People experiencing homelessness

Free and confidential phone and online counselling for young people

Kids Helpline is a free and confidential 24/7 phone and online chat counselling service for young people and the adults who care about them. Kids Helpline provides support for young people who are thinking about leaving home or are facing or experiencing homelessness.

Phone 1800 551 800

Australia’s largest health and welfare services directory

Ask Izzy is Australia's largest health and welfare services directory with over 450,000 services listed. The directory connects people in need with housing, food, clothing, hygiene and sanitary products, health care, alcohol and drug rehabilitation, financial support, counselling, domestic and family violence support, legal aid, employment, education, and skills training. Ask Izzy allows you to search for services that are specific to young people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTIQ+ people, and people who require an interpreter or translation support.

Free, private and safe social platform for 12 to 25 -year-olds across Australia

My Circle is a free, private, safe, and confidential social platform for 12 to 25 -year-olds across Australia. Supported by Kids Helpline counsellors, My Circle lets young people ask questions of others to learn more about their experiences and how they can cope.

Sign up to My Circle.

A community-based, early intervention and prevention program for young people

Reconnect is a community-based, early intervention and prevention program for young people aged 12–18 years and their families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Reconnect can help a young person improve their relationship with their family and stay at school. Reconnect offers mediation, counselling, and referrals to other services.

Find a service near you.

Case management and support for young people under 21

The YHARS Support Service provides case management and support to young people under 21 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to access suitable accommodation, reconnect with family or carers, engage in education, training, and employment, develop skills to maintain tenancies, improve interpersonal skills, and plan for long-term housing and other future personal goals.

Culturally safe and affordable accommodation support for First Nations people

Aboriginal Hostels Limited provides culturally safe and affordable accommodation for First Nations people who need to be away from home to access services and economic opportunities. This includes individuals and families seeking employment and awaiting housing. Aboriginal Hostels Limited operates 10 hostels across Queensland, with the hostels offering 3 meals a day.

Find a hostel near you.

Connecting young people with support services, including crisis accommodation

Mission Australia connects young people aged 16–25 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with support services, including early intervention and prevention programs, crisis accommodation, case management, and ongoing support for those still experiencing homelessness.

Shelters and homelessness services in the Gold Coast and Townsville areas

UnitingCare operates shelters and homelessness services in the Gold Coast and Townsville areas. The Gold Coast Homelessness Service provides accommodation and support services to families and single people across the region. They provide emergency accommodation for those over 18 years, support and referrals for young people, crisis intervention, counselling, and financial management training.

Phone 07 5579 6060 (Gold Coast)

Phone 07 4775 9100 (Townsville)

Information and referral service for young people experiencing homelessness

Homeless Hotline is a 24/7 phone information and referral service for people who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness. Homeless Hotline helps people over the age of 16 and provides information about where to find support, accommodation, meals, or showers.

Phone 1800 474 753

Supports for young people experiencing homelessness and hardship

Orange Sky supports people experiencing homelessness and hardship across the community through access to clean laundry, warm showers, and genuine, non-judgemental conversation. Orange Sky always operates alongside service providers, including food vans and community centres, to provide holistic support to those doing it tough. Orange Sky provides services across South East Queensland, and also the following remote communities in Queensland:

• Aurukun
• Doomadgee
• Lockhart River
• Palm Island

Dedicated not-for-profit resolving family homelessness

Micah Projects is a not-for-profit organisation with a dedicated team working to rapidly resolve family homelessness. They can connect you with providers, help you find solutions, and assist with preparing rental applications. They can also help to identify issues that may have contributed to homelessness or kept you there (i.e. health, social, work, childcare), and can link parents, carers, and young people with support.

Phone 07 3036 4444 (8am-12pm, 7 days a week)

Phone 07 3029 7000 (After hours, 24/7)

Australia’s largest health and welfare services directory

Ask Izzy is Australia's largest health and welfare services directory with over 450,000 services listed. The directory connects people in need with housing, food, clothing, hygiene and sanitary products, health care, alcohol and drug rehabilitation, financial support, counselling, domestic and family violence support, legal aid, employment, education, and skills training. Ask Izzy allows you to search for services that are specific to families with young people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTIQ+ people, and people who require an interpreter or translation support.

Housing support for young people and their families

The Housing and Tenancy Support (HATS) team at the Brisbane Youth Service (BYS) manages units of housing across Brisbane for young people aged 16–25, and their accompanying children, who are experiencing homelessness or housing crisis. A range of housing is available, including for young families, couples, single occupants, specialist young women’s housing, and share-housing. HATS Housing and Support Workers are available to support you to maintain your tenancy, develop independent living skills, and access supports in the community.

Phone 07 3620 2400

Culturally safe and affordable accommodation support for First Nations people

Aboriginal Hostels Limited provides culturally safe and affordable accommodation for First Nations people who need to be away from home to access services and economic opportunities. This includes individuals and families seeking employment and awaiting housing. Aboriginal Hostels Limited operates 10 hostels across Queensland, with the hostels offering 3 meals a day.

Find a hostel near you.

Connecting young people and their families with support services, including crisis accommodation

Mission Australia offers early intervention and prevention programs for people at risk of homelessness, and emergency, transitional, and supported accommodation for those still experiencing homelessness. Mission Australia also provides social and affordable housing to individuals or families on low to moderate incomes who are having difficulty securing housing in the private rental market.

Shelters and homelessness services in the Gold Coast and Townsville areas

UnitingCare operates shelters and homelessness services in the Gold Coast and Townsville areas. The Gold Coast Homelessness Service provides accommodation and support services to families and single people across the region. They provide emergency accommodation for those over 18 years, support and referrals for young people, crisis intervention, counselling, and financial management training.

Phone 07 5579 6060 (Gold Coast)

Phone 07 4775 9100 (Townsville)

Connecting young people with case workers to find safe shelter

Red Cross helps connect people with caseworkers to find suitable and safe shelter.

• The Street to Home program in Townsville primarily supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people who are homeless to live safely and develop pathways out of homelessness.
• The Homelessness Service Hub in Townsville provides information, support, housing, and specialist services to assist people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.