Australian Support Services Directory
You don't have to guess what to do next. There are amazing, free services set up just to help you. Keep these numbers on your fridge or saved in your phone.
In a real emergency
If someone is physically hurt, in immediate danger, or having a severe medical crisis, don't call a helpline. Call Triple Zero (000) immediately for an ambulance or police.
1. The big three: everyday help & funding
The main government and health services you'll use to organise regular help, find funding, and get expert advice.
National Dementia Helpline
1800 100 500Available 24/7
Your first call: Connects you with kind experts for emotional support, free family counselling, and practical advice on how to handle memory changes.
My Aged Care
1800 200 422Mon–Fri 8am–8pm · Sat 10am–2pm
The funding gateway: The official system you call to apply for government funding to pay for home cleaners, meal deliveries, or nursing care.
Carer Gateway
1800 422 737Mon–Fri 8am–5pm
Support just for you: Focuses entirely on the carer — free coaching, local carer support groups, and emergency respite care if you suddenly get sick and need someone to step in.
2. Specialised behaviour support
Sometimes dementia can cause a person to become highly anxious, aggressive, or confused — which can be scary to handle alone.
Dementia Support Australia (DSA)
1800 699 799Available 24/7
A mobile expert team: If your loved one is experiencing severe behavioural changes or distress, call anytime. Their specialists can even come to your home or care facility to help work out why the person is upset and how to calm things down safely.
3. Crisis & mental health lines
If you're feeling completely overwhelmed, extremely sad, or just need to talk to someone about your own mental health right now, these lines are always open.
Lifeline
13 11 14Available 24/7
Australia's main crisis support and suicide prevention line. There to listen without judgment whenever you feel like you're breaking down.
Beyond Blue
1300 22 4636Available 24/7
Excellent for talking through feelings of anxiety, stress, or depression related to your caregiving journey.
When dementia is diagnosed in someone under the age of 65, it's called younger-onset (or early-onset) dementia. In Australia the system splits by age: if you're 65 or older you use My Aged Care, but if you're under 65 you apply for funding and support through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The NDIS treats younger-onset dementia as a permanent neurological disability, and can fund home modifications, specialised therapies, support workers and assistive technology.
NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme)
1800 800 110Mon–Fri 8am–8pm local time
The under-65 funding line: Call to kickstart the application process. A representative will talk you through the eligibility rules and explain how to fill out an Access Request Form.
3 quick tips for applying to the NDIS
Ask for an NDIS Partner: When you call the main number, ask to be connected with a local NDIS Partner (sometimes called a Local Area Coordinator or LAC). They act like a free, face-to-face guide to help you fill out the forms so you don't have to figure it out alone.
Gather doctor evidence: The NDIS requires proof the condition is permanent and heavily impacts daily life. Ask your treating specialist or GP for copies of brain scans, cognitive test results, and a written diagnosis report.
Keep the National Dementia Helpline handy: Even while navigating the NDIS, you can still call the National Dementia Helpline (1800 100 500). Their specialists know exactly how the NDIS works and can give free advice on how to word your application so it's approved more smoothly.
Translation help: If English isn't your first language, call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450 first. Tell them your language and they'll call any of the numbers above and translate the conversation for you, free.
