Help and support

Sharing your experiences can be distressing, so you may wish to talk to an experienced support service for further help. On this page, you will also find contact details for services that can offer support or help you make a complaint or report.

Human rights complaints for people in prison

Victorian Ombudsman
Investigates breaches of human rights in Victoria including for people in prison.
Phone (03) 9613 6222
Website ombudsman.vic.gov.au

Integrity and corruption reports

Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC)
Investigates serious corruption in the Victorian Public Sector.
Phone 1300 735 135
Email info@ibac.vic.gov.au
Website ibac.vic.gov.au

Discrimination and sexual harassment complaints and support

Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission
Investigates complaints about discrimination and human rights breaches in Victoria.
Phone 1300 292 153
Email enquiries@veohrc.vic.gov.au
Website humanrights.vic.gov.au

Australian Human Rights Commission
Investigates complaints about discrimination and human rights breaches from in all parts of Australia.
Phone 1300 656 419
Website humanrights.gov.au

Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT)
Manages cases of unlawful discrimination, sexual harassment, victimisation or vilification.
Phone 1300 018 228
Website vcat.vic.gov.au

Workplace bullying and other workplace claims

WorkSafe Victoria
Regulates workplace bullying and other workplace safety issues in Victoria.
Advice: 1800 136 089
Emergencies: 13 23 60
Website worksafe.vic.gov.au/bullying-workplace

Fair Work Commission
Deals with workplace relations matters, including anti-bullying claims.
Phone 1300 799 675
Website fwc.gov.au

Fair Work Ombudsman
Support to understand workplace rights and responsibilities in Australia.
Phone 13 13 94
Website fairwork.gov.au

Reporting crimes

Victoria Police
To report alleged crimes and emergencies.
Assistance 131 444
Emergency 000
Website police.vic.gov.au

Union support

Community and Public Sector Union 
Represents workers to ensure they are safe at work and have fair rights, pay and conditions.
Phone 1300 137 636
Website cpsu.org.au/contact

Victorian Trades Hall Council
Union group focused on advancing workplace gender equality and the rights and safety of working women.
Phone (03) 9659 3533
Website unionwomen.org.au

Legal support and advice

Victoria Legal Aid
Free legal services to support people with legal problems including people in prisons.
Phone 1300 792 387
Website legalaid.vic.gov.au

Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service
Free legal information, referrals, advice and casework assistance for Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples on a range of legal issues.
Phone (03) 9418 5999 or 1800 064 865 (toll free)
Website vals.org.au

Djirra
Culturally safe and accessible family violence and legal services for Aboriginal people.
Phone 1800 105 303
Website djirra.org.au

Disability Discrimination Legal Service
Victorian independent community legal centre that specialises in disability discrimination legal matters.
Phone (03) 9654 8644
Website ddlsaustralia.org

Fitzroy Legal Service
A free legal advice service, run each evening from Fitzroy Town Hall.
Phone 9419 3744
Website fls.org.au

St Kilda Legal Service
Free legal assistance for people living in Port Phillip, Stonnington and Bayside.
Phone (03) 7037 3200
Website skls.org.au

Law and Advocacy Centre for Women
Advice on criminal matters bail applications and options for victims of crime.
Phone 03 9448 8930
Email info@lacw.org.au
Website lacw.com.au

Crisis and general mental health support

Lifeline
24-hour telephone crisis support for mental health support and emotional assistance.
Phone 13 11 14
Website lifeline.org.au

Beyond Blue
24-hour free information and support to help people work through mental health issues.
Phone 1300 224 636
Website beyondblue.org.au

Suicide Call Back Service
A nationwide service providing 24/7 telephone and online counselling to people affected by suicide (including if you are feeling suicidal, worried about someone or have lost someone to suicide).
Phone 1300 659 467
Website suicidecallbackservice.org.au

Headspace ‘Connect with a Clinician’
National youth mental health foundation with clinicians available.
Phone 1800 650 890
Website headspace.org.au/eheadspace/connect-with-a-clinician

Blue Knott Foundation
Counselling for people who have experiences childhood trauma including child sexual abuse; and support for people with a disability who have experienced abuse, neglect, violence or exploitation.
Phone 1300 657 380
Website blueknot.org.au

Women's counselling and support services

1800 Respect
24-hour sexual assault and domestic violence counselling and support service.
Phone 1800RESPECT (1800 737 7327)
Website 1800respect.org.au

WIRE 24-hour Women’s Support Line
Free support, referral and information for Victorian women, non-binary and gender-diverse people.
Phone 1300 134 130
Website wire.org.au

Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA)
Confidential support and intervention for victim-survivors of sexual assault or sexual harassment.
Phone 1800 806 292
Website sacl.com.au

Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health Information Line
Telephone service specifically for women from migrant and refugee backgrounds on health topics including women’s health, occupational health, and safety (including sexual harassment), and women’s safety and wellbeing.
Phone 1800 656 421

Men’s counselling and support services

Mensline
National phone and online support service for men that includes video counselling.
Phone 1300 789 978
Website mensline.org.au

LGBTIQ counselling and support services

Switchboard (for LGBTIQ people)
Peer-driven support services for LGBTIQ people, and their families, allies and communities
Phone 1800 184 527
Website switchboard.org.au

Q Life
Australia-wide anonymous, LGBTI peer support and referral for people wanting to talk about a range of issues including sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships.
Phone 1800 184 527
Website qlife.org.au

WIRE 24 hours Women’s Support Line
Free support, referral and information for Victorian women, non-binary and gender-diverse people.
Phone 1300 134 130
Website wire.org.au

Aboriginal services

Victorian Aboriginal Health Service
A dedicated health service to address the specific medical needs of Victorian Indigenous communities.
Phone (03) 9403 3300
Free 24-hour counselling 1800 959 563
Email ysns@vahs.org.au

National Indigenous Postvention Service
Supports individuals, families, and communities affected by suicide or other significant trauma.
Phone 1800 805 801
Website thirrili.com.au/postvention-support

Brother to Brother 24-Hour Crisis Line
Phone support for Aboriginal men who need someone to talk to. Staffed by Aboriginal men including Elders.
Phone 1800 435 799
Website dardimunwurro.com.au/brother-to-brother

Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service
Free legal information, referrals, advice and casework assistance for Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples on a range of legal issues.
Phone (03) 9418 5999 or 1800 064 865 (toll free)
Website vals.org.au

Djirra
Culturally safe and accessible family violence and legal services for Aboriginal people.
Phone 1800 105 303
Website djirra.org.au

Please call 000 if you have been assaulted or need emergency help.