Counselling and support
Beyond Blue
Provides information and support to people affected by anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts, for the cost of a local call.
1300 224 636, available 24/7.
Webchat available 24/7.
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
Griefline
Free and confidential counselling for anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one.
1300 845 745, Monday to Sunday, 6am to midnight.
Kids Helpline
Free (even from a mobile) and confidential counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25.
1800 551 800, available 24/7.
Webchat available 24/7.
Lifeline
Provides crisis support and suicide prevention services to people experiencing emotional distress.
Tel: 13 11 14, available 24/7.
SMS: 0477 131 114, available 24/7.
Webchat available 24/7.
Nurse-On-Call
Free health advice from a registered nurse.
1300 606 024, available 24/7.
https://www.health.vic.gov.au/primary-care/nurse-on-call
Parentline
Telephone counselling and support service for Victorian parents and carers of children, with experienced social workers, psychologists and family therapists.
132 289, Monday to Sunday, 8am to midnight.
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/serviceprofiles/parentline-service
Court and dispute services
Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria
Free dispute resolution services across Victoria with a focus on residential tenancy conflicts. Provides mediators for disputes involving fencing, trees, planning, drainage and water run-off, and other issues.
1300 372 888, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
https://www.disputes.vic.gov.au/
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
Deals with cases involving family law, migration, and federal law matters.
1300 352 000, Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm.
Webchat (when available) open from 8.45am (excluding national public holidays).
Magistrates’ Court of Victoria
The first level of the Victorian justice system, hearing most matters that reach court. Sits in 51 locations across the state.
https://www.mcv.vic.gov.au/ to find the courthouse closest to you.
https://fvio.mcv.vic.gov.au/ for information on applying for a Family Violence Intervention Order.
Supreme Court of Victoria
The highest court in Victoria, dealing with the most serious criminal and civil cases.
(03) 8600 2000, Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm.
https://www.supremecourt.vic.gov.au/
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT)
Resolves disputes and hears cases. Has a dedicated list for disputes between tenants and residential rental providers.
1300 018 228, Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.30pm (excluding public holidays).
Emergency
Dial 000 if you are in need of immediate assistance.
VicEmergency Hotline
A real-time emergency tracking website that provides information about major incidents in Victoria including floods, storms, fires, earthquakes, tsunami, beach closures, shark sightings and more. You can also access preparedness and recovery information related to disasters.
1800 226 226, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
http://www.emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/
Employment
Fair Work Commission
Australia’s workplace tribunal which hears disputes relating to unfair dismissal, bullying, redundancy, awards, industrial action, and more.
1300 799 675, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
0438 244 996 for out of hours contact regarding urgent industrial action applications only.
Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman conducts workplace investigations and will also provide information about workplace entitlements and your rights and responsibilities at work.
13 13 94, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5.30pm (excluding public holidays).
JobWatch
An independent, not-for-profit community legal centre that provides Victorian employees with information about their workplace rights.
1800 331 617 (Regional) Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, Wednesday until 8.30pm.
(03) 9662 1933 (Metro) Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, Wednesday until 8.30pm.
WorkSafe Victoria
Victoria’s workplace health and safety regulator. Provides support to people injured in workplace accidents.
1800 136 089 (Advisory line), Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 6.30pm.
13 23 60 (Emergency line), available 24/7.
https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/
Environment/Rural
Country Fire Authority (CFA)
Volunteer and community-based fire and emergency services organisation. Provides advice about developing fire plans as well as fire safety, fire behaviour, incident management, and community preparation.
https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/contact for the contact details of your region's District Headquarters.
Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
Combines climate change, energy, environment, water, forests, planning and emergency management functions. Can be contacted for information about bushfire recovery.
13 61 86, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF)
An advocacy group and association for farmers in Victoria. Provides employment-related information for the farming sector, including on industrial relations, employment services, OH&S, and farm safety.
1300 882 833, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Government services
Centrelink
Government provider of social, health and child support services and payments.
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/phone-us?context=26266 for a list of Centrelink contact numbers.
Department of Fairness, Families and Housing (DFFH)
Connects people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or escaping family violence with services close to them that can provide crisis accommodation.
1800 825 955, available 24/7.
https://services.dffh.vic.gov.au/getting-help
Department of Human Services (DHS)
Provides payments and support to people going through a crisis or recovering from a disaster.
180 22 66 (Emergency information line), Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm.
132 316 (Farmer assistance), Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm.
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/crisis-and-special-help?context=60042
Disaster Assist
Provides financial assistance to Australians impacted by current or previous disasters either in Australia or overseas. Also provides up-to-date information, relevant free-call numbers, information on Australian Government assistance packages and links to other relevant websites.
https://www.disasterassist.gov.au/
Victorian Building Authority
Building and plumbing industry regulator.
1300 815 127, Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm.
Victorian Storm and Flood Recovery Hotline
Victorians impacted by the June 2021 storms and floods can call this hotline for assistance with registering for clean-up of structures on private property, accessing a recovery support worker, mental health and well-being support, or financial counselling and information on available payments.
1800 560 760, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (excluding public holidays).
Family and children
Family Relationship Centres
Provides information and counselling to families, including mediation and dispute resolution.
1800 050 321 (Advice line), Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, Saturday 10am to 4pm (excluding public holidays).
https://www.familyrelationships.gov.au/
Services Australia (Child Support)
Provides payments and services to assist with raising a child.
131 272 (Child support), Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.45pm.
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/
Family violence
No To Violence – Men’s Referral Service
Support for men who would like to change their behaviour and for people concerned about other men’s behaviour.
1300 766 491, Monday to Friday 8am to 9pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am to 6pm.
Webchat (when available).
Safe Steps
Provides telephone crisis counselling, referrals, information and support for people impacted by family violence.
1800 015 188 (Family violence response line), available 24/7.
Webchat available Monday to Friday, 9am to midnight.
Finance and Insurance
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)
A regulatory body that ensures individuals and businesses comply with Australian competition, fair trading, and consumer protection laws. Also regulates national infrastructure services.
1300 302 502, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (excluding public holidays).
Webchat available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (excluding public holidays).
Australian Financial Complaints Authority
Dispute resolution for the financial services industry, covering consumer complaints about credit, finance and loans, insurance, banking deposits and payments, investments and financial advice, and superannuation.
1800 931 678, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
National entity in charge of taxation.
13 28 61 (Individual enquiries), Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
13 28 66 (Business enquiries), Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
1800 806 218 (Emergency support line for disaster assistance), Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
Consumer Action Law Centre
Legal advice and financial counselling for vulnerable people in Australia.
1800 466 477, Monday to Friday, 10am to 1pm, (closed Tuesday mornings).
(03) 9629 6300, Monday to Friday, 10am to 1pm, (closed Tuesday mornings).
Webchat (when available).
https://consumeraction.org.au/
Consumer Affairs Victoria
Part of the state government’s Department of Justice and Community Safety, responsible for enforcing compliance with consumer laws and mediating disputes between consumers and businesses, and tenants and landlords.
1300 558 181, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (excluding public holidays).
https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/
Financial Counselling Victoria
Professional association for financial counsellors in Victoria, providing resources and support to financial counsellors.
(03) 9663 2000, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Insurance Council of Australia
The representative body for the general insurance industry of Australia. Assists people who have been involved in a severe weather event and cannot remember who their insurer is or who have lost their insurance papers.
See https://insurancecouncil.com.au/consumers/help-in-disasters/ if you have been affected by a disaster and need help finding your insurance provider.
1300 884 934, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
https://insurancecouncil.com.au/
Insurance Law Service
Legal advice in relation to insurance problems for people under financial stress.
1300 663 464, Monday to Friday, 10am to 1pm.
National Debt Helpline
Free financial counselling and help with dealing with debt.
1800 007 007, Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4.30pm.
Webchat (when available).
Rural Finance
Oversees the administration of federal and state government rural funding programs, including Natural Disaster Relief Schemes.
1800 260 425, Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm (excluding public holidays).
https://www.ruralfinance.com.au/
State Revenue Office
Victorian government revenue management agency responsible for administering state tax law and collecting taxes, duties, and levies.
132 161, Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm (excluding public holidays).
State Trustees
Victorian Government-owned company providing administration, trustee, and estate-related services.
1300 138 672, Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm.
https://www.statetrustees.com.au/
Insurers
Allianz
Insurance provider with package types including business, car, CTP, home, landlord, travel, life, boat, and caravan.
1800 010 075 (Emergency), available 24/7.
13 10 13 (Claims), Monday to Friday 8am to 6.30pm, Saturday 8am to 5pm.
CGU Insurance
A commercial, rural and personal lines insurer that includes packages for car and vehicle, home and contents, travel, lifestyle, and business insurance.
13 24 81 (General), Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm.
13 24 80 (Claims), Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm.
GIO
Provides car and vehicle, home and contents, and business insurance. Part of the Suncorp network.
13 10 10, Monday to Sunday, 8am to 10pm, (excluding public holidays).
OnePath (formerly ING Insurance)
Superannuation and insurance provider that has packages for life cover, trauma cover, total and permanent disability cover, child cover, income protection cover, and living expense cover.
133 667 (Insurance purchased through a provider), Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 6pm.
132 062 (Insurance purchased through OnePath), Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
QBE Insurance
Provides car and vehicle, home and contents, and business insurance. If you are insured via an insurance broker and your claim is during business hours, you should contact your insurance broker before contacting QBE.
13 37 23 (Claims), available 24/7.
RACV Insurance
Provides insurance packages including car, boat, home, and caravan cover, as well as emergency roadside assistance and emergency home assist.
13 19 03 (Claims).
13 11 11 (Roadside assist).
13 46 63 (Emergency home assist).
Suncorp Metway Ltd
A banking provider that offers home loans and credit cards, as well as insurance and superannuation packages.
13 25 24 (Claims), available 24/7.
Legal
Federation of Community Legal Centres
The organising body for community legal centres. Community legal centres provide free or low-cost legal advice. To find your local community legal centre go to https://www.fclc.org.au/find_a_community_legal_centre.
Justice Connect
Provides free legal help in certain situations, including for people experiencing homelessness and for small businesses, farms and other primary producers affected by floods, cyclones and bushfires. Apply online for help at https://help.justiceconnect.org.au/
https://justiceconnect.org.au/
Law Institute of Victoria
The peak body for the Victorian legal profession, representing 19,000 lawyers and people working in the law state-wide. Call the Law Institute of Victoria's Legal Referral Service for referral to a lawyer near you who will provide up to the first 30 minutes of the consultation free of charge.
(03) 9607 9550, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
https://www.liv.asn.au/find-a-lawyer
Social Security Rights Victoria
Specialist social security law advice for the general public, as well as for lawyers and community workers who are assisting their clients with Centrelink matters.
(03) 9481 0355 (Metro), Monday to Friday, 9am to 1pm, 2pm to 5pm.
1800 094 164 (Regional), Monday to Friday, 9am to 1pm, 2pm to 5pm.
Victoria Legal Aid
Provides free legal information over the phone and legal advice and representation in courts and tribunals.
1300 792 387, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
Webchat available Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
https://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/
Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service
Provides free legal information and assistance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. An after-hours service is provided with all calls diverted to a rostered on-call Client Services Officer.
1800 064 865, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Tenancy
Consumer Affairs Victoria
State government body that can mediate disputes between tenants and landlords. To access the section for renters, visit https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/housing/renting
1300 558 181, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/
Energy and Water Ombudsman Victoria
Free and independent dispute resolution service for complaints about energy and water providers.
1800 500 509, Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm (excluding public holidays).
Webchat available Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm (excluding public holidays).
Residential Tenancy Bond Authority (RTBA)
Statutory authority of the state government that holds all Victorian residential tenancy bonds, including for long-term caravans and rooming houses. Claims for bond refunds can be organised through the website.
1300 137 164, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (excluding public holidays).
https://rentalbonds.vic.gov.au/
Tenants Victoria
A specialist community legal centre that promotes and protects the rights of tenants in Victoria. Provides advice and information about tenancy laws.
(03) 9416 2577 (Advice line), Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 1.30pm (excluding public holidays).
1800 068 860 (Social housing tenants), Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm (excluding public holidays).
Tenancy Plus Support Program
Tenancy Plus aims to prevent homelessness and supports renters, including community housing renters, to remain in housing.
https://www.housing.vic.gov.au/tenancy-plus-support-program
Victorian Small Business Commission
Provides support for tenants and landlords in response to COVID-19, including mediation and negotiation assistance.
Translation and hearing impaired services
Hearing impaired – National Relay Service (NRS)
A free service, available 24/7, that assists people who are deaf or have a speech or hearing impediment with making phone calls.
To access a standard, mobile, 1300, or 1900 DSS number using the service, call 133 677 (TTY) or 1300 555 727 (Speak and listen) and ask to be put through to the phone number you wish to contact.
To access a 1800 DSS number using the service, call 1800 555 677 (TTY) or 1800 555 727 (Speak and listen) and ask to be put through to the phone number you wish to contact.
https://nrschat.nrscall.gov.au/nrs/internetrelay
Interpreters – Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS)
An over-the-phone interpreting service provided by the government for people who do not speak English. This service is free, or the cost of a local call, depending on the organisation you wish to be contact with the aid of an interpreter.
131 450, available 24/7.
https://www.tisnational.gov.au/
Utilities
Energy and Water Ombudsman Victoria
An independent and free service that resolves complaints against electricity, gas and water companies in Victoria.
1800 500 509, Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm (excluding public holidays).
Essential Services Commission
An independent regulator that monitors essential service providers with respect to price, quality, and reliability.
(03) 9032 1300, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
1300 664 969, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman
An independent and free service that resolves complaints against phone and internet service providers in Victoria.
1800 062 058, Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm.
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