Useful Links

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Services

  • Munjuwa Health, Housing & Community Aboriginal Corporation – Community service, housing and health cooperative for First Nations people. Doctor, midwife, diabetic health nurse and sexual health nurse services.
  • 13YARN – Provides 24/7 free, confidential crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Australia, offering a culturally safe environment without judgment.
  • The Nguru Program – Provides culturally appropriate counselling for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members who have experienced sexual assault, along with support for their families.
  • Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services (WNAHCS) – Provides culturally appropriate healthcare services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, including general medical, dental, mental health, alcohol and drug support, chronic disease management, and maternal, child, and men’s health programs.

Aged Care

  • Clinical Care Solutions – Private aged care consulation service
  • Silverchain – Silverchain is a leading not for profit provider of comprehensive in home health and aged care services across Australia for people of all ages.
  • Questcare – Private aged care consulation service

Children

  • Kids Helpline – Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free (even from a mobile), confidential 24/7 online and phone counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25.
  • Child Protection Helpline – The Child Protection Helpline (13 21 11) is a 24/7 telephone service that receives information from reporters and undertakes assessment of information on child protection concerns.

Domestic Violence

Drugs, Alcohol and other addictions

  • Alcohol and Other Drugs Information Service (ADIS) – ADIS provides 24 hour 7 day a week telephone counselling, support, referrals and information for those affected by alcohol or other drugs. ADIS counsellors are trained to work with people who are concerned about their own alcohol and drug use, as well as callers who are concerned about their family or friends. ADIS is a free service which is available to all residents of NSW
  • Australian Injecting & Illicit Drug Users League – Peak organisation representing individuals who use illicit drugs, focused on harm reduction, hepatitis C programs, and policy advocacy
  • CAHMA (Canberra Alliance for Harm Minimisation and Advocacy) – Provides services and programs to support the health and human rights of people who use drugs and drug treatment services.
  • Canberra Recovery Services – Provides residential rehabilitation and community-based programs for adults with substance use or gambling, issues. Services include individual case planning, group support, career training, and social activities to support long-term recovery.
  • Directions Health Services – A not-for-profit organisation providing a range of free, integrated services and programs for individuals, family members, and friends impacted by alcohol, tobacco, other drug use, mental health, and other complex health issues in the ACT and regional NSW.
  • Drug and Alcohol Treatment Services Queanbeyan (The Kilard Centre) – Offers assessment, counselling, education groups, community outreach, and access to specialised alcohol and drug services for people aged 18 and over
  • Family Drug Support – Provides up-to-date information on all aspects of alcohol and drug use for the families of people who use substances.
  • GambleAware – Provides confidential support, counselling, and information for individuals affected by gambling.
  • Karralika Programs Inc – Provides a range of alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs, including residential and community-based services.
  • Lesley’s Place – A short-stay 12-week program offering support to women at the beginning of their recovery who have completed a substance withdrawal. Children welcome.
  • Marzenna House – Offers medium-term accommodation for women (with or without children) who have maintained abstinence from alcohol and other drugs and are actively engaged in recovery strategies.
  • National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline – ADIS counsellors are trained to assist individuals concerned about their own or others’ alcohol and drug use
  • Queanbeyan AOD Hub – Provides free, confidential support for individuals at risk of harm from alcohol and other drugs, including counselling, case management, mental health and AOD support, peer and cultural support, and wellbeing groups.
  • Toora Alcohol and Other Drugs Services – Provides free support for women who are pre-, during, and post-withdrawal. Offers information, education, advocacy, referral, and practical and emotional support, with residential and outreach services available

Disability and Accesibilty Services

  • EACH – How we help: Every child develops differently and getting support early makes a real difference. We’re here to help if you have concerns about your child’s development or disability support needs. We support families to: – understand your child’s development – find the right support services – build skills to support your child – connect with your local community – apply for NDIS if needed – Online referral form.
  • National Disability Advocacy Program – The Disability Gateway helps people with disability, their families and carers find the information, services and support they need in Australia.
  • ORS Fyshwick – ORS has been in the business of making a difference to people with disability and injuries for over 30 years! We provide a range of allied health and workplace rehabilitation services across key industries such as the NDIS, workers’ compensation, health, injury prevention and aged care.
  • Richmond Fellowship ACT – As part of this international network since 1976, Richmond Fellowship in the Australian Capital Territory, provides: NDIS Supported Independent Living – Residential Recovery Program, NDIS Support Coordination and Recovery Coaching, NDIS Peer Mentoring and group activities.
  • The Social Connectors Queanbeyan/ACT – The Social Connectors is a therapy service based in the Queanbeyan/ACT region comprising of an Occupational Therapist, Speech Pathologist and Specialist Educators.

Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Support

  • 1800 RESPECT – 1800RESPECT is available for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to support people impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence.
  • Canberra Rape Crisis Centre – Free confidential crisis, counselling and advocacy support for children, young people, and adults who have experienced any form of sexual violence recently or in the past, and their supporters.
  • Domestic Violence Crisis Service – Provides emergency and long-term support, advice, and resources for those affected by
  • domestic and family violence in the ACT. Services are available to children, young people, and adults.
  • Family Advocacy and Support Services (FASS) – ACT – A free service providing legal and social support for families affected by family violence involved in family law matters
  • Full Stop Australia: NSW Sexual Violence Helpline – Provides 24-hour telephone and online crisis counselling for anyone in NSW who has experienced or is at risk of sexual violence, family or domestic violence, and their nonoffending supporters.
  • Legal Aid ACT’s Family Violence and Personal Protection Unit – Provides free legal support for individuals in the ACT who have safety concerns, with domestic and family violence lawyers available at the ACT Magistrates Court every weekday.
  • Louisa Domestic Violence Service – A Specialist Homelessness Service providing support to women, men, and children
  • experiencing domestic and family violence. Offers refuge accommodation (up to 3 months) for women and children only, and transitional housing (12-18 months) for all individuals escaping violence.
  • Queanbeyan Sexual Assault Service – Offers confidential counselling and support services to individuals who have experienced sexual assault, including guidance on medical, legal, and police services, as well as therapeutic counselling for non-offending family members and friends.
  • SAMSSA (Service Assisting Male Survivors of Sexual Assault) – A support service for male survivors of sexual assault, aged 16 and over, including their supporters. Services include telephone and face-to-face counselling, advocacy, referrals, group support, and community education. *Male offenders are not eligible.
  • Staying Home Leaving Violence – This program supports women and children who are experiencing domestic and family violence, to remain safely in their home, or in a home of their choice, free from violence. SHLV can assist women and children after separation from a violent, abusive partner, including safety assessments and safety planning, security equipment, case management, free confidential support, emotional support, services to children, advocacy.
  • Toora Domestic Violence and Homelessness Services – Supports women with complex issues including domestic violence, homelessness, drug use, and mental health problems.
  • The Nguru Program – Provides culturally appropriate counselling for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members who have experienced sexual assault, along with support for their families.

Food Assistance

  • Anglicare Food Fair – Offers affordable groceries to individuals and families experiencing hardship. Memberships are available with a small sign-up fee, and applicants must have a Centrelink card, a Health Care Card, or a proven low income.
  • Meals on Wheels Queanbeyan Inc – Provides home-delivered meals five days a week, offering nutritional support and social contact for older adults, people with disabilities, and carers.
  • St Benedict’s Community Centre – Food assistance available on Monday Tuesday Wednesday Friday 10am-1pm and Saturday 330pm-4pm
  • Phils Emporium Food Hub – Servicing those in the Bungendore community and immediate surround, the food hub helps with access to food for those who might be financially challenged.

General Welfare and Support Services

  • Blue Door (Ainslie Village) – Blue Door, located within Ainslie Village, provides support such as clothing, bedding, furniture, hygiene supplies, life skills training, and advocacy.
  • Braidwood Life Centre – Provides information, referrals, advocacy, and emergency relief, including food supplies and vouchers, fuel, gas, and firewood. Offers outreach support and activities to foster community connection.
  • Early Morning Centre (EMC) – Offers a free, hot nutritious breakfast five days a week. Provides essential services such as showers, lockers, internet access, healthcare services, and accommodation support.
  • Marymead CatholicCare – Canberra & Goulburn Support services and counselling provided for personal issues, marriage, and families. Mediation services available. Also offers disability services and family support, youth and mental health services, aged care services, and homelessness services including outreach.
  • St Benedict’s Community Centre – Food assistance available on Monday Tuesday Wednesday Friday 10am-1pm and Saturday 330pm-4pm
  • St Vincent de Paul Society Canberra/Goulburn Vinnies supports people experiencing disadvantage in the ACT and surrounding regions. Services include crisis support, youth programs, residential homelessness services, disability services, drug and alcohol services, and various other support programs.
  • The Salvation Army Queanbeyan Offers the Community Connect Café program every Thursday from 11pm to 1pm. This program provides a welcoming space for community members to access social support and essential services. Partnering with OzHarvest for free food hampers and community free lunches.
  • Vinnies Night Patrol – Operates 364 nights of the year, providing light refreshments, blankets, sleeping bags and hygiene items like soap and body wash, dental care products, sunscreen and shaving items. Swags can be arranged upon request, under the condition of one per person.
  • Vinnies Roadhouse Provides a food engagement program from the Griffin Centre in Civic, offering a hot evening meal, material aid, support, and referral. Open to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness and social isolation.
  • YWCA Canberra – Delivers over 28 programs across 20 ACT locations, including community services, housing, youth services, children’s services, advocacy training, and women’s leadership programs.

Health Services & Hospitals

  • ACT Department of Health – Provides health information, resources, and services across the ACT. Offers support for hospital, ambulance, and community health needs, alongside publications for health professionals and the general public.
  • Braidwood Multipurpose Service – A small, regional public hospital with aged care services, and a drug and alcohol unit. Other services include community health, counselling services, women’s health, dietician, specialists, speech therapy, and nursing home care.
  • Canberra Hospital
  • Chat to PAT – PAT (Pathways to Assistance and Treatment) provides an array of support including medical, nursing, counselling, and mental health services. All services are completely confidential.
  • Eating Disorders Clinical Hub (Canberra Health Services) – A centralised referral system streamlining access to public care for individuals with eating disorders. The Hub connects people to appropriate treatment, offers support and advice, and provides training for health professionals working in this area.
  • Queanbeyan District Hospital
  • Southern NSW Local Health District – Manages healthcare services in Southern NSW, including hospitals, mental health, and drug and alcohol services. Works to connect the local community with essential health services and address public health concerns.

Men

  • Captains Flat Mens Community Shed Inc – A community group providing a space for men to engage in various activities and projects.
  • Braidwood Men’s Shed – Offers a space for men to socialise, engage in activities, and improve overall well-being through various projects.
  • Men’s Shed – Bungendore Men’s Shed is an inclusive social place for men from all walks of life and wide variety of ages. the Shed has been operating since 2009.
  • MensLine Australia – MensLine Australia is a free telephone and online counselling service offering support for Australian men anywhere, anytime.

Mental Health

  • Black Dog Institute – Better : Mental Health
  • Headspace Queanbeyan – a youth-friendly, free mental health service for anyone aged between 12 and 25 that is having a tough time, or would just like to improve their health and wellbeing.
  • Lifeline – a national charity providing all Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
  • Beyond Blue – This website has been established to provide information about anxiety, depression and suicide to the Australian community.
  • SANE – For people with recurring, persistent or complex mental health issues and trauma, and for their families, friends and communities.
  • Picking Up the Peaces – Raising Awareness About PTSD
  • MensLine Australia – MensLine Australia is a free telephone and online counselling service offering support for Australian men anywhere, anytime.
  • Flourish Australia – Queanbeyan Assists people with mental illness, providing support for housing, service connection, and community involvement to promote social inclusion and recovery.
  • Mental Health Foundation ACT – Offers choice and control for individuals with mental health needs, providing programs like psychosocial rehabilitation, outreach, supported accommodation, and more.
  • NSW Family and Carer Mental Health Program – Supports carers of individuals with mental illness, offering emotional support, advocacy, education, and referrals.
  • NSW Mental Health Line – A 24/7 phone service linking individuals with NSW Health mental health services, free for all users.
  • One Door Mental Health Family and Carer Program – One Door Mental Health Queanbeyan provides free support for families and carers of those with struggling with their mental health. This includes face to face emotional support, advocacy, referral service, education and groups support.
  • Suicide Call Back Service – A free nationwide service providing 24-hour phone and online counselling to people affected by suicide.

Parenting Services

  • Braidwood Lactation Consultant – Experienced International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) offering Antenatal and Postnatal breastfeeding support and education packages. Home visits and virtual appointments available.
  • Early Parenting Counselling (Canberra Health Services) – Available to all parents and caregivers in the ACT with children aged up to 5 years old. Offers counselling and therapeutic interventions for families experiencing emotional, social, and psychological difficulties impacting family wellbeing.
  • Parentline ACT – Parentline ACT offers free, confidential counselling and support services to all parents and carers in the ACT and surrounds via telephone. No appointment necessary.
  • Parentline NSW – Telephone counselling, information, and referral service for parents or carers of children aged 0 to 18 in NSW.
  • Parent Pathways – Sureway Parent Pathways is a voluntary service that provides personalised assistance and financial support to eligible parents and carers of children up to the age of 6 years. Parent Pathways is about parents and carers and their individual needs. With the help of a qualified mentor, you can receive flexible support to assist with any personal, study or work goals.

Patient Educational Information

  • Dementia Australia – Whether you’re living with dementia, caring for someone, seeking information or training, supporting the cause, or contributing to research, we’re here for you.
  • Patient.info – handy patient-focussed guides for almost any medical condition
  • Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne – Kids Health Fact Sheets – information for parents about many common paediatric illnesses
  • Canberra Blind Society – Canberra Blind Society provides information, services and assistance to people who are blind or have a vision impairment in Canberra and the local region
  • National Immunisation Register Schedule – Learn how and when you should receive your immunisation vaccines.

Senior Services

  • 1800 ELDERHelp – A national elder abuse phone line that automatically directs callers to their relevant state or territory service. In the ACT, calls are forwarded to the Older Persons ACT Legal Service (OPALS), while in NSW, they are directed to the NSW Ageing and Disability Abuse Helpline.
  • Council on the Ageing (COTA) NSW – COTA NSW is a peak body representing people aged 50+ in NSW, providing advocacy, resources, and programs for quality aging.
  • Meridian – Meridian is a community-controlled, peer-led organisation that provides free, friendly and inclusive Healthy Ageing support and connection with the Care Finder and Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS) programs.
  • National Dementia Helpline Provides information and advice to people living with dementia, their family and carers. Connections can also be made to community support services and programs, and government support.
  • Older Persons ACT Legal Service (OPALS) A specialist service within Legal Aid ACT providing legal help to older people in Canberra regarding elder abuse, powers of attorney, guardianship, and financial arrangements with family.
  • Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) Supports people to understand and exercise their care rights and choices, including situations of elder abuse.

Veterans

  • Soldier On – Soldier On is a not-for-profit organisation delivering holistic support services that enable current and former Australian Defence Force personnel, and their families, to lead meaningful civilian lives. Soldier On offers free support services, programs, and activities to registered participants.
  • RSL Lifecare Queanbeyan Veteran & Family Hub – A veteran-centric program of health, wellbeing and support services to help veteran families thrive.

Youth, Teenagers & Young Adults

  • Reach Out – A safe place to chat anonymously, get support, and feel better.
  • Barnardos Australia – Southern NSW Barnardos Southern NSW is made up of several different programs run out of different offices in the Southern NSW Region.
  • T25 Clinic – T25 Clinic is a free, nurse-led health and wellbeing service. Provided in a safe and confidential space. This service is entirely free and operates on a walk-in basis. Parents, guardians and friends are also welcome to accompany you to the clinic if you want them to be there.
  • Crisis Youth Refuge Queanbeyan – Provides emergency and short-term accommodation for young people at risk of homelessness.
  • Get Back in the Game – Queanbeyan Palerang & Snowy Mountains Mentorship and support for young people to re-engage in education, training, or employment using tailored transition plans.
  • headspace Queanbeyan – Offers support for young people aged 12 to 25, including mental health, physical health, alcohol and other drug services, and work and study support. eheadspace is available for online support from 9am to 1am AEDT.
  • Kids Helpline – Qualified counsellors provide urgent assistance and ongoing support for individuals aged 5 to 25 through online and phone services.
  • Menslink – Supports young men aged 10-25 in the Canberra region with free counselling, education programs, and mentoring.
  • MindMap – MindMap Youth Navigators connect ACT residents aged 6 to 24 to local mental health services. Clinical Youth Navigators may provide free counselling while clients wait for other services
  • PCYC Queanbeyan – Provides a broad range of indoor sports activities and community programs, focusing on youth.
  • Terry Campese Foundation – Provides mentoring services for young people. The TCF Youth program supports and guides young people through a 20-week mentoring program