If you or someone you know needs someone to talk to, for any reason, about anything, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, 24 hours a day.
There are lots of reasons why a young person might not have a safe or stable place to stay. You might be having problems at home, staying somewhere that doesn’t feel safe, or worried about where you’re going to sleep.
This can happen because of:
- conflict or breakdowns with family, carers, or relationships
- family violence or feeling unsafe at home
- being asked to leave or losing your accommodation
- exposure to violence, drugs, crime, or unsafe situations
- not being able to afford rent or bills
- couch surfing or having nowhere stable to stay.
If you are homeless, at risk of becoming homeless, or just don’t feel safe where you are living, support is available. You do not have to work it out on your own.
What Does Homelessness Mean?
Being homeless does not always mean sleeping on the streets.
A young person can be considered homeless if they do not have a safe, stable, or secure place to live. This can include:
- staying on friends’ couches
- moving between family members or different houses
- living in temporary or crisis accommodation
- staying somewhere unsafe or overcrowded
- having a home where there is violence, abuse, or fear.
Homelessness can also affect your connection to school, work, friends, family, and community.
Emergency Accommodation
Emergency accommodation is short-term support for people who need somewhere safe to stay quickly.
This may include:
- youth refuges
- crisis accommodation
- family violence refuges
- supported accommodation services
Workers can also help you:
- find longer-term housing options
- access financial support
- connect with health, education, counselling, and other services
How to Get Help
If you are homeless, worried about becoming homeless, or escaping family violence, you can call 1800 825 955 anytime, free of charge.
A housing and support worker will talk with you and help connect you to services in your local area.
Essential help lines (or hotlines) are toll-free or low-cost telephone and online support services. They provide immediate crisis intervention, mental health counselling, and safety information. Staffed by trained professionals and volunteers, these services are generally available 24/7 to help people manage stress, emotional distress, and emergencies. Below is a list of services that you may need to help you with your situation.]
If you are escaping family violence, you can also contact:
Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre
Call: 1800 015 188 (24 hours, free call)
They can help with safety planning, emergency accommodation, and family violence support.
You can also contact:
The Orange Door
A free service supporting children, young people, adults, and families experiencing family violence or needing extra support.
Support for Young People
Frontyard Youth Services
Frontyard supports young people aged 12–24 and can help with:
- housing and accommodation
- health and wellbeing
- education and training
- family support
- everyday needs
Their services are free, and you can visit without an appointment.
Address: 19 King Street, Melbourne
Phone: (03) 9977 0077
Other Support Available
Centrelink
Centrelink may be able to help with:
- crisis payments
- rent support
- appointments with social workers
- financial assistance if you have had to leave home
When visiting Centrelink, it is good to make an appointment with one of the social workers so that they can be a dedicated person to assist you and who you can contact outside of appointments. If possible. bring as much ID (Student; passport; bank account) as you have, as this will help with the process of applying for an income. Some young people also choose to bring a trusted family member or friend or youth worker to the appointments so together you can understand the steps and what is required.
Ask Izzy
Ask Izzy is a free, anonymous, and easy-to-use Australian website that helps people experiencing hardship find essential support services in their local area.
Ask Izzy is an online directory that can help you find:
- housing and accommodation
- food and essentials
- counselling and mental health support
- financial help
- local services near you
Remember — asking for help is a strong step, and there are people and services ready to support you.