If you are homeless or at risk of homelessness, call the Homeless Hotline on 1800 474 753 (24 hours, 7 days). For domestic and family violence support, call DVConnect Womensline on 1800 811 811 (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 Queensland. 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
The Homeless Hotline (1800 474 753) is free, open 24 hours a day, and can tell you where to find emergency accommodation, meals and showers, and refer you to local services (Queensland Government). For an interpreter, call 1800 512 451.
Family and domestic violence
DVConnect is Queensland's domestic and family violence crisis service, including help with emergency accommodation if you need to leave home. Womensline is 1800 811 811 (24 hours, 7 days) and Mensline is 1800 600 636 (9am to midnight, 7 days) (Queensland Government).
Help with bond, rent and arrears
The Queensland Government has several kinds of rental help for eligible people:
- Bond Loan and Bond Loan Plus: interest-free loans for your bond, plus a Rental Grant towards rent that doesn't need to be repaid (bond loan types). If you're experiencing domestic, family or sexual violence, your Bond Loan application is automatically approved.
- RentConnect Tenancy Assistance: a one-off payment towards rent arrears and essential bills to help you stay in your home (RentConnect).
- Rental Security Subsidy: help with part of your rent during temporary money problems, including a version for young people aged 25 and under (Rental Security Subsidy).
To apply, contact Housing Services on 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or visit a Housing Service Centre.
Free tenancy advice and your rights
Tenants Queensland runs a free, state-funded phone advice service for renters on 1300 744 263, weekdays 9am to 5pm, plus Tuesday and Wednesday evenings until 7pm (Tenants Queensland). The Residential Tenancies Authority (1300 366 311) has official information on renting rules and bonds.
A few rules worth knowing, from the RTA (rent and other bills):
- It's an offence to increase the rent more than once in 12 months.
- If rent is 7 or more days behind, the landlord can issue a Notice to remedy breach, giving you 7 days to pay. Get advice straight away if you receive one.
Help with energy and water bills
The Home Energy Emergency Assistance Scheme can give a one-off payment towards electricity or gas bills after an emergency or short-term crisis. Start by contacting your energy provider (Queensland Government). See all Queensland concessions.
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 Queensland, 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.