Were you in care and are now 18 or over and looking for support?
In each state and territory across Australia there are post care services to help and support you with your transition from care.
Queensland
Next Step Plus
Formally known as Next Step After Care, this free service provides care leavers aged between 15 – 25 years extra support and assistance. Next Step Plus can get in touch with people who will try and help you sort out the things you’re having trouble with, no matter how big or small.
Click HERE for more information and to contact your Next Step Plus provider in your region.
YHARS (Youth Housing and Reintegration Service, including After Care Service) provides a coordinated and integrated response to the complex needs of young people aged 12-21 years at the time of referral, who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness.
New South Wales
Even if you have turned 18 and have formally left care, you can still approach your agency or DCJ for ongoing support and advice:
FACS Care Leavers Line
P: 1800 994 686 E: careleaversline@facs.nsw.gov.au
You can also contact any of these services below, no matter where you are currently living in NSW:
| SERVICE | REGION` | CONTACT |
| CatholicCare After Care Program | Hunter/New England | P:02 4979 1120 E:aftercare@catholiccare.org.au |
| Family Spirit After Care | South Eastern Sydney | P: 13 18 19 E:brooke.norman@familyspirit.org |
| Aboriginal Aftercare State Wide Service | State Wide (office bases Dubbo and Gosford). | P:1300 339 016 E:Ask@uniting.org |
| Relationships Australia (NSW) | Central Coast, Nepean, Blue Mountains,Northern Sydney, Western Sydney. | P: 1800 656 884 E: arc@ransw.org.au |
| Uniting ACE AfterCare | Illawarra Shoalhaven | P: 02 4220 1127 E:ACEAfterCare@uniting.org E:Ask@uniting.org |
| Uniting ACE AfterCare | Mid North Coast | P: 02 6581 6600 E:ledgar@uniting.org |
| Uniting ACE AfterCare | South Western Sydney | P: 02 4628 3199 E:ACEAfterCare@uniting.org |
| Uniting ACE AfterCare | Western Sydney | P: 02 9768 6888 E: Ask@uniting.org |
Victoria
Melbourne City Mission Leaving Care Hotline allows you to talk to someone for help, support and referral to services between 9 am to 8 pm weekdays and 10 am to 6 pm on weekends and public holidays.
P: 1300 532 846 E: leavingcare@mcm.org.au
Better Futures
Provides flexible and tailored support as you transition from out of home care to independence. The Better Futures service providers, formerly known as Leaving Care service providers, list includes contact details of community service organisations and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations providing Better Futures and Home Stretch services. Search in your closest Better Future Service Provider by town or suburb:
W: https://services.dhhs.vic.gov.au/better-futures-providers
ACT
ACTTogether provide after Care Support (up to the age of 25 years). To inquire about support for young people who have been in out of home care
P: (02) 6110 2200 W: www.acttogether.org.au/our-services/
Northern Territory
After Care Service Moving on – Anglicare NT is an after care support and brokerage service for young people who have left the care of the CEO of Territory Families. The service is aimed at young people 16-25 years needing assistance to maintain independence. The service operates Northern Territory wide with workers based in Darwin and Alice Springs.
P: (08) 8985 0000 E: movingon@anglicare-nt.org.au
W: www.anglicare-nt.org.au/service/moving/
South Australia
Post Care Support Service at Elm Place, delivered by Relationships Australia social work program. It is a free service for adults who were in state or OOHC and provides information, advocacy, referral and support services.
SA Ground Floor, 191 Flinders Street Adelaide SA 5000
P: 1800 182 325 E: elmplace@rasa.org
W:www.rasa.org.au/services/adult-healthwellbeing/post-care-support-services/
Western Australia
Leaving Care Services Leaving Care services are free, voluntary and can support you with what you want help with. You can be linked in from 14 or 15 (depending on the service) to 25 years old.
| SERVICE | REGION | CONTACT |
| My Place | Wanslea South Rockingham and Mandurah areas | (08) 9245 2441 |
| Navig8 | Mission Australia Bunbury and South West | (08) 9791 4140 |
| Crossroads West TT | Salvation Army Perth Metro and all regional areas not covered by Navig8 or My Place | P: (08) 9328 1600 E:tss@aus.salvationarmy.org |
Tasmania
After Care Service Department of Health and Human Services – After Care Support Program Wingfield Building, St Johns Park New Town, TAS 7008
P: (03) 6166 0422 E: adoption.service@dhhs.tas.gov.au
W: www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/children/adoption/support_ for_care_leavers
National
Transition to Independent Living Allowance (TILA) is a one off payment of up to $1,500 from the Australian Government to help people transition to independence. The payment helps eligible young people cover some basic costs as they leave out-of-home care.
Young people aged between 15 to 25 years who are leaving or have already left formal out-of-home care may be eligible for the TILA. TILA is also for young people who continue to live with their foster carers after their care order expires.
The payment can be used to buy items such as a fridge or couch, pay for counselling, education and training courses, medical expenses, a drivers licence or any other items or services agreed between the young person and their case worker.
Go to www.dss.gov.au/TILA to see the latest information about how to apply for TILA.
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