Support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Everyone has to deal with challenges in their life sometimes, whether it’s feeling stressed, sad or angry. It helps to know that support services are available. But that help may be harder to get if you’re an Aboriginal or a Torres Strait Islander and you’re talking to a doctor or a mental health professional who doesn’t understand what your life is like or what you’re going through.
To make finding help easier, we've put together this guide on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and services where you can chat with people who will understand what you’re talking about.
National phone lines run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
National helpline for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are going through a tough time and feel like having a yarn. All of the operators are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are trained to support you without judgement and to provide a confidential, culturally safe space to yarn about your needs, worries or concerns.
Call their 24/7 hotline on 13 92 76 or visit the 13 YARN website.
National helpline for Aboriginal men who need someone to talk to about issues going on in their life and community. They’ve got heaps of experience talking about relationship issues, family violence, parenting, drug and alcohol issues, and many other problems. It’s run by Aboriginal men, including elders, who understand these challenges really well.
Call their 24/7 hotline on 1800 435 799 or visit the Brother to Brother website.
National helpline providing emotional and practical support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait families impacted by suicide or other fatal traumatic incidents.
Call their 24/7 hotline on 1800 805 801 or visit the Thirrili website.
Other helplines
These national phone lines can be helpful if you need someone to chat to. They might not be able to link you up with another First Nations person, but they are very experienced in talking with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Free crisis support and suicide prevention services delivered both online and over the phone.
Call their 24/7 helpline at 13 11 14 or text 0477 131 114. Visit the Lifeline website for more information.
Provides online and phone counselling for young people aged 5–25. You can also request the same counsellor every time.
Call their 24/7 helpline at 1800 55 1800 or visit the Kids Helpline website for more information.
Provides confidential sexual assault and family and domestic violence counselling via phone and webchat.
Call their 24/7 helpline at 1800 737 732 or visit the 1800RESPECT website.
Websites with resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
If you don’t feel like talking to someone about what’s going on in your life, there are lots of websites where you can find useful information or other help. These sites are all made with input from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
A safe space for First Nations young people to connect with community, hear from others, and access wellbeing resources and support.
Visit Yarn Up.
Social, emotional and cultural wellbeing online resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.
Visit the WellMob website.
Online mental health resource for First Nations people run by headspace.
Visit the Yarn Safe website.
Online resource for First Nations people with information on how to keep yourself, your family and your community safe.
Visit the Manual of Resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention website.
Peak body representing Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services and Aboriginal Medical Services in each state and territory. Their Resources page is a central hub for accessing a diverse range of materials that support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing.
Visit the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation website.
Regional Aboriginal support services
If you want to talk to a member of the community face-to-face, rather than just over the phone, head to this map of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander support services to find one near you. These services are mostly open during business hours, Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm.
State/territory-based support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Aboriginal Medical Service Redfern
Centre in Redfern providing culturally appropriate health care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Sydney area. Services are delivered and predominantly managed by professional Aboriginal staff who are experienced with and sensitive to the needs of the community.
Call 02 9319 5823 or visit the Aboriginal Medical Service Redfern website.
Greater Western Aboriginal Health Service (GWAHS)
Health service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Western Sydney, Nepean and Blue Mountains regions. Services include GPs, health checks, chronic disease programs, men's health, drug and alcohol programs, mental health support and child and family services.
Call 02 9836 7300 or visit the Greater Western Aboriginal Health Service website.
Awabakal
Health service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Port Stephens and the Lower Hunter region. Services include GPs, mental health support, disability services and housing support.
Call 1300 174 908 between 9:00am-5:00pm weekdays or visit the Awabakal website.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service (ATSICHS) Brisbane
Not-for-profit community-owned health care and community services organisation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in greater Brisbane and Logan.
Call 07 3240 8900 between 8:30am-4:30pm weekdays or visit the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service Brisbane website.
Townsville Aboriginal and Islanders Health Service (TAIHS)
Provides accessible, integrated health and community services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Townsville and the surrounding area.
Call 07 4759 4000 between 9:00am-6:00pm weekdays or visit the Townsville Aboriginal and Islanders Health Service website.
Kalwun
Provides accessible health and community services in the Gold Coast area, including Bilinga, Coomera, Nerang and Miami.
Call 07 5578 3434 or visit the Kalwun website.
Victorian Aboriginal Health Service
Health service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Melbourne region, with centres in Fitzroy, Preston, South Morang and St Albans. Services provided include allied health, social and emotional wellbeing, family counselling and women and children's services.
Call 03 9419 3000 or visit the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service website.
Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative (BADAC)
Delivers health, social, welfare and community development programs to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Ballarat and Ballarat district, including Avoca, Daylesford, Maldon, Ararat and Cressy.
Call 03 5331 5344 or visit the Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative website.
Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-operative
Provides flexible, responsive, holistic and culturally appropriate services that are tailored to the priorities of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in Bendigo and the surrounding districts of Boort, Redesdale and Creswick.
Call 03 5442 4947 or visit the Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-operative website.
Wathaurong Health Service
Provides culturally appropriate programs, support and services for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living on Wathaurong, Gulidjan and Gadubanud country – within the wider Geelong, Bellarine and Colac regions.
Call 03 5277 0044 or visit the Wathaurong Health Service website.
Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services (WNAHCS)
Community-controlled primary health care service operated by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community of the ACT.
Call 02 6284 6222 between 9:00am-5:00pm weekdays or visit the Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services website.
Central Australian Aboriginal Congress (CAAC)
Provides comprehensive, holistic and culturally-appropriate primary health care service to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in and nearby Alice Springs, including five remote communities: Amoonguna, Ntaria (and Wallace Rockhole), Ltyentye Apurte (Santa Teresa), Utju (Areyonga) and Mutitjulu.
Call 08 8951 4400 or visit the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress website.
Urapuntja Health Service
Health services covering the Utopia community and the surrounding homelands northeast of Alice Springs.
Call 08 8956 9875 or visit the Urapuntja Health Service website.
Danila Dilba Health Service
Provides culturally appropriate, comprehensive primary health care and community services to Biluru (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) people in the Yilli Rreung (greater Darwin) region.
Call 08 8942 5400 or visit the Danila Dilba Health Service website.
NPY Women’s Council
Anangu led organisation that delivers health, social and cultural services in the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) region of Central Australia. Services include traditional healing and youth support.
Call 08 8958 2345 or visit the NPY Women's Council website.
Nunkuwarrin Yunti of South Australia Inc.
Provides holistic social and emotional wellbeing support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Adelaide and Moonta.
Call 08 8406 1600 or visit the Nunkuwarrin Yunti of South Australia Inc. website.
Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre
Operates statewide services and programs including a holistic health service and allied programs.
Call 1800 132 260 or visit the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre.
Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service
Provides culturally secure primary health, mental health and dental services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in the Perth metropolitan area.
Call 08 9421 3888 or visit the Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service website.
Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services (KAMS)
Community-controlled health service supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living all across the Kimberley, including Broome, Ord Valley, Derby, Halls Creek, Beagle Bay, Wyndham, Kununurra and Fitzroy Crossing.
Call 08 9194 3200 or visit the Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services website.
Apunipima Cape York Health Council
Provides health services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities all over Cape York.
Call 07 4037 7100 or visit the Apunipima Cape York Health Council website.
What can I do now?
If you need urgent help, call 13 YARN (13 92 76) or visit our urgent help page.
For more stories about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people staying strong and safe, check out our Yarn Up page.
To find a support service you can visit in person, check out this map of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander regional support services.