Resources
The following organisations work with Defence to assist families:
The Defence Family Helpline
1800 624 608
This is the first point of call for support, information and connection with your Defence community. The Helpline is available 24/7 and is staffed by qualified human services professionals including social workers and psychologists. You can also email the Helpline on memberandfamilyhelpline@defence.gov.au and receive a response within 24 hours. This helpline is located within Defence Member and Family Support (DMFS) previously DCO, which also offers a broad range of programs and services to help Defence families.
Contact the Helpline for:
- Help during a crisis
- Support during deployment, posting or relocation
- Referral to a Local Area Office
- Connection with community groups and local area resources
- Referral to a Education Liaison Officer
- Support for partner employment
- Assistance with children’s childcare or education
- Assistance for dependants with special needs
- Access to transition coaching
- Counselling for personal, relationship and family problems
- Mailing addresses and postal regulations for overseas deployments
- Facilitation of the passing of urgent messages to deployed personnel.
Specialist support staff include:
- Defence Social Workers
- Military Support Officers
- Education Liaison Officers
- Family Liaison Offices
DMFS Families Guide
Defence Member and Family Support designed a guide for families on navigating Defence life.
This guide is a great first step to helping families understand what their loved one’s service means for them, and the supports available to families.
DFA provided feedback on early drafts of the guide. We look forward to working with DMFS on future iterations to better support the Defence journey of all families.
Navy Families Handbook
The Navy Families Handbook equips Navy members and their families with important information on available benefits and support.
Families can download a copy on the “Stay Onboard – People First” section of the Navy website: https://www.navy.gov.au/stay-onboard-people-first
ADF All Hours Support Line
1800 628 036
The All-hours Support Line (ASL) is a confidential telephone service for ADF members and their families that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The ASL is serviced by health professionals who have been trained on the issues that ADF members and their families face.
Services that you can access include psychology, medical, social work, and chaplain services.
Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA)
1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372)
DVA deliver government programs for veterans, serving and former serving members and their families. The support, services and information DVA provide includes:
- financial support
- health care
- rehabilitation
- mental health care
- help returning to civilian life
- commemoration and recognition
- home care assistance
- help with housing
Defence Housing Authority (DHA)
139 342
Provides housing and services for ADF members and families.
Toll Transitions (TOLL)
1800 819 167
Provides moving services for ADF members and their families
Open Arms
1800 011 046
Provides free counselling for veterans and their families.
ADF Family Health Program
1300 561 454
All recognised dependants of full-time ADF members are eligible to register for the National Family Health Program.
1800RESPECT
1800 737 732
Confidential information, counselling and support service for people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence and abuse.
Defence Special Needs Group (DSNG)
A support group for ADF families with special needs.
Defence LGBTI Information Service (DEFGLIS)
Provides supports and represents ADF LGBTI personnel and their families.
Engage Portal
An online portal that current, transitioning, and former ADF members; their families, and/or those involved in their support can use to locate support services.
Chaplains
Provide support to members of the ADF and their families to work through a range of life issues, especially as they apply to military service.
To contact a Chaplain please call the Defence Service Centre on 1800 333 362 and ask for the Duty Chaplain in your area.
ADF Financial Services Consumer Centre
Provides financial and consumer education service for ADF members and their families.
PostingConnect
Defence has developed PostingConnect to guide ADF members and their nominated representative (nominee) through the posting process.
We understand the important role partners, friends and families play supporting members with posting activities. PostingConnect has been designed to allow a nominated representative to access the platform so they can assist with the posting process.
Find out more about PostingConnect by visiting the website. https://ext.defence.gov.au/postingconnect
Child and Family Resilience Programs
Child and Family Resilience Programs (formerly: Early Childhood Defence Programs) creates, pilots and evaluates free open access research-based resources and supports for young children and their families, carers and educators to support their understanding and ability to cope with military family life.
Kookaburra Kids
The Kookaburra Kids Foundation delivers a Defence Kids Program across Australia, which provides camps, activity days and age-appropriate mental health education focusing on coping skills and resilience, while allowing children to bond with peers who are facing similar challenges. Programs are available for all eligible young people aged 8-18 in ACT, NSW, NT, QLD SA, and VIC.
Military OneSource
Are you a US family posted to Australia? Did you know you can still access US Military services such as Military OneSource for support? Military OneSource services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They offer resources and support for: Financial planning, Parenting, Relationships, Education, Non-medical counselling and much more.