If you are homeless or at risk of homelessness, call Link2home on 1800 152 152 (24 hours, 7 days). For domestic violence support, call the NSW Domestic Violence Line on 1800 65 64 63 (24 hours). In an emergency, call 000.
If rent, mortgage repayments or bills are getting on top of you, you're not alone, and there is free help in New South Wales. This guide lists the main services for renters and families, checked on official websites on 22 October 2026. Services and rules change, so always check the linked page or call the service for your situation.
If you're homeless or at risk of losing your home
Link2home (1800 152 152) is the NSW Government's homelessness line, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. It can help you find temporary accommodation and connect with local services (NSW Government: emergency housing). Veterans can call Link2Home Veterans and Ex-Service on 1800 326 989.
Family and domestic violence
The NSW Domestic Violence Line (1800 65 64 63) offers free, confidential counselling and referrals for women experiencing domestic and family violence, 24 hours a day, with interpreters available (DCJ support contacts). Anyone can call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
Help with bond, rent and arrears
Homes NSW offers several kinds of private rental assistance for eligible people, including (Homes NSW):
- Rentstart Bond Loan: an interest-free loan to help pay your rental bond
- Advance Rent: help with rent in advance for Bond Loan clients
- Tenancy Assistance: help with rent and water arrears
- Rent Choice Youth: support for people aged 16 to 24
- Temporary Accommodation for short-term housing needs.
You apply through an application for housing assistance, online or at your local housing office.
Free tenancy advice and your rights
Tenants Advice and Advocacy Services (TAAS) give free advice and advocacy to NSW renters and are funded by NSW Fair Trading (find your local TAAS). The Tenants' Advice Line is 1800 251 101, open Mondays 10am to 1pm and Thursdays 2pm to 5pm, so it's often quicker to contact your local service directly.
A few rules worth knowing, from NSW Fair Trading (when and how rent can be increased):
- Rent can't be increased in the first 12 months of an agreement, or more than once every 12 months.
- Your landlord or agent must give you written notice at least 60 days before a rent increase.
For more, see NSW Fair Trading's hardship during a tenancy page.
Help with energy and water bills
If you can't pay an electricity or gas bill because of a short-term crisis, ask about Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA). You apply through Service NSW or an approved EAPA provider, and your energy provider can't disconnect you while an EAPA assessment is booked (Energy NSW). The Service NSW Savings Finder shows other rebates you may be eligible for.
National help, wherever you live
- Rent Assistance: an extra Centrelink payment if you get an eligible payment and pay rent above a certain amount (Services Australia).
- National Debt Helpline: free financial counselling on 1800 007 007 (ndh.org.au).
- Ask Izzy: a free directory of local food, housing and money help (askizzy.org.au).
Help in other states and territories is listed on our national housing help page.
About Nhanya Foundation
Nhanya Foundation is a registered charity based in Melbourne's west, Victoria. We can't provide direct support in New South Wales, so please contact the services above. If you're in Melbourne's west, call us on 03 8595 9012 or make a referral.
Live somewhere else? See housing help for every state and territory.