We work in a variety of ways to support respectful relationships across Australia.
About Relationships Australia
Relationships Australia works in a variety of ways to support respectful relationships across Australia.
With three key pillars at the national level, we provide services and supports to all people, to enable sustainable respectful relationships.
Broadly, Relationships Australia advocates and promotes the importance of respectful relationships with respect to positive individual mental health outcomes and general community outcomes.
Our research is relevant and purposeful, and further enables us to provide our ongoing trusted services and supports.
Respectful Relationships
We support the development and nurturing of respectful relationships, which has proven to be a crucial foundation for mental health, general wellbeing, and overall resilience.
Relationships Australia has, for over 70 years, provided a range of relationship services to Australian families, including individual, couple and family group counselling, dispute resolution, services to older people, children’s services, services for victims and perpetrators of family violence, and relationship and professional education. We aim to support all people in Australia to live with positive and respectful relationships and believe that people have the capacity to change how they relate to others and develop better health and wellbeing. For access to services near you, click here.
We respect the rights of all people, in all their diversity, to live life fully and meaningfully within their families and communities with dignity and safety, and to enjoy respectful relationships. A commitment to fundamental human rights, to be recognised universally and without discrimination, underpins our work.
Relationships Australia is committed to:
- Working in regional, rural and remote areas, recognising that there are fewer resources available to people in these areas and that they live with pressures, complexities and uncertainties not experienced by those living in cities and regional centres.
- Collaboration. We work collectively with local and peak body organisations to deliver a spectrum of prevention, early and tertiary intervention programs with people of all genders, including older people, young people and children. We recognise that some families need a complex suite of supports (for example, family support programs, mental health services, gambling services, drug and alcohol services, and housing).
- Enriching family relationships, and encouraging clear and respectful communication.
- Ensuring that services are accessible, including ensuring that social and financial disadvantage is no barrier to accessing services.
- Contributing its practice evidence and skills to research projects, the development of public policy, and the provision of compassionate and effective supports to families.
- Supporting social connection and the building of sustainable respectful relationships through our social connection campaign, Neighbour Day.
We advocate for respectful relationships across all levels of society. Relationships Australia advocates across many stakeholder groups via policy, research, media and community engagement.
On issues impacting the work of Relationships Australia and the broader sector, Relationships Australia engages in ongoing advocacy with relevant Government departments and key stakeholders at the national, state and local levels.
As an important component of this advocacy, Relationships Australia engages with a range of Parliamentary Inquiries, Royal Commissions and other government consultations. Drawing on the expertise and experience of practitioners across the country, and building on evidence collected over 70 years of delivering services to vulnerable Australians, we are proud to contribute to the development of public policy in Australia supporting the provision of compassionate and effective services for families.
We also enjoy a positive working relationship with media outlets across the country, contributing practice experience and insights to inform the national discussion on topics impacting our clients and all Australians.
Research
We conduct relevant research across a broad range of topics in regards to relationships. At times we partner with universities and other organisations, working locally and internationally to support further understandings of relationships.
Relationships Australia is committed to research and the use of data and practice evidence to inform Australia’s social policy landscape. Through a combination of unique research projects and partnerships with universities, we are proud to contribute our skills and experience to enhance the understanding of issues impacting Australians.
In addition to formal studies, Relationships Australia runs surveys throughout the year on topics of relevance to our clients and all Australians. Results from these surveys inform further understanding around key areas of interest at timely points in Australia’s history.
Relationships Australia believes that a strong commitment to data and evidence-informed policy and service design will generate the best outcomes for Australia and Australians.
Building and Supporting Respectful Relationships
Relationships Australia has a variety of information available to support every Australian to maintain respectful relationships. You can browse through our information on this national site and contact your local state and territory organisation for even more relevant information.
Please note that if you feel you are not safe in any of your relationships, or you have complex situations you need to process, we advise you to seek professional help and assistance as soon as possible. We aim to provide relevant and up to date information; however, the information we provide via this website may not be all-inclusive and address all of your needs.
Please search our resources below.
Each state and territory Relationships Australia organisation provides additional relevant and helpful information. Please click your local state or territory to browse their resources.
Is it time you prioritise your family’s emotional well-being? Relationships Australia is the proud custodian of Family Connect, a free online program that sets children up for success and good mental health.
Advocacy
Relationships Australia national office advocates the importance of respectful relationships at all levels, including via submissions, and policy statements.
Relationships Australia provides a leading voice publically across conferences and other key engagement opportunities nationally and internationally.
You can review our Submissions and Policy Statements below.
Research
Relationships Australia participates and conducts research regarding relationships, both nationally and internationally. We often collaborate with other respected organisations and leading universities and academics across the globe.
You can view our key research topics below
Support services
The Relationships Australia state and territory organisations offer a broad range of support services to individuals, families and communities throughout the country.
Family Relationship Services
We provide a range of services and programs as well as information and resources to help families at all stages of life.
A Family Relationship Centre is a place where families can access information and advice on:
- building and strengthening relationships
- early intervention and prevention services
- child-friendly services for families in conflict
- family dispute resolution services
- parenting plans
- re-partnering and stepfamily arrangements
- information and referral to other services.
Family Relationship Centres offer a range of services and programs to help families at all stages of their life including people starting relationships, those who want to make their relationships stronger, people with relationship difficulties and families who have separated.
Family Violence Prevention
A range of supports and services are available for people who experience/ have experienced violence and abuse and are seeking ways to ensure their safety, or to overcome the impact of this trauma.
Counselling and other support is available for people who have experienced violence and abuse and are seeking ways to ensure their safety, or to overcome the impact of this trauma.
Programs, groups and courses are also available for people who have used anger, violence or abuse in their interpersonal relationships and want to find new ways of relating that do not harm others. This support can help improve quality of life through positive and respectful relationships.
Services for Children and Young People
Relationship Australia provides a range of services supporting children and young people to have safe, happy and healthy lives.
Across Relationships Australia’s services, our practitioners are informed by the latest evidence and research for the protection and promotion of children’s well-being.
In addition to incorporating the views and needs of children and young people in our broader suite of family services, we also offer a range of programs designed to promote and enhance children’s well-being and are proud to offer Children’s Contact Services in a number of locations nationally, offering safe and positive contact arrangements for children whose parents are separated.
Services for older Australians
Providing services for older Australians to protect their health, safety and wellbeing.
Relationships Australia’s Services for older Australians assists older people and their families to prevent and resolve family conflict, have difficult conversations, plan for the future (including medical, health, financial and living arrangements), improve communication skills, make decisions that protect the interests, rights and safety of family members and reduce the risk of elder abuse, including emotional and financial abuse.
If families are given the support and tools to work together, overcome differences and respectfully resolve conflict, the interests, health and safety of older people and other family members can be met and protected.
Counselling
We provide family and relationship counselling as well as a range of specialist counselling services.
Relationships Australia employs experienced and qualified counsellors Australia-wide, who provide a range of counselling services including:
- Family and relationship counselling
- Counselling for divorced / separating couples
- Online relationship counselling
- Specialised counselling services
Workplace Services
We provide a range of counselling and other services specifically for the workplace.
Relationships Australia provides a range of counselling and other services in the workplace.
Managing relationships well both at work and at home is important for wellbeing. Relationship difficulties in one area of our life, impacts on our ability to relate effectively in the other.
Relationships Australia members are leading providers of Employee Assistance Programs across Australia and can deliver tailored counselling and related services to meet the needs of Australia’s diverse business community.
Specialised Services
Relationships Australia provides a range of specialised counselling and other services to support individuals with their personal, emotional and social health and well-being.
We offer a range of speciliased services to individuals and their families across the country.
We have extensive history working with individuals impacted by trauma, both past and present, and can provide support across a range of government funded programs, including Forced Adoption Support Services, Redress Support Services and services for those impacted by the Disability Royal Commission.
Our experienced team also delivers services to those impacted by problem gambling, including where gambling is affecting health, finances and relationships.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their families
We provide specialist services in supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Relationships Australia is committed to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities.
In supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities we have:
- developed a cultural fitness training package for all Relationships Australia staff
- established new ways to offer counselling and mediation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- created specific services in some states and territories, and
- provided employment training programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people relevant to the community sector.
Many existing Relationships Australia services are used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. However, specialist services have been established in some places around the country.
Training and Courses
Relationships Australia offers relationship courses and professional training across Australia.
Please search some of our featured courses below, or click on your relevant state or territory to find a course or training near you.
Each state offers a varied program of courses. Check your state for availability
Neighbours Every Day: Create Belonging
Neighbours Every Day is Relationships Australia’s social connection campaign: a leading Australian campaign promoting the benefits of social connection and building capacity for all to make and maintain respectful relationships.
Research shows us that when people connect with their communities, they have a greater sense of belonging, which leads to improved mental well-being and a reduction in loneliness. It also contributes to strength and resilience in the face of external pressures (such as the COVID pandemic and associated lockdowns).
