Condition Guide — GP-reviewed
Domestic & Family Violence
Support in Australia
Domestic and family violence affects 1 in 4 Australian women and 1 in 13 men. Help is available right now — free, confidential, and 24 hours a day. This guide covers national helplines, state-by-state services, safety planning, coercive control, and specialist support for different communities.
If you are in immediate danger
000Police, Ambulance — immediate danger
1800 737 7321800RESPECT — 24/7 national DV counselling
Text: 0458 737 732 | Chat: 1800respect.org.au
1800 385 578Full Stop Australia — 24/7 trauma-specialist
Sexual, domestic & family violence
🔒 If someone may be monitoring your device
Use private/incognito mode and clear your browser history when done. If you need to leave this page quickly, click away to bom.gov.au. Use a device your partner doesn't have access to if possible.
National Services
1800RESPECT — National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service
Australia's primary 24/7 DV and sexual assault service. Free, confidential counselling, information, and referral for survivors, families, and professionals. Also available by text and online chat.
Full Stop Australia
Trauma-specialist counsellors for anyone impacted by sexual, domestic, or family violence. Available to people of all genders. Formerly Rape & DV Services Australia.
Men's Referral Service — for men wanting to change
Free, non-judgmental counselling for men concerned about their own use of violence or controlling behaviour. Taking this step is the right one.
Relationships Australia
Relationship counselling, family dispute resolution, and support for people experiencing relationship conflict and family violence.
State & Territory Services
National services operate in every state and territory. These state services can additionally connect you to local crisis accommodation, legal help, and specialist community services.
Queensland
DVConnect Womensline
1800 811 811
24/7. Crisis accommodation, safety planning, transport. Also supports people of all genders.
QLD — Men & perpetrator support
1800 600 636
DVConnect Mensline. Counselling and referral. 9am–midnight daily.
QLD — Sexual assault
1800 010 120
Sexual Assault Helpline QLD. 24/7.
Victoria
Safe Steps
1800 015 188
24/7 family violence response centre. Risk assessment, crisis accommodation, safety planning. Statewide.
VIC — Sexual assault
1800 806 292
Sexual Assault Crisis Line (CASA). 24/7 support and advocacy.
New South Wales
NSW Rape Crisis Centre
1800 424 017
24/7 statewide sexual assault crisis support and counselling.
For DV: 1800RESPECT is the primary national line. NSW Police non-emergency: 131 444.
Western Australia
Crisis Care
1800 199 008
After-hours DV crisis support, information and referrals.
WA — Sexual assault
1800 199 888
Sexual Assault Resource Centre. Free statewide.
South Australia
Domestic Violence Crisis Service
1800 800 098
24/7 statewide counselling and crisis accommodation.
SA — Sexual assault
1800 817 421
Yarrow Place — toll free in SA. Business hours: (08) 8226 8777.
Tasmania
Sexual Assault Support Service
1800 697 877
For DV: 1800RESPECT. Police non-emergency: 131 444.
Australian Capital Territory
Canberra Rape Crisis Centre
(02) 6247 2525
Northern Territory
1800RESPECT + NT Police
1800 737 732
1800RESPECT serves the NT nationally. NT is the only jurisdiction requiring mandatory reporting of domestic violence.
What Is Domestic & Family Violence?
Domestic and family violence is a pattern of behaviour used to maintain power and control over another person in a family or intimate relationship. It includes physical violence — but also many other forms of abuse that are equally serious.
Physical violence
Hitting, pushing, restraining, or any physical force
Psychological abuse
Threats, intimidation, humiliation, manipulation
Coercive control
Isolation, surveillance, financial control, restricting movement
Sexual violence
Any sexual act without consent, including within marriage
Financial abuse
Controlling money, preventing work, creating debt without consent
Technology-facilitated
Device monitoring, sharing intimate images, online harassment
Coercive Control
Coercive control is a persistent pattern of controlling, threatening, degrading and isolating behaviour — often with little or no physical violence. It can include monitoring your phone, controlling what you wear or where you go, cutting off contact with family and friends, and controlling all finances. Coercive control is now a criminal offence in NSW and Queensland. Other states are progressing similar legislation. 1800RESPECT and Full Stop Australia can advise on your options and local legal support.
If You Are Planning to Leave
Leaving can be the most dangerous time — not a reason to stay, but a reason to plan carefully with support.
1
Call 1800RESPECT first
They help you understand your options, create a safety plan, and find local services — whether you decide to leave now or not.
2
Build a safety plan
A safety plan is a personalised plan covering who to call, where to go, and what to take. Our free digital safety plan tool keeps everything on your device only.
3
Know what to take
ID (yours and children's), medications, phone charger, bank card, change of clothes. Keep copies of important documents with someone you trust or in a secure digital location.
4
Contact your state service for accommodation
DV services can connect you to crisis accommodation, refuge, safe housing, and emergency financial assistance.
5
See your GP
Your GP can document injuries, provide referrals, write supporting letters for legal proceedings, and connect you with the Mental Health Treatment Plan for psychology support. What you share is confidential except in mandatory reporting situations involving children.
Build a safety plan — private, stays on your device
Based on the Stanley-Brown Safety Planning Intervention. Nothing is sent or stored externally.
Men as Victims
1 in 13 Australian men experience domestic violence from a partner. Men may face additional barriers including stigma and disbelief. All services on this page support men. Additional services:
MensLine Australia
24/7 phone and online counselling for men on relationships, family violence, and separation.
LGBTIQ+ Communities
Rainbow Violence Helpline
Free, confidential support for LGBTIQ+ people experiencing sexual, domestic, or family violence.
QLife
LGBTIQ+ peer support and referral, including for people experiencing relationship violence.
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Communities
13YARN
24/7 crisis support by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
1800RESPECT — First Nations
Specific resources and referrals for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experiencing family violence.
For GPs & Health Professionals
The RACGP White Book (5th Ed, 2022) is the primary clinical reference for GPs managing family violence in general practice.
Mandatory reporting: Only the NT requires mandatory reporting of domestic violence. All states require mandatory reporting of child abuse — thresholds are jurisdiction-specific. If the child reporting threshold is reached, advise the protective parent before making the report so they can plan for their safety, as the perpetrator may be notified.
Follow-up: RACGP recommends a follow-up appointment whether or not a referral is accepted. Telehealth follow-up requires additional safety consideration if the perpetrator may be present.
Information sharing: Information can be shared with survivor consent. Victoria has a specific legislative Information Sharing Scheme. In other states, general confidentiality applies with standard exceptions for serious risk of harm.
Full guidance: RACGP White Book — Abuse and Violence | RACGP Family Violence Toolkit
Sources & References
- Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (2022). Abuse and violence: working with our patients in general practice, 5th edition. racgp.org.au
- Australian Bureau of Statistics (2016). Personal Safety Survey. ABS cat. 4906.0.
- Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety (ANROWS). anrows.org.au
- 1800RESPECT National DV Counselling Service. 1800respect.org.au
- DVConnect Queensland. dvconnect.org
- Safe Steps Victoria. safesteps.org.au
- All helpline numbers verified June 2026 against state government and service provider websites.
- Content reviewed against RACGP guidelines. GP-reviewed. Digital Treasure Pty Ltd.
Medical Disclaimer: This page provides general educational information only. If you are in immediate danger, call 000.
Privacy: This page uses Google Analytics. For digital safety concerns, use private/incognito browsing and clear your history after use.