Need extra support?
Support Services
Support
Services
Explore our list of local, state and national services and helplines to support you and your family.
Click the + button on each category below for detailed listings and contact information.
Community Support & Essentials
Find emergency relief, food and local services to support your everyday needs. If you’re facing hardship, these services provide emergency relief, food, clothing and other essentials, along with social support and referrals.
Forster Neighbourhood Centre
Local support for housing, food and community services.
www.fnc.org.au
02 6555 4351
St Vincent de Paul Society
Emergency support, food, clothing and everyday essentials.
www.vinnies.org.au/nsw/find-help/assistance-with-food-and-everyday-essentials
13 18 12 (option 3)
Salvation Army
Emergency relief for individuals and families facing hardship, including food, clothing and financial support.
www.salvationarmy.org.au/forster/community-services/
02 6557 2076
Housing & Homelessness Support
Find emergency accommodation, long-term housing options and support services. If you’re experiencing homelessness, struggling to pay rent or need emergency accommodation, these services can help. They offer everything from crisis and short-term housing to long-term support and advice.
Link2Home
NSW Homelessness Line – 24/7 information and referral for people experiencing homelessness.
www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/help/ways/are-you-homeless
1800 152 152
Social Housing Register (NSW Domestic Violence Line)
Support for people escaping domestic and family violence, including access to priority housing.
www.dcj.nsw.gov.au
1800 656 463
Great Lakes and Manning Youth Homelessness Services (GLAMYHS)
Support for young people aged 16-24 who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Services include the Taree crisis youth refuge, transitional accommodation and an outreach youth housing support program.
communityresources.org.au/glamyhs
02 6553 5121
Great Lakes Women’s Shelter
Safe accommodation for women and children escaping domestic violence.
glws.org.au
02 6555 9830
Samaritans “The Hub” (Mid Coast Family Support Service)
Support hub offering housing assistance, domestic violence support and family services.
www.samaritans.org.au
02 6539 3400
Community Housing Limited (Mid North Coast)
Affordable housing and tenancy support services.
chl.org.au
1300 245 468
NSW Rent Choice Start Safely
Provides rental assistance for people escaping domestic violence to access safe private rental housing.
www.facs.nsw.gov.au
1800 152 152
Rentstart (FACS NSW)
Helps eligible people access private rental housing by providing bond loans and rental assistance.
www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing
1800 422 322
Aboriginal Housing Office (NSW)
Providing affordable housing and tenancy support for Aboriginal people.
www.aho.nsw.gov.au
1800 727 555
Many Rivers Regional Housing
Affordable housing and tenancy support for Aboriginal people in regional NSW, including Forster-Tuncurry.
www.mrrahms.com.au
02 6652 8740
Tenancy Advice (Mid Coast Tenants Advice & Advocacy Service)
Free support for renters facing tenancy issues, including eviction, rent arrears and disputes.
www.tenants.org.au
1800 654 504 or 02 4969 7666
Rent It Keep It (via Mission Australia)
Tenancy education program to help renters secure and maintain housing.
www.missionaustralia.com.au
1800 269 672
Family & Domestic Violence Support
Find safe housing, counselling and legal assistance. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, these services provide support, safe accommodation and legal assistance.
1800RESPECT
Support for domestic and family violence, sexual assault and abuse.
www.1800respect.org.au
1800 737 732
NSW Domestic Violence Line
Free counselling and referral services for people experiencing domestic violence. Available 24 hours, 7 days a week.
1800 656 463
Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services (WDVCAS)
Support for women navigating legal protections.
1800 938 227
Social Housing Register (NSW Domestic Violence Line)
Support for people escaping domestic and family violence, including access to priority housing.
www.dcj.nsw.gov.au
1800 656 463
No to Violence (Men’s Referral Service)
Support for men seeking to change harmful behaviours.
www.ntv.org.au
1300 766 491
Forster Police Station
Domestic Violence Police Liaison Officer
02 6555 1299
Forster Neighbourhood Centre (FNC)
Child and Family Program
Counselling for domestic or family violence is available if there is a child in the family under the age of 12.
Mid Coast Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service
Outreach every Friday at FNC, offering support, AVO assistance and court support.
fnc.org.au/domestic-violence-support
6584 0053 or 0419 938 241 to make an appointment.
Great Lakes Women’s Shelter
Safe accommodation for women and children escaping domestic violence.
glws.org.au
02 6555 9830
Samaritans “The Hub” (Mid Coast Family Support Service)
Support hub offering housing assistance, domestic violence support and family services.
www.samaritans.org.au
02 6539 3400
NSW Rent Choice Start Safely
Provides rental assistance for people escaping domestic violence to access safe private rental housing.
www.facs.nsw.gov.au
1800 152 152
Health & Wellbeing
Access health services, counselling and peer support networks. These services offer free support, including general healthcare, counselling and community programs, to help you feel your best – physically, mentally and emotionally.
Tobwabba Aboriginal Medical Service
Culturally safe and holistic healthcare, supporting the health and wellbeing of Worimi people.
tobwabba.org.au
02 6555 0444
Forster Community Health Centre
Local health services, counselling and referrals.
More info
02 6539 6300
Healthdirect
24/7 health advice from registered nurses.
www.healthdirect.gov.au
1800 022 222
Lifeline Australia
24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention.
www.lifeline.org.au
13 11 14
NewAccess by Beyond Blue
Free, guided mental health coaching for stress, anxiety, and life pressures.
www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/newaccess
1300 22 4636
Beyond Blue Support Line
24/7 mental health support and information.
www.beyondblue.org.au
1300 22 4636
Kids Helpline
24/7 counselling for young people aged 5 to 25.
www.kidshelpline.com.au
1800 55 1800
NSW Mental Health Line
24/7 mental health support and referrals.
1800 011 511
Youth & Children’s Services
Support for young people, kids and families. Practical help is available for parents, young people and children, including parenting advice, counselling and educational support.
Parentline NSW
A free telephone counselling and support service for parents and carers with children aged 0 to 18 who live in NSW.
www.parentline.org.au
1300 130 052
1800RESPECT
24/7 support for families affected by domestic and family violence or abuse.
www.1800respect.org.au
1800 737 732
Tresillian Parent’s Help Line
Tailored advice on your baby’s sleep, feeding and development. The free Help Line is open every day from 7am to 11pm.
www.tresillian.org.au
1300 272 736
NSW Family Referral Service
Connects families with local support services for parenting, health and wellbeing.
www.familyreferralservice.com.au
1300 338 774
Kids Helpline
Free, 24/7 confidential counselling and support for young people aged 5 to 25.
www.kidshelpline.com.au
1800 55 1800
Bravehearts – Support for Child Safety
Free call line: counselling and support for children and families affected by child sexual abuse. 8.30am – 4.30pm, Monday to Friday
www.bravehearts.org.au
1800 272 831
Financial & Legal Assistance
Access free legal support for civil, family and criminal matters. Get free, confidential support for bills, debt and legal issues. Whether you’re dealing with overdue payments, tenancy concerns or need legal advice, these services can help.
National Debt Helpline
Free, confidential financial counselling.
www.ndh.org.au
1800 007 007
LawAccess NSW
Free legal information and referrals.
www.lawaccess.nsw.gov.au
1300 888 529
Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW
Help with energy and water bill disputes.
www.ewon.com.au
1800 246 545
Salvation Army
Emergency financial assistance. Phone line open Monday – Friday, 9am – 4pm.
www.salvationarmy.org.au
02 8775 7988
Essential Legal Services at Tobwabba Aboriginal Medical Service
tobwabba.org.au/about
Legal Aid NSW
Civil and family law support. A visiting Legal Aid service is available at Tobwabba one Wednesday each month for drop-in appointments.
02 5525 1600
Family Law Intervention Unit
The team visits Tobwabba monthly. To book an appointment, call:
1800 551 589
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Services
Support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Culturally safe healthcare, housing support and community programs are available for local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Tobwabba Aboriginal Medical Service
Culturally safe and holistic healthcare, supporting the health and wellbeing of Worimi people.
www.tobwabba.org.au
02 6555 0444
Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council
Community support, cultural programs and advocacy for Aboriginal people in the Worimi region.
www.worimilalc.org.au
02 4965 4532
Biripi Aboriginal Corporation Medical Centre (Taree)
Comprehensive healthcare, social support and community programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
www.biripi.org.au
02 6551 6400
Aboriginal Housing Office (NSW)
Affordable housing and tenancy support for Aboriginal people across the Mid North Coast.
www.aho.nsw.gov.au
1800 727 555
Many Rivers Regional Housing
Affordable housing and tenancy support for Aboriginal people in regional NSW, including Forster-Tuncurry.
www.mrrahms.com.au
02 6652 8740
Multicultural Support
Resources and services for culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
These services provide advocacy, settlement assistance and community programs to help people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds feel connected and supported.
Settlement Services International (SSI)
Support for refugees, asylum seekers and multicultural communities.
www.ssi.org.au
Ethnic Communities’ Council of NSW
Advocacy and programs for multicultural communities.
www.eccnsw.org.au
Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association (MDAA)
Advocacy and support for people with disabilities from culturally diverse backgrounds.
www.mdaa.org.au
1800 629 072
MidCoast Multicultural Settlement Support
Settlement support, community connections and cultural programs for newly arrived migrants and refugees.
www.midcoastcommunities.org.au
02 5525 1600
NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS)
Trauma counselling, community development and group programs for refugees and asylum seekers.
www.startts.org.au
02 9646 6800
Disability Support
Services and advocacy for people with disabilities.
Whether you need help accessing everyday supports, connecting with the community, or understanding your rights, these services provide practical assistance and advocacy.
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
Support for people with permanent and significant disabilities.
www.ndis.gov.au
1800 800 110
Ability Links NSW
Connecting people with disabilities to services and community supports.
02 4905 0700
Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association (MDAA)
Advocacy and support for people with disabilities from culturally diverse backgrounds.
www.mdaa.org.au
1800 629 072
Our services
Dedicated services for young people and families
Youth Services
Case Management & Youth Programs – Helping you work out life and create a better future.
Family Support
Supported Playgroup & Worimi Family Case Worker – Play, learn, connect and find support for your family.
Worimi Services
Advocacy, Referrals & Homework Club – For local Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people.
Driver’s Program
Driver Licensing Access Program – Help to get your driver’s licence, from pre-learners to full license.
Would you like to find out more?
Would you like to find out more?
Fill out the form and we’ll be in touch as soon as we can
Proudly living and working on Worimi Country
Nyiirun Worimigal barrayguba ngarraynbu
