QUICK EXIT External link
We provide social work and family support services for families with complex issues and help families to overcome practical and emotional challenges.
We advocate and can provide referrals for counselling where required, as well as linking families to social support and community activities. Several group programs are also available.
Our support services are available to families living, working or studying in the City of Melbourne. To check if that’s you, please refer to the City of Melbourne boundary map.
Counselling
Talk to a skilled counsellor who has experience working with children, teenagers and parents. Our counsellors meet with family to discuss the issues that are worrying them. We also refer families to counselling services within their community as required.
Family counselling can involve the whole family, or just parents, or just children. It is voluntary and confidential.
Counselling can be helpful if:
- You are feeling sad, or angry, or worried about yourself, your child, or your family.
- You are finding it hard to adjust to having a new baby.
- You don’t understand your baby or child’s behaviour and what it means.
- Your child seems upset or worried or angry a lot of the time.
- Your partner and you do not agree on how to parent your child.
- You are not sure how to talk, play or enjoy being with your baby or child.
Family support and social work
Our Family support and counselling program targets vulnerable children and families where the child’s safety and development are at risk, or where parents are experiencing difficulties which then impact on their parenting abilities and children’s wellbeing.
Issues facing children and families may include:
- mental health, including postnatal depression and anxiety
- adjustment to parenting and ongoing parenting struggles
- substance abuse
- family violence or conflict
- issues of structural disadvantage such as homelessness, poverty, cultural and language barriers to accessing services.
As part of our service, we provide bilingual support workers and offer interpreters where required. Appointments can take place in your own home, at one of our centres or at any other agreed location.
For assistance or to arrange an appointment, please contact the Family support and counselling team on supportandcounselling@melbourne.vic.gov.au
Family violence support
Sometimes things at home or in a relationship don’t feel safe, and you may not know where to turn for help. If you’re experiencing family violence or you’re concerned for another person’s safety, there is help available.
If you or someone is in immediate danger, call 000 External link and ask for Police.
Victoria’s 24/7 family violence response centre for confidential crisis support, information and accommodation for women (and women identifying) victims of family violence.
- Call: 1800 015 188
- Interpreter: 13 14 50
- Email: safesteps@safesteps.org.au
- Website: Safe Steps External link
- Safe Steps web chat support service External link (9am to midnight, Monday to Friday)
Intake workers (available 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday) specialise in working directly with migrant and refugee women who have experienced family violence.
- Call: 1800 755 988 (toll free)
National sexual assault, domestic family violence counselling service. This is free, confidential support is available 24/7.
- Call: 1800 737 732
- NRS: 1800 555 677
- Interpreter: 13 14 50
Safe Steps
Victoria’s 24/7 family violence response centre for confidential crisis support and information. Safe Steps recognises that some men in the community are also victims of domestic and family violence.
- Call: 1800 015 188
- Interpreter:
- Email: safesteps@safesteps.org.au
- Website: Safe Steps External link
- Safe Steps web chat support service External link (9am to midnight, Monday to Friday)
InTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence
Intake workers (available 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday) specialise in working directly with migrant and refugee women who have experienced family violence.
- Call: 1800 755 988 (toll free)
1800 RESPECT
National sexual assault, domestic family violence counselling service. This is free, confidential support is available 24/7.
- Call: 1800 737 732
- NRS: 1800 555 677
- Interpreter: 13 14 50
The Orange Door provides help and support for family violence, as well as to as families in need of support with the wellbeing and development of children and young people. Access is free and confidential regardless of age, gender, sexuality, culture, religion and ability. Available 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (closed public holidays).
- Call: 1800 271 045
- Email: wma@orangedoor.vic.gov.au
- Website: The Orange Door External link
A specialist Aboriginal family violence service that provides a culturally safe place where culture is celebrated and practical support is available, Djirra supports Aboriginal women’s journey to safety and wellbeing. Available 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
- Call: 1800 105 303 (toll free)
- Website: Djirra External link
This refuge accommodation and specialist family violence provides services to Aboriginal women and their children. EMH welcomes lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, non-binary, sistergirls, brotherboys, intersex and two spirit queer folk who identify as women or feel comfortable accessing a women’s service. Available 9am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, and 9am to 4pm on Friday.
- Call: 9403 9400
- Website: Elizabeth Morgan House External link
Telephone crisis line for Aboriginal people and families who need to have a yarn with someone about their wellbeing. Available 24/7.
- Call: 1800 959 563
- Website: Yarning SafeNStrong External link
Telephone crisis support for Aboriginal men with family violence issues. Available 24/7.
- Call: 1800 435 799
- Website: Dardi Munwurro External link
A free specialist LGBTIQ+ helpline that supports individuals and families of all ages and identities with family violence, including intimate partner violence, elder abuse, sexual assault and relationship issues. Available 10am to 6pm, daily.
- Call: 1800 729 367
- Text: 0480 017 246
- Email: support@rainbowdoor.org.au
- Website: Rainbow Door External link
WithRespect provides resources, tip and advice for LGBTIQ+ people on having and maintaining healthy relationships. We also provide support for LGBTIQ+ people of all ages and their families experiencing difficulty in their relationships, including family violence.
Free and confidential services to support older Victorians experiencing abuse. Available 10am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
- Call: 1300 368 821
- Website: Seniors Rights Victoria External link
Crisis counselling service for people who have experienced both past and recent sexual assault. Available 24/7.
- Call: 1800 806 292
- Website: Sexual Assault Crisis Line External link
Information and support for any victims of family and sexual violence and victims of violent crime. Available 8am to 11pm, daily.
- Call: 1800 819 817
- Text: 0427 767 891
- Email: vsa@justice.vic.gov.au
- Website: Victims of Crime External link
To report children and young people whose safety is at risk.
- Call: 1300 360 462
- After hours Child Protection Emergency Service: 13 12 78 (5pm to 9am Monday to Friday, 24/7 on weekends and public holidays)
Private and confidential phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25. Available 24/7.
- Call: 1800 55 1800
- Website: Kids Helpline External link
A telephone, and online crisis and trauma counselling service, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
1800 737 732
Emergency accommodation and a free 24-hour crisis line. Advocacy referral and information.
Support services to enable women and children to become free from violence.
1800 015 188
Disability Family Violence Liaison Officers (DFVLOs) are available for consultation between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday. If you would like to speak with one of the DFVLOs, please email disability@safesteps.org.au, or call 1800 015 188.
Help for people who are experiencing or using family violence or who need support with the care and wellbeing of children and young people. The Orange Door is a free service and operates during business hours (9am to 5pm) from Monday to Friday (closed public holidays).
National charity providing all Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
13 11 14
24-hour crisis care support following a sexual assault. Counselling and advocacy support. (Part of The Women's Royal Hospital)
(03) 9635 3610 or
1800 806 292
Are You Safe at Home External link
Help and support is available. This website features information around family violence and where to go for specialist support.
Disability Advocacy and Support
AED Legal Centre External link
Legal advocacy for people with disability who have been discriminated against in education or employment.
(03) 9639 4333
Advocacy and support for people with intellectual disability and their families.
Call (03) 03 9114 9415 or 1800 655 570.
Australian Government Disability Advocacy Finder External link
Find a disability advocate in your area via the Federal Government search page.
Disability Advocacy Resource Unit (DARU) External link
DARU can provide information about disability advocacy organisations in your area.
(03) 9639 5807
Disability Services Commissioner External link
The Disability Service Commissioner responds to complaints about Victorian disability services.
1800 677 342
Association for Children with a Disability (ACD) External link
ACD is an advocacy and information service for families of children with any type of disability living in Victoria.
(03) 9880 7000
Action for More Independence & Dignity in Accommodation. AMIDA can help with advocacy in relation to housing, the NDIS and helping people make submissions to the Disability Royal Commission.
(03) 9650 2722
Mental Health Advocacy and Support
The Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council (VMIAC) by and for consumers. Community education, consumer voice, NDIS information.
9380 3900 (9am – 5pm Monday to Friday)
The National Youth Mental Health Foundation. Early intervention mental health services for 12-25-year-olds.
You can create a free account from their website for personalised services.
State-wide support and information
Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service Victoria External link
Provides legal advice and counselling to Aboriginal women and children that are experiencing or have experienced family violence.
1800 105 303
InTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence External link
InTouch provides services, programs and responses to issues of family violence in migrant and refugee communities.
1800 755 988
WIRE (Women’s Information Referral Exchange) External link
WIRE provides free information, support and referrals, and has links to women’s services and support.
1300 134 130 (9am – 5pm Monday to Friday)
Resources for survivors and friends and family of survivors of domestic violence, workers supporting women’s safety, and other professionals.
Telephone counselling, information and referrals for LGBTIQ community members and supporters in Victoria and Tasmania. All switchboard volunteers identify as part of the LGBTIQA community.
1800 184 527 (3pm – midnight, 7 days a week)
A lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) health and wellbeing policy and resource unit. They have a wide range of resources available on their website.
9479 8700 (Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm)
