Community Directory

Key Government Services

Service NSW
A key government service hub, responsible for services such a licensing, registration, concessions, rebates and housing.
P: 13 77 88 | service.nsw.gov.au

Centrelink
Delivers a range of government payments and services for retirees, unemployed people, families, carers, parents, people with disabilities, Indigenous people, students, apprentices and people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
13 28 50 | centrelink.gov.au

Housing NSW
Responsible for the provision of social housing and advice, referral and assessment.
1800 422 322 | facs.nsw.gov.au/housing

Medicare
Provides Australians with access to some health services at low or no cost.
13 20 11 | servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/medicare

Community Centers

Unanderra Community Centre
Offers a range of free social cohesion, social support and community strengthening programs, including mental health, youth, tutoring and health services. Provides information, referrals and support to residents experiencing difficulties and hardship.
4271 2213 | unanderracc.org.au

Our Community Project, Port Kembla
Supports residents of the Port Kembla and surrounding areas, including the No Interest Loans Scheme and Men’s Shed.
4276 3433 | ourcommunityproject.org.au

Bellambi Neighborhood Centre
Provides a range of free food programs, youth and family programs, and referral services to people in the area.
4285 3055 | bellambinc.org.au

Berkeley Neighborhood Centre
Provides a range of programs to support residents in the area, including senior’s groups, carer’s support, computer skills programs, and fitness groups.
4271 1661 | berkeleyneighbourhoodcentre.com.au

Warrawong Community Centre
Provides free lunches (Tues, Wed, and Thurs), information, referral, child advocacy and support to residents.
0466 508 485

Dapto Ribbonwood Centre
Hosts a range of services and programs that support a safe and healthy community, including mental health groups, AA groups, and cancer support groups.
4227 8877

Housing and Homelessness
Tenants Advice and Advocacy Services
Provides free information, advice and advocacy to people experiencing difficulty with their rental arrangements. This includes help with applications and hearings in the NSW Civil & Administrative Tribunal.
4274 3475 | illawarralegalcentre.org.au

Link2Home
The central NSW service for people at risk of homelessness. Provides information and makes referrals to homelessness services across NSW for people who are homeless or who are worried they will become homeless.
1800 152 152 (24 hours)

Housing Trust
Offers subsidized long-term rental housing in Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama local government areas for people on very low to medium incomes. Provides crisis accommodation in partnership with Housing NSW.
4254 1166 | housingtrust.org.au

Supported Accommodation and Homelessness Services Shoalhaven Illawarra (SAHSSI)
A specialist homelessness service supporting vulnerable women and families in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions.
4229 8523 | sahssi.org.au

Wollongong Emergency Family Housing Inc
Provides short-term emergency housing for families in crisis. Families are housed up to 6 months. Provides information and referral regarding housing, legal, financial and other welfare matters.
4228 0955 | wefh.org.au

Wollongong Homeless Hub
A one-stop-shop for homelessness resources, including showers, laundry, food and other services. The breakfast program operates Monday to Friday 9–10am.
4228 0955

HopeStreet, Port Kembla
Aids with social and financial exclusion, mental health challenges, drug and alcohol dependence, and housing needs.
1300 275 227 | hopestreet.org.au/port-kembla

Disability Support

The Disability Trust
Provides a broad range of care and support to people with disabilities and their families.
1300 347 224 | disabilitytrust.org.au

IDEAS: Information on Disability, Education and Awareness Services
Provides independent information and a free telephone information service for people with disability, their families, carers and other supporters.
6947 3377 | ideas.org.au

Life Without Barriers
Services delivered in the areas of children and families, disability support, foster care and residential care. Services are also provided to homeless people and to youth involved with the justice system.
4260 2200 | lwb.org.au

Mental Health Lifeline
A national charity providing all Australians with access to 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
13 11 14 | lifeline.org.au

NEAMI Wollongong
Offers a range of programs for people who have a mental illness and require support in the areas of skill development, personal recovery, social contact and physical health
4226 3277 | neaminational.org.au

Flourish
Helps people with lived experience of mental illness to feel supported and meet their everyday challenges. Provides structured activities at the centre and in the community, educational programs for recovery, and social support programs. Supported longhand short-term accommodation.
9393 9156 | www.flourishaustralia.org.au

Relationships Australia
Offers relationship services that include counselling, family dispute resolution, and a range of family and community support and education programs.
4227 2876 | relationships.org.au

Headspace
Provides free support to young people aged 12-25 years going through a tough time. Support services include counselling and mental health, GPs (doctors), physical and sexual health, drug and alcohol issues, and work and study options.
220 7660 | headspace.org.au

Salvation Army’s First Floor Program
Provides support for people and families impacted by drug and alcohol and/or mental health issues, trauma, grief and loss. Services include counselling, financial counselling, material assistance, and support groups.
4229 1079 | salvationarmy.org.au

Watershed Drug and Alcohol Recovery and Education Centre
Provides treatment, education, counselling and case management services for early recovery and ongoing support from alcohol and other drug misuse. Offers both residential and non-residential programs.
 1800 818 872 | watershed.org.au

Port Kembla Men’s Group
A diverse group of men who gather at the Port Kembla Community Centre every Wednesday (9am-3pm) to drink coffee and do projects for the community.
0416 549 558

Domestic Violence Support

Women Illawarra
Provides support to women who are, or have been, victims of domestic and family violence. Supports women seeking to obtain
Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders, and women who are experiencing isolation, marginalization, and disadvantage.
4228 1499 | wwis.org.au

Safe Relationships Project
Provides court assistance and other support for people who are gay, lesbian or bisexual; people who are transgender; and
people who are inter-sex and are experiencing or escaping an abusive relationship.
1800 244 481

Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women’s Legal Centre
A community legal centre for Aboriginal women, children and youth in NSW with a focus on issues relating to violence.
1800 686 587 | wirringabaiya.org.au

NSW Ambulance
Provide services free of charge to people who are victims of sexual assault, domestic violence or child abuse.
000

Financial Support

No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS)
Provides no interest loans to people on low incomes. The loan can be for household items, education expenses, medical
equipment or car registration/repairs. The term of the loan is usually 12 months and the maximum loan amount is $1,500.
4276 2224 | ourcommunityproject.org.au/nils

Mission Australia Wollongong, Gambling Counselling Service
Provides free, confidential, non-judgmental counselling support for individuals and families, and community members who are
concerned about their own or others’ gambling.
4267 6600

National Debt Hotline
A not-for-profit service that helps people in Australia tackle their debt problems. The helpline’s professional financial
counsellors offer a free, independent and confidential service to help get you back on track.
1800 007 007 | ndh.org.au

Financial Rights Legal Centre
A community legal centre specialising in financial services, particularly in the areas of consumer credit, banking, debt recovery
and insurance. It offers advice and advocacy for people in financial stress.
financialrights.org.au

Youth Services

Wollongong Youth Centre
A place for young people to express their ideas, get creative, or just have a safe space to hang out. The centre also offers all
kinds of free information and support programs for anyone aged 12-24.
P: 4227 8222

Lighthouse Youth Initiative
Supports young people who are homeless or at risk in Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama. It provides access to mediumterm accommodation, living skills, training and employment skills.
Phone: 4229 9744

Southern Youth and Family Services (SYFS)
Provides support and assistance to vulnerable, disadvantaged and homeless young people.
Phone: 4221 7700 | W: www.syfs.org.au

Community Health for Adolescents In Need (CHAIN), Gwynneville
Provides a range of health services to young people who are vulnerable, disadvantaged and homeless, or those at risk of
disadvantage and homelessness, and their families.
Phone: 4240 4800 | W: www.syfs.org.au

Legal Support

Illawarra Legal Centre
Provides free legal services by telephone, at our centre and at a range of outreach locations. They focus on helping people living with disadvantage and people with special needs.
4276 1939 | illawarralegalcentre.org.au

Wollongong Legal Aid
Provides legal services to disadvantaged clients across NSW in most areas of criminal, family and civil law.
4228 8299

Women’s Legal Service NSW
Provides free, confidential legal advice and referrals to women in NSW, with a focus on family law, parenting issues, domestic violence and sexual assault.
8745 6988 | wlsnsw.org.au

Indigenous and Migrant Communities

Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra (MCCI)
Service provider for multicultural communities in the Illawarra. Delivers a range of services including aged care, youth development programs, stakeholder engagement, community capacity building, volunteering and training services
4229 7566 | mcci.org.au

Illawarra Multicultural Services (IMS)
Provides information and help to migrants, refugees, humanitarian entrants and those who are of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
4229 6855 | ims.org.au

SCARF Refugee Support
Provides responsive, targeted settlement support to people from refugee backgrounds. Services include driver mentoring, school tutoring, friendship support and social activities.
4224 8646 | scarfsupport.org.au

Coomaditchie United Aboriginal Corporation
An Aboriginal organisation dedicated to raising the esteem, pride and dignity of young Aboriginal people.
4274 7477 | coomaditchie.org.au

Illawarra Aboriginal Corporation (IAC)
Provide advocacy and culturally appropriate services to the local Indigenous community, including for housing and homelessness, aged care, disability, permanency support, employment and cultural strengthening.
4228 1585 | www.iac.org.au

Illawarra Aboriginal Medical Service (IAMS)
A central hub for health services aiming to better the overall health and social wellbeing of the local Indigenous community.
4229 9495

Illawarra Koori Men’s Support Group
Provides culturally appropriate educational programs and services to Aboriginal men and boys, focusing on enhancing the
physical, social, emotional and spiritual well-being of the whole community.
4256 9385 | .ikmsg.org

Illawarra Local Aboriginal Land Council
The central representative body for Aboriginal people in the Illawarra region.
4226 3338 | ilalc.org.au