Support services
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1800 Respect
The national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service. They provide support for people experiencing, or at the risk of experiencing, violence and abuse, their friends and family, and professionals. They are a confidential service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Phone: 1800 737 732
- Website: 1800respect.org.au
GenWest
GenWest is a family violence support service. GenWest also deliver programs that support communities to lead safe and healthy lives. GenWest supports people based in Melbourne’s west. This includes women, LGBTIQA+ folk, First Nations peoples, people with a disability, migrant and refugee communities, children, young people and older people.
- Phone: 1800 436 937
- Website: genwest.org.au
- Location: 317-319 Barkly St, Footscray (Open in Google maps)
inTouch
A state-wide specialist family violence service that works with women from migrant and refugee backgrounds, their families and their communities in Victoria. They provide case management to women, training, conduct research, and run community-based projects in order to address the issue of family violence in the community.
Note: If you are experiencing abuse and need a translator, please call TIS on 131 450 and ask them to call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, or Safe Steps on 1800 015 188. Both services are open 24 hours.
- Phone: 1800 755 988
- Website: intouch.org.au
Safe Steps
Victoria’s 24/7 family violence response centre. They provide specialist support services for anyone in Victoria who is experiencing or afraid of family violence.
- Phone: 1800 015 188
- Website: safesteps.org.au
The Orange Door
The Orange Door is a free service for adults, children and young people who are experiencing or have experienced family violence, and families who need extra support with the care of children.
If you would like to refer yourself or someone else to family violence support services, visit the Orange Door website and enter your/their postcode. You can phone or email the Orange Door nearest you, and they can connect you with family violence practitioners as well as any other services and support you might need.
- Web: www.orangedoor.vic.gov.au
- Phone: Western Melbourne on 1800 271 045 or Brimbank Melton on 1800 271 046 (9.00 am - 5.00 pm, Monday to Friday)
WestCASA – Western Region Centre Against Sexual Assault
WestCASA is a community based not-for-profit sexual assault counselling service operating in the western metropolitan region of Melbourne.
WestCASA provides a 24 hour crisis care service in conjunction with the Victorian Sexual Assault Crisis Line (SACL).
- Crisis line: 1800 806 292
- Phone: 03 9216 0444
- Website: westcasa.org.au
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Beyond Blue
A service that provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live. Chat with a trained mental health professional via phone, email or webchat. You can also participate in their online forums.
- Phone: 1300 22 4636
- Website: beyondblue.org.au
Black Dog Institute
Mental health resources and support tools from the Black Dog Institute.
ReachOut
An internet service for young people that provides information, support and resources about mental health issues and enable them to develop resilience, increase coping skills, and facilitate help-seeking behaviour.
- Website: au.reachout.com
headspace
headspace offers free support for young people aged 12 to 25, their families and friends. headspace centres act as a one-stop-shop for young people who need help with mental health, physical health (including sexual health), alcohol and other drugs or work and study support.
- Website: headspace.org.au
Kids Helpline
Australia’s only free, confidential 24/7 online and phone counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25. Qualified counsellors at Kids Helpline are available via WebChat, phone or email anytime and for any reason.
- Phone: 1800 55 1800
- Website: kidshelpline.com.au
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Centre for Multicultural Youth
The Centre for Multicultural Youth is a not-for-profit organisation based in Victoria, providing specialist knowledge and support to young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds.
- Website: cmy.net.au
Multilingual Women’s Health Library by Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health
The MCWH Library is a specialist library of women’s health resources made for migrant and refugee communities in languages other than English or easy to read English.
The library is a welcoming place where women across Australia can connect and build lifelong knowledge and skills for their health and wellbeing.
Utopia Refugee and Asylum Seeker Health
A refugee and asylum seeker health service providing primary care (GP services) at no cost to refugees and asylum seekers regardless of their Medicare status.
- Phone: 03 8001 3049
- Website: utopiarefugeehealth.com
- Location: 5 Alexandra Avenue, Hoppers Crossing (Open in Google Maps)
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WEstjustice
WEstjustice provides free legal help to people in the Western suburbs of Melbourne. They can help with a broad range of everyday problems, including consumer disputes, credit and debt, family law and family violence, fines, motor vehicle accidents, tenancy, youth criminal law and more. They have offices in Footscray, Werribee and Sunshine, as well as a number of outreach services.
- Phone: 03 9749 7720
- Website: westjustice.org.au
Youth Disability Advocacy Service (YDAS)
The Youth Disability Advocacy Service is an advocacy organisation that works with disabled young people who are aged 12 to 25. They work with disabled young people in Victoria to make sure you can speak up and are being treated fairly.
- Website: yacvic.org.au/ydas
Youth Law Australia – Your rights at the doctor
What are your rights when you visit the doctor? Youth Law Australia provides free, confidential legal information & help for young people under 25 on a range of topics.
- Website: yla.org.au/vic
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Crystal Queer
Crystal Queer is a social and support group for LGBTQIA+ young people in the Brimbank Area aged 15 – 25 (with consideration made for young people attending under the age of 15). It’s a fun and informative social support group for same-sex attracted, intersex, trans, gender diverse and questioning young people which provides a space to meet like-minded people, learn new event management-related skills, learn about the LGBTQIA+ community and create meaningful events. This program is delivered by Brimbank City Council’s Youth Services. To find out more, email youthsupport2@brimbank.vic.gov.au.
- Phone: 03 9249 4000
- Website: brimbankyouth.com/programs/crystal-queer
Minus18
Minus18 is Australia’s organisation for LGBTI youth – smashing homophobia and transphobia through events, support, training and campaigns. Minus18 aims to improve the health and wellbeing of, and provide a safe environment for, same-sex attracted and gender diverse young people in Australia, seeking to empower them to feel comfortable and confident in their sense of identity and assisting them to grow as happy, healthy individuals well into the future.
- Website: minus18.org.au
QLIFE
QLIFE provides anonymous and free LGBTI peer support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships. The QLife family includes hundreds of highly experienced LGBTIQ+ staff and volunteers Australia-wide. You are invited to explore any issue including referrals, community connections, thoughts and feelings around sexual orientation and/or gender identity. All conversations are confidential, anonymous and non-judgmental.
- Phone: 1800 184 527 (webchat available on website)
- Website: switchboard.org.au/qlife
Rainbow Door
Rainbow Door is a free specialist LGBTIQA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Gender Diverse, Intersex, Queer, Asexual, BrotherBoys, SisterGirls) helpline providing information, support, and referral to all LGBTIQA+ Victorians, their friends and family.
Rainbow Door supports people of all ages and identities with issues that may include suicidal thoughts, family and intimate partner violence (including elder abuse), alcohol and other drugs, relationship issues, sexual assault, social isolation, mental health and wellbeing.
- Phone: 1800 729 367
- Website: rainbowdoor.org.au
The Space
The Space is a social support group for same sex attracted, transgender, gender diverse and intersex young people who live, work, study or play in the Melton region. The Space is a safe place to meet like-minded young people and hang out, share stories and support one another. This program is an initiative of Melton City Council’s Young Communities. To join, contact Jaime on 03 9747 5382 or email jaimev@melton.vic.gov.au.
Thorne Harbour Health
Thorne Harbour provides STI testing, GP and sexual health clinics and the provision of safe sex products. They also have LGBTIQA+ peer support groups.
- Phone: 03 9865 6700
- Website: thorneharbour.org
- Location: 200 Hoddle Street, Abbotsford (Open in Google Maps)
Transgender Victoria
TGV is Victoria’s leading body for trans and gender diverse advocacy. Their website has resources for both trans people and their friends & families.
- Website: tgv.org.au
Zoe Belle Gender Collective
Zoe Belle Gender Collective (ZBGC) is a trans and gender diverse (TGD) led advocacy organisation based in Victoria. ZBGC improves the lives and well-being of TGD young people and their families. They lead a long-running Youth Project which provides inclusive practice training, sector advice, community resources, events and youth workshops.
- Website: zbgc.org.au
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1800 My Options
A confidential and free phone line and online service, giving you information about contraception, pregnancy options (including abortion) and sexual health, with links to relevant services that can meet your needs in Victoria. They’re proudly pro-choice, non-judgmental, woman-centred and independent. They work alongside hundreds of healthcare providers, to link you to the services that best suit your needs. 1800 My Options does not provide medical, legal or financial advice or counselling.
- Phone: 1800 696 784
- Website: 1800myoptions.org.au
Sexual and Reproductive Health Hubs
The SRH Hubs provide services and support relating to sexual and reproductive health, unplanned pregnancy, STI screening and education, contraception advice, IUD and contraceptive implant insertion and removal, fertility awareness and family planning, cervical screening, management of PCOS, endometriosis and menopause.
- IPC Health, Deer Park and Wyndham Vale: www.ipchealth.com.au/services/sexual-reproductive-health/
- cohealth Footscray (Paisley Street): www.cohealth.org.au/service/sexual-and-reproductive-health/
- Western Health Melton: westernhealth.org.au
Melbourne Sexual Health Centre
Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (MSHC) provides free sexual healthcare to both Medicare and non-Medicare card holders.
Their clinical services include:
- STI screening
- counselling
- pathology
- HIV treatment & prevention programs, and more.
MSHC can help link you to healthcare services that are most suitable for you, and they offer a free over-the-phone counselling service with nurses who can answer concerns.
- Phone: 03 9341 6200
- Website: mshc.org.au
- Location: 580 Swanston Street, Carlton. Open in Google Maps.
Sexual Health Victoria
A service that promotes reproductive and sexual health for all Victorians by providing reproductive and sexual health care and training clinics, education and health care resources, research and advocacy and more.
- Phone: 03 9257 0100
- Freecall: 1800 013 952
- Website: shvic.org.au/our-reproductive-and-sexual-health-clinics#clinic-locations
Hillside Healthcare Accessible Sexual Health
A program by Kings Park Medical Centre. Bulk-billed and provides services including STI screening, testing and treatment and sex worker support.
- Phone: 03 9217 9400
- Website: www.kingsparkmedical.com.au/hillside-healthcare-accessible-sexual-health/
- Location: 40 Gourlay Road, Hillside (Open in Google Maps)
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Translating and interpreting service (TIS)
TIS is a free language and interpreting service. An interpreter is available through this site.
Website: www.tisnational.gov.au
Phone: 131 450 -
Local councils in the West provide programs, events, activities and social support for young people, promoting health and wellbeing and supporting them to participate in their communities.
Wyndham youth services: www.wyndham.vic.gov.au
Phoenix youth centre (Footscray): www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au
Brimbank youth services: brimbankyouth.com
Hobsons bay youth services: www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au
Melton youth services: www.melton.vic.gov.au
Moonee Valley youth services: mvcc.vic.gov.au
City of Melbourne youth services: www.melbourne.vic.gov.au
