If you or someone you know is in immediate danger call 000.
Use the map below for the location of support services within the Northern Metro Region (Hume Merri-bek & North East Melbourne Area). Click the top left icon on the map to expand the information.
A detailed list of support services can also be found on the right. Click the arrow to expand the menu under each support area.
Homelessness/ Housing Support
The first step is to make an appointment with an Initial Assessment & Planning (IAP) worker at one of the Northern Homelessness Access Points. An IAP worker will assess your needs and may place you on a waitlist for case management support or recommend other services that can help.
FIND MY CLOSEST ACCESS POINT →
Making an Initial Assessment and Planning (IAP) appointment:
If you are aged 16 to 24 years old contact:
Melbourne City Mission
Melbourne Youth Support Service (MYSS)
Phone: 9614 3688 (Reverse call charges accepted)
Address: 19 King Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Website →
For Adults:
Haven; Home, Safe
Haven; Home, Safe is a rental housing and homelessness service provider in Melbourne’s north-east (Whittlesea, Nillumbik, Darebin and Banyule).
Phone: 9479 0700
Address: 52 – 56 Mary St, Preston
Website →
Launch Housing
Launch Housing is an independent Melbourne-based community organisation, which brings 75 years’ experience working with people at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness (Yarra).
Phone: 9288 9611 or 1800 048 325
Address: 68 Oxford St, Collingwood
Website →
Vincent Care
Vincent Care is a housing and homelessness service in Melbourne’s north-west (Hume and Merri bek).
Phone: 9304 0100 (Glenroy)
Address: 175 Glenroy Road Glenroy
Website →
State-wide or after hours:
Opening Doors
Opening Doors is a state-wide housing crisis line.
Phone: 1800 825 955 (free call 24/7 from a landline or public phone) to speak with a housing worker and be referred to services and support in your local area.
St Kilda Crisis Centre
St Kilda Crisis Centre is Victoria’s state-wide after-hours emergency accommodation contact point.
Hours: Walk-in service 5pm-11pm, phone service 24/7.
Phone: 1800 627 727 (Free Call).
Address: 29 Grey Street, St Kilda 3182.
Women’s Housing Limited
Women’s Housing Limited (WHL) is a state-wide not for profit organisation that provides low costs housing to women at risk of homelessness.
Phone: 9412 6868
Website →
PRAP – Private Rental Assistance Program
Provides people at risk of or experiencing homelessness with financial and practical assistance to establish and maintain private rental tenancies.
1. Launch Housing
To be eligible for Launch Housing’s private rental support, you must reside in one of the following Local Government Areas:
- Cities of Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia Shire
- Cities of Port Philip, Stonnington, Glen Eira, Bayside, Kingston, Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula
- City of Melbourne (CBD, Southbank and East Melbourne only), Yarra, Darebin, Banyule, Nillumbik and Whittlesea
To apply complete this online form → https://www.launchhousing.org.au/housingsupport/private-rental-support
2. Unison
To be eligible for private rental support with Unison, your rent must be below 55% of your household income, and you must reside in one of the following Local Government Areas: Hobsons Bay, City of Maribyrnong, City of Melbourne (except the CBD), City of Mooney Valley, City of Wyndham
To apply, complete this application form → https://forms.office.com/Pages/
Phone: (03) 9216 0304.
Website →
3. VincentCare
To be eligible for VincentCare’s private rental support, you must reside in Hume Merri-bek.
To apply, phone: 9304 0104
Home Connect (through VincentCare)
Works with people before a housing crisis occurs and provides support to stabilise their current housing or to find more appropriate housing.
Phone: 9304 0147
Website →
Homelessness Advocacy Service
Receive homelessness assistance or social housing advocacy support.
Phone: 1800 066 256
Website →
If you would like further advice or information, our duty workers are available to take your call 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday on 03 8692 2020.
Family Violence Support
Multi-language Family Violence Poster – Information on support services that are available in the northern metropolitan region in English, Arabic, Assyrian, Chinese, Hindi, Punjabi and Vietnamese. View →
Uniting Escaping Violence Payment
The Escaping Violence Payment (EVP) program can help you move forward and set up a home free of violence.
Website →
The Australian Red Cross Family and Domestic Violence (FDV) Financial Assistance program
Available to people:
- on temporary visas, or with uncertain visa status, who are living in Australia, and,
- experiencing family or domestic violence, and,
- experiencing financial hardship.
To apply, visit this website →
1800 RESPECT
1800 RESPECT is a 24/7 phone, text and online counseling, information and support service to assist people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence and abuse.
Phone: 1800 Respect (1800 737 732) or text 0458 737 732
Chat online →
Djirra
Djirra is a place where culture is shared and celebrated, and where practical support is available to all Aboriginal women and particularly to Aboriginal people who are currently experiencing family violence or have in the past.
Phone: 1800 105 303
Website →
Elizabeth Morgan House Aboriginal Women’s Service
Elizabeth Morgan seek to promote social justice and equity for Aboriginal women and children experiencing family violence. They provide a range of support to Aboriginal women and children experiencing family violence from refuge accommodation to specialist services.
Phone: 9482 5744
Website →
inTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence
inTouch work with women and children from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds who are victim/survivors of domestic violence. Their bi-lingual and bi- cultural workers provide assistance and information to women and children escaping domestic violence.
Phone: (03) 9413 6500
Website →
Rainbow Door
Rainbow Door is an LGBTIQA+ support service providing support with issues that include family and intimate partner violence (including elder abuse), alcohol and other drugs, relationship issues, sexual assault, suicidal thoughts, social isolation, mental health and wellbeing.
Phone: 1800 729 367 or text 0480 017 246
Website →
Safe Steps
Safe Steps is a state-wide Family Violence Response Centre that provide a 24/7 support service for women and children experiencing violence.
Phone: 1800 015 188
Website →
For support for people with disabilities →
Sexual Assault Crisis Line
The Sexual Assault Crisis Line Victoria (SACL) is a state-wide, after-hours (5pm-9am), confidential, telephone crisis counselling service for people who have experienced both past and recent sexual assault.
Phone:1800 806 292
Website →
Women’s Information Referral Exchange (WIRE)
WIRE are a state-wide free information, support and referral service for women, non-binary and gender-diverse people.
Phone: 1300 134 130
Website →
Material/ Financial Aid
DIVRS – Darebin Information, Volunteer & Resource Service
Help with food, paying bills and easing money pains. If you live, work, or study in Darebin, you can call DIVRS and speak with one of the community workers for support.
Phone: 9480 8200
Website →
Good Shepherd’s No Interest Loans
No Interest Loans up to $2000. Available for Back to School expenses, Car Registration, Car Repairs, Household Appliances and more. NHVIC provide this service to anyone living in Victoria.
Website →
National Debt Helpline
Professional financial counsellors provide free and confidential advice on managing debts. The helpline is open from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday.
Phone: 1300 007 007
Website →
Neighbourhood Houses Victoria
Many Neighbourhood Houses offer free community lunches/meals or community pantries. You can use the following website to find those that are nearest to you.
Website →
Red Cross Refugee Financial Assistance
Help and support for refugees, people seeking asylum, people in immigration detention and other migrants in Australia.
Website →
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army offers a range of support options to help with financial difficulties, depending on the nature of your problems including Emergency Relief (Bills, Food & Utilities), Vouchers and Domestic Family Violence relief.
Phone: 03 8873 5288
Websites:
Financial Assistance →
More →
Services Australia Advance Payment
You may get part of your income support payment or Family Tax Benefit (Part A) early. This is an advance payment. You pay it back later out of your payments.
Website →
St Vincent de Paul Society
Services across Victoria that help all kinds of people in need. For more information on the services provided in your state or territory contact their assistance line.
Phone: 13 18 12
Website →
Parenting Support
1800 My Options
For free, confidential, pro-choice information about contraception, pregnancy options and sexual health in Victoria. Available weekdays 9am – 5pm, excluding public holidays.
Phone: 1800 696 784
Website →
After Hours Child Protection Emergency Service
To report concerns about the immediate safety of a child after hours, available 5pm to 9am Monday to Friday and 24 hours on weekends and public holidays.
Phone: 131 278
Kids First
Kids First is an innovative, child-centred organisation that works with and supports families in metropolitan Melbourne.
Phone: +61 3 9450 0900
Website →
Maternal Child Health Line
24-hour telephone support. The telephone line provides over-the-phone information, advice and referral to all families with young children.
Phone: 13 22 29
ParentZone
ParentZone programs cater to all ages and stages, from newborns to teenagers. Programs address the stages and challenges faced by parents including family violence and mental health. Key programs are also offered in multiple languages.
Website →
Pregnancy, Birth and Baby
You can call this hotline to speak to a maternal child health nurse for advice and guidance. Available 7am to midnight, 7 days a week (including public holidays).
Phone: 1800 882 436
Website →
The Orange Door
The Orange Door in your local area can also be an entryway into support for you and your children. Find your local point by visiting this website →
Support for Children and Young People
Bullying No Way
A website with advice and information to support you if you are experiencing bullying.
Website →
Children of Parents with a Mental Illness
It can be hard to cope or understand why your parent acts the way they do. This website can provide some information, resources, and advice.
Website →
Commission for Children and Young People
Email: contact@ccyp.vic.gov.au
Phone: 1300 78 29 78
Website →
EHeadspace
Confidential, free, and secure space where young people (ages 12-25) can speak to a qualified mental health professional, either on the telephone, or through their website. Open 9am-1am, 7 days a week.
Phone: 1800 650 890
Website →
Kids Helpline
Confidential, free service for support and advice with your problems (ages 5-25). Open 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Phone: 1800 551 800
Website →
ReachOut
Have a chat online with a peer worker about life challenges and mental health. There is also information on cultural identity, sexuality, gender, spirituality, physical health problems, negative thinking and self-talk, bullying, and study stress on their website.
Website →
The Brave Program
Free, interactive, and online program to help with feelings of worry and anxiety. For ages 3-17.
Website →
The Butterfly Foundation
Information and support available (online and telephone) for eating disorders, low self-esteem, and body image issues. Open 7 days a week, from 8am to 12am.
Phone: 1800 334 673
Website →
Youth Law Australia
Provide free, confidential legal information & help for young people under 25.
Website →
Employment Support
Fitted for Work
Fitted for Work helps women in Australia to become work ready, gain secure employment, and experience success in their careers.
Website →
Job Access
JobAccess can provide you with all the information you need on disability employment, including Disability Employment Services (DES). JobAccess is the national hub for workplace and employment information for people with disability, employers and service providers.
Website →
Jobs Victoria Mentor Program
A Jobs Victoria Mentor can support you to prepare for work, apply for jobs, prepare for an interview and land a job. A Mentor can also support you during your first six months in the job.
Website →
Jobs Victoria Work and Learning Centres (in Fitzroy)
Work and Learning Centres support people looking for work, especially if you live in or are waiting for public and social housing or you are experiencing homelessness.
Website →
Reconnect
The program assists participants to overcome the barriers preventing them from engaging in education, training and employment and provides support into further study or employment pathways.
Website →
Mental Health and Crisis Support
13YARN
13YARN is an Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders crisis support line. They offer a confidential one-on-one yarning opportunity with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter.
Phone: 13 92 76
Website →
Beyond Blue
Beyond Blue provides mental health information and 24/7 qualified support.
Phone: 1300 224 636
Website →
Care in Mind
Free 24/7 online and phone counselling for people living, working or studying in Melbourne’s northern, central and western suburbs.
Phone: 1300 096 269
Website →
Hayat Line
Hayat Line is a free and confidential crisis support line for Muslims in Australia supporting individuals when experiencing a personal crisis or emotional distress. Operating Monday to Friday 9am-5pm.
Phone: 1300 993 398
Website →
Lifeline
Lifeline are a national charity providing all Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
Phone: 13 11 14
Website →
Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs
Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs can help you with a range of different issues, including lowered mood, anxiety, substance use or addiction, or any distress you may have. The Hubs can also support people to address life stressors such as homelessness, financial difficulties and social isolation.
Phone: 1300 375 330
Website →
Mental Health NDIS Access Support (through NEAMI)
The Mental Health Community Support Services (MHCSS) Intake Service are assisting people with a mental illness to test their eligibility access the NDIS.
Website →
North East Triage Service
For people experiencing a mental health issue or who might be concerned about someone with whom they live, work or to whom they provide care, North East Triage Service is the initial point of contact for information, assessment and referral for mental health 24-hours a day, 7-days a week.
Phone: 1300 859 789
Website →
Open Counselling
Find free and affordable therapy in your local area
Website →
Partners in Wellbeing
Free support and advice to improve your mental health and wellbeing. Please note they do not offer crisis or emergency support. If you or someone you care for needs immediate emergency support, call 000 or Lifeline 13 11 14. Available 9am-10pm weekdays and 9am-5pm weekends.
Phone: 1300 375 330
Website →
Seniors Information Victoria
Seniors Online is a Victorian Government website that aims to be the first port of call online for older Victorians. Seniors Online is an online community filled with useful information for older people in Victoria.
Phone: 1300 135 090
Website →
Suicide Helpline (Victoria)
SuicideLine Victoria is a 24/7 telehealth service that offers free professional phone and online counselling for people living in Victoria.
Phone: 1300 651 251
Website →
Other Health Support
Health services in Melbourne’s north:
13 SICK National Home Doctor Service
13Sick provides after-hours medical care offering bulk-billed GP home visits and telehealth when your regular GP is closed.
Website →
DirectLine
Contact DirectLine for confidential alcohol and drug counselling and referral in Victoria Australia. The service is available 24/7 by phone or online.
Phone: 1800 888 236
Website →
Maternal and Child Health Line
The confidential, 24-hour Maternal and Child Health Line can give you information and advice about the care and health of your child (from birth to school age).
Phone: 13 22 29
Nurse on Call
For free professional health advice with a registered nurse, from anywhere in Victoria, 24 hours a day.
Phone: 1300 606 024
Website →
Poisons Line
Call if someone has been poisoned or has overdosed, made a mistake with medicines or been bitten or stung (24 hours a day, seven days a week).
Phone: 131 126
Priority Primary Care Centres
Priority Primary Care Centres provide care for people with conditions that require urgent attention but not an emergency response.
Find your local centre →
Victorian Virtual Emergency Department
Access emergency care for non-life-threatening emergencies from anywhere in Victoria, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Website →
Disability Support
Ask Izzy Disability Advocate Finder
Search for independent Disability Advocacy providers in your area.
Website →
Carer Gateway
Emotional and practical services and support for carers.
Website →
Disability Advocacy Resource Unit (DARU)
Find an advocate based on your situation
Website →
Disability Gateway
Information and services to help people with disability, their family, friends and carers, to find the support they need in Australia.
Website →
Local Area Coordinators
Local area coordinators (LAC) support people with disability to create and work towards their goals, build capacity to make their own decisions and choices and access the supports they need to live the life they choose. If you are eligible for NDIS, your LAC could talk to you about your current situation, supports, and goals to help develop your plan. The LAC for the Hume Merri-bek and North East region of Melbourne is the Brotherhood of St Laurence.
Phone: 1300 275 634
Website →: https://ndis.bsl.org.au/
Support for Men
Dardi Munwurro
Dardi Munwurro (Strong Spirit) is a specialist Aboriginal family violence service delivering a range of programs as well as 24/7 crisis support.
Phone: 1800 435 799
Website →
MenLines Australia
MensLine Australia is a free telephone and online counselling service offering support for Australian men.
Phone: 1300 78 99 78
Website →
Men’s Referral Service
No to Violence’s free advice line for men who need support around family violence. Translators are available.
Phone: 1300 766 491
Website →
Other
Council of Single Mothers and their Children
CSMC provides specialist support services to single mothers in need, and provides referrals that enable them to plan for the longer term and build a happy and secure home.
Phone: Melbourne Metro – 03 9654 0622; Outside Melbourne – 1300 552 511
Website →
Relationships Australia
A leading provider of relationship support services for individuals, families and communities. We aim to support all people in Australia to achieve positive and respectful relationships.
Phone: 1300 364 277
Website →