Resources and support
Factsheets
Australia has some of the most venomous snakes in the world. Snake bites are life-threatening and need emergency medical treatment.
Australia has some of the most venomous spiders in the world. Some spider bites can be harmful and need emergency medical treatment. Any bite from a big, black spider should be treated as a medical emergency.
Bees, wasps, and ants are insects that can sting, injecting venom into the skin. These stings can be painful and may cause allergic reactions.
Different types of insects can be harmful to children when they bite, sting or spray fluids that can get into the eyes. Some harmful insects include scorpions, centipedes, millipedes, and stink bugs.
Australian waters are home to different types of animals that can bite and sting. Bites and stings from marine animals can be life-threatening and usually need urgent medical treatment.
Ticks are parasites that feed on blood. They can spread illness and cause allergic reactions.
E-cigarettes (vapes) are battery operated devices that heat liquids, called e-liquids, into an aerosol that users breathe in.
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that you cannot see, taste, or smell. It is made when fuels used for heating, cooking, and transport do not burn fully.
Lead is a toxic natural metal that the body cannot process. It can be in old buildings and paints, household pipes and some traditional medicines.
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Mental health
- Beyond Blue is the National Depression Initiative and provides phone support at 1300 22 4636 or 24/7 online chat.
- Lifeline provides 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention via phone on 13 11 14 or online chat.
- Kids Help Line provides confidential 24/7 phone support at 1800 55 1800 and via online chat for young people aged 5 to 25.
- Suicide Call Back Service is a free nationwide service providing 24/7 phone at 1300 659 467 and online counselling to people affected by suicide.
- Mental Health Line is a 24/7 free statewide phone service at 1800 011 511 linking people with mental health services.
- MensLine Australia provides phone support at 1300 789 978 or online for Australian men.
- Blue Knot Foundation provides phone support at 1300 657 380 for people who have experiences of complex trauma, and those who support them.
- Butterfly Foundation provides phone support at 1800 33 4673 for people dealing with eating disorders and body image. Online chat and email support are available 8am-midnight, 7 days a week.
- QLife provides phone support at 1800 184 527 and online chat for the LGBTIQ+ community from 3pm - 12am local time every day.
- 13YARN is run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Free and confidential service available 24/7 from any mobile or pay phone.
Animals and plants
- Australian Reptile Park has information about funnel web spider drop off points and how to collect specimens.
- Australian Museum provides identification of insects, spiders and snakes.
- WIRES has wildlife information and provides an animal rescue service.
- TIARA has information on ticks including prevention and safe removal.
- Rat lung worm disease fact sheet has information about the rat lung worm parasite which may infect people.
- NSW Health provides information on rabies and Australian bat lyssavirus infection.
- Botanical Identification Service has a comprehensive botanical identification service.
- Australian National Botanic Gardens can help identify poisonous plants.
- iNaturalist has information for plant and mushrooms.
Chemical and food safety
- 1300Medicine answers medicine related questions and receives reports of adverse reactions to medicines and vaccines.
- Healthdirect has 24/7 phone advice run by nurses at 1800 022 222.
- Animal Poisons Helpline provides free advice for pet owners 9am-5pm AEDT Weekdays at 1300 869 738. Charges apply after hours.
- Medicines Safety (Therapeutic Goods Administration) has information on medications, adverse effects, recalls.
- Return Unwanted Medicines (returnmed) has information about safe disposal of medicines
- Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority deals with registration/deregistration of agricultural and veterinary chemicals. They also have a Adverse Experience Reporting Program.
- NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has guidelines for dealing with household asbestos, storage of household chemicals and lead safety.
- Victoria Department of Health has information on Mercury spills and safe cleanup instructions.
- Dispose of potentially hazardous household chemicals at a Chemical CleanOut event.
- Farmsafe Australia has safety awareness and practices for farmers.
- NSW Food Authority has food safety advice and complaints of food poisoning.
- Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has food alert and recall information.
Drug and alcohol information
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) is Australia’s leading, internationally renowned research centre at UNSW. They pursue new and innovative responses to alcohol, tobacco, and other drug problems.
- Alcohol and Drug information service (ADIS) NSW is a free helpline for concerns around alcohol and/or drug misuse and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call them on 1800 250 015 or start a web chat with an ADIS counsellor Mon-Fri, 8.30am-5pm.
- NSW Health public drug warnings has information about drug alerts found in the community.
- Your Room has information on some of the most commonly used drugs in Australia.
- NSW Users and AIDS Association (NUAA) is a peer-based drug user organisation supporting people impacted by discrimination and stigma.
- NSW Health vaping has information and resources on vaping including how to quit.
Occupational health and safety
- Safe Work NSW provies advice on improving work health safety. Can report incidents for investigation.
- Asbestos Safety has information and resources on Asbestos and Silica.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- MotherSafe is a free telephone service available at (02) 9382 6539 or 1800 647 848 for women in NSW who have pregnancy and breastfeeding enquiries. They are open Monday – Friday, business hours. Fact sheets are available on their website.
- Australian Breastfeeding Association has information, education and support for breastfeeding mothers.
Child safety
- Kidsafe NSW provides safety information sheets and resources.
- Immunisation Australia information line is available at 1800 671 811 for general advice and information about immunisation.
- Australian Competition Consumer Commission has information about product recalls.