Useful Links

A directory of services and organisations for older women

This directory provides information on services and organisations relevant to older women.

NSW Ageing and Disability Abuse Helpline 1800 628 221

Emergency Services

Homelessness & Housing

Domestic violence, family violence & abuse services

 

Grief and Crisis Support

  • National Association for Loss and Grief NSW (NALAG)
    FREE loss and grief support to those who are grieving by trained volunteers
    02 6882 9222
  • Lifeline
    National charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services
    13 11 14
  • Suicide Callback Service
    Free counselling NATIONWIDE for suicide prevention & mental health via telephone, online & video for anyone affected by suicidal thoughts, 24/7.
    1300 659 467

Commonwealth & State Departments

My Aged Care

  • My Aged Care
    Government program coordinating aged care
    1800 200 422
  • Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission 
    Assessing and monitoring the quality of care and services against the Aged Care Quality Standards
    1800 951 822
  • Care Finder 
    A free service to learn about, apply for and set up support services for those who need intensive support.
  • Aged Care Assessment Team ACAT
    1800 556 533
  • Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre
    These local centres provide a link to carer support services and assists carers with options to take a break through short-term and emergency respite.
    1800 052 222
    After hours: 1800 059 059
  • National Carer Gateway
    Carer Gateway provides information about services and support available for people who care for someone with disability, chronic illness, dementia, mental illness or who are frail aged.
    1800 422 737

Centrelink

NSW State

Department of Social Services

Department of Health

Health & Special Needs Services

Mental Health, alcohol, drug abuse

Disability

Dementia

        • Dementia Australia
          National Dementia Helpline is a free confidential phone and email information and support service for people suffering from dementia and their carers
          1800 100 500
        • Dementia Support Australia
          Government-funded service
          1800 699 799
        • Dementia Reframed
          Dementia Reframed focuses on improving information about living with dementia, and supporting carers on their journeys.
          0418 220 888. Download an information flyer here.

Women's Health Centres NSW

Other

Human rights / anti-discrimination / Legal aid

Women's Legal Service NSW

  • Women’s Legal Advice Line
    Free confidential legal information, advice and referrals for women in NSW with a focus on family law, domestic violence and sexual assault.
    02 8745 6988
  • Domestic Violence Legal Advice Line
    Free confidential legal information, advice and referrals for women in NSW with a focus on domestic violence and Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders.
    1800 810 784
    02 8745 6999
  • Indigenous Women’s Contact Line
    Free confidential legal information, advice and referrals for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in NSW with a focus on domestic violence, sexual assault, parenting issues, family law, discrimination and victim’s support.
    1800 639 784
    02 8745 6977
  • Working Women’s Legal Service
    Free legal advice for women who have experienced sexual harassment, pregnancy discrimination or discrimination because of family responsibilities.
    02 8745 6954
  • Care and Protection Legal Advice Line
    Free legal advice for mothers and other female relatives who are dealing with the Department of Family and Community Services (FaCS).
    02 8745 6908
  • Women and Sexual Violence Law
    This publication was written by the solicitors at the Women’s Legal Service NSW.
    02 8745 6900

Seniors Rights Service

Organisations

    • Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
      Independent statutory organisation which investigates complaints about discrimination, protect and promote human rights in Australia and internationally
      1300 620 241 (Information service)
      1300 369 711 (General enquiries and publications)
      02 9284 9600
      1800 620 241 (TTY)
    • Sex Discrimination (AHRC)
      Information
    • Anti-Discrimination Board of NSW
      Anti-discrimination complaints – NSW Department of Justice
      1800 670 812
      02 9268 5544
    • Equality Rights Alliance
      Australia’s largest network advocating for women’s equality, women’s leadership and recognition of women’s diversity
      02 5104 2954
    • Mental Health Advocacy Service (Legal Aid)
      Statewide specialist service of Legal Aid NSW.
      02 9745 4277
    • Welfare Rights Centre
      Community legal centre specialising in social security law and its administration by Centrelink.
      1800 226 028
      02 9211 5300
    • LegalAid NSW
      A state-wide organisation providing legal services to socially and economically disadvantaged people across NSW.  It delivers legal services in most areas of criminal, family and civil law.
      1300 888 529
    • Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women’s Legal Centre
      The Centre provides legal support, referral and advice to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, children and youth in the local community, and throughout NSW.
      1800 686 587
    • Inner City Legal Centre ICLC
      Provides legal services to gay, lesbian and transgender clients from anywhere in NSW.
      02 9332 1966
    • The Law Society of NSW
      Peak body of the legal profession.
      02 9926 0364
    • Legal Pathways (COTA NSW)
      COTA NSW and Legal Aid NSW have formed a partnership to provide assistance to older persons needing to draft a Will, Enduring Power of Attorney or Enduring Guardianship.
      1800 449 102
      02 9286 3860
    • Immigration Advice and Rights Centre
      Legal advice line for immigration issues.
      02 8234 0700
    • LawAccess
      Free Legal information, advice and referrals.
      1300 888 529

    Seniors / pensioners / retirees / carers

    Organisations

    Women’s groups & associations

    Organisations

    Financial & Economic Issues

    Organisations

    Employment & Return to Work Programs for Women

    Organisations

    Dress for Success – Careers Centre

    Dress for Success provides employment assistance for women with coaching and career development, network support and access to professional clothing.132 Marrickville Road, Marrickville, NSW 2204 | 1800 773 456

    Return to Work NSW

    The Return to Work Program is for women who have been unemployed for one month or more and intend to return to work as an employee within 6 months. 13 77 88

    Fitted for Work

    Fitted for Work assists women experiencing disadvantage find employment.
    Suite 1, level 6/85 George Street Parramatta NSW 2150 | 02 9635 9909 | sydney@fittedforwork.org

    Loneliness

    Organisations

    Friendline
    Run by friendly volunteers and open to anyone who needs to chat, all calls are anonymous.
    Call 02 7226 1708 (Free call 1800 424 287). The support line is open: 10am – 8pm, 7 days a week
    Chat online > HERE. The online chat service is open: 6pm – 8pm, Mon – Fri.

    Australian Red Cross Community Visitors Scheme
    The Community Visitors Scheme matches you with a Red Cross volunteer for regular social visits (available in person or over the phone). 1800 733 276

    R U OK? Ending Loneliness Together
    Explores what is loneliness and tips for managing loneliness.

    Ending Loneliness Together
    Tipsheeets about loneliness.

    Other

    Organisations

    • Deaf or Hearing Impaired National Relay Service 
      133 677
      1300 555 727
    • Translating and Interpreting Services TIS
      131 450
    • WIRE
      WIRE is the only state-wide free information & referral service for Victorian women, non-binary and gender-diverse people.
      General Support: 1300 134 130
      Respect: 1800 737 732
      Safesteps: 1800 015 188 (crisis support)
      w|respect: 1800 542 847 (LGBTQI)

    Computer Scams

    Organisations

    Resources

    THEY SAY AN IMAGE CAN SPEAK VOLUMES, SO WHAT ABOUT VIDEO?

    SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

    Our fortnightly newsletter dOWNtime will keep you informed of the issues and events concerning older women.
    Join the OWN community!

    Thank you! You have successfully subscribed.

    Pin It on Pinterest

    Share This