Separation, parenting changes and major life transitions can be hard to navigate — especially when you’re trying to work out where to go for the right kind of help.
There are services across Australia that can support dads with separation, fatherhood, parenting arrangements, legal questions, mental wellbeing and simply having someone to talk to.
Below are some useful places to start.
If you’re not sure what kind of support you need, that’s okay. Start with the section that feels closest to what’s happening for you.
Support Specifically for Dads
Dads in Distress
Dads in Distress is a free national support service for separated fathers, run by Parents Beyond Breakup.
It provides confidential, non-judgemental peer support for dads dealing with issues such as separation, time with their children, child support, legal problems, family conflict and depression.
Support is available by phone, online and through peer-based programmes.
Helpline: 1300 853 437
Good place to start if:
You want to speak with other people who understand what separation can be like for dads.
Visit Dads in Distress → https://www.parentsbeyondbreakup.com/dids
MensLine Australia
MensLine Australia provides free counselling and support specifically for men.
It offers support around relationships, separation, fatherhood, mental health, loneliness and other challenges men may be facing.
MensLine also has a dedicated Men and Separation resource covering areas such as looking after yourself, relationships with children, communicating with a former partner and moving forward after separation.
Call: 1300 78 99 78
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Good place to start if:
You’re struggling with separation or life in general and want confidential support from someone outside the situation.
Visit MensLine Australia → https://mensline.org.au/
Parenting After Separation
Family Relationship Advice Line
The Family Relationship Advice Line is an Australian Government-funded service for people dealing with relationship or separation issues.
They can provide information about parenting arrangements after separation, family relationship services and options for resolving disputes, and can refer you to appropriate services.
Call: 1800 050 321
Good place to start if:
You’re newly separated and aren’t sure which service or process you actually need.
Visit Family Relationship Advice Line → https://www.familyrelationships.gov.au/talk-someone/advice-line
Family Dispute Resolution
If you and your former partner are struggling to agree on parenting arrangements, Family Dispute Resolution can help.
An accredited and neutral practitioner helps parents discuss the issues, consider different options and work towards an agreement focused on their children.
In most circumstances, parents are required to attempt Family Dispute Resolution before applying to court for parenting orders, although there are exceptions including certain situations involving family violence, child abuse or urgency.
Good place to start if:
You’re unable to reach agreement about parenting arrangements and need independent help finding a way forward.
Learn About Family Dispute Resolution → https://www.fcfcoa.gov.au/fl/family-dispute-resolution
Family Law & Separation Information
Family Relationships Online
Family Relationships Online is an Australian Government resource providing information about separation, children and parenting, family law and services available to families.
It covers topics including:
parenting after separation
parenting plans and agreements
children and family law
Family Dispute Resolution
child support
separation and divorce
family violence
finding family relationship services.
Good place to start if:
You want reliable information about the practical and legal side of separation before deciding what to do next.
Visit Family Relationships Online → https://www.familyrelationships.gov.au/
Relationships Australia
Relationships Australia provides services around the country including counselling, family dispute resolution, mediation and post-separation support.
They work with individuals, parents, children and families and can help people work through relationship breakdown and the practical and emotional changes that come with separation.
Call: 1300 364 277
Good place to start if:
You want professional support around separation, parenting, relationships or communication.
Visit Relationships Australia → https://www.relationships.org.au/
When You Need Someone to Talk To
Sometimes you don’t need to solve everything immediately.
Sometimes you simply need someone outside the situation to listen.
Lifeline
Lifeline provides crisis support and emotional support across Australia.
Call: 13 11 14
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Visit Lifeline → https://www.lifeline.org.au/
Beyond Blue
Beyond Blue provides free mental health support for people dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness or simply feeling overwhelmed.
You can speak with a counsellor by phone or online, and Beyond Blue can also help connect people with further mental health support when needed.
Call: 1300 22 4636
Visit Beyond Blue → https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
Support for Your Children
Supporting Children After Separation
Separation can be difficult for children too.
The Australian Government-funded Supporting Children After Separation programme provides support for children and young people who are having difficulty coping with their parents' separation.
Depending on the service, support can include individual counselling or group-based programmes designed to help children understand the changes and express how they are feeling.
Good place to start if:
You’re concerned about how your child is coping with the separation.
Find Support for Children → https://raq.org.au/services/separation/supporting-children-after-separation-program-scasp/
If Safety Is an Issue
If you or your children are in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000).
1800RESPECT
1800RESPECT provides support for people affected by domestic, family or sexual violence.
It offers counselling, information and referrals nationwide.
Call: 1800 737 732
Visit 1800RESPECT → https://1800respect.org.au/
You Don’t Have to Figure Everything Out Alone
Separation and major life change can create several problems at once.
You may be dealing with parenting arrangements, work, finances, difficult communication, loneliness, changes to where you live and uncertainty about what comes next.
You don’t necessarily need to solve everything today.
Sometimes the best place to start is simply asking:
What do I need the most help with right now?
Then you can find the right person, organisation or service to help with that part.
If what you need is a space to think things through, work out what you can control and identify some practical next steps, coaching may also be able to help.
A Note About These Resources
The organisations listed here are independent of The Steady Human.
Services, eligibility and availability can change, so please check directly with each provider for the most current information.
Coaching is not a substitute for counselling, psychotherapy, legal advice or medical care. Where your needs sit outside the scope of coaching, appropriate professional support should be sought.