Lifeline Australia
Also known as: Lifeline
24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention. Phone, text, or chat. Free, confidential.
About this service
Lifeline is Australia's primary 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention service. It is free and confidential and available to anyone in distress, including the people running small businesses. Phone, text, and online chat are all available; the phone line is always open. If a business owner is in acute crisis — feeling unsafe, can't see a way forward, having thoughts of self-harm — Lifeline is the first call, not the last.
When to use
Any time you feel you might harm yourself. Any time the business pressure feels overwhelming and you need to talk to someone in the next few minutes. Any time you're worried about someone else.
When not to use
For pure financial counselling, call the Small Business Debt Helpline or the National Debt Helpline.
Who they help
Anyone in emotional distress or crisis. Anyone supporting someone in crisis. Anyone bereaved by suicide.
Who they don't help
Lifeline is not a financial counselling service or a business adviser. After the immediate crisis passes, route to the Small Business Debt Helpline or NewAccess for Small Business Owners.
Strengths
24/7. Crisis-trained counsellors. Phone, text, and chat. Free. No referral.
Limitations
Not a financial or business adviser. The conversation is the support — they don't take any further action on your behalf.
Source authority
www.lifeline.org.auOften used alongside
Suicide Call Back Service
24/7 free professional counselling for anyone affected by suicide. Eligible callers can get up to four scheduled sessions with the same counsellor.
Free
Beyond Blue NewAccess for Small Business Owners
Free six-session mental health coaching for small business owners under stress. Coaches have small business backgrounds. No GP referral required.
MATES in Construction
24/7 helpline and on-site suicide prevention for construction workers and small construction-business owners, with peer support on sites. A case example in the World Health Organization's 2021 suicide prevention guide.
Free
We do not refer to commercial debt-relief operators.
Every service we point you to is free or low-cost, government-funded or not-for-profit, and independent of creditors. If a paid operator is offering to negotiate your ATO debt or run a Part IX agreement for a fee, talk to the Small Business Debt Helpline first — 1800 413 828, free.
TEKVA provides information, not financial counselling or legal advice. Phone numbers, URLs, and operating hours were checked on 6 October 2026.