Guides and resources
Help, Helplines & Independent Support
Finding the right place to ask for help shouldn't be difficult.
Henari has brought together trusted helplines, government services, advocacy organisations and community resources to help participants, families, carers and members of our community find support when they need it.
You do not need to be a Henari participant to use this page.
Henari does not operate the external services listed here. We provide these contacts as a convenient starting point so you can find independent information and support.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Help to make a call
Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National)
If you need an interpreter, TIS National can connect you with one, who can then call a service with you.
Visit TIS National (opens in a new tab)National Relay Service (NRS)
If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have difficulty speaking, the NRS can help you contact any service on this page. Options include Auslan video relay, TTY, SMS relay, NRS Chat and NRS Captions.
Visit the National Relay Service (opens in a new tab)Mental health and crisis support
If you're struggling, worried about someone, or just need to talk, these services can listen and help.
Lifeline
Crisis support and suicide prevention for anyone in Australia experiencing emotional distress.
Visit Lifeline (opens in a new tab)Beyond Blue
Free phone and webchat counselling for anyone in Australia, whatever you're feeling.
Talk to Beyond Blue (opens in a new tab)Suicide Call Back Service
Free phone and online counselling for people at risk of suicide, people worried about someone, and people bereaved by suicide.
Visit Suicide Call Back Service (opens in a new tab)1300 MH CALL
Queensland's confidential mental health phone line. It connects you with your nearest Queensland public mental health service.
About 1300 MH CALL (opens in a new tab)Children and young people
Kids Helpline
Free, private and confidential counselling for young people aged 5 to 25, by phone or webchat.
Visit Kids Helpline (opens in a new tab)Domestic, family and sexual violence
If you are in danger right now, call 000. These services are confidential and can help you plan for your safety.
1800RESPECT
National counselling, information and support for people affected by domestic, family or sexual violence, and for people supporting them.
Visit 1800RESPECT (opens in a new tab)DVConnect Womensline
Free helpline for people in Queensland experiencing domestic and family violence.
Visit DVConnect Womensline (opens in a new tab)DVConnect Mensline
Support for men in Queensland who are experiencing, or using, abuse in a partner or family relationship.
Visit DVConnect Mensline (opens in a new tab)DVConnect Sexual Assault Helpline
Phone support for people in Queensland affected by sexual assault.
Visit DVConnect (opens in a new tab)Women in North Queensland can also get free legal help from the North Queensland Women's Legal Service.
Disability advocacy and independent support
A disability advocate is an independent person who can help you understand your rights and options, and speak up with you or for you.
Disability Advocacy Finder
Search for a disability advocate near you, including help with NDIS appeals at the Administrative Review Tribunal.
Find an advocate (opens in a new tab)Disability Advocacy Pathways
Information and referral to help Queenslanders with disability, and their family, friends and carers, find the right advocacy service.
Visit Disability Advocacy Pathways (opens in a new tab)Rights In Action
Independent advocacy for people with disability and mental health concerns in North Queensland, including help with NDIS issues and reviews of NDIA decisions.
Visit Rights In Action (opens in a new tab)Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion (QAI)
Advocacy and human rights legal help for people with disability in Queensland, including NDIS appeals support and a program for young people.
Visit QAI (opens in a new tab)Disability Gateway
Australian Government information to help people with disability, their families and carers find services and supports.
Visit Disability Gateway (opens in a new tab)National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline
Talk about abuse or neglect of a person with disability. The Hotline can tell you which organisations can investigate.
About the Hotline (opens in a new tab)NDIS information, concerns and complaints
NDIS (National Disability Insurance Agency)
For questions about applying, your plan, and other participant enquiries.
Contact the NDIS (opens in a new tab)NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
Raise a concern or make a complaint about an NDIS provider or worker, including Henari. Anyone can make a complaint about a provider.
How to make a complaint (opens in a new tab)Who does what
- NDIA (the National Disability Insurance Agency) decides who can access the NDIS and what is funded in a plan.
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission looks into concerns and complaints about NDIS providers and workers.
- An independent advocate is on your side and can help you with either. See disability advocacy.
Henari is a support provider. We do not decide NDIS eligibility, funding, reviews or complaint outcomes.
Carers and families
Carer Gateway
Free Australian Government services and support for people who care for someone.
Visit Carer Gateway (opens in a new tab)Families and carers can also contact Disability Advocacy Pathways or the Disability Gateway.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander support
13YARN
Free, confidential crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, from any mobile or pay phone.
Visit 13YARN (opens in a new tab)Yarn2Action
Free disability advocacy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability, and their carers or representatives, anywhere in Queensland.
Visit Yarn2Action (opens in a new tab)Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (ATSILS)
Criminal, family and civil law help for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Queensland.
Visit ATSILS (opens in a new tab)NDIS First Nations Connect
An NDIS phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Visit NDIS contact page (opens in a new tab)LGBTIQA+ support
QLife
Anonymous and free LGBTIQ+ peer support and referral for people who want to talk about sexuality, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships.
Visit QLife (opens in a new tab)Legal help
Legal Aid Queensland
Queensland's legal aid service. Start with the Legal Information Line if you have a legal problem.
Visit Legal Aid Queensland (opens in a new tab)Townsville Community Law
Free and confidential legal information, referrals and one-off legal help for people in Townsville.
Visit Townsville Community Law (opens in a new tab)North Queensland Women's Legal Service
Free legal advice and support for women in the top half of Queensland, including domestic and family violence, family law and child safety matters.
Visit NQWLS (opens in a new tab)Find a community legal centre
Community legal centres give free, confidential legal help across Queensland. Search for one near you.
Find a legal centre (opens in a new tab)Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can also contact ATSILS.
Housing and homelessness support
Homeless Hotline
Information about emergency and crisis accommodation, meals and showers for people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.
About the Homeless Hotline (opens in a new tab)Townsville Housing Service Centre
The Queensland Government's housing office for the Townsville area.
Townsville centre details (opens in a new tab)Financial counselling
National Debt Helpline
Free financial counselling and advice on managing debts.
Visit National Debt Helpline (opens in a new tab)Townsville and North Queensland
Local offices from the sections above, in one place. Select a name to see the full details.
13 HEALTH
Confidential phone health advice for Queenslanders, for the cost of a local call.
About 13 HEALTH (opens in a new tab)Independent support
Some organisations on this page are independent of Henari, the NDIA and other service providers.
You have the right to seek independent information, advocacy or help. You do not need Henari's permission to contact any of these services.
If you have a concern or complaint about an NDIS provider, including Henari, you can contact the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (opens in a new tab) on 1800 035 544. You can also ask an independent advocate to help you.
About this directory
Henari provides this directory for general information and convenience. Henari does not operate or control the external organisations listed on this page, and inclusion does not imply endorsement or a formal relationship.
Services, contact details and operating arrangements can change. Always check the linked organisation's official website for current information.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Looking for disability support in Townsville?
If you'd like information about Henari's disability support services, our team can help you understand what we provide and whether our services may suit your needs.

