Where to Get Help

Every service on this page is free.

You can ring about your own situation, or about someone you are worried about. You can ring to ask a question without deciding to do anything. And you can ring before you are certain — “I am not sure whether this is anything” is a perfectly good reason to make the call, and it is how most of these conversations start.

This page covers New South Wales. If you are elsewhere, 1800 ELDERHelp will put you through to the right service in your state.

If someone is in danger right now

Police — 000. If anyone is in immediate physical danger, call emergency services first and read the rest of this later.

1800RESPECT — 1800 737 732. National counselling and support for domestic and family violence, 24 hours. Elder abuse is family violence, and they are equipped for it. There is also a Daisy app if you need to search for services without it showing on your phone.

Lifeline — 13 11 14. 24-hour crisis support if you are distressed, whatever the cause.

If money is moving right now

Your bank — today. Ask for the vulnerable customer team or the fraud team by name. Most Australian banks have one, and they are far better at this than a general enquiries line.

They can freeze an account, cancel a card, stop unusual transfers, and review who else has authority to operate on an account — including an attorney. If a Power of Attorney is being misused, the bank is the fastest brake available to you, and it works in hours rather than weeks.

To report abuse, or to ask whether something counts

NSW Ageing and Disability Abuse Helpline — 1800 628 221. This is the main one for New South Wales. It is run by the NSW Ageing and Disability Commission, and it covers abuse, neglect and exploitation of older adults, including financial abuse.

Anyone can call. You do not have to be the person affected — the Commission’s own guidance says you can call because you are worried about a family member, a neighbour or a friend. They can look into a report, and they can also simply give you advice.

1800 ELDERHelp — 1800 353 374. A free national number that connects you to the service in your own state. Useful if you are not in NSW, or not sure where to start.

If the problem is a Power of Attorney or guardianship

NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) — 1300 006 228. NCAT handles guardianship and financial management orders, and can review a Power of Attorney, including removing an attorney who is not acting properly.

This is the route when the person affected can no longer cancel the appointment themselves. Anyone concerned can apply.

If your bank has not helped

Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) — 1800 931 678. Free and independent. If a bank or financial firm has not dealt properly with your complaint, AFCA can consider it and make a decision the firm has to follow.

Complain to the bank first. AFCA generally expects you to have given them a chance.

For debt and money pressure

National Debt Helpline — 1800 007 007. Free, independent financial counsellors. Not a sales line and nothing to sell — they help people deal with debt, pressure from creditors, and bills that have got away from them.

For free legal help

Legal Aid NSW — free legal advice on apprehended violence orders, family matters, debt and civil disputes. legalaid.nsw.gov.au

Community Legal Centres NSW — independent local centres advising on elder rights, credit and family violence. Find your nearest at clcnsw.org.au

If the concern is about aged care

Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission — 1800 951 822. For complaints about a government-funded aged care service, at home or in a facility. You can raise a concern about care someone else is receiving.

When the real problem is the family

Relationships Australia — 1300 364 277. Elder mediation, counselling and family support. Sometimes the situation is not abuse but a family that cannot agree about money or care, and is heading somewhere bad. A mediator early is far cheaper than a dispute later.

For information, at your own pace

Compass — a national knowledge hub on recognising elder abuse, planning ahead and having difficult conversations. compass.info

Scamwatch — how to recognise scams and what to do if your information has been taken. Reports are made online. scamwatch.gov.au

One last thing

People hesitate because they do not want to get a family member into trouble.

You are allowed to ask a question without starting anything. Most calls to these services end with information and no further action, because that is what the caller wanted. Nothing happens because you rang to find out where you stand.

And the earlier you ask, the more options there are. That is the only part of this that gets harder with time.