Eating disorder helplines and support services

You don’t have to live with an eating disorder on your own. There are services that exist specifically to provide support for people living with eating disorders in each state and Australia-wide, including services for talking to someone right now.

This can help if:

• you're living with an eating disorder

• you’re looking for support for an eating disorder

• you want to know how to help someone with an eating disorder, like a friend or family member.

If you want to talk to someone right now

Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) and Lifeline (13 11 14) have trained counsellors available 24/7 if you want to contact someone immediately.

National eating disorder helplines and support services

The Butterfly Foundation

Butterfly’s National Support Line, 1800 ED HOPE, provides confidential support for:

• people with eating disorders

• people with body image issues

• family members

• friends

• anyone with a question about eating disorders or negative body image.

The Butterfly Foundation’s counsellors are professionally trained, compassionate and experienced in discussing eating disorders. Butterfly provides personalised coping strategies and support, and information to help increase your understanding of your, or your loved one’s, illness. They also offer guidance on treatment options and connections with other services and specialists.

Support services:

• Butterfly Foundation website

• Butterfly Foundation helpline – available daily from 8am to midnight, via 1800 33 4673

• Butterfly Foundation online chat – available daily from 8am to midnight

National Eating Disorder Collaboration

The National Eating Disorder Collaboration is a great resource for up-to-date information and research on eating disorders. It also provides a list of state-by-state eating disorder recovery services for inpatient, outpatient and community support programs in their ‘Services and Support Organisations’ section.

Access support via the National Eating Disorder Collaboration website.

Size Inclusive Health Australia

The Size Inclusive Health Australia website provides listings of health practitioners around Australia who offer services consistent to the Health at Every Size principles. It lists a range of providers, including specialised eating disorder psychologists, nutritionists and GPs.

Eating disorder services in Victoria

Eating Disorders Victoria

Eating Disorders Victoria is a state-based source of support, information, community education and advocacy in Victoria for people with eating disorders and their families.

Support services:

• Eating Disorders Victoria website

• Eating Disorders Victoria hub – open daily from 9:30am to 4:30pm

Eating disorder services in Queensland

Eating Disorders Queensland

Eating Disorders Queensland is a statewide, community-based not-for-profit organisation. They promote positive body image and prevention of eating issues. Supportive therapeutic options for individuals living with eating issues and their families and friends are also offered.

Website: www.eatingdisordersqueensland.org.au Address: 89 Sherwood Rd, Toowong, QLD 4066 Telephone: (07) 3844 6055 Email: You can get in contact through their online form here.

Eating disorder services in South Australia

Statewide Eating Disorder Service

The Statewide Eating Disorder Service Eating Disorder Association South Australia provides assessment, care and information for people experiencing an eating disorder and for their carers in South Australia.

Centacare Catholic Family Services Adelaide

Centacare Catholic Family Services supports individuals living with panic disorders, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder and eating disorders, and those that support them.

Eating disorder services in Western Australia

Luma (formerly Women’s Health Works)

Luma is an independent, not-for-profit organisation offering free and low-cost healthcare to women and families in Western Australia. They run a number of community-based programs designed to support people of all ages and genders who are impacted by eating disorders.

Eating disorder services in Tasmania

The Butterfly Foundation

The Butterfly Foundation provides face-to-face support programs as well as support groups for people experiencing body image issues as well as their carers and friends in Hobart, Tasmania.

Other places to find eating disorder help

A good first step when seeking eating disorder support is speaking with your GP. They will be able to help you access any services you may need, as well as support you in your recovery. If you don’t want to speak with a GP or an eating disorder support service, consider reaching out to a counsellor or a peer support service like ReachOut PeerChat.