Speaking from Experience: Support services
If you feel unsafe now, phone 000.
You can contact police regarding any sexual harassment, sexual assault or bullying that involves criminal conduct.
Callers who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment can contact the National Relay Service (NRS) by calling 1800 555 677 or 1300 555 727 (speak and listen) then asking for the relevant support service.
Callers from a non-English speaking background can use the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) by calling 13 14 50.
If you have experienced harassment, or are being bullied for discriminatory reasons, you may be able to make a complaint to the Commission.
If you have experienced sexual assault and feel you would like to make a complaint or report to the police, view the relevant state and territory police contacts.
Please note: Speaking from Experience is not a project where you can file complaints, and it won’t give any money for compensation. It also won’t offer counsellors or connect you with support services, the police or the courts. Speaking from Experience will give you an opportunity to share your advice and ideas about how to address workplace sexual harassment and make workplaces safer. We recommend contacting the support services listed if you would like to explore other options for support.
Download Support services as a PDF (625.27 KB)
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List of counselling and mental health services
Your doctor (GP)
Your doctor can refer you to supports and discuss a mental health treatment plan which lets you claim up to 10 individual and 10 group sessions on Medicare with a mental health professional each calendar year.
Website: Services Australia - Mental health care and Medicare.1800RESPECT
National sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling, information and support service. This service is free and confidential. Available 24/7.
Phone: 1800 737 732
Website: 1800RESPECT13YARN
National crisis support line for mob who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping. They offer a confidential one-on-one yarning opportunity with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter who can provide crisis support 24/7.
Phone: 139 276
Website: 13YARNFull Stop Australia
National trauma counselling and recovery service for people of all ages and genders experiencing sexual, domestic and family violence. This service is free and confidential. Available 24/7.
Phone: 1800 943 539
Website: Full Stop AustraliaKids Helpline
Free phone counselling (even from a mobile). Counsellors will listen to and respect what you have to say, what your needs are and how they can help you.
Phone: 1800 551 1800
Website: Kids HelplineQLife
Provides Australia-wide LGBTI peer support and referral for people wanting to talk about a range of issues. Available 3pm till midnight every day.
Phone: 1800 184 572
Website: Get HelpMy Blue Sky
Provides free legal and migration support to people experiencing forced marriage and other forms of modern slavery in Australia.
Phone: 02 9514 8115
Website: My Blue SkyLifeline
Offers confidential crisis support and suicide prevention. Available 24/7.
Phone: 13 11 14
Website: LifelineRainbow Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Helpline
For anyone from the LGBTIQA+ community whose life has been impacted by sexual domestic and/or family violence. This service is free and confidential. Available 24/7.
Phone: 1800 497 212Men’s Referral Service
For anyone in Australia whose life has been impacted by men’s use of violence or abusive behaviours. Available 7 days.
Phone: 1300 766 491
Website: No to ViolenceMensLine
Offers free confidential counselling and support for men.
Phone: 1300 789 978
Website: MensLine Australia -
Services who can provide advice about your workplace rights and options
The Australian Human Rights Commission
Free and confidential Respect@Work Information Service can provide information and referrals in relation to workplace sexual harassment.
Phone: 1300 656 419
Email: respect@humanrights.gov
Website: The Australian Human Rights CommissionCommunity Legal Centre
Your local Community Legal Centre can provide options for free legal help.
Website: Community Legal Centre- Find legal help in your local centre1800RESPECT for women with disability
Sunny supports people with disability to recognise violence and abuse, understand their rights and take action to protect their safety.
Website: Sunny app1800ELDERHelp
A free phoneline that connects callers seeking information and advice on elder abuse.
Phone: 1800 353 374Working Women's Centres
Give information, advocacy, support and advice to women on work related issues (available in QLD, NT, SA only).
Website: Help and Contact - information, advice, support and advocacyThe Australian Unions Support Centre
Gives free and confidential assistance about workplace issues.
Phone: 1300 486 466
Website: Australian UnionsThe Fair Work Commission
Can give you information about your workplace rights and can issue a stop sexual harassment order.
Phone: 1300 799 675
Website: Fair Work Commission -
Services where you can make a complaint
National
There are government and non-government organisations that can give you free advice about workplace sexual harassment, and where to make a complaint.
There are many agencies you where you can make a complaint about workplace sexual harassment. They can each help you in different ways
The Police
If you, or someone else, is in immediate danger you should call the police on 000.
If you believe the workplace sexual harassment you have experienced involves criminal conduct, including actual or attempted sexual assault, you can report the matter to police.
The Police Assistance Line operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and allows the reporting of a crime over the phone with the information being made immediately available to your local police.
Phone:
Website:
- Australian Institute of Criminology - Report a crime
The Australian Human Rights Commission
The Australian Human Rights Commission can receive complaints in relation to workplace sexual harassment.
To find out more and if this service is relevant to you, you can call the free and confidential Respect@Work Information Service, who can provide information and referrals in relation to workplace sexual harassment.
Phone: 1300 656 419
Website: The Australian Human Rights CommissionWork Health and Safety (WHS) regulators
Everyone has the right to be safe at work. Your employer has a responsibility to provide you with a safe working environment.
The WHS regulator in your state or territory may be able to investigate whether your employer is doing all they need to do to provide its workers with a safe working environment.
You can also contact your WHS regulator if you feel you have been treated unfairly, or punished, because you raised concerns about workplace sexual harassment.
Website: Find your state or territory’s WHS regulator - WHS regulators and workers' compensation authorities contact informationThe Fair Work Commission
Can give information about your workplace rights and can issue a stop sexual harassment order.
Phone: 1300 799 675
Website: The Fair Work CommissionFair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Ombudsman is Australia’s national workplace relations regulator. It provides employees and employers with information and advice about workplace entitlements and obligations.
The Fair Work Ombudsman can provide employees and employers with general information about protections from sexual harassment, prevention and managing sexual harassment in the workplace.
Phone: 13 13 94
Website: Fair Work OmbudsmanState or territory
These agencies can receive complaints related to workplace sexual harassment. They each have different functions and powers to address workplace sexual harassment.
Australian Capital Territory
The ACT Human Rights Commission
Phone: (02) 6205 2222
Website: The ACT Human Rights CommissionNew South Wales
NSW Anti-Discrimination Board
Phone: 1800 670 812
Website: Anti-Discrimination Board New South WalesNorthern Territory
Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination Commission
Phone: 1800 813 846
Website: Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination CommissionQueensland
Queensland Human Rights Commission
Phone: 1300 130 670
Website: Queensland Human Rights CommissionSouth Australia
SA Office of the Commissioner for Equal Opportunity
Phone: (08) 7322 7070
Website: Equal Opportunity South AustraliaTasmania
Equal Opportunity Tasmania
Phone: (08) 7322 7070
Website: Anti-discrimination CommissionerVictoria
Victorian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission
Phone: 1300 292 153
Website: Victorian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity CommissionWestern Australia
WA Equal Opportunity Commission
Phone: 1800 198 149
Website: Equal Opportunity Commission WA