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If you are under 18 and need help

Kids and teenagers · 4 min read

There are services just for young people, and you can call them yourself. You do not need a parent to agree, and you will not be in trouble for asking.

Call Kids Helpline first

It is free to call, including from a mobile. You can call, web chat or email, and they will help you work out what to do — they can stay on the line while you ring somewhere else.

Kids Helpline works with the phone companies so the call usually does not appear on a phone bill, but they cannot promise it. If someone checks the bill, use web chat or email instead — those leave nothing on a phone account at all.

There is youth-specific accommodation

Refuges for people aged roughly 12 to 25 exist in most areas. They are staffed, and they are not the same as adult shelters.

Money if you cannot live at home

There is a Centrelink payment for young people who genuinely cannot live at home. It has to be assessed, and a social worker helps with that — ask for one when you call.

School can help more than you expect

A school counsellor, year adviser or wellbeing officer can arrange food, uniforms, transport and referrals quietly.