Eating disorder helplines and support services

Provides confidential support for:

• people with eating disorders

• people with body image issues

• family members

• friends

• anyone with a question about eating disorders or negative body image.

The Butterfly Foundation’s counsellors are professionally trained, compassionate, and experienced in discussing eating disorders. Butterfly provides personalised coping strategies and support, and information to help increase your understanding of your, or your loved one’s, illness. They also offer guidance on treatment options and connections with other services and specialists.

You can call 1800 ED HOPE (1800 33 4673), or join a Butterfly Foundation online chat between 8 am and midnight 7 days a week. Visit the Butterfly Foundation website for more information.

Provides up-to-date information and research on eating disorders, as well as a list of state-by-state eating disorder recovery services for inpatient, outpatient and community support programs in their Service Locator.

Visit the National Eating Disorder Collaboration website for support and more information.

Provides listings of health practitioners around Australia, including specialised eating disorder psychologists, nutritionists and GPs, who offer services consistent with the Health at Every Size principles.

Visit the Size Inclusive Health Australia website for more information.

Australia’s national institute for research and clinical expertise in eating disorders. Their Treatment Services Database can help you to find a private practitioner, community clinic or program, a day program, in-hospital treatment, a support group or a clinical supervisor near you.

Visit the InsideOut Treatment Services Database website for more information.

National organisation providing lived-experience support, information and advocacy for those caring for someone with an eating disorder. Services include free online counselling for carers aged 10+, educational resources, and peer-led support groups available nationwide and online. Their online early intervention program for carers includes a free 30-minute masterclass and fortnightly online drop-in sessions with a paediatric dietitian designed to help carers spot the early signs of disordered eating and take action early.

Visit the Eating Disorder Families Australia website for more information.

The Butterfly Foundation

Provides face-to-face support programs, as well as support groups, for people in New South Wales experiencing body image issues, as well as for their carers and friends.

Visit the Butterfly Foundation website.

Eating Disorders Queensland

Statewide, community-based not-for-profit organisation promoting positive body image and prevention of eating issues. It also offers supportive therapeutic options for individuals living with eating issues and their families and friends.

Call 07 3844 6055, or visit the Eating Disorders Queensland website for more information.

Eating Disorders Victoria

Provides support, information, community education and advocacy for people with eating disorders and their families in Victoria.

Visit the Eating Disorders Victoria website for more information, or call 1300 550 236 9.30 am–4.30 pm 7 days a week.

ACT Eating Disorders Clinical Hub 

Central referral point for eating disorder services in the ACT. The service accepts referrals from anyone within the ACT who is concerned about themselves or another person with an eating disorder or disordered eating behaviour. Once a referral is received, the Clinical Hub will undertake a detailed intake, triage and assessment process to determine the best care pathway.

Visit the ACT Eating Disorders Clinical Hub website for more information, or call 02 5124 4326.

The Butterfly Foundation

Provides face-to-face support programs, as well as support groups, for people in the Northern Territory experiencing body image issues, as well as for their carers and friends.

Visit the Butterfly Foundation website.

Statewide Eating Disorder Service

Provides assessment, care and information for people experiencing an eating disorder and for their carers in South Australia.

Visit the Statewide Eating Disorder Service website for more information.

Centacare Catholic Family Services Adelaide

Supports individuals living with panic disorders, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder and eating disorders, and those who support them.

Visit the Centacare Catholic Family Services website for more information.

The Butterfly Foundation

Provides face-to-face support programs, as well as support groups, for people in Hobart experiencing body image issues, as well as for their carers and friends.

Visit the Butterfly Foundation website.

Luma (formerly Women’s Health Works)

Independent, not-for-profit organisation offering free and low-cost health care to women and families in Western Australia. They run a number of community-based programs designed to support people of all ages and genders who are impacted by eating disorders.

Visit the Luma website for more information.