RESOURCES

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Mental Health support through Medicare

The Bushfire Recovery Access Program provides access to up to 10 free mental health support sessions. No referral or mental health treatment plan is required. Speak to your local GP or directly with an eligible mental health professional.



Lifeline

Lifeline offers a crisis support line to help get through difficult times. Chat online or Call 13 11 14.



1800 Respect

1800 Respect delivers qualified experienced professionals offering counselling and support to people affected by family violence and abuse, 24/7. Call 1800 737 732.



Beyond Blue

Beyond Blue provides 24/7 support for anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts via phone, email or online forums. Call 1300 224 636.



MensLine

MensLine Australia is a 24/7 phone and online service to support emotional and relationship concerns specific to men, including depression, anger and stress. Call 1300 78 99 78



Men’s referral service

The Men’s Referral Service – No to Violence is a free, confidential helpline that offers counselling, advice and support to men with relationship, parenting or anger issues. Call 1300 766 491.



Kids Helpline

Kids Helpline is available any time for any reason for kids aged five to 25 and offers great advice for coping with disasters, emotions and anxiety. Call, email or webchat. Call 1800 551 800.
Email counsellor@kidshelpline.com.au



Headspace

Headspace helps youth aged 12-25 with mental health support. Call 1800 650 890



Scroll to see more

NATIONAL

Australian Taxation Office

The Bushfires 2019-20 page sets out the ATO’s support for bushfire-affected areas



Small Business Ombudsman

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman

Call 1300 650 460



Scroll to see more

MORE RESOURCES

The Small Business Mentoring Service

Small Business Mentoring Service Two mentors have written a book “Are U ready?” on how to survive natural disasters. The authors Anthony Turner and Sandra Slatter and the SBMS are offering the book free of charge to support businesses that have been through a disaster, are responding to a current disaster or want to prepare to mitigate risks for the future. For more details: Are U Ready? Surviving small business disaster.



Disaster Recovery Toolkit

CPA Australia has compiled a Disaster Recovery Toolkit.

Along with a range of resources, the toolkit includes information on:

  • What business should do immediately after a disaster
  • Taking stock – how to evaluate the state of your business
  • A new business plan – to help recovery and how to fund that plan
  • Long-term disaster recovery – guidance on other activities that may help your post-disaster business operate better than your pre-disaster business

The toolkit also includes information on:

  • managing business risks during the recovery
  • the tax issues associated with a disaster
  • exiting your business



The Chartered Accountants Advisory Group

Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand is offering support to business affected by the bushfires.

The Chartered Accountants Advisory Group offers free and confidential guidance on professional and ethical matters to help business owners make a considered, informed decision about what to do.



PERSONAL FINANCES

NDH.png

Get back on track with free financial counselling. Call 1800 007 007.

The website has step-by-step guides to help you tackle most common debts. 

moneysmart-logo.png

Moneysmart offers impartial guidance and online tools to help you make informed financial decisions. 

1800 413 828