Women's Mental Health Services by State

About this guide: produced by Safe Refuge Counselling, a private online and in-person counselling practice for women, based in Mount Barker, South Australia. The body of this guide does not promote Safe Refuge Counselling. It is intended as a public reference.

Last updated: April 2026.

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Contents

1. Introduction
2. National services (free and universally available)
3. New South Wales
4. Victoria
5. Queensland
6. Western Australia
7. South Australia
8. Tasmania
9. Australian Capital Territory
10. Northern Territory
11. How to choose between a psychologist, counsellor, psychotherapist, psychiatrist, social worker, and GP
12. What to do if you cannot afford any of the above
13. When to go to emergency
14. How this guide is maintained
15. References

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Introduction

This guide exists because finding the right mental health service in Australia is harder than it should be. The system is layered across federal, state, and local providers. Some services are free. Some are bulk billed. Some charge gap fees. Some have six-month wait lists. Others can see you within days. The language used to describe who does what is inconsistent, and a woman looking for support often has to decode a professional hierarchy before she can even make a phone call.

The guide is written for women in Australia who are considering reaching out. It is also written for the people around them: partners, friends, family members, GPs, teachers, community workers, and anyone supporting a woman through a difficult period. Journalists and peak bodies are welcome to reference it as a consolidated starting point.

How to use this guide

Start with the national services section if you need immediate support or are not sure where to begin. These services are free, confidential, and available from anywhere in Australia. They include crisis lines, perinatal support, bereavement support, and services for First Nations women.

If you are looking for longer-term, state-funded, or specialist support, scroll to your state or territory. Each state section covers women-specific services, perinatal care, grief and loss, trauma-specialist services, services for culturally and linguistically diverse women, services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, and state-specific crisis lines.

If you are trying to understand the difference between a psychologist, counsellor, psychotherapist, psychiatrist, social worker, and GP, the comparison section lays out what each does, what they cost, whether Medicare rebates apply, and how long you typically wait.

A trauma-informed note on help-seeking

Reaching out is often the hardest part. Women often delay help-seeking because they are caring for others, because they are uncertain whether what they are experiencing is "bad enough," or because previous experiences of care were unhelpful. None of those reasons disqualifies you from support now. You do not need a diagnosis to call a helpline. You do not need to be in crisis to see a GP about how you are feeling. You do not need to have language for your experience before you start a conversation.

If the first service you try is not the right fit, that is information, not failure. Services differ in specialisation, cost, availability, and approach. It is reasonable to try more than one before you find the right support.

If you are in immediate danger, call 000 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department. See the when to go to emergency section for guidance.

Help-seeking footer for this section

• Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support)
• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 (24/7)
• 13YARN: 13 92 76 (24/7 support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)
• 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732 (24/7 sexual assault, domestic and family violence support)

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National services: free and universally available

These services are funded federally, available nationwide, and free at the point of contact. All are open to women regardless of location, income, Medicare status, or prior engagement with mental health care.

Lifeline

• What it is: A 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention service. You can speak with a trained crisis supporter for any emotional distress, not only suicidal thoughts.
• Phone: 13 11 14 (24 hours, 7 days)
• Text: 0477 13 11 14 (24 hours)
• Online chat: lifeline.org.au (24 hours)
• Cost: Free. Calls from landlines are free. Mobile calls are charged at the carrier rate.
• Website: lifeline.org.au

Beyond Blue

• What it is: Support for anxiety, depression, and suicide prevention. Offers brief counselling and referral. Runs specialist programs including NewAccess (free guided self-help for mild to moderate anxiety and depression).
• Phone: 1300 22 4636 (24 hours)
• Online chat: beyondblue.org.au (24 hours)
• Cost: Free.
• Website: beyondblue.org.au

PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia)

• What it is: National helpline for people experiencing mental health challenges during pregnancy and early parenthood, including postnatal depression, postnatal anxiety, and birth trauma. Open to partners and support people.
• Phone: 1300 726 306
• Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 7.30pm AEST or AEDT, Saturday 9am to 4pm AEST or AEDT (hours have varied historically; check the website for current hours).
• Cost: Free.
• Website: panda.org.au

1800RESPECT

• What it is: National sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service. Provides trauma-informed phone and online counselling, safety planning, and referral. Available to anyone impacted, including friends and family.
• Phone: 1800 737 732 (24 hours)
• Online chat: 1800respect.org.au (24 hours)
• Cost: Free.
• Website: 1800respect.org.au

13YARN

• What it is: A national crisis support line run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Trained Lifeline Crisis Supporters who are First Nations provide culturally safe support.
• Phone: 13 92 76 (24 hours)
• Cost: Free.
• Website: 13yarn.org.au

GriefLine

• What it is: Free telephone and online counselling for people experiencing grief and loss, including bereavement, anticipatory grief, pet loss, and non-death losses such as relationship breakdown or job loss.
• Phone: 1300 845 745
• Hours: 8am to 8pm AEST or AEDT, 7 days.
• Cost: Free.
• Website: griefline.org.au

Head to Health (federally funded)

• What it is: A free federal digital gateway connecting people with digital and in-person mental health services. Head to Health adult centres and satellites operate in many regions as walk-in services for adults experiencing distress. Kids Hubs operate for children and families in selected areas.
• Phone: 1800 595 212 (Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm local time, excluding public holidays)
• Website: headtohealth.gov.au
• Cost: Free.
• Note: The physical centre network was being rebadged and restructured during 2024 to 2025; some sites now operate under the Medicare Mental Health Centre banner. Check the website for your nearest centre.

MensLine Australia (for partners and family members)

• What it is: Telephone and online counselling service for men dealing with family and relationship concerns. Relevant here for partners of women seeking support, particularly during perinatal transitions, relationship strain, or bereavement.
• Phone: 1300 78 99 78 (24 hours)
• Online chat and video: mensline.org.au
• Cost: Free.

Kids Helpline

• What it is: Free, confidential counselling for young people aged 5 to 25. Relevant to young women, teenage girls, and mothers navigating support for their children.
• Phone: 1800 55 1800 (24 hours)
• Online chat: kidshelpline.com.au (24 hours)
• Cost: Free.

Blue Knot Helpline and Redress Support Service

• What it is: National helpline for adult survivors of complex trauma, including childhood abuse. Provides trauma-informed counselling, information, and support, and a dedicated National Redress Support Service line for those engaging with the National Redress Scheme.
• Phone: 1300 657 380
• Hours: 9am to 5pm AEST or AEDT, 7 days.
• Cost: Free.
• Website: blueknot.org.au

QLife

• What it is: Anonymous, free LGBTIQ+ peer support and referral. Staffed by trained LGBTIQ+ peer supporters.
• Phone: 1800 184 527
• Online chat: qlife.org.au
• Hours: 3pm to midnight local time, 7 days.
• Cost: Free.

Help-seeking footer for this section

If a national service is not the right fit, your GP is an excellent next step. A bulk-billed GP appointment costs nothing out of pocket and can lead to a Mental Health Treatment Plan, which unlocks up to 10 Medicare-rebated sessions per calendar year with a psychologist, mental health social worker, or appropriately qualified occupational therapist.

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New South Wales

State-funded women's mental health services

• NSW Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511. 24-hour telephone service staffed by mental health professionals. Provides assessment, advice, and referral to local NSW Health services.
• Local Health District community mental health teams: Every NSW Local Health District operates a community mental health team providing assessment, case management, and treatment. Access is typically via the Mental Health Line or referral from a GP or emergency department.
• Women's Health NSW: A peak body coordinating 20 women's health centres across NSW. Many centres offer low-cost or free counselling, groups, and advocacy for women. Directory available at whnsw.asn.au.

Major perinatal services

• Gidget Foundation Australia: Telehealth and in-person perinatal mental health support. Offers Start Talking (1:1 Medicare-rebated sessions with psychologists) and Gidget House sites in NSW. Website: gidgetfoundation.org.au.
• Tresillian Family Care Centres: Early parenting support including a 24/7 Parent's Help Line (1300 272 736), day stays, residential stays, and telehealth. Sites across NSW including Sydney, Wollongong, and regional areas.
• Karitane: Early parenting organisation offering a Careline (1300 227 464, 7am to 10pm daily), residential and day stay programs, and postnatal depression and anxiety programs.
• NSW perinatal and infant mental health services (PIMHS): Specialist public services embedded in Local Health Districts. Access via GP referral or Mental Health Line.

Major grief and loss services

• Bereaved Parents NSW: Peer support for parents who have lost a child. bereavedparentsnsw.org.au.
• Red Nose Grief and Loss: 24/7 bereavement support for families who have lost a baby or child through stillbirth, miscarriage, SIDS, or other causes. 1300 308 307. rednosegriefandloss.org.au.
• SANDS Australia: Miscarriage, stillbirth, and newborn death support. 1300 072 637. sands.org.au.
• The Compassionate Friends NSW: Peer support for bereaved parents, siblings, and grandparents. compassionatefriendsnsw.org.au.

Major trauma-specialist services

• NSW Rape Crisis (via Full Stop Australia): 1800 385 578. 24/7 specialist counselling for sexual, domestic, and family violence. fullstop.org.au.
• Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS): Specialist trauma service for refugees and people from refugee-like backgrounds. Multiple sites across Sydney and regional NSW. startts.org.au.
• Victims Services NSW (Department of Communities and Justice): Offers the Approved Counselling Scheme providing funded counselling for victims of violent crime in NSW. victimsservices.justice.nsw.gov.au.

Services for culturally and linguistically diverse women

• Transcultural Mental Health Centre (NSW Health): State-wide service providing assessment, consultation, and interpreter-supported care for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. dhi.health.nsw.gov.au/tmhc.
• Multicultural NSW: Directory of community-based multicultural services including bilingual counselling through partner organisations.
• Immigrant Women's Speakout Association: Advocacy and referral for immigrant and refugee women experiencing violence or mental health challenges. speakout.org.au (verification uncertain: confirm current operating status before referral).

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women's services

• Aboriginal Medical Service Western Sydney, Redfern AMS, and the NSW network of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services: Most provide social and emotional wellbeing programs and may offer culturally safe counselling. Directory via the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council (AH&MRC): ahmrc.org.au.
• Waminda South Coast Women's Health and Welfare Aboriginal Corporation (Nowra): Women-specific Aboriginal health and wellbeing service. waminda.org.au.
• Gunawirra: Trauma-informed early childhood and family service supporting Aboriginal mothers and children in NSW.

Key crisis lines specific to NSW

• NSW Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511 (24 hours)
• NSW Domestic Violence Line: 1800 656 463 (24 hours)
• NSW Sexual Violence Helpline (via Full Stop Australia): 1800 385 578 (24 hours)

Help-seeking footer for NSW

If you live in NSW and are unsure where to start, the Mental Health Line (1800 011 511) will connect you to your local Community Mental Health Team. Your GP can refer you for a Mental Health Treatment Plan. For crisis, call 000.

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Victoria

State-funded women's mental health services

• Victorian Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect: Introduced following the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System, these local hubs provide free adult and youth mental health and wellbeing services. Accessible without a GP referral or Mental Health Care Plan.
• Women's Health Victoria: Peak body. Offers information, referral, and women-specific health promotion. whv.org.au.
• Local Mental Health and Wellbeing Services (formerly Area Mental Health Services): Provided by public health networks across Victoria. Access via the Victorian Suicide Prevention and Response Service (via SuicideLine) or through local Mental Health Triage numbers published by each health service.

Major perinatal services

• COPE (Centre of Perinatal Excellence): Evidence-based perinatal mental health information, digital programs, and practitioner directory. cope.org.au.
• The Royal Women's Hospital Women's Mental Health Service: Specialist perinatal and women's mental health outpatient clinic, Parkville. Accepts referrals for women with complex perinatal needs. thewomens.org.au.
• Mercy Hospital for Women Perinatal Emotional Health Program: Specialist assessment and treatment, Heidelberg.
• Masada Private Hospital and Cabrini Mother Baby Units: Specialist private inpatient mother-baby units (private health insurance or self-funded).
• Perinatal Emotional Health Programs (PEHP): State-funded outpatient services across Victorian public hospitals.

Major grief and loss services

• Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement (ACGB): National centre headquartered in Victoria offering bereavement counselling, groups, and professional education. 1800 642 066. grief.org.au.
• Red Nose Grief and Loss: National, 24/7, accessible from Victoria. 1300 308 307.
• SANDS Australia: National, accessible from Victoria. 1300 072 637.
• Very Special Kids: Bereavement support for families who have lost a child with a life-limiting condition. vsk.org.au.

Major trauma-specialist services

• Sexual Assault Crisis Line (SACL) Victoria: 1800 806 292. After-hours 24/7 state-wide support, run by Victims Survivors' Advisory Council and the Centres Against Sexual Assault (CASA).
• Centres Against Sexual Assault (CASA): 15 CASA centres across Victoria providing free counselling, advocacy, and crisis care. casa.org.au.
• Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture (Foundation House): Specialist service for refugees who have experienced torture and trauma. foundationhouse.org.au.
• Berry Street Take Two program: Trauma-informed therapeutic service for children and young people who have experienced abuse and neglect, with work extending to supporting mothers and caregivers.

Services for culturally and linguistically diverse women

• Victorian Transcultural Mental Health (VTMH): State-wide service offering consultation, training, and resources to support culturally responsive mental health care. vtmh.org.au.
• Multicultural Centre for Women's Health (MCWH): National women's health organisation based in Melbourne. Provides bilingual health education, research, and advocacy for migrant and refugee women. mcwh.com.au.
• InTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence: Statewide specialist service supporting migrant and refugee women experiencing family violence, including counselling and case management. intouch.org.au.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women's services

• Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS): Comprehensive primary health care service with social and emotional wellbeing programs. vahs.org.au.
• Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO): Peak body for Aboriginal community-controlled health in Victoria. Directory of member services at vaccho.org.au.
• Djirra: Specialist family violence service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in Victoria. Provides individual support, groups, and legal advocacy. djirra.org.au.
• Mallee District Aboriginal Services (MDAS): Regional Victorian community-controlled service with social and emotional wellbeing team.

Key crisis lines specific to Victoria

• Victoria's Suicide Help Line: 1300 651 251 (24 hours)
• Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre: 1800 015 188 (24 hours)
• Sexual Assault Crisis Line: 1800 806 292 (after-hours, 24/7)
• NURSE-ON-CALL: 1300 60 60 24 (24 hours, for health advice)

Help-seeking footer for Victoria

Victorians can self-refer to the new Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals without a GP referral. For after-hours mental health crisis, the Suicide Help Line is 1300 651 251. For family violence, Safe Steps (1800 015 188) operates 24/7.

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Queensland

State-funded women's mental health services

• 1300 MH CALL (1300 64 22 55): Queensland Health's state-wide 24/7 mental health access line. Provides mental health advice, crisis response, and referral to local Hospital and Health Service community mental health teams.
• Queensland Health Women's Mental Health Service (Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital): Specialist women's and perinatal mental health clinic.
• Women's Health Queensland (Women's Health Qld): Peak body offering a free health information line (3839 9988 or 1800 017 676 outside Brisbane), counselling referral, and resources. womhealth.org.au.

Major perinatal services

• Belong by Peach Tree Perinatal Wellness: Queensland-based perinatal peer support charity. peachtree.org.au.
• Ellen Barron Family Centre: Residential and day-stay parenting service in Brisbane. Accepts referrals for families with infants.
• Gold Coast Health Perinatal Mental Health Service, Metro North, and Metro South Perinatal Mental Health Services: Specialist public perinatal mental health teams. Access via GP or 1300 MH CALL.
• Mater Mothers' Private and Public (Brisbane): Perinatal mental health consultation-liaison service for inpatients and outpatients.

Major grief and loss services

• Grief Australia (formerly Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement national reach): Accessible nationally, including from Queensland.
• Red Nose Grief and Loss: 1300 308 307.
• SANDS Australia: 1300 072 637.
• Karuna Hospice Service (Brisbane): Bereavement support attached to community palliative care. karuna.org.au.

Major trauma-specialist services

• DVConnect Womensline: 1800 811 811 (24 hours). Queensland's state-wide domestic and family violence telephone crisis service.
• Sexual Assault Helpline (Queensland): 1800 010 120 (24 hours).
• Queensland Program of Assistance to Survivors of Torture and Trauma (QPASTT): Specialist service for refugees and people seeking asylum. qpastt.org.au.
• Bravehearts: National, Queensland-headquartered child sexual abuse prevention and recovery service. 1800 272 831.
• Laurel Place (Sunshine Coast): Long-established sexual assault support service.

Services for culturally and linguistically diverse women

• Queensland Transcultural Mental Health Centre (QTMHC): State-wide service providing culturally responsive assessment and consultation. metrosouth.health.qld.gov.au/qtmhc.
• Immigrant Women's Support Service (IWSS): Brisbane-based counselling and support for women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. iwss.org.au.
• Multicultural Australia: Settlement and community support organisation with wellbeing programs for refugee and migrant women.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women's services

• Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH): Network of Aboriginal community-controlled health services across South East Queensland. iuih.org.au.
• Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC): Peak body. Directory of member services. qaihc.com.au.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women's Legal Service NQ (ATSIWLS NQ): Legal and wellbeing support for First Nations women in north Queensland.
• Sisters Inside: Advocacy and support for criminalised women and girls, with strong reach to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. sistersinside.com.au.

Key crisis lines specific to Queensland

• 1300 MH CALL: 1300 64 22 55 (24 hours)
• DVConnect Womensline: 1800 811 811 (24 hours)
• Sexual Assault Helpline (Qld): 1800 010 120 (24 hours)
• 13 HEALTH: 13 43 25 84 (24 hours, general health advice)

Help-seeking footer for Queensland

If you are in Queensland and unsure whether what you are experiencing warrants professional help, 1300 MH CALL (1300 64 22 55) is a reasonable first step. It is answered by mental health clinicians and can advise on local services. For crisis, call 000.

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Western Australia

State-funded women's mental health services

• Mental Health Emergency Response Line (MHERL): 1300 555 788 (Perth metro) or 1800 676 822 (Peel region). 24/7 telephone crisis service.
• RuralLink: 1800 552 002. 24/7 after-hours specialist mental health telephone service for people in rural WA.
• Women's Health and Family Services (WHFS): Perth-based service offering counselling, groups, and multicultural women's health. whfs.org.au.
• Ishar Multicultural Women's Health Services: Counselling and support for migrant and refugee women. ishar.org.au.

Major perinatal services

• Women and Newborn Health Service (King Edward Memorial Hospital): State-wide specialist perinatal mental health service. kemh.health.wa.gov.au.
• Ngala: Early parenting service offering a 24-hour Parenting Line (1800 111 546 toll-free WA regional, 9368 9368 metro), day stays, and telehealth. ngala.com.au.
• Statewide Obstetric Support Unit (SOSU): Provides advice and referral for obstetric and perinatal mental health concerns.

Major grief and loss services

• GriefLine: National, accessible from WA. 1300 845 745.
• Red Nose Grief and Loss: 1300 308 307.
• SANDS Australia: 1300 072 637.
• The Compassionate Friends WA: Peer support for bereaved parents. compassionatefriendswa.org.au.
• Silverchain Palliative Care (WA): Community palliative care with bereavement follow-up.

Major trauma-specialist services

• Sexual Assault Resource Centre (SARC): 1800 199 888. State-wide 24-hour sexual assault support and forensic service, based at King Edward Memorial Hospital.
• Women's Council for Domestic and Family Violence Services (WA): Peak body coordinating a network of services. womenscouncil.com.au.
• Association for Services to Torture and Trauma Survivors (ASeTTS): WA's specialist service for refugees. asetts.org.au.
• Women's Legal Service WA: Legal and wellbeing support for women experiencing violence.

Services for culturally and linguistically diverse women

• Ishar Multicultural Women's Health Services (Mirrabooka): Specialist service for migrant, refugee, and culturally diverse women. ishar.org.au.
• Transcultural Mental Health (WA Health): Consultation and interpreter-supported care via WA Health services.
• Multicultural Futures: Settlement services with wellbeing support. multiculturalfutures.org.au.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women's services

• Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia (AHCWA): Peak body for Aboriginal community-controlled health services. ahcwa.org.au.
• Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service (Perth): Major urban Aboriginal community-controlled health service.
• Yorgum Healing Services: Aboriginal family counselling service in Perth, specialising in trauma and family healing. yorgum.org.au.
• Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services (KAMS) and Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service: Regional First Nations primary health care with social and emotional wellbeing teams.

Key crisis lines specific to WA

• Mental Health Emergency Response Line: 1300 555 788 (Perth metro, 24 hours)
• RuralLink: 1800 552 002 (rural WA, after hours)
• Women's Domestic Violence Helpline: 1800 007 339 (24 hours)
• Sexual Assault Resource Centre: 1800 199 888 (24 hours)
• Crisis Care Helpline (WA): 1800 199 008 (24 hours)

Help-seeking footer for WA

In WA, the Mental Health Emergency Response Line (1300 555 788 metro, 1800 676 822 Peel) or RuralLink (1800 552 002 rural) are the first points of contact for mental health crisis outside hours. Bulk-billing GPs in your area can be identified via Health Direct's service finder.

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South Australia

State-funded women's mental health services

• Mental Health Triage Service (SA): 13 14 65. 24/7 telephone assessment and referral to community mental health services across South Australia.
• Women's Health Services (WHSA): State-wide women's health service offering counselling, groups, and information. Shopfronts in Adelaide CBD and outreach locations. whs.sa.gov.au (service name and URL have shifted over recent years; verify current branding).
• Country Health SA Mental Health Services: Regional and rural community mental health teams across SA.

Major perinatal services

• Helen Mayo House (Women's and Children's Hospital, North Adelaide): State-wide specialist mother-baby inpatient and outpatient perinatal mental health unit. wch.sa.gov.au.
• Torrens House (CaFHS): Residential early parenting service in Woodville. cyh.com.au.
• Child and Family Health Service (CaFHS) Parent Helpline: 1300 364 100 (7am to 9pm, 7 days).
• Perinatal Mental Health Service (WCHN): Outpatient perinatal mental health care, Women's and Children's Health Network.

Major grief and loss services

• GriefLine: National, accessible from SA. 1300 845 745.
• Red Nose Grief and Loss: 1300 308 307.
• SANDS Australia: 1300 072 637.
• Mary Potter Hospice (North Adelaide): Bereavement support attached to palliative care.
• The Compassionate Friends SA: compassionatefriendssa.org.au.

Major trauma-specialist services

• Yarrow Place Rape and Sexual Assault Service: State-wide sexual assault service. Crisis line: 1800 817 421 (24 hours, metro) or via 13 14 65 after hours in country areas. yarrowplace.sa.gov.au.
• Survivors of Torture and Trauma Assistance and Rehabilitation Service (STTARS): SA's specialist refugee trauma service. sttars.org.au.
• Victim Support Service (VSS): Support for people who have experienced crime, including counselling. victimsa.org.
• Treasure House (Women's Safety Services SA): Supported accommodation and women's support service.

Services for culturally and linguistically diverse women

• Multicultural Communities Council of SA (MCCSA): Peak body coordinating community-level support and programs. mccsa.org.au.
• Women's Safety Services SA Multicultural Program: Supports migrant and refugee women experiencing family violence.
• Migrant Women's Support Program (through various providers): Check current providers via MCCSA.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women's services

• Nunkuwarrin Yunti of South Australia: Adelaide's main Aboriginal community-controlled health service, with social and emotional wellbeing programs. nunku.org.au.
• Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia (AHCSA): Peak body. ahcsa.org.au.
• Pika Wiya Health Service (Port Augusta): Regional Aboriginal community-controlled health service.
• Ceduna Koonibba Aboriginal Health Service: Remote regional health service with social and emotional wellbeing support.

Key crisis lines specific to SA

• Mental Health Triage Service: 13 14 65 (24 hours)
• Domestic Violence Crisis Line: 1800 800 098 (24 hours)
• Yarrow Place Rape and Sexual Assault Service: 1800 817 421 (24 hours metro)
• Healthdirect: 1800 022 222 (24 hours)

Help-seeking footer for SA

In South Australia, the Mental Health Triage Service (13 14 65) is the 24-hour entry point for public mental health support. A GP can also refer to community mental health or private psychology. For crisis, call 000.

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Tasmania

State-funded women's mental health services

• Mental Health Services Helpline (Tasmania): 1800 332 388. 24/7 telephone access to statewide mental health services.
• Women's Health Tasmania (Hobart): Statewide women's health promotion and counselling service. womenshealthtas.org.au.
• Community Mental Health Services (North, North-West, South): Public community mental health teams across Tasmania.

Major perinatal services

• Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Service (Tasmania): Specialist public service for women experiencing perinatal mental health concerns. Access via Mental Health Services Helpline (1800 332 388) or GP referral.
• Child Health and Parenting Service (CHaPS): Tasmanian universal child and family health service. 1300 064 544.

Major grief and loss services

• GriefLine: National, accessible from Tasmania. 1300 845 745.
• Red Nose Grief and Loss: 1300 308 307.
• SANDS Australia: 1300 072 637.
• Palliative Care Tasmania: Information and referral for bereavement services linked to palliative care. pallcaretas.org.au.

Major trauma-specialist services

• Sexual Assault Support Service (SASS), Tasmania: 1800 697 877 (24 hours). Statewide service with offices in Hobart and Launceston. sass.org.au.
• Laurel House (North and North-West Tasmania): Sexual assault support service for regional and rural Tasmania. laurelhouse.org.au.
• Phoenix Centre (Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania): Tasmania's specialist service for refugees who have experienced torture or trauma. mrctas.org.au.
• Engender Equality: Statewide specialist family violence service with counselling and group programs. engenderequality.org.au.

Services for culturally and linguistically diverse women

• Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania: Settlement services with counselling and wellbeing support. mrctas.org.au.
• Multicultural Council of Tasmania: Community programs, information, and referral. mcot.org.au.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women's services

• Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre (TAC): Community-controlled health and community service. Social and emotional wellbeing programs in Hobart, Launceston, and the North-West. tacinc.com.au.
• Flinders Island Aboriginal Association (FIAAI): Regional First Nations health and social support.
• Karadi Aboriginal Corporation: Community-based service in the Greater Hobart area offering wellbeing and youth programs.

Key crisis lines specific to Tasmania

• Mental Health Services Helpline: 1800 332 388 (24 hours)
• Family Violence Response and Referral Line: 1800 633 937 (Safe at Home)
• Sexual Assault Support Service (SASS): 1800 697 877 (24 hours)

Help-seeking footer for Tasmania

In Tasmania, 1800 332 388 connects you to the Mental Health Services Helpline 24 hours a day. Wait times for public services can be longer in rural Tasmania; bulk-billed GP telehealth and Medicare-rebated telehealth sessions with psychologists are options worth exploring.

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Australian Capital Territory

Territory-funded women's mental health services

• Access Mental Health (ACT): 1800 629 354. 24/7 telephone triage for adult mental health services in the ACT.
• Women's Health Matters: Canberra-based women's health peak body offering information, referral, and community programs. whm.org.au.
• Canberra Health Services Community Mental Health Teams: Public adult, perinatal, and older persons mental health services.

Major perinatal services

• Perinatal Mental Health Consultation Service (Canberra Health Services): Specialist inpatient and outpatient perinatal mental health. chs.act.gov.au.
• Queen Elizabeth II Family Centre (Curtin): Residential and day-stay early parenting service. qeii.org.au.
• Canberra Mothercraft Society: Postnatal support and mother-baby connection. (Note: historically community-based; verify current operations before referral.)

Major grief and loss services

• GriefLine: National, accessible from ACT. 1300 845 745.
• Red Nose Grief and Loss: 1300 308 307.
• SANDS Australia: 1300 072 637.
• Clare Holland House (Calvary Health Care): Palliative care with bereavement follow-up services.

Major trauma-specialist services

• Canberra Rape Crisis Centre (CRCC): 24/7 crisis counselling, support, and advocacy. 02 6247 2525. crcc.org.au.
• Companion House: Specialist service for refugees who have experienced torture and trauma. companionhouse.org.au.
• Domestic Violence Crisis Service (DVCS) ACT: 24/7 crisis support including counselling, case management, and outreach. 02 6280 0900. dvcs.org.au.
• Service Assisting Male Survivors of Sexual Assault (SAMSSA): Available via CRCC, relevant for families and partners.

Services for culturally and linguistically diverse women

• Companion House: Specialist refugee and asylum seeker service, with counselling available in multiple languages through interpreters.
• Multicultural Hub Canberra: Community support hub connecting women to culturally responsive services.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women's services

• Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services: Canberra's Aboriginal community-controlled health service, with social and emotional wellbeing programs and counselling. winnunga.org.au.
• Gugan Gulwan Youth Aboriginal Corporation: Youth-focused community service, including support for young women and their families. gugangulwan.com.au.

Key crisis lines specific to the ACT

• Access Mental Health: 1800 629 354 (24 hours)
• Canberra Rape Crisis Centre: 02 6247 2525 (24 hours)
• Domestic Violence Crisis Service: 02 6280 0900 (24 hours)

Help-seeking footer for the ACT

In Canberra, Access Mental Health (1800 629 354) is a 24/7 entry point for public adult mental health services. GP referral is not required for this line, though a Mental Health Treatment Plan is useful for ongoing Medicare-rebated support.

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Northern Territory

Territory-funded women's mental health services

• Mental Health Line (NT): 1800 682 288. 24/7 telephone service for mental health support and referral.
• Top End Mental Health Services and Central Australia Mental Health Service: Public community mental health teams across the NT.
• Darwin Women's Health Clinic (through NT Health): Women-specific primary health care, including links to counselling and mental health support.

Major perinatal services

• Top End Health Service Perinatal Mental Health Service: Public perinatal mental health care in Darwin.
• Central Australia Health Service Perinatal Team: Serves Alice Springs and surrounds.
• Molly Wardaguga Research Centre, Charles Darwin University: Research and service-development focus on First Nations maternal and infant health.
• MothersAid NT: Community-based postnatal support (verify current operating status before referral).

Major grief and loss services

• GriefLine: National, accessible from NT. 1300 845 745.
• Red Nose Grief and Loss: 1300 308 307.
• SANDS Australia: 1300 072 637.
• Hospice NT (Darwin): Palliative care and bereavement support.

Major trauma-specialist services

• NT Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC): Darwin 08 8922 6472, Alice Springs 08 8955 4500, Tennant Creek 08 8962 4100, Katherine 08 8973 9049, Nhulunbuy 08 8987 0184. 24/7 forensic and therapeutic service.
• Melaleuca Refugee Centre: NT's specialist service for refugees and survivors of torture and trauma. melaleuca.org.au.
• Dawn House and Catherine Booth House: Crisis accommodation and support for women escaping family violence in Darwin.
• Ruby Gaea Darwin Centre Against Sexual Violence: Counselling and advocacy for survivors of sexual violence. rubygaea.org.au.

Services for culturally and linguistically diverse women

• Multicultural Council of the Northern Territory (MCNT): Community support, advocacy, and referral. mcnt.org.au.
• Melaleuca Refugee Centre: Trauma recovery and settlement support.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women's services

• Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT): Peak body for Aboriginal community-controlled health services. Member directory at amsant.org.au.
• Central Australian Aboriginal Congress (Alice Springs): Comprehensive primary health care with a social and emotional wellbeing service and Alukura women's health program. caac.org.au.
• Danila Dilba Health Service (Darwin): Social and emotional wellbeing services and women's health programs. daniladilba.org.au.
• Miwatj Health (East Arnhem Land): Regional First Nations primary health care. miwatj.com.au.
• Strong Women's Groups (remote communities): Community-led women's cultural and wellbeing programs across the NT.

Key crisis lines specific to the NT

• Mental Health Line NT: 1800 682 288 (24 hours)
• NT Domestic and Family Violence Helpline: 1800 737 732 (1800RESPECT is used as the primary national number; NT also operates local services. Verify current local numbers.)
• NT Sexual Assault Referral Centre (Darwin): 08 8922 6472 (24 hours)

Help-seeking footer for the NT

In the NT, 1800 682 288 connects you to the public Mental Health Line. For remote residents, telehealth via Medicare Better Access can significantly reduce wait times, as can First Nations community-controlled services which often have shorter waits than mainstream public options.

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How to choose between a psychologist, counsellor, psychotherapist, psychiatrist, social worker, and GP

Each of these professions has a different scope, different training, different regulatory body, and different relationship to Medicare. None is inherently "better" than the others. The right choice depends on what you are seeking support for, what you can afford, how long you are prepared to wait, and what feels like a good fit.

Quick definitions

• General practitioner (GP): A medical doctor who provides primary health care. GPs can prescribe medication, write Mental Health Treatment Plans, make referrals, and provide brief mental health counselling. Training: medical degree plus vocational GP training. Regulated by the Medical Board of Australia (AHPRA).
• Psychiatrist: A medical doctor who has specialised in mental health. Psychiatrists can prescribe medication, diagnose mental health conditions, and provide psychological therapy. Training: medical degree plus specialist psychiatry training (typically 11 or more years in total). Regulated by the Medical Board of Australia (AHPRA).
• Psychologist: A university-trained mental health professional who provides assessment and psychological therapy. Psychologists cannot prescribe medication. Training: four-year psychology degree plus two years of supervised practice or a master's degree. Clinical psychologists have additional specialist training. Regulated by the Psychology Board of Australia (AHPRA).
• Mental health social worker: A qualified social worker with additional mental health credentials, providing counselling and psychological support. Training: social work degree plus accreditation through the AASW. Regulated via accreditation with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
• Counsellor: A trained mental health professional providing talking therapies and psychoeducation. Counsellors are not a legally protected profession under AHPRA but are self-regulated through the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA). Training varies from diploma to master's level.
• Psychotherapist: A trained talking-therapy specialist, typically with extensive training in a specific modality. In Australia, psychotherapy is self-regulated, most commonly via PACFA. Training varies, typically postgraduate-level with long supervised practice.

Comparison table

| Profession | Typical session cost | Medicare rebate | Referral needed | Session cap per year | Typical scope | Typical wait time | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | GP (bulk billed) | $0 | Bulk billed | None | No cap | Brief mental health consultations, prescribing, Mental Health Treatment Plans, referral | Days to a few weeks | | GP (private) | $80 to $110 gap after rebate | Partial Medicare rebate | None | No cap | As above | Days to a few weeks | | Psychiatrist | $300 to $700+ per initial consult | Yes, with GP referral | GP referral required | No cap on Medicare rebates | Diagnosis, prescribing, psychological therapy for complex conditions | Weeks to many months; long waits in regional areas | | Clinical psychologist | $240 to $320; Medicare rebate reduces out-of-pocket | Yes, with Mental Health Treatment Plan from GP | GP Mental Health Treatment Plan | 10 rebated sessions per calendar year under Better Access | Assessment and evidence-based psychological therapy | Weeks to months; regional averages around 55 days | | Registered psychologist (non-clinical) | $200 to $280; Medicare rebate reduces out-of-pocket | Yes, with Mental Health Treatment Plan | GP Mental Health Treatment Plan | 10 rebated sessions per calendar year | Psychological therapy | Weeks to months | | Accredited mental health social worker | $150 to $220; Medicare rebate reduces out-of-pocket | Yes, with Mental Health Treatment Plan | GP Mental Health Treatment Plan | 10 rebated sessions per calendar year | Counselling, psychosocial support, focused psychological strategies | Variable; often shorter than psychology waits | | Counsellor (ACA or PACFA registered) | $100 to $180 | No Medicare rebate | No referral required | No cap | Supportive counselling, psychoeducation, talking therapy | Days to a few weeks | | Psychotherapist (PACFA registered) | $140 to $220 | No Medicare rebate | No referral required | No cap | Longer-term talking therapy, typically within a specific modality | Days to a few weeks |

A direct note on Medicare and counsellors

Counsellors and most psychotherapists in Australia are not Medicare-rebatable. This is not a reflection of training quality, ethical standards, or clinical usefulness. It is a function of how the Better Access program was structured in 2006 and has remained. Counsellors and psychotherapists are represented by the Australian Counselling Association and PACFA, and are working actively toward Medicare inclusion, but as of April 2026 this has not been achieved.

What that means practically:

• A counsellor's fee is paid in full out of pocket. Some private health insurance extras cover counselling; check your specific policy.
• If cost is the main barrier and you are unsure where to start, a GP visit is free when bulk billed and can lead to Medicare-rebated psychology under a Mental Health Treatment Plan.
• If wait time is the main barrier, counsellors are usually available within days where a psychologist might be months away.
• Many women combine the two: a GP for medical oversight, a Medicare-rebated psychologist for a capped course of treatment, and a counsellor for longer-term ongoing support once those 10 sessions are used.

How to choose

• Medication is likely useful: GP first, then psychiatrist if complex.
• A specific diagnosis needs confirmation or reassessment: psychologist (for psychological testing) or psychiatrist.
• Evidence-based psychological therapy for a defined issue (anxiety, depression, PTSD): psychologist, clinical psychologist, or accredited mental health social worker through Better Access.
• Longer-term support that is not session-capped: counsellor or psychotherapist.
• Low-cost or no-cost support: bulk-billed GP, community health centre, national helplines (see next section).

Help-seeking footer

If the profession question is overwhelming, start with a bulk-billed GP. A good GP can steer you toward the right profession for your situation, and the visit costs nothing out of pocket.

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What to do if you cannot afford any of the above

Cost is one of the biggest barriers to women accessing mental health support in Australia. The following options are free, low-cost, or structured around hardship.

Free options

• National helplines (Lifeline, Beyond Blue, PANDA, 13YARN, 1800RESPECT, GriefLine, Blue Knot): all free. See the national services section.
• Head to Health and Medicare Mental Health Centres: walk-in mental health centres in many regions. No referral, no cost. Check headtohealth.gov.au for your nearest site.
• State mental health helplines and community mental health teams: free, staffed by mental health clinicians. See your state section for the number.
• Community health centres: many state-funded community health centres offer free or low-cost counselling, usually with income assessment and sometimes with wait lists. Ask your local council or GP.

Low-cost options

• Bulk-billed GP appointments: free at the point of care for mental health consultations. Use Healthdirect's service finder (healthdirect.gov.au) to locate bulk-billing GPs near you.
• Better Access Mental Health Treatment Plan: 10 Medicare-rebated sessions per calendar year with a psychologist, accredited mental health social worker, or eligible occupational therapist. Some psychologists and social workers bulk bill these sessions, meaning no out-of-pocket cost.
• University psychology training clinics: most Australian universities with psychology programs run low-cost training clinics staffed by supervised provisional psychologists. Fees typically $10 to $60 per session. Examples include UNSW Psychology Clinic, Monash Psychology Clinic, University of Sydney Psychology Clinic, Flinders Psychology Clinic, and Murdoch University Psychology Clinic. Search "[your state] university psychology clinic" to find local options.
• Women's health centres: many state-funded women's health centres offer free or concession-based counselling. See your state section.
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP): many Australian employers provide free short-term counselling (typically three to six sessions) through an EAP. Ask your HR department or check your employment contract. Sessions are confidential and independent of your employer.

Concession and hardship options

• Sliding-scale private practitioners: many private counsellors and psychologists reserve a small number of reduced-fee places for women in financial hardship. It is appropriate to ask when you enquire.
• Low-cost private telehealth: some online counselling services offer lower fees than in-person practice. Check that the counsellor is ACA or PACFA registered.
• Healthcare Card holders: some private practitioners offer Healthcare Card rates. Always ask.
• Relationships Australia and similar not-for-profits: Relationships Australia offers counselling on a sliding scale based on income. relationships.org.au.
• Anglicare, Uniting, CatholicCare, and Salvation Army family services: many faith-linked community services offer free or low-cost counselling regardless of faith background.

Digital free programs

• NewAccess (Beyond Blue): free, structured coaching for mild to moderate anxiety and depression. Six sessions with a trained coach.
• This Way Up: free or low-cost online cognitive behavioural therapy courses, developed by St Vincent's Hospital Sydney. thiswayup.org.au.
• MindSpot: free online assessment and treatment for anxiety, depression, PTSD, and OCD. mindspot.org.au.
• MumSpace and iCope (Centre of Perinatal Excellence): free digital perinatal mental health tools.

Help-seeking footer

If cost is the barrier, your first call can still be free. Lifeline (13 11 14), Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636), PANDA (1300 726 306) and a bulk-billed GP appointment all cost nothing and can be the start of a plan.

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When to go to emergency

If you or someone you love is in immediate danger, call 000 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department.

This section follows the Mindframe safe messaging guidelines. It does not describe specific methods of self-harm or suicide. It focuses on recognising when emergency care is appropriate and what to expect.

Call 000 or go to emergency if

• You or someone you are with is in immediate danger of harming themselves or others.
• You are experiencing thoughts of suicide with a plan or intent to act on those thoughts.
• You are unable to keep yourself safe for the next few hours.
• You have taken any substance in a way that may cause harm, or you are concerned someone else has.
• You are experiencing a severe mental health emergency, such as a sudden inability to recognise reality, extreme agitation, or symptoms that feel out of control.
• Someone supporting you is worried for your safety and you trust their judgement.

Call a crisis line (as an alternative or while waiting) if

• You are distressed but not in immediate danger.
• You are having thoughts of self-harm or suicide without intent or plan.
• You are unsure whether what you are experiencing is an emergency.

Crisis lines available 24/7:

• Lifeline: 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
• 13YARN: 13 92 76 (for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)
• 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732 (sexual, domestic, family violence)
• Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 (5 to 25 years)

State-based mental health lines are listed in each state section above and are also 24/7.

What to expect at emergency

• Emergency departments are usually busy and wait times vary. If you are in immediate danger, tell triage staff clearly. Mental health crises are triaged alongside physical emergencies.
• Most metropolitan and many regional emergency departments have access to a mental health clinician, sometimes called a mental health liaison nurse or psychiatric registrar.
• You can ask to speak to a mental health clinician when you arrive.
• You can bring a support person.
• If you are not admitted, you should leave with a safety plan and information about follow-up services.

For supporters

If you are supporting someone you are worried about, you can:

• Stay with them, or arrange for someone else to.
• Call Lifeline (13 11 14) to speak to a crisis supporter yourself.
• Remove access to means of harm if this is safe to do.
• Offer to drive them to emergency or call an ambulance.
• Avoid leaving someone alone if they have clearly expressed intent to harm themselves.

Help-seeking footer

In any situation that feels beyond what a helpline can hold, it is appropriate to call 000. Triage staff would rather support someone who turns out to be safe than miss someone who is not.

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How this guide is maintained

This guide is maintained by Safe Refuge Counselling. It is reviewed and updated at least every six months, with corrections and additions made as services change. Phone numbers, URLs, hours of operation, and eligibility criteria are checked against primary sources (service websites, state government health pages, and peak body directories) at each update.

If you notice an error, a service that has closed, or a service that should be added, please email the practice through the contact form at saferefuge.com.au with the subject line "Guide correction." Corrections are appreciated and acknowledged.

This guide is provided as a public reference. It does not substitute for individualised professional advice. Inclusion of a service does not constitute endorsement, and exclusion does not reflect a judgement of quality. Some services change name, funding, or focus over time, and while every effort is made to reflect current operations, there may be a lag between a change and this guide's update.

Last updated: April 2026.

Produced by: Safe Refuge Counselling (Mount Barker, South Australia). Safe Refuge Counselling is a private online and in-person counselling practice for women. It is not a domestic violence service.

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References and sources

Where a service is cited below, the primary source used was the service's own website or the relevant government or peak body website, accessed in April 2026. Services flagged as "verification uncertain" should be confirmed by the reader before use.

National services

• Lifeline Australia. lifeline.org.au
• Beyond Blue. beyondblue.org.au
• PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia). panda.org.au
• 1800RESPECT. 1800respect.org.au
• 13YARN. 13yarn.org.au
• GriefLine. griefline.org.au
• Head to Health (Australian Department of Health and Aged Care). headtohealth.gov.au
• MensLine Australia (On the Line). mensline.org.au
• Kids Helpline (yourtown). kidshelpline.com.au
• Blue Knot Foundation. blueknot.org.au
• QLife. qlife.org.au

New South Wales

• NSW Mental Health Line (NSW Health). health.nsw.gov.au
• Women's Health NSW. whnsw.asn.au
• Gidget Foundation Australia. gidgetfoundation.org.au
• Tresillian Family Care Centres. tresillian.org.au
• Karitane. karitane.com.au
• Red Nose Grief and Loss. rednose.org.au
• SANDS Australia. sands.org.au
• Full Stop Australia. fullstop.org.au
• STARTTS. startts.org.au
• Victims Services NSW. victimsservices.justice.nsw.gov.au
• Transcultural Mental Health Centre NSW. dhi.health.nsw.gov.au/tmhc
• Immigrant Women's Speakout Association. speakout.org.au (verification uncertain)
• Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council NSW. ahmrc.org.au
• Waminda Aboriginal Corporation. waminda.org.au

Victoria

• Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect (Victorian Department of Health). health.vic.gov.au
• Women's Health Victoria. whv.org.au
• Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE). cope.org.au
• The Royal Women's Hospital. thewomens.org.au
• Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement. grief.org.au
• Very Special Kids. vsk.org.au
• Centres Against Sexual Assault (CASA). casa.org.au
• Foundation House (Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture). foundationhouse.org.au
• Berry Street. berrystreet.org.au
• Victorian Transcultural Mental Health. vtmh.org.au
• Multicultural Centre for Women's Health. mcwh.com.au
• InTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence. intouch.org.au
• Victorian Aboriginal Health Service. vahs.org.au
• VACCHO. vaccho.org.au
• Djirra. djirra.org.au
• Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre. safesteps.org.au

Queensland

• Queensland Health 1300 MH CALL. health.qld.gov.au
• Women's Health Queensland. womhealth.org.au
• Peach Tree Perinatal Wellness. peachtree.org.au
• Ellen Barron Family Centre (Children's Health Queensland). childrens.health.qld.gov.au
• Mater Mothers' (Mater Health Services). matermothers.org.au
• DVConnect. dvconnect.org
• QPASTT. qpastt.org.au
• Bravehearts. bravehearts.org.au
• Queensland Transcultural Mental Health Centre. metrosouth.health.qld.gov.au/qtmhc
• Immigrant Women's Support Service. iwss.org.au
• Institute for Urban Indigenous Health. iuih.org.au
• QAIHC. qaihc.com.au
• Sisters Inside. sistersinside.com.au

Western Australia

• Mental Health Emergency Response Line (WA Health). mhc.wa.gov.au
• Women's Health and Family Services. whfs.org.au
• Ishar Multicultural Women's Health Services. ishar.org.au
• King Edward Memorial Hospital. kemh.health.wa.gov.au
• Ngala. ngala.com.au
• Sexual Assault Resource Centre (WA Health). kemh.health.wa.gov.au/Our-services/SARC
• Women's Council for Domestic and Family Violence Services WA. womenscouncil.com.au
• ASeTTS. asetts.org.au
• Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia. ahcwa.org.au
• Yorgum Healing Services. yorgum.org.au

South Australia

• SA Health Mental Health Triage Service. sahealth.sa.gov.au
• Women's Health Services SA. whs.sa.gov.au (verify current branding)
• Child and Family Health Service SA. cyh.com.au
• Women's and Children's Health Network. wch.sa.gov.au
• Yarrow Place. yarrowplace.sa.gov.au
• STTARS. sttars.org.au
• Victim Support Service SA. victimsa.org
• Multicultural Communities Council SA. mccsa.org.au
• Nunkuwarrin Yunti of SA. nunku.org.au
• Aboriginal Health Council of SA. ahcsa.org.au

Tasmania

• Tasmanian Department of Health Mental Health Services. health.tas.gov.au
• Women's Health Tasmania. womenshealthtas.org.au
• Sexual Assault Support Service. sass.org.au
• Laurel House Tasmania. laurelhouse.org.au
• Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania (Phoenix Centre). mrctas.org.au
• Engender Equality. engenderequality.org.au
• Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre. tacinc.com.au

Australian Capital Territory

• Canberra Health Services Access Mental Health. chs.act.gov.au
• Women's Health Matters. whm.org.au
• Queen Elizabeth II Family Centre. qeii.org.au
• Canberra Rape Crisis Centre. crcc.org.au
• Companion House. companionhouse.org.au
• Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT. dvcs.org.au
• Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services. winnunga.org.au
• Gugan Gulwan Youth Aboriginal Corporation. gugangulwan.com.au

Northern Territory

• NT Health Mental Health Line. health.nt.gov.au
• NT Sexual Assault Referral Centre. health.nt.gov.au
• Melaleuca Refugee Centre. melaleuca.org.au
• Ruby Gaea Darwin Centre Against Sexual Violence. rubygaea.org.au
• Multicultural Council of the Northern Territory. mcnt.org.au
• AMSANT. amsant.org.au
• Central Australian Aboriginal Congress. caac.org.au
• Danila Dilba Health Service. daniladilba.org.au
• Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation. miwatj.com.au

Comparison section sources

• Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) Better Access initiative. health.gov.au
• Australian Psychological Society (APS) recommended fees. psychology.org.au
• Australian Counselling Association. theaca.net.au
• Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia. pacfa.org.au
• Australian Association of Social Workers. aasw.asn.au
• Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. ahpra.gov.au
• Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. ranzcp.org

Mindframe

• Mindframe (Everymind). mindframe.org.au

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Content and copy produced by Safe Refuge Counselling, April 2026. Corrections welcome via saferefuge.com.au.