Support Services

The Australian Government understands that the work of the Royal Commission and the information on this website may bring up strong feelings and questions for many people. There are many services and support groups available to assist you. Some options for support and advice are provided below.

The National Redress Scheme commenced on 1 July 2018, to provide support to people who were sexually abused as children while in the care of an institution. For information about who can apply, visit the National Redress Scheme website or call the National Redress Information Line on 1800 737 377.

Finding Help and Support

24-hour telephone assistance is available through:

Lifeline - 13 11 14
1800 Respect - 1800 737 732
MensLine Australia - 1300 789 978
KidsHelpLine - 1800 55 1800
BeyondBlue - 1300 22 4636

A further list of national support services and groups and those specific to each state and territory is available below.

National, State and Territory Support Services

Details on advice and support services across Australia are available below:

National

Blue Knot Foundation - 1300 657 380
Counselling and support services for survivors of childhood sexual abuse and trauma

Bravehearts Inc - 1800 272 831
Counselling and support services for survivors of child sexual abuse, education and training programs for children, and child protection advocacy

Care Leavers Australasia Network - 1800 008 774
Counselling, support and advocacy for Forgotten Australians

Child Migrants Trust - 1800 040 509
Social work services for Former Child Migrants, including counselling and support for family reunions

Child Wise Helpline - 1800 991 099
Trauma-informed counselling for people who have experienced childhood abuse in an institutional context

Children and Young People with Disability Australia - 1800 222 660 / 03 9417 1025
National peak body for children and young people with disability, providing information and systemic representation

Healing Foundation - 02 6272 7500
Service to help build the capacity of Indigenous organisations and support the development of the Link Up network

In Good Faith Foundation - 03 9940 1533
Independent advocacy, case work, referral and support to aid recovery for victims, their families and communities responding to clergy, religious and lay abuse

knowmore - 1800 605 762
Independent service providing free legal advice to assist survivors of institutional child sexual abuse

People with Disability Australia - 1800 422 015 / TTY: 1800 422 016
National telephone line providing information and referrals to people with disability

Tzedek - 1300 893 335
Advocacy, referrals and support services to people who have experienced religious/clergy abuse, with a focus on the Jewish community

Australian Capital Territory

Canberra Rape Crisis Centre - 02 6247 2525
Free counselling and support for all survivors of sexual assault, male and female, and their families/supporters, along with information, advocacy, referral and education

Gugan Gulwan Youth Aboriginal Corporation - 02 6296 8900
Drug and Alcohol program, a Child, Youth and Family Support Program, NDIS outreach program and a reconnect program to support young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Relationships Australia ACT - 1300 364 277
Family and relationship counselling as well as a range of specialist counselling services

Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service - 1800 110 290 or 1800 120 859 (toll free) / 02 6284 6222
Culturally safe, holistic health care services and programs for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of the ACT and surrounding regions

New South Wales

Interrelate Family Centres - 1300 473 528
Community based, not-for-profit organisation with a network of counselling centres across metropolitan, regional and rural New South Wales

Link Up NSW Aboriginal Corporation - 1800 624 332 (not available to mobiles) / 02 9421 4700
Counselling, healing and culturally appropriate support for Indigenous Australians

Relationships Australia NSW - 1300 857 886
Family and relationship counselling as well as a range of specialist counselling services

Survivors & Mates Support Network (SAMSN) - 1800 472 676
Not-for-profit organisation delivering eight-week groups, workshops and support for adult male survivors of child sexual abuse and their families

The Women’s Cottage - 02 4578 4190
Community based support and resource centre, run by women, for women and children

Northern Territory

Queensland

Centre Against Sexual Violence Inc. - 07 3808 3299
Community-based sexual assault service dedicated to serving the sexual assault support, education and information needs of the Logan, Beenleigh and Beaudesert communities

Link-Up Queensland - 1800 200 855 / 07 3638 0411
Counselling, healing and culturally appropriate support for Indigenous Australians

Living Well - 07 3028 4648
Counselling and support services for men who have experienced sexual abuse or sexual assault, and for their partners and loved ones

Micah Projects - 07 3029 7000
A dedicated support service and resource centre for Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants

Relationships Australia QLD - 1300 364 277
Family and relationship counselling as well as a range of specialist counselling services

South Australia

Nunkuwarrin Yunti of South Australia Inc - 08 8406 1600 (Wakefield St) / 08 8254 5300 (Brady St)
Counselling, healing and culturally appropriate support for Indigenous Australians

Relationships Australia SA - 1800 182 325 / 1300 364 277
Free and confidential counselling and support services for individuals and families affected by the Royal Commission

Victim Support Service - 1800 842 846
Support for adult victims of crime, witnesses, their family, and friends across South Australia, including specific Royal Commission Support Services

Tasmania

Victoria

Drummond St Services - 03 9663 6733
Wide-ranging support and recovery services for individuals, families, couples, young people and children

Link-Up Victoria - 1800 687 662 / 03 9287 8800
Counselling, healing and culturally appropriate support for Indigenous Australians

Open Place - 1800 779 379 / 03 9421 6162
Counselling and support programs for Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants, their families and carers to help them recover from their trauma

Relationships Australia VIC - 1300 364 277
Family and relationship counselling as well as a range of specialist counselling services

Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) - 03 9287 8800
Counselling, face-to-face support, healing and culturally appropriate support for indigenous Australians

Western Australia

Anglicare WA - 1300 114 446 / 08 9263 2000
Support for individual, families and their communities to cope with the challenges of life by building their resilience and capacity

Kimberley Stolen Generation Aboriginal Corporation - 1800 830 338
Counselling, healing and culturally appropriate support for Indigenous Australians

Relationships Australia WA - 1300 364 277 / 08 6164 0255
Family and relationship counselling as well as a range of specialist counselling services

Yorgum Aboriginal Corporation - 08 9218 9477 / 1800 469 371
Counselling, healing and culturally appropriate support for Indigenous Australian