Help is closer
than you think.
Free and low-cost supports across the Illawarra and NSW, whether you're with us or not. No wrong door: if you're not sure where to start, start anywhere on this page, or call us and we'll help you navigate.
Showing 16 of 16 services
Lifeline
Crisis support and suicide prevention for anyone in Australia, any time of day or night. Call, text or chat online.
NSW Mental Health Line
NSW Health's 24/7 line for mental health advice, assessment and referral, for you or someone you're worried about.
Kids Helpline
Free, private counselling for young people aged 5 to 25, by phone or webchat, 24 hours a day.
13YARN
Crisis support line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, run by mob, for mob. Free from any phone.
Domestic Violence Line
NSW counselling, support and referrals for anyone experiencing or escaping domestic and family violence.
Child Protection Helpline
If you're worried about the safety or welfare of a child or young person, report it here, 24 hours a day.
Link2home
The NSW homelessness information line operates 24/7. Referrals to accommodation and support services are available from 9 am to 10 pm. Overnight, from 10 pm to 9 am, it provides information and assessment. Accommodation is subject to availability.
NSW Government homelessness support
What help exists if you're homeless or at risk of losing your home: emergency housing, temporary accommodation and support services.
Food Fairness Illawarra
A local network working on food security. Helps people and families find nearby food banks, community kitchens and meal programs.
Low cost and free meals directory
Wollongong City Council's page links to Food Fairness Illawarra's low-cost and free meals directory and other food support.
Illawarra Community Mental Health
NSW Health's community-based mental health service for adults in the Illawarra: assessment, treatment and support outside of hospital.
Mental health helplines directory
healthdirect's directory of mental health helplines. Check each service's purpose, hours and eligibility. For immediate danger call 000.
Medicare Mental Health
Free help to find mental health support. Call 1800 595 212 on weekdays, 8:30 am to 5 pm, excluding public holidays. For immediate danger call 000; for 24/7 crisis support see the urgent help services above.
Ability Rights Centre (IDRS)
Free legal help and disability advocacy in NSW, including NDIS appeals, rights education and support for parents with intellectual disability at risk of losing care of their children.
Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.Justice Advocacy Service (JAS)
Support for people with intellectual or other cognitive disability involved in the NSW criminal justice system as victims, witnesses or defendants. The police custody hotline operates 24/7.
24/7 police custody supportCommunity Restorative Centre (CRC)
Support for people affected by the criminal justice system. Its Reintegration Housing Support Program covers Illawarra (Coniston) for people leaving prison, or released within the past month, who are at risk of homelessness. Eligibility and referral conditions apply; housing is not guaranteed.
These services are independent of Live it Up. Contact details checked 16 Sep 2026. IDRS, JAS and CRC details checked 21 Sep 2026. Hours, eligibility and availability can change; check with the service. If you find outdated information, tell us so we can review it.
Navigating services is our job.
Connecting people with what's around them is half of what we do. If you can't find the right service, call us and we'll point you in the right direction, no strings attached.