Homelessness
‘Homelessness’ doesn’t just mean living on the streets. Being homeless is when you haven’t got a safe or stable place to live. Find out more about homelessness and browse our list of national and state-specific services offering crisis accommodation and housing support.
This can help if:
you’re at risk of becoming homeless
you are homeless
you want to know what services are available to assist someone who is homeless.
About homelessness
If you’re without a home, you’re not alone – over 120,000 Australians are in the same boat, and almost a quarter of them are between 12 and 25.
Homelessness doesn’t look the same for everyone. It could look like:
plugging the gap by staying with friends or relatives, in temporary housing, or between different places
boarding, usually in group houses with little security
sleeping rough in cars, parks or bus shelters, or in empty houses (squatting).
Many different factors can contribute to someone becoming homeless, such as:
violence or abuse in the home
family breakdown
money problems
illness
disability
addiction.
If you're a young person in Australia facing homelessness or housing instability, help is available. Check out one of the support services below.
National services
Provides various services including income support payments, crisis payments and referral to other support services.
Call 13 10 21 to make an appointment or go to the Services Australia website for more information.
Federal program aimed at preventing youth homelessness by improving housing and interactions with family, education, training, employment, and community.
Visit the Reconnect website to find the local service for your state or territory.
Offers housing and homelessness services including early intervention and prevention as well as emergency, transitional and supported accommodation. They also offer social housing through Mission Australia Housing and a directory for local services.
Visit the Mission Australia website for more information.
Offers accommodation, case management, and support services for young people experiencing homelessness.
Visit the Salvation Army website for more information.
Provides crisis refuges and transitional housing for young people.
Call 02 9525 7919 or visit the Project Youth website.
Berry Street’s Transitional Youth Support Services (TYSS) offer outreach support to young single people or young families aged 16 to 25 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Call 02 9450 4700 or visit the Berry Street website.
Provides free, confidential legal advice and support for young people across Australia.
Visit the Youth Law Australia website.
State and territory-based services
Link2home
Free 24/7 homelessness information and referral telephone service. Call 1800 152 152.
NSW Domestic Violence Helpline
24/7 hotline providing counselling and referrals to women experiencing domestic and family violence, including emergency housing support. Call 1800 656 463.
Youth Off The Streets
Non-profit organisation supporting 12–24-year-olds in NSW and QLD who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness with a variety of services including crisis accommodation and housing services. Visit the Youth Off The Streets website for more.
NSW Government Social and Affordable Housing
Directory of NSW-based accommodation services, as well as information and support to help you keep your housing, including making an appeal or complaint. Visit the NSW Government’s housing support website for more information.
Homeless Connect
24/7 hotline providing information and a direct referral into homelessness services for anyone experiencing homelessness in South Australia. Call 1800 003 308 or visit the Homeless Connect website.
Women’s Safety Services SA
Provides support to families experiencing domestic and family violence in South Australia, including connecting you with housing support. Call 08 8152 9200 or visit the Women’s Safety Services SA website.
Visit the South Australian government housing support website for a full directory of housing services.
Homeless Hotline
24/7 information and referral service for people who are experiencing homelessness in Queensland. Call 1800 47 47 53 or 1800 010 222 (TTY Service) or visit the Queensland government website for more details.
DV Connect
Provides support for people experiencing family violence, including emergency transport and accommodation for your entire family including pets. Call their 24/7 hotline on 1800 811 811.
YouTurn
Supports people who have a housing need or are experiencing homelessness in southern Queensland with crisis accommodation and wraparound case management services. Visit the YouTurn website.
Youth Off The Streets
Non-profit organisation supporting 12–24-year-olds in NSW and QLD who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness with a variety of services including crisis accommodation and housing services. Visit the Youth Off The Streets website for more.
Visit the Queensland government housing support website for a full directory of housing services.
Crisis Accommodation
24/7 helpline connecting you with a housing and support worker. Services include emergency accommodation, support, referrals to services, advocacy and court assistance. Call 1800 825 955.
Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre
Specialist support services including emergency accommodation, support, referrals to services, advocacy and court assistance. Call their 24/7 hotline on 1800 015 188.
St Kilda Crisis Service
For crisis accommodation assistance, call their 24/7 hotline on 1800 627 727 (toll free) or visit the Salvation Army website for more information.
Visit the Services Victoria website for a full directory of housing support services.
Entrypoint Perth
Free assessment and referral service, providing connection to accommodation and support options for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Western Australia. Call 1800 124 684 between 9:00am-7:00pm weekdays and 9:00am-5:00pm weekends, or visit the Entrypoint Perth website for more information.
ShelterMe
Comprehensive directory of housing support services for people living in all areas of the Northern Territory. Visit the ShelterMe website.
Alice Springs Youth Accommodation and Support Services
Community organisation dedicated to supporting young people in Central Australia. Services including housing support programs. Call 08 8953 4200 or visit the Alice Springs Youth Accommodation and Support Services website.
Homeless Connect
24/7 information and referral service for people who are experiencing homelessness in Tasmania. Call 1800 800 588 or visit the Homes Tasmania website for more details.
OneLink
Information and connections for support services in the ACT for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Call 1800 176 468 between 8:00am-6:00pm, Monday to Friday, or visit the OneLink website for more information.
ACT Community Directory
Helps you locate services, community organisations and support groups in the Canberra region.
Call 02 6248 7988 between 9:00am-5:00pm, Monday to Friday, or visit the ACT Community Directory website for more information.
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What can I do now?
Contact Kids Helpline or Lifeline if you need someone to talk to.
Find out your legal rights by visiting the Youth Law Australia website.
Contact a family support service for support with family violence and problems.