Emergency and helpline numbers in Australia and Sydney
The numbers to save on your first day: Triple Zero (000) for police, fire and ambulance, 112 from mobiles, non-urgent police and storm help in NSW, poisons advice, a 24-hour nurse line, crisis support and interpreters.
- Applies to
- Everyone in Australia. Some numbers on this page are specific to New South Wales.
- Effort
- Low effort
- Time needed
- 5 minutes to save the numbers in your phone
- Cost
- Calls to 000 and 112 are free
- When
- On your first day in Australia
On this page
In a life-threatening or time-critical emergency, call Triple Zero (000). The call is free from any fixed or mobile phone, satellite phone and some internet phone services. Say which service you need: police, fire or ambulance, and be ready to say exactly where you are.
Step by step
Step 1: Save the emergency numbers
- 000: police, fire and ambulance in an emergency.
- 112: works from mobile phones only and connects to the same Triple Zero service. It cannot be called from a landline or satellite phone.
- 106: Triple Zero by TTY (textphone) through the National Relay Service, for people who are deaf or have a hearing or speech communication difficulty. You cannot contact 000 by SMS.
Step 2: Save the non-urgent and NSW numbers
- 131 444: Police Assistance Line (NSW), for non-urgent police matters.
- 132 500: NSW State Emergency Service (SES), for help during floods, storms and tsunamis.
- 1800 333 000: Crime Stoppers, to report information about crime.
Step 3: Save the health and support lines
- 13 11 26: Poisons Information Centre, 24/7. Call for advice straight away; do not wait for symptoms.
- 1800 022 222: healthdirect, free 24-hour health advice from a nurse to help you decide what care you need.
- 13 11 14: Lifeline, 24/7 crisis support by phone, with text and chat options.
- 1800 737 732: 1800RESPECT, confidential information, counselling and support for domestic, family and sexual violence.
Step 4: Know how to get an interpreter
For non-emergency services, call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450 and ask them to connect you to the organisation you need, for example the Fair Work Ombudsman or LawAccess NSW.
Ambulance costs
Ambulance services in NSW are charged to the patient, whoever called 000. NSW residents pay a subsidised call-out fee ($464 plus $4.18 per kilometre from 1 July 2025, as published in July 2026); people who are not NSW residents pay more. Do not let cost stop you from calling in an emergency, and check whether your health insurance includes ambulance cover.
At the beach
Surf Life Saving NSW advises you to swim at patrolled beaches between the red and yellow flags. If you get into trouble, stay calm, raise your arm to signal for help and float rather than fighting the current. In an emergency call 000.
Severe weather and bushfires
Follow warnings from the NSW SES and other emergency services during storms, floods and fires. In a life-threatening situation always call 000.
Watch out
Only call 000 for emergencies. For non-urgent police matters call 131 444.
Calls to 000 are free.
Common mistakes
Trying to send an SMS to 000, which does not work. Calling 000 for non-urgent police matters instead of 131 444.
Tips
Save your exact home address, including the nearest cross street, in your phone so you can give it quickly. Keep a list of these numbers on the fridge for visitors and children.
Frequently asked questions
Editorial answers written by our team, based on the sources below.
Does it cost anything to call 000?
No. Triple Zero calls are free from any fixed or mobile phone. From a mobile you can also dial 112.
When should I call healthdirect instead of 000?
Call healthdirect (1800 022 222) if you are unsure what care you need and it is not an emergency. If someone's life is at risk, call 000.
Official links
Triple Zero: how to call 000Official source triplezero.gov.au (Opens {{site}} in a new tab) NSW Police ForceOfficial source police.nsw.gov.au (Opens {{site}} in a new tab) NSW SESOfficial source ses.nsw.gov.au (Opens {{site}} in a new tab) healthdirect: find a health service healthdirect.gov.au (Opens {{site}} in a new tab) Lifeline lifeline.org.au (Opens {{site}} in a new tab) 1800RESPECT 1800respect.org.au (Opens {{site}} in a new tab)
In your plan
Save the emergency and helpline numbers Find a GP near your home
Sources
Written and checked by HomiStart editorial against the official sources below. Next scheduled check: 6 Apr 2027.
- Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the ArtsOfficial sourceTriple Zero
(Opens {{site}} in a new tab) Accessed 8 Oct 2026 - NSW Police ForceOfficial sourceNSW Police Force – contact numbers
(Opens {{site}} in a new tab) Accessed 8 Oct 2026Read via the Internet Archive snapshot of 6 October 2026.
- NSW State Emergency ServiceOfficial sourceWhen to call NSW SES
(Opens {{site}} in a new tab) Accessed 8 Oct 2026Read via the Internet Archive snapshot of 6 October 2026.
- NSW Poisons Information CentreOfficial sourceNSW Poisons Information Centre
(Opens {{site}} in a new tab) Accessed 8 Oct 2026 - Healthdirect AustraliaFind a health service
(Opens {{site}} in a new tab) Accessed 8 Oct 2026 - Lifeline AustraliaLifeline Australia
(Opens {{site}} in a new tab) Accessed 8 Oct 2026 - 1800RESPECTOfficial source1800RESPECT
(Opens {{site}} in a new tab) Accessed 8 Oct 2026 - Fair Work OmbudsmanOfficial sourceVisa holders and migrants (Translating and Interpreting Service)
(Opens {{site}} in a new tab) Accessed 8 Oct 2026 - NSW AmbulanceOfficial sourceAccounts & Fees
(Opens {{site}} in a new tab) Accessed 8 Oct 2026Read via the Internet Archive snapshot of 26 July 2026.
- Surf Life Saving NSWHow to stay safe at the beach
(Opens {{site}} in a new tab) Accessed 8 Oct 2026