People may experience housing stress or homelessness for many reasons. This might include financial hardship, job loss, family violence, relationship breakdown, or other changes in life circumstances.
If you need help finding or keeping housing, there are housing and homelessness services in Victoria that can provide information, support and referrals.
This page explains how housing support works in Victoria, including how to access services, apply for housing, and understand your rights as a renter.
How to access housing and homelessness support in Victoria
Housing and homelessness services in Victoria operate under the Opening Doors framework, which connects people with housing and support services.
You can learn more about how the system works here
Call 1800 825 955 to be directed to the service closest to you, or find here
Workers at Access Points can help you access support, such as:
- Emergency accommodation or immediate support
- Housing options (including crisis or longer-term housing)
- Applications for public or community housing
- Financial assistance (e.g. bond loans or rent support)
- Referrals to other services
Public and community housing
Public housing is government-managed housing for people on low incomes and those experiencing urgent housing need.
Community housing is managed by not-for-profit organisations and also provides affordable long-term housing, sometimes with additional support.
In both, rent is usually around 25% of your household income.
Applying for housing
You can apply:
- Online via HousingVic (through myGov)
- Using a paper form
- With help from a support service
Wait times
Wait times vary depending on location and demand. Some people may be housed within a year, while others may wait several years1.
Support services may still help you find other housing options while you wait.
If you need help understanding your options or applying, a WIRE support worker can assist.
Application forms and guides are available in multiple languages. Visit the HousingVic website for more information.
Centrelink payments
If you are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, it’s important to maintain your Centrelink payments. You can ask to speak with a Community Engagement Officer (CCEO) at a Centrelink service centre.
Family violence and tenancy rights
Family violence is a leading cause of homelessness for women in Victoria. If you are experiencing family violence, there are legal options to help you stay safe and maintain housing.
If you want to stay
You may be able to:
- Stay in the property and have the person using violence removed from the tenancy
- Change the locks (in some situations)
- Add safety features with permission
If you want to leave
You may be able to:
- End your lease early without penalties
- Remove your name from a lease
You may need to provide supporting documents (e.g. an intervention order or letter from a support service).
You can find information about renting and family violence through Consumer Affairs Victoria.
Find out more about family and domestic violence and the support available here
Private rental
If you are renting or looking to rent:
- Consider what you can afford
- Rent, bond, and ongoing costs (utilities, internet)
- Check whether you may be eligible for Commonwealth Rent Assistance.
- Check whether you may be eligible for a RentAssist bond loan or a No Interest Loan (NILs).
- Think about access to work, study, transport or support
- Type of home and pet requirements
Getting Support
Our trained support workers can talk through what’s happening and help you understand your options, at your pace.
You can call WIRE on 1300 134 130, start a web chat, or book an appointment.
Emergency Support
| Emergency Services | Call 000 if you or someone is in immediate danger |
Legal Support
WIRE recognises that women and gender diverse people can face barriers to accessing legal support and can help connect you with trusted services that understand family violence.
| Nicholes Law | Website: https://nicholeslaw.com.au/ Phone: 03 9670 4122 |
| Victoria Legal Aid | Website: https://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/ Phone: 1300 792 387 |
Family & Violence Support
| WIRE | Website: https://www.wire.org.au/ Phone: 1300 134 130 |
| The Orange Door (Family violence & child support) | Website: https://www.orangedoor.vic.gov.au/ |
| Family Relationship Advice Line (Help with relationships & separation) | Website: https://www.familyrelationships.gov.au/talk-someone/advice-line Phone: 1800 050 321 |
| 1800RESPECT (24/7 family violence counselling) | Website: https://1800respect.org.au/ Phone: 1800 737 732 |
| SafeSteps Family Violence Response Centre (Vic) | Website: https://safesteps.org.au/our-services/ Phone: 1800 015 188 |
| Raising Children Network (Parenting strategies, behaviour tips, and relationship resources) | Website: https://raisingchildren.net.au/ |
| The Line (Resources for young people and parents around respectful relationships and changing harmful behaviour) | Website: https://www.theline.org.au/ |
| Kids Helpline | Website: https://kidshelpline.com.au/ Phone: 1800 55 1800 |
| Victorian Sexual Assault Crisis Line | Phone: 1800 806 292 (after hours) / 03 8345 3494 (police/emergency) |
| CASA (Centre Against Sexual Assault) | Website: https://www.casahouse.com.au/contact-us Phone: 1800 806 292 |
| Victims of Crime Helpline (Vic) | Phone: 1800 819 817 |
Online Support
| eSafety Commissioner (Help with cyberstalking, image-based abuse, and online safety) | Website: esafety.gov.au |
| Wesnet (Provides free smartphone and tech safety training to women experiencing violence) | Website: https://wesnet.org.au/ Phone: 1800 937 638 |
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Support
| Yarning Safe’N’Strong Helpline (24/7 cultural wellbeing support) | Website: https://www.vahs.org.au/yarning-safenstrong/ Phone: 1800 959 563 (24/7) |
| 13YARN (Crisis support for mob) | Website: https://www.13yarn.org.au/ Phone: 13 92 76 (24/7) |
| Djirra (Support for Aboriginal women) | Website: https://djirra.org.au/ Phone: 1800 105 303 |
LGBTQIA+ Support
| QLife (LGBTQIA+ peer counselling) | Website: https://qlife.org.au/ Phone: 1800 184 527 |
Mental Health Support
| Australian Psychological Society (Find a registered psychologist) | Website: https://psychology.org.au/ Phone: 03 8662 3300 |
| Lifeline (24/7 crisis counselling) | Website: https://www.lifeline.org.au/ Phone: 13 11 14 (24/7) |
| Beyond Blue (Support for anxiety & depression) | Website: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ Phone: 1300 22 4636 |
| Better Place Australia (Counselling & family support) | Website: https://www.betterplaceaustralia.com.au/ Phone: 1800 639 523 |
Multicultural & Migration Support
| InTouch (Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence) | Website: https://intouch.org.au/ Phone: 1800 755 988 |
| My Blue Sky (Forced Marriage & Migration Exploitation) | Website: https://mybluesky.org.au/ Phone: 02 9514 8115 |
| Immigration Advice & Rights Centre | Website: https://iarc.org.au/ Phone: 02 8234 0700 |
| Australian Red Cross (Support for Trafficked People Program) | Website: https://www.redcross.org.au/migration/support-for-people-impacted-by-modern-slavery/ Phone: 03 9345 1800 |
| Australian Muslim Women’s Centre for Human Rights | Website: https://amwchr.org.au/ Phone: 03 9481 3000 |
Financial Support
| Financial Independence Hub | Website: https://goodshep.org.au/services/fih/ Phone: 1300 050 150 |
| National Debt Helpline | Website: https://ndh.org.au/ Phone: 1800 007 007 |
| Centrelink Financial Information Service Officers | Website: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/financial-information-service-officers?context=21836 Phone: 132 300 |
Elder Support
| National Elder Abuse Helpline | Phone: 1800 353 374 |
References
1) Crime Statistics Agency Victoria. (2025). Family violence data tables / housing and justice system data tables. https://www.crimestatistics.vic.gov.au/family-violence-data/family-violence-dashboard