Crisis and emergency accommodation
Crisis and emergency accommodation is offered by the states and territories to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, or after an emergency.
Help is available if you are:
- escaping family violence
- homeless, or at risk of homelessness
- experiencing another housing-related emergency.
If you require support in your local area, you may wish to visit Ask Izzy. Ask Izzy is a website which connects people in need with housing, a meal, help with money, family violence support, counselling and much more.
If you are in urgent need of accommodation, you can contact one of the following services in your state or territory:
Australian Capital Territory
New South Wales
Northern Territory
Queensland
Homeless Hotline – 1800 474 753
South Australia
Homeless Connect – 1800 003 308
Tasmania
Housing Connect – 1800 800 588
Victoria
Crisis and Emergency Accommodation – 1800 825 955 or (03) 9536 7777
Western Australia
Entrypoint Perth – 1800 124 684
Social, public and community housing contacts
Public housing is a form of long-term rental social housing.
You can apply for both public and community housing through the Housing Register of each state and territory.
There are different rules for accessing long term social, public or community housing in each state and territory. Most states and territories offer housing to people who are on a low income.
You may also be eligible for housing if you:
- have recently become homeless
- need to move for health reasons
- live with disability and require special support
- are escaping family violence.
Visit Centrelink for information on the support available to individuals during difficult times. This includes confidential counselling, support services and information, and assistance with paying rent and other bills.
Information on housing assistance is provided by housing authorities in each state and territory.
Australian Capital Territory
New South Wales
Department of Communities and Justice – Housing and homelessness – 1800 422 322
Northern Territory
Department of Housing – (08) 8999 5511
Queensland
Queensland Government – Emergency and temporary accommodation
Department of Housing and Public Works – 13 74 68
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia
Department of Housing – (08) 9222 4666
Crisis support
24 hours, 7 days a week
A national charity providing all Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention.
National Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
24 hours, 7 days a week
A nationwide service providing telephone and online counselling to people affected by suicide.
Thirrili Postvention Response Service – 1800 805 801
24 hours, 7 days a week
The Indigenous Suicide Postvention Response Service supports individuals, families and communities affected by suicide or other significant trauma.
Domestic, family and sexual violence support
24 hours, 7 days a week
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732, or visit the 1800RESPECT website for online chat and video call services.
Mental health support and advice
24 hours, 7 days a week
Provides information and support to help anyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health.
24 hours, 7 days a week
Support line for mob who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping.
24 hours, 7 days a week
Free, confidential online and phone counselling for young people aged 5 to 25.
Open Arms – Veterans and Families Counselling – 1800 011 046
24 hours, 7 days a week
Mental health support for Navy, Army and Air Force personnel, veterans and their families.
Open 3pm to midnight 7 days a week
Anonymous and free LGBTIQ+ counselling and referral service for all Australians.
Financial support and advice
National Debt Helpline – 1800 007 007
Provides a single contact point for people to access financial counselling, either immediately on the phone, or through a referral to another service.
Centrelink social workers can provide support to Centrelink customers and provide information about community support services.
Department of Veterans Affairs – 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372)
Provides a single contact point for veterans and their families to access financial assistance and wellbeing supports, and facilitates access to mental health counselling.
Disability and carer support
Disability Gateway – 1800 643 787
8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday
The Disability Gateway assists all people with disability, their families and carers to locate and access services across Australia.
National Relay Service 1800 555 677
24 hours, 7 days a week
Interpreters 13 14 50
24 hours, 7 days a week
8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
Carers can access individually tailored services within their local area through Carer Gateway service providers.
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) – 1800 800 110
The NDIS provides funding to eligible people with disability to gain more time with family and friends, greater independence and access to new skills.
Email: enquiries@ndis.gov.au
Support for people from non-English speaking backgrounds
Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) – 131 450
Provides access to phone and on-site interpreting services in over 150 languages.
Aboriginal Interpreter Service (AIS) – 1800 334 944
Helps to address language barriers faced by Indigenous people in the Northern Territory.
Email: ais@nt.gov.au
National Relay Service (NRS)
Allows people who cannot hear or do not use their voice to communicate with a hearing person over the phone.
Voice relay number:
TTY number:
SMS relay number: