mental health
- Older men
- Wellbeing
- Youth
Children and Fathering Services
The Alannah and Madeline Foundation is a national charity protecting children from violence and its devastating effects. The Foundation also runs the Better Buddies Program, an anti-bullying initiative for schools. The site has fact sheets and brochures, and an extensive section on bullying.
Child Support (Department of Human Services)
Australian Government Department of Human Services’ Child Support site. We can assist separated parents with information, payments and support. We can also provide you with information about the Child Support choices available to you.
COPMI – The importance of being dad
This section of the COPMI (Children of Parents with a Mental Illness) website is dedicated to helping fathers who have a mental illness (or a partner with a mental illness) to parent better. It features action-oriented, practical information, fact sheets and videos of dads talking about their experiences.
The principal activities of Dads in Distress are to assist men that are going through the trauma of separation and isolation from their children through peer support, and the promotion of the prevention or the control of behaviour that is harmful or abusive to human beings, particularly in the specified behaviours of suicide and self-harm as a result of family breakdown. DIDSS offers peer support that aims to provide help and hope for separated dads and their families. This includes a telephone helpline, support groups, one on one support and advocacy.
Kids Help Line is Australia’s only free, confidential and anonymous, 24-hour telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged between five and 18. The website now offers tailored sections for kids, teens and grownups with targeted information and resources for each group.
The Parenting Research Centre engages in a range of research activities to help parents raise children well. Our focus is generating new knowledge of how parenting practices affect children, and how best to engage and support parents in this rewarding but often challenging task.
The complete Australian resource for parenting newborns to teens. This is a website for Australian mothers, fathers, grandparents and anyone else who has responsibility for the care of children. The site has a wealth of parenting information and resources for parents of babies, children and teenagers, and includes a large and active forum.
ReachOut Parents is a web-based service that provides information, tools and resources to help parents and carers support the 12-18 year-olds in their family environment. On ReachOut Parents, you will find fact sheets, stories, practical tips and tools covering a range of topics, issues and experiences that are relevant to parents of teenagers aged 12-18 years. You can also talk to other parents about your experiences and work through your concerns in a safe, anonymous environment using their online community. They aim to help you to improve the wellbeing and resilience of your whole family.
Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC): Resource Service
The Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) is the national non-government peak body in Australia representing the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. The SNAICC Resource Service (SRS) seeks to fill resource and training gaps identified across the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family and children’s services sector and provide a Clearinghouse for information sharing.
Family and Relationships Services
Department of Human Services: Support services for separated families
Separation can be a challenging time for everyone involved and presents a range of emotional, financial and legal issues. Every family is unique and the separation experience is different for everybody. The information in this website is a guide to help families experiencing separation find their way around the Family Law System, better understand their rights and responsibilities following separation and includes information on services available that may help.
Family & Relationship Services Australia
Family Relationship Services Australia (FRSA) is the national peak body for family relationship and support services. FRSA member organisations deliver professional, quality assured family and relationship services across Australia through more than 400 outlets. The website includes a service finder, articles and resources, training and events information and a virtual library.
Family Relationships Online is a key component in Government support for building better family relationships. It provides all families (whether together or separated) with access to information about family relationship issues, ranging from building better relationships to dispute resolution. It also allows families to find out about a range of services that can assist them to manage relationship issues, including agreeing on appropriate arrangements for children after parents separate.
The Gay and Married Men’s Association NSW is a support group for men who are or have been involved in a long-term heterosexual relationship, and who are coming to terms with their sexual attraction to other men. This group offers support and information to married and bisexual men in New South Wales.
The Men & Family Centre began through the passion and concern of many men and women in the Northern Rivers of NSW community. It now offers a variety of counselling, groups and community development services to men and their families. People working at and visiting the centre enjoy a vibrant and respectful environment created by one of the Centre’s central practices “Walk the Talk”.
Northern Territory Government’s Department of Children and Family website. Provides NT families with a wealth of information to assist parents with information on understanding and caring for children. The site has a variety of tip sheets on parenting and families, news and events, and a large range of resources specific to the Top End.
Relationships Australia is community-based, not-for-profit provider of relationship support services for individuals, families and communities. Relationships Australia aims to support all people to achieve positive and respectful relationships regardless of religious belief, age, gender, sexual orientation, lifestyle choice, cultural background or economic circumstances. They offer services nationally that include counselling, family dispute resolution (mediation) and a range of family and community support and education programs.
Stepfamilies Australia is committed to strengthening stepfamilies. It is a partnership between the Stepfamily Associations of various states and territories. The website contains various useful resources, including tip sheets, information packs, articles and booklists. SA also offer counselling, support groups and other forms of support for stepfamilies.
Family Law Services
The Australian Government website of the Family Court of Australia. Includes court lists, legislation, information about the court, online services, and more.
Family Court of Western Australia
The website of the Family Court of Western Australia. This website has been developed to provide information about alternatives to Family Court proceedings, information about divorce, child issues and financial issues, information about the workings of the court, access to court forms and information relevant to proceedings at the court, contact details and links to other family law related websites and organisations and information relating to adoption and surrogacy applications.
Full text of the 1975 Family Law Act of Australia from the Australian Legal Information Institute. Searchable.
Family Law Section of Australia
The Family Law Section (FLS) of the Law Council of Australia is the professional association for practising family lawyers in Australia. Its membership consists of almost 2,500 family law practitioners, from all Australian States and Territories. Includes a ‘Find a Family Lawyer’ search facility to find family law practitioners who are members of the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia.
Victorian Legal Aid: Family law in Australia fact sheets
These fact sheets explain aspects of family law in Australia to culturally and linguistically diverse communities. The fact sheets are available in English, Vietnamese, Arabic and Chinese.
Family Violence Services
Call 000 in an emergency for the police or ambulance.
National
Is a 24 hour, national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault.
Phone: 1800 737 732
A long term antiviolence project based on personal responsibility and reform by education. Enough is Enough provides a range of programs and strategies designed to assist in the reduction of both the causes and effects of violence in the community, and the provision of support services to victims.
ReachOut: What is domestic violence?
Domestic violence page of the ReachOut Australia website. Provides information and support services targeted at young people affected by domestic and family violence.
Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
Website for the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, including information on commissioners, hearings, media coverage, submissions and support services.
Survivors & Mates Support Network (SAMSN)
‘Talk to a mate who can relate’– SAMSN provides free services for adult male survivors of child sexual abuse, their family and friends. These services are both professionally and survivor led, and include eight-week men’s groups, Supporters and Survivors Workshops, and individual support (including National Redress Scheme).
Find a program in your state
Australian Capital Territory
Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT
Phone: (02) 6280 0900 or TTY hearing impaired: (02) 6228 1852
Website: https://www.dvcs.org.au
Legal Aid (ACT)
Phone: 1300 654 314
Website: http://www.legalaidact.org.au
New South Wales
Domestic Violence Line
Phone: 1800 656 463 or TTY hearing impaired: 1800 671 442
Website: https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/families
Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) (NSW/ACT)
Criminal law matters: 1800 765 767
Care and protection or family law matters: 1800 733 233
Website: https://www.alsnswact.org.au/
Domestic Violence: it can happen to anyone (NSW Gov)
NSW Government website about domestic violence, including information, resources and links to relevant services.
Legal Aid NSW: Domestic violence
Domestic Violence page of Legal Aid NSW website. Provides guidelines, tip sheets and services for people in domestic violence situations.
Northern Territory
Domestic Violence Legal Service NT
Phone: (08) 8999 7977
Website: https://dvls.nt.gov.au/
Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission
Phone: 1800 019 343
Website: https://www.legalaid.nt.gov.au/
Queensland
DV Connect Womensline
Phone: 1800 811 811
TTY hearing impaired: 1800 812 225
Sexual Assault Helpline: 1800 010 120
Website: http://www.dvconnect.org
South Australia
Domestic Violence Helpline
Phone: 1800 800 098
Tasmania
Domestic & Family Violence Counselling & Support (Safe at Home)
Phone: 1300 135 513
Website: http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au
Sexual Assault Support Service (SASS)
24 hours crisis support line: 1800 697 877
Website: https://www.sass.org.au/
Tasmanian Aboriginal Services
Hobart: (03) 6234 0700
Launceston: (03) 6332 3800
Burnie: (03) 6431 3289
Website: http://tacinc.com.au
Victoria
Safe Steps (formerly Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service of Victoria)
Toll Free 24 hours 7 days a week: 1800 015 188
Website: https://www.safesteps.org.au/
No to Violence is Victoria’s male family violence prevention association, the Victorian state-wide peak body of organisations and individuals working with men to end their violence and abuse against family members. Their mission is to provide counselling, advisory, referral and educational services to men who have inflicted or are at risk of inflicting violence on family members and to family members exposed to male family violence or the risk of male family violence.
Western Australia
Men’s Physical Health
Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council
The Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council of New South Wales (AH&MRC) is the peak representative body and voice of Aboriginal communities on health in NSW. This site is designed to provide a single point to access information, policies, data and resources for those interested in improving the health status of Aboriginal communities.
ACON is a health promotion organisation with a central focus on HIV/AIDS. ACON provides HIV prevention, health promotion, advocacy & care and support services to members of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities including Indigenous people, injecting drug users, sex workers and all people living with HIV/AIDS.
The Better Health Channel (BHC) provides health and medical information that is quality assured, reliable, up to date, easy to understand, regularly reviewed and locally relevant. The Better Health Channel is one of the most popular health and medical websites in Australia with over one million unique visitors each month.
DVA: Men’s Peer Health Education
This Australian Government (DVA) website provides information on health and lifestyle issues, online Men’s Health Peer Education magazine, links to DVA publications and contact details for obtaining further information.
Trusted health information and advice online and over the phone (1800 022 222), available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Funded by the governments of Australia.
Healthshare is Australia’s fastest growing interactive health network, designed to provide better access to health expertise and improve the quality of health information online. Healthshare provides a question and answer service for Australians to get answers from qualified local experts across over 360 topic areas. The service operates in a community environment which provides support and encouragement.
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia
Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia is the peak national body for prostate cancer in Australia, dedicated to reducing the impact of prostate cancer on Australian men, their partners, families and the wider community. The site contains information and resources for men with prostate cancer, their carers and health professionals, as well as information about prostate cancer support groups.
Victorian Aboriginal Health Service
The Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) was established in 1972 to address the specific medical needs of Victorian indigenous communities. The organisation has expanded steadily over past 30 years to provide a comprehensive range of medical, dental and social services for our community. As well as providing a variety of medical services, VAHS is committed to supporting the well-being of the community through contributions to community events and activities. VAHS is also committed to assisting research into the ongoing needs of the community. This website is designed to provide information about the services offered by VAHS, as well as document the history, significance and ongoing development of the organisation.
Victorian Department of Health: Aboriginal Health
Victorian Department of Health’s Aboriginal Health page.
Mental Health Services
Australian Psychological Society
The Australian Psychological Society (APS) is the largest professional association for psychologists in Australia, representing more than 20,000 members. The site includes a wealth of information about accessing a psychologist in Australia, including a ‘Find a Psychologist’ service for visitors to locate a local psychologist.
beyondblue is a national, independent, not-for-profit organisation working to address issues associated with depression, anxiety and related disorders in Australia. The website contains information and resources including symptom checklists, service finders and personal stories.
The Black Dog Institute is a national not-for-profit concerned with mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder. The website contains relevant information for both individuals and professionals.
Counselling Online is a website where you can communicate with a “live” professional counsellor about an alcohol or drug related concern. This service is for anyone seeking help about their own drug use or the drug use of a family member, relative or friend. The service is free and available 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, across Australia.
CRUfAD – Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety and Depression are among the commonest mental disorders. There are effective treatments for all these disorders, less than a quarter of sufferers get proven treatments. The Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression (CRUfAD) is a joint facility of the University of New South Wales and St Vincents Hospital in Sydney Australia. It combines clinical and research expertise in the recognition and treatment of the anxiety and depressive disorders.
Department of Health and Ageing: Mental Health and Wellbeing
This site is a one-stop shop of all Government programs aimed at reforming and improving our mental health care system.
The Mental Health and Wellbeing website provides important information on Government health and employment programmes, funding opportunities, publications, and policies. For example, it includes information and updates on the Personal Support Programme, JobAccess and Research and Evaluation of Mental Health and Employment.
Head to Health helps you find digital mental health services from some of Australia’s most trusted mental health organisations. Provided by the Australian Department of Health, Head to Health brings together apps, online programs, online forums, and phone services, as well as a range of digital information resources.
Lifeline Mental Health Resource Centre
The Lifeline Mental Health Resource Centre provides a variety of self-help tool kits and fact sheets with information about issues such as mental illness, depression, suicide prevention, anxiety and more.
MoodGYM is an innovative, interactive web program designed to prevent depression. It consists of five modules, an interactive game, anxiety and depression assessments, downloadable relaxation audio, a workbook and feedback assessment. Using flashed diagrams and online exercises, MoodGYM teaches the principles of cognitive behaviour therapy – a proven treatment for depression.
SANE Australia is a national charity working for a better life for people affected by mental illness – through campaigning, education and research. The SANE website, which forms part of its community education role, provides fact sheets, research and information about depression as well as an online helpline to answer questions on depression.
Spoke to a Bloke is a charity focused on supporting blokes’ mental health through two core projects – M.I.N.D.S – Men in Need of Digital Support and our 121 Project. M.I.N.D.S is a series of digital assets bringing together a wide range of mental health experts, knowledgeable individuals, and everyday blokes to create support content accessible 24/7. The 121 Project delivers direct professional help through our network of specialist psychologists for blokes that need financial assistance beyond the Medicare Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative.
Suicide Call Back Service offers free professional phone and online counselling 24/7 to people at risk of suicide, concerned about someone at risk, bereaved by suicide and people experiencing emotional or mental health issues. The Suicide Call Back Service website also includes practical self-help resources covering a range of mental health topics.
SuicideLine Victoria offers free professional phone and online counselling 24/7 to people at risk of suicide, concerned about someone at risk, bereaved by suicide and people experiencing emotional or mental health issues. The SuicideLine Victoria website also includes practical suicide and mental health self-help resources.
Suicide Prevention Australia is the national peak body for the suicide prevention sector in Australia with a role in providing policy advice to governments, community awareness and public education, increased involvement in research and a future role in leading Australia’s engagement internationally.
Victorian Transcultural Mental Health
VTMH is a Victorian-wide unit, which works with organisations to integrate skills and practices to address inequality in mental health service provision.
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) resource for expert information about mental illnesses, treatments, the role of psychiatrists, and how to get help. Your Health in Mind also provides patients and their families with the RANZCP’s ‘Find a Psychiatrist’ directory of psychiatrists working in private practice in Australia; more than 35 easy-to-read fact sheets about mental illnesses, treatments and the health system; videos to help explain what it’s like to visit a psychiatrist; answers to frequently asked questions and links to recommended services and support organisations.
Older Men
Australian Men’s Sheds Association
Established in 2007 by the Australian independent community based Men’s Sheds to represent, support and promote the Mens Shed Movement and to act as a central hub for information exchange. The Australian Mens Shed Association is funded by the Federal Government to provide initial and ongoing practical support for the development of all Mens Sheds.
COTA Australia is the peak national organisation representing the rights, needs and interests of older Australians. COTA Australia is the national policy and advocacy arm of the COTA Federation which comprises COTAs in each State and Territory. COTA Australia focuses on policy issues from the perspective of older people as citizens and consumers.
Wellbeing Services
Australian Men’s Shed Association
Mens Sheds are a relatively organic community based activity that supports isolated men in given communities. They are literally ‘sheds’ and they generally involve shed like activities – craft, building, carpentry activities, etc. This site lists mens’ sheds in Australia, provides a discussion forum and promotes activities such as conferences.
indigenous.gov.au celebrates the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and is a gateway to information on Australian Government Indigenous initiatives and programs. The aim of the site is to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and achievement and keep Indigenous Australians informed on important programs, services and policies.
Youth Services
The Centre for Adolescent Health aims to improve young people’s life chances, because adolescence is as much about new opportunities as new risks. The site contains a list of useful links and resources for young people.
headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation. We help young people who are going through a tough time. If you’re 12-25, you can get health advice, support and information from headspace. With centres all around Australia, headspace can help you with general health, mental health and counselling, education, employment and other services, and alcohol and other drug services.
Reach Out is Australia’s leading online youth mental health service that inspires young people to help themselves through tough times, and find ways to boost their own mental health and well-being. The site includes a large range of fact sheets, personal stories, videos and a large and active discussion forum.
The YMCA has a range of programs focused on young people up to 25 years of age. Their activities focus on sports, health and fitness, recreation and personal development.
