Mental health support
It’s important to look after yourself when things are challenging. Get help and support if you need it.
Lifeline is a free and confidential 24-hour crisis support service. Call 13 11 14, send a text message or use online chat.
The NSW Mental Health Line is a free 24-hour service linking you to support services. Call 1800 011 511 for:
- mental health advice
- a brief assessment
- recommendations for appropriate care, including referrals to NSW Health mental health services.
Help with food and essentials
Find emergency food support, free meals, food parcels and other assistance services across NSW.
If you need somewhere to stay
Get support when you don’t have a safe place to stay.
Call 1800 152 152 for information and referral service if you’re experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Connects you to crisis accommodation and other support services in your area.
Browse or search for specialist homelessness services across NSW.
Homelessness services throughout NSW to help people at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
Help on the NSW Central Coast for people experiencing domestic and family violence or homelessness.
Help from charities and other organisations
Find emergency, temporary or long-term accommodation from charities such as the Salvation Army and other organisations.
Help with domestic and family violence
Find support services and safe accommodation if you're experiencing domestic and family violence.
Domestic and family violence support
Find a safe place to stay and access support if you're experiencing domestic or family violence.
Crisis accommodation for women who are homeless or have experienced domestic or family violence.
Find a place to stay and get financial help to pay the rent if you’re leaving an unsafe relationship.
If you need financial help
Services Australia crisis help
Visit Services Australia: Crisis and other help if you’re in severe financial hardship, recovering from a disaster, or need special assistance.
If you're experiencing financial abuse
Financial abuse is when someone misuses or controls your money without your consent. Support is available if this is happening to you.
If you lose your job
Visit Cost of Living: Employment to find help with looking for work, training and study, and financial support while you're out of work.
Help with debt
Get step-by-step guides on how to manage specific types of debt. You can also call 1800 007 007 or live chat to a real person about your problem, including:
- electricity, gas and water bills
- mortgage repayments and rent
- credit card debt
- negotiating payment terms
- Centrelink debt.
If you cannot pay your energy and water bills
Visit Energy and water household bills to learn about support available if you're having trouble paying your energy, gas or water bills, including payment plans, switching energy plans and hardship programs.
No-interest loans and financial relief
Visit No-interest loans and financial relief to learn about financial support, emergency relief, low-cost insurance and no-interest loans.
If you've been scammed
A scam is an attempt to trick you into giving away money or personal information. Visit Cost of Living: Scams to find out what to do if you think you’ve been scammed.