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What to do in an emergency, and a one-stop list of free Australian services for kids, teens and the grown-ups who love them.

In an emergency

If someone is in danger right now, call 000.

It is free from any phone, and works even with no credit. Ask for police, ambulance or fire.

Call000

Deaf, hard of hearing or can not speak? Text-based emergency calls are available through the National Relay Service.

What to say

  1. 1.Which service you need: police, ambulance or fire.
  2. 2.Where you are. Give a street address or a landmark.
  3. 3.What is happening, in a few simple words.
  4. 4.Stay on the line. They will tell you when to hang up.

Not an emergency, but urgent?

What is happening? Find the closest match.

Quick steps for the situations parents tell us worry them most. If you are not sure, call 000 when someone is in danger, or one of the helplines below.

Your child is in danger right now

  1. 1.Call 000 and ask for police, ambulance or fire.
  2. 2.Say where you are and what is happening.
  3. 3.Stay on the line until they tell you to hang up.

Someone is blackmailing or threatening your child online

  1. 1.Do not pay and do not send any more images.
  2. 2.Take screenshots of the messages and the profile first, then block the account.
  3. 3.Report it to the ACCCE and eSafety. Call police on 131 444, or 000 if anyone is in danger now.
  4. 4.Tell your child they are not in trouble. Being blackmailed is never their fault.
Report to ACCCEReport to eSafety

Your child talks about hurting themselves or ending their life

  1. 1.If they are in danger now, call 000 and stay with them.
  2. 2.Listen without judging. It is okay to ask them straight out if they are thinking about suicide.
  3. 3.Call Lifeline on 13 11 14, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or your state or territory mental health line together (find it under By state and territory).

A nude or sexual image of your child has been shared

  1. 1.Do not forward or share the image with anyone, even to show them. That can be a crime.
  2. 2.Screenshot the page or post it appeared on, without saving the image itself.
  3. 3.Report it to eSafety to get it removed, and to the ACCCE.
Report to eSafetyReport to ACCCE

Bullying that will not stop

  1. 1.Screenshot everything with dates and usernames.
  2. 2.Report it to the app or game first.
  3. 3.If it is not removed within 48 hours, report it to eSafety.
  4. 4.Tell the school, who can act on bullying between students.
Report to eSafety

A scam, or a hacked account

  1. 1.Change the password and turn on two-step login.
  2. 2.Call your bank if money or cards are involved.
  3. 3.Report it to ReportCyber and Scamwatch.
  4. 4.If personal details were stolen, call IDCARE on 1800 595 160.
ReportCyberScamwatch

Swallowed something, or took drugs or alcohol

  1. 1.If they are unconscious, hard to wake, fitting or struggling to breathe, call 000.
  2. 2.Otherwise call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26, any time.
  3. 3.Stay with them. Tell the ambulance exactly what they took, if you know.

Your child is missing

  1. 1.Call 000 if you think they are in danger. Otherwise call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444.
  2. 2.Check with friends, and check any shared location on their phone.
  3. 3.Tell police who they were last talking to online.

Whatever happens

  • Stay calm. Your child needs to see that you are on their side.
  • Do not punish them for telling you. They need to feel safe coming back.
  • Keep evidence. Do not delete messages, and do not confront the other person.
  • Never pay anyone who is threatening you.

Who can help

National government services and not-for-profits that are free or low cost, open to families anywhere in Australia. Every one links to its own website, so you can check the details at the source. Scroll on for numbers in your state or territory.

Showing 29 of 29 services

By state and territory

Pick where you live to see who to call about a child at risk, mental health, and parenting support. Police are on 131 444 everywhere, and 000 is the same across Australia.

Worried a child is at risk

Mental health support

Parenting support

  • Parent Line NSWWeekdays 9am to 9pm, weekends 4pm to 9pm1300 1300 52

Closer to home

Your GP

Good first stop for mental health worries. Ask about a mental health care plan, which can help with the cost of seeing a psychologist.

The school

Teachers, the school counsellor or the wellbeing team can help with bullying and with how your child is going day to day.

A local headspace centre

Free support for 12 to 25 year olds. You can find your nearest centre on the headspace website.

Your child's own words

Sometimes the most important help is a calm chat. Our Talk to them page gives you words to start.

Open Talk to them

Please read

Tuned In is not an emergency service and we do not monitor messages. This page is general information, and it links back to the original services so you can check the details. In an emergency, call 000. See our Terms and disclaimer.