Start here

  • Call Triple Zero (000) if you are in immediate danger in Australia.
  • Tell a housing service your age, where you are and that you need a safe place tonight.
  • If you are under 18, say so immediately and ask a trusted adult or youth worker to help make the call.

Find someone who can help now

If you are in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000). If you can safely move away from the danger, go somewhere staffed and ask someone to stay with you while you make a call. If you are waiting at school, work or a library, tell a staff member before the building closes. Be specific: “I have nowhere safe to stay tonight. Can I stay here with you while I call a service?” You can start there even if you do not have the words to describe what happened.

You can ask for housing help if you have been sleeping on someone’s couch, if a temporary place has fallen through or if you cannot safely return home. Tell the service where you are now, rather than relying on the postcode listed on an old document. If a family member might be monitoring your phone or location, ask to use a safer device and explain which contact methods are safe for you.

Make the first housing call

In NSW, call Link2home on 1800 152 152. The line operates around the clock. Homes NSW lists different hours for assessments and referrals, so ask the operator what they can arrange at the time you call. Elsewhere in Australia, use Ask Izzy to find homelessness and youth housing services in the area where you are. Ask Izzy is a directory. Call a listed service to check what it can offer and whether you need a referral.

Try: “I’m 16, I’m in this suburb and I don’t have a safe place tonight. Is there a youth service that can help? I can’t safely get back home and I don’t have transport.” Change the details to fit. If you are under 18, give your age early so the worker can direct you to appropriate support. Mention anything that could affect where you can go, such as a wheelchair, medication that needs refrigeration, or being responsible for a child. If you need an interpreter, ask at the start.

Confirm the details before you travel

If a service offers a place or a referral, check whether the place is confirmed, where to meet, what time you need to arrive and who to ask for. Find out whether you need identification and say what you have with you. If it is difficult to get there, ask what transport help is available. Tell the service if arriving alone or sharing your location could put you at risk. Keep the address private if a worker asks you to.

Some services may have no place available. Ask: “What is the next service you would call tonight? Can you help me contact them, and where can I wait safely in the meantime?” Ask if there is an after-hours option. If you cannot keep your phone charged or cannot receive a return call safely, agree on a way to reconnect. Write down the service name and the next step if you can.

Plan one step for the morning

Once you have somewhere safe to wait or stay, ask what will happen tomorrow. You might need help with food, travel, medication, replacement documents or getting to school or work. If you are still relying on temporary places, ask about a longer housing assessment and whether a worker can help with appointments. Services Australia lists support for people sleeping rough or couch surfing.

You can tell a teacher or supervisor that you have an urgent housing problem and need a private conversation about attendance. Share what they need to help you. If the immediate plan changes, use the numbers you saved and tell the next worker what has already been tried. You can ask for help again even if the first call did not result in a place.

Frequently asked questions

What should I say if I need somewhere safe tonight?

Give your age and current suburb, say you need somewhere safe tonight, and mention any barriers such as transport or a disability. If you are in NSW, call Link2home on 1800 152 152. Elsewhere, use Ask Izzy to find a local service. In immediate danger in Australia, call 000.

What if the first youth housing service is full?

Ask which service to call next, whether the worker can help you make that call, and where you can wait safely. Before travelling to a referral, confirm whether a place is available, how to get there and when to arrive.

Sources & further reading

These independent resources provide further information. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement of Youth Health.