Helplines

  • Defence Member and Family Helpline - 1800 624 608
    The Defence Member and Family Helpline is your first point of call for support, information and connection with your community, including your local DMFS team. The Helpline is available 24-7 and is staffed by qualified human services professionals including social workers and psychologists. They can also provide advice on mailing addresses and postal regulations for overseas deployments, and can facilitate the passing of urgent messages to deployed personnel.
  • All-hours Support Line - 1800 628 036
    The All-hours Support Line (ASL) is a confidential telephone service for ADF members and their families that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The ASL is designed as a triage line, which simply means that it is there to help you access ADF or civilian mental health services more easily. Services that you can access include psychology, medical, social work, and chaplain services.
  • Open Arms (formerly VVCS) - 1800 011 046
    Open Arms provides free and confidential, nation-wide counselling and support for war and service-related mental health conditions, such as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance and anger. Support is also available for relationship and family matters that can arise due to the unique nature of the military lifestyle.
  • Lifeline - 13 11 14
    For 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. The national charity’s online Crisis Support Chat service is also available every night at lifeline.org.au/crisischat.
  • 1800 Respect - 1800 737 732
    National sexual assault and domestic violence counselling available 24/7.
  • beyondblue - 1300 22 4636
    Information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live.
  • ADF Chaplains - 1300 333 362
    Military Chaplains from the RAN, Army or RAAF are connected to all ships/units/bases around Australia and on Operations. They can provide all-hours support and appropriate referral. To access Defence Chaplaincy support, call 1300 333 362 and ask to speak to the Duty Chaplain from your area and Service.
  • Advocacy Training and Development Program (ATDP)
    The Advocacy Training and Development Program (ATDP) provides nationally-accredited training in military advocacy to support ex service organisations in providing advocacy services to the veteran community. The program ensures advocates meet national competency standards before giving advice to clients on services and entitlements’.
  • Accredited Advocate Register (AAR)
    The AAR includes the contact details of authorised representatives in Ex-Service Organisations (ESOs) who can provide advocacy services. You can search the AAR by ESO name or by region. Advocacy services can assist you with the submission of primary claims, reconsideration of DRCA determinations or MRCA and VEA appeals to the Veterans Review Board (VRB) and appeals to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT), and/or wellbeing support.