If you are a member of the LGBTIQA+ community and need some support, help is available from a range of inclusive services. On this page you can find a range of LGBTIQA+ friendly support options for:
- Counselling/support phone lines
- LGBTIQA+ services in South Australia
- Rights and advocacy organisations
- Other informative websites
You can find further LBGTIQA+ services, events and community groups on these websites:
You can contact the DHS Strategic Policy Unit via email DHS.SocialInclusion@sa.gov.au
Counselling / support phone lines
Qlife
Qlife provides anonymous and free LGBTIQA+ peer support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships.
Phone 1800 184 527
Online chat service
Beyondblue
Beyondblue promotes good mental health and supports individuals, families and communities affected by anxiety, depression and suicide.
Phone 1300 224 636
Online chat service
Lifeline
Lifeline provides 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services.
Phone 13 11 14
Online chat service
LGBTIQA+ Services in South Australia
Bfriend
Bfriend provides free peer support to LGBTIQA+ people of all ages in South Australia. Bfriend’s community workers can provide a safe place to talk about gender or sexuality, information about community groups, and can connect people with peer volunteers who are able to meet with people to talk or attend LGBTIQA+ events together. Bfriend can also respond to enquiries from service providers and offers workplace training to help other organisations support the LGBTIQA+ community.
Phone 1800 615 677
Email Bfriend@unitingcommunities.org
Catalyst Foundation
The Catalyst Foundation hosts social groups for LGBTIQA+ people over 50 and provides LGBTIQA+ inclusion training for workplaces, including specialist training about LGBTIQA+ domestic violence.
Phone 8168 8776
Email information@catalystfoundation.com.au
COTA SA Rainbow Hub
COTA SA has established a community hub for older LGBTI people. Rainbow Hub hosts monthly social events, facilitates a community visitor program, and can provide information to LGBTI people about navigating aged care services. They also deliver Silver Rainbow, an LGBTI inclusion training for aged care service providers, and have an e-newsletter to help keep community members informed of what’s happening in the community.
Phone 8232 0422
Email cotasa@cotasa.org.au
Gender Wellbeing Service
Gender Wellbeing is a service within SHINE SA that provides peer support for transgender and gender diverse people. Gender Wellbeing can offer peer connection and mental health support, as well as information about accessing health services.
Phone 7099 5320
Email info@shinesa.org.au
LGBTI Connect (ECH)
LGBTI Connect is run by older LGBTI people, for older LGBTI people. LGBTI connectors provide culturally safe access, navigation, advocacy and connection to aged care services for older LGBTI South Australians. ECH also offers a free LGBTI volunteer home visiting program for LGBTI people who are 55 or older.
Phone 1300 275 324
Email ask@ech.asn.au
Peace Multicultural Services (Relationships Australia SA)
Peace Multicultural Services is a program of Relationships Australia SA (RASA) that helps people achieve happy and healthy lives.
Unidos and Boyz are active LGBTIQA+ groups within Peace Multicultural Services that offer peer support, community education and social activities that promote health and wellbeing.
Phone 8245 8110 (Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm)
Email askpeace@rasa.org.au
SAMESH (South Australian Mobilisation and Empowerment for Sexual Health)
SAMESH provides support, education and training about Sexual Health and HIV for men who have sex with men and people living with HIV, as well as services for the broader LGBTIQ community. Services include counselling, peer support and health promotion.
Phone 7099 5300
Email samesh-enquiries@samesh.org.au
SHINE SA - Sexual Health Information Networking and Education SA
SHINE SA delivers sexual health and relationship wellbeing services for everyone. SHINE SA is a Rainbow Tick accredited health service and provides LGBTIQA+ inclusive care through all of their services.
Phone 8300 5300
Email info@shinesa.org.au
Transcend
Transcend is a national information and support network for parents and families of transgender and gender diverse children. Transcend are present in every state and territory. In South Australia they can provide information, peer support and community connection for families. They can be contacted via their website.
Women’s and Children’s Hospital Gender Diversity Service
The Women’s and Children’s Hospital has a specialist team for support of transgender and gender diverse youth. Information about the clinic and its services can be found via its website, or by contacting them.
Phone 8161 8752
Email Health.WCHGDClinicNurse@sa.gov.au
Women’s Safety Services SA
Women’s Safety Services is the main support service for people experiencing family and domestic violence in South Australia. WSSSA is LGBTIQA+ inclusive, and can support most LGBTIQA+ people who are experiencing family or domestic violence. In cases where they cannot assist themselves they can provide referrals to other support services. You can find more information about their commitment to LGBTIQA+ inclusion on the Women’s Safety Services site.
Call the Domestic Violence Crisis Line (24/7) on 1800 800 098
Rights and advocacy (South Australian specific)
South Australian Rainbow Advocacy Alliance (SARAA)
SARAA is a community led LGBTIQA+ organisation that advocates for an inclusive, healthy and safe South Australia.
Email info@saraa.org.au
Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner
The Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner helps consumers with complaints about health or community services.
Phone 8226 8666
Country callers 1800 232 007
Email info@hcscc.sa.gov.au
South Australian Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC SA)
EOC SA helps prevent certain kinds of discrimination based on sex, race, disability, age or various other grounds.
Phone 8207 1977
Country callers 1800 188 163
Email OCEO@sa.gov.au
Rights and advocacy (National and Interstate)
Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council
Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council advocates for the rights of multicultural and multi-faith LGBTIQA+ communities through research, education, and community events.
Email contact@agmc.org.au
Australian Human Rights Commission
Australian Human Rights Commission is an independent statutory organisation, established by an act of Federal Parliament. They protect and promote human rights in Australia and internationally.
National Information Service, phone 1300 656 419
Equality Australia
Equality Australia is a national LGBTIQA+ organisation that advocates for the rights of LGBTIQA+ people across a range of issues throughout Australia.
Intersex Human Rights Australia
Intersex Human Rights Australia promotes human rights, health and bodily autonomy.
Email info@ihra.org.au
Intersex Peer Support Australia
Intersex Peer Support provides information and advocacy for people born with variations in sex characteristics, and their families.
Phone 0478 537 739
Email info@isupport.org.au
Pride Inclusion Programs (NSW)
Pride Inclusion Programs provide a range of services designed to assist employers, sporting organisations and service providers with LGBTIQA+ inclusion. Based in NSW, but operates nationally.
Phone (02) 9206 2139
Email info@prideindiversity.com.au
Play by the Rules
Play by the Rules - Making sport inclusive, safe and fair.
Other websites
Black Rainbow
Black Rainbow is a national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation for LGBTIQ+SB (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, Sistergirl and Brotherboy) people. It seeks to provide information and to pursue positive health and wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBQTI+SB people. The website includes information about projects, training and other initiatives that Black Rainbow are involved in.
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia
LGBTIQ+ Health Australia is the he national peak health organisation in Australia for organisations and individuals that provide health-related programs, services and research focused on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex people and other sexuality, gender, and bodily diverse people and communities.
Phone (02) 7209 6301
Email info@lgbtiqhealth.org.au
Trans Health SA
Trans Health SA provides information about inclusive health services and other supports for transgender and gender diverse people in South Australia. Also includes a practitioners’ list with details for trans friendly doctors and specialists who have been recommended by other transgender and gender diverse people.
Email transhealthsa@outlook.com
Rainbow Directory SA
Rainbow Directory SA is an online directory with information about LGBTIQA+ inclusive services, community groups and more throughout South Australia.
Women's Information Service
The Women's Information Service provides information to South Australian women online, over the telephone and in person. They aim to increase access to information that promotes choice and empowerment.
Phone 8303 0590
Country callers 1800 188 158
Email at wis@sa.gov.au