Disability counselling support

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The Disability Royal Commission has been looking at issues of violence, neglect, abuse and exploitation of people with disability.

Formal submissions to the Disability Royal Commission have now closed.

A final report will be delivered to the Australian Government in September 2023.

The impact of these issues being explored by the Disability Royal Commission may continue to be felt. For this reason, emotional support (also known as counselling) continues to be available if you have been affected by these issues. This support is available for people with disability, and their carers and families.

Counselling support is free, independent and confidential. If you would like to speak to a counsellor near you, select your state and territory.

On this page

How we can help you

If you have experienced or witnessed someone being hurt, treated badly or taken advantage of, you may want support.

A counsellor can support you to talk about your feelings and experiences in a safe space. This can be done over the phone, face-to-face, for a short time or longer time, and with experienced people that meet your specific needs.

This support is available for people with disability, their families and carers who were affected by the Disability Royal Commission and the issues explored.

Many people say that counselling has helped them. Hear from two counsellors currently supporting people with disability in this space.

You can take your time to think about getting support. It’s here for you when you are ready.

Who you can talk to

Contact the National Counselling and Referral Service on 1800 421 468 for emotional support, or ask to be connected to a counsellor near you.

It is available 9am to 6pm weekdays, and 9am to 5pm weekends and national public holidays.

If you are deaf or hard of hearing and/or find it hard speaking with people who use a phone, call the National Relay Service (NRS) on 133 677.

If you are currently experiencing any form of violence or abuse, or you are concerned for your or someone else’s safety, call 000 immediately.

If you would like to speak to a counsellor near you, select your state and territory.

Disability advocacy support

Disability advocacy is when someone helps you to speak up for yourself or make a complaint when you do not feel confident or comfortable to do so. A disability advocate can help you to connect to other support services as well.

The National Disability Advocacy Program provides people with disability access to effective disability advocacy services across Australia.

The Disability Advocacy Finder is a handy web-based tool to assist people with disability, carers and their families, to search for Commonwealth and state and territory government funded disability advocacy providers.

The Disability Gateway also has a range of information and links to services to help people with disability, their family, friends and carers, to find the support they need.

Accessible resources

We have a number of accessible resources that you can use and share.

Braille and large print
Fact Sheet
Email to order disabilityadvocacy@dss.gov.au with your name and address.

Support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability

Culturally appropriate support is available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability and their families.

Indigenous-run support is available in some areas.

To speak to a counsellor near you, select your state and territory.

You can also call the National Counselling and Referral Service for counselling support or ask them to connect you to a counsellor or advocate near you. Call 1800 421 468 (9am to 6pm weekdays, and 9am to 5pm weekends and national public holidays).

Counsellors can arrange translations and interpreting if you need help in another language.

Support for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) people with disability

If you want emotional support in another language, you can use the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) free of charge. You can call:

  • National Counselling and Referral Service on 1800 421 468 and ask for an interpreter
  • TIS National on 131 450 and ask to be connected to the National Counselling and Referral Service on 1800 421 468.

We have translated fact sheets that you can use and share.

Fact sheet

Our fact sheet is available in the following languages:

Translated language

How you can help spread the word

We encourage you to spread the word about the emotional support available so people can get the support they need in a free and confidential way.

We have a range of resources to help get the message out to people with disability, families, carers, and your network.

Where you can find more information

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