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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, text 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.
Food and essentials
Get free meals, emergency parcels and other help if you cannot afford food or essentials.
Search support services Australia-wide for free food services. This includes community meals, street kitchens and school breakfast programs.
Get food support services like food and groceries, food vouchers and prepared meals.
Low-cost fresh food and staples at mobile pantry and op shops, as well as emergency parcels.
Offers food and other everyday essentials through its support centres and Vinnies Vans.
Get affordable, healthy meals delivered to your door if you cannot shop or cook for yourself.
Free tasty and nutritious meals from restaurants and mobile food vans across Sydney.
Offers free community meals and pantry packs in 5 areas of greater Sydney.
Offers free food and grocery hampers on Sundays in Western Sydney.
Get free fruit, vegetables and pantry staples at Waterloo’s market in Sydney’s inner city.
Provides a free lunch cooked by Oz Harvest chefs in Surrey Hills in the inner city of Sydney.
Financial help
Get support if you have lost your job, can’t pay your bills or have been affected by financial abuse or scams.
If you lose your job
Visit Cost of Living: Employment to find out what financial support is available.
Debt
Visit Cost of Living: Managing money for help taking control of your debt, including:
- help with fines and fees
- free legal help
- free legal and financial advice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- mental health support lines
- counselling on gambling.
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 rates and rent
- credit card debt
- negotiating payments terms
- Centrelink debt.
If you cannot pay your bills
Visit Cost of Living: Energy and utilities if you’re having trouble paying your energy, gas or water bills.
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.
Financial abuse
Financial abuse is when someone misuses or controls your money without your consent. Visit Cost of Living: Financial abuse for ways to get support.
Scams
A scam is a way of tricking people into handing over money or personal details. Visit Cost of Living: Scams if you think you’ve been scammed.
Insurance, loans and financial relief
Visit Cost of Living: Insurance, loans and financial relief to learn about financial help for low-income earners.
If you need somewhere to stay
Get support when you don’t have a safe place to stay.
Homelessness
Call 1800 152 152 for information and referral service if you’re homeless or at risk. 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.
Find emergency, temporary or long-term accommodation from charities like Salvation Army and more.
Family and domestic violence
Domestic and family violence support
Find a safe and affordable place to stay if you’ve 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.
Crisis accommodation for women who are homeless or experienced domestic or family violence.
Help on the NSW Central Coast for those experiencing domestic and family violence or homelessness.
Natural disasters
Get the latest information and support when you are affected by bushfire, floods or other disasters.
Get the latest updates on natural disasters, including financial support and evacuation advice.