Not sure if Toora is right for you?

No. You can contact Toora on (02) 6122 7000 or by completing our referral form, or through OneLink on 1800 176 468 or the Domestic Violence Crisis Service (DVCS) on (02) 6280 0900. You don’t need paperwork, a referral letter, or proof of crisis to ask for help.

Yes. Children are welcome in most of our housing programs. We aim to keep families together wherever possible and will talk with you about the safest option for you and your children.

Unfortunately, our properties are not equipped to provide accommodation for any pets. We encourage you to seek a caring temporary home for them before entering our accommodation services. Please speak to us if you have a service animal.

You will always have your own private room. However, most of our properties are shared houses, which means that the common spaces –the living room, kitchen, playroom and bathroom– will be shared with other residents.

All women who don’t have children are accommodated in a shared house – there is no individual single accommodation available.

When you arrive, you will be asked to sign a Toora Occupancy Agreement, which includes the terms under which you can stay in our shared accommodation. These terms include the rent to be charged, how long you can stay and any necessary rules to ensure the safety of yourself and other residents. Our houses also have their own house rules regarding the day-to-day running of the house.

Generally, it is up to you and the other residents whether or not you share cooking or eat together at mealtimes. You can be as self-contained or as sociable as you want to be.

An exception is Lesley’s Place, where residents are rostered to cook and expected to eat together, pay a meal contribution and engage in the weekly shopping trips as part of the budgeting education program.

Generally, we do not allow visitors to come to our accommodation services for safety reasons to protect our residents and staff. An exception is some of our shared properties for families experiencing general homelessness.

We provide both crisis and transitional housing in shared houses, units, and standalone homes. Properties are furnished, so you only need to bring your essentials. If you’re moving into shared housing, we ask you to keep belongings to two bags. If you need storage for larger items, we can help arrange it.

Rent is based on your income and reviewed twice a year.

If you live in shared accommodation, the fortnightly rental payment is the sum of:

• Fortnightly utilities fee: $70
• 100% of Commonwealth Rent Assistance you receive
• 25% of your income if over 21 years, 15% of your income if aged 21 years or less
• 15% of any Family Tax Benefit A payments you receive.

If you live in a standalone house or units, the fortnightly rental payment is the sum of:

• 100% of Commonwealth Rent Assistance the household receives
• 25% of your income if over 21 years, 15% of your income if aged 21 years or less
• 15% of any Family Tax Benefit A or B payments you receive
• 25% of all Child Support Payments received for any members of the household
• All utilities fees, including set up costs.

If you are staying at Lesley’s Place, the fortnightly payment includes rent, food and therapeutic services and is the sum of:

• 100% of Commonwealth Rent Assistance the household receives
• 50% of your income
• 15% of any Family Tax Benefit A or B payments you receive for children in residence with you.

Your Case Coordinator will work through this with you. You can also find out more in Toora’s Housing Factsheet.

Yes, even without access to money you are able to come and stay at our accommodation. Not having a bond deposit is not a barrier to access our services. We will support you in accessing emergency payments or other social welfare benefits and allowances.

We do not provide food and transport, however we can support you in gaining access to resources in the community. Support is provided to you on an individual basis dependent on need and the goals set by you in conjunction with your case coordinator.

If you stay in our properties, engagement with a Toora case coordinator is required. We provide support to secure long-term housing and to work on individual goals.

Your safety and confidentiality are our priority. We have a robust system in place to protect the personal information you have shared with us. Your personal information will not be shared with anyone outside of Toora without your permission.

However, if we believe that you or your child may be in immediate danger, we may share this information with someone else to protect you or your child from harm. This rarely happens, and we will always aim to let you know first. If you want to know more about why we collect your personal information, how we keep your information secure and who can access this information, please refer to our Privacy Policy.

Absolutely yes. The location of our accommodation is strictly confidential due to the need for safety and privacy of the women staying with us and for Toora staff members. You are also asked to not share the address of our accommodation with others.

Our confidentiality policy applies to all Toora staff and clients to ensure the safety of yourself and other residents.

We undertake risk assessments and Safety Plans to ensure safety. Case coordinators engage in regular visitations with women and house meetings take place in shared accommodation.

For those living in shared accommodation, you will be given the numbers of our caretakers if you have any issues after hours.

If you live in a standalone property, we provide case management support during business hours. For after-hours support, we provide you with resources to call in cases of emergencies (Domestic Violence Crisis Service (DVCS) or 000).

At Toora, we do not provide long-term housing. Our domestic violence accommodation services are transitional housing only. The duration of stays is three months and can be extended depending on your circumstances. Your case coordinator will work with you to determine your requirements and help you establish a plan.

This depends on your individual circumstances. Your case coordinator will work with you to submit a housing application and a Priority Needs Assessment to house you as soon as possible. 

No. You can self-refer by contacting Toora directly. Referrals from health and community services are also welcome, but you don’t need a doctor’s letter or diagnosis to reach out.

Yes. All counselling, outreach, and day programs are free. Residential programs have rent set on an income-based scale. Your privacy and safety are our priority—we don’t share your information without your consent, unless required by law to keep you or others safe.

Yes. Children can live with you at Lesley’s Place, our residential program. Babies under 12 months may also attend the Day Program with approval from the coordinator.

We support women impacted by any substance, including alcohol, methamphetamine, cannabis, opioids, prescription medications, and polysubstance use. You don’t need to meet a threshold of use to access support—if you’re concerned about your substance use, we can help.

Yes. You don’t need to be abstinent or ready to quit to access counselling, outreach, or day programs. We’ll work with you to set goals that feel right for you, whether that’s reducing harm, preparing for change, or maintaining recovery.

It depends on your recovery goals and which program is right for you. Lesley’s Place is a short-stay program of up to 12 weeks, designed for women who have recently completed withdrawal and are beginning their recovery. Marzenna House offers longer-term support of up to 12 months for women who have been in established recovery for at least three months.

Counselling is one-on-one support focused on your personal goals and coping strategies, usually in weekly sessions. The Day Program is group-based, running three days a week for eight weeks, with structured sessions on relapse prevention, parenting, mindfulness, and life skills.

Yes. All Toora programs are delivered within a trauma-informed, strengths-based framework. We understand the impact of violence, trauma and substance use, and provide inclusive support for women from all backgrounds, including culturally and linguistically diverse communities and those without permanent residency.

We are also committed to cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, guided by our Reconciliation Action Plan. This means partnering with First Nations communities, training our staff, and creating spaces where culture, family and community are respected.

Cultural safety is not just a principle at Toora — it’s an ongoing commitment woven through our governance, workforce, and everyday practice.

We’ll respond to you as soon as possible. Wait times depend on the program, but our intake team will talk through your needs right away and connect you to the most suitable support—whether that’s immediate counselling, outreach, or planning for the next available residential place.

No. You can self-refer by calling Toora. Referrals are also accepted from OneLink, DVCS, or other services.

Yes. Case management and counselling are free. Rent for housing programs is income-based. Your privacy and safety are always prioritised.

Yes. Children are welcome in most housing programs, including crisis and transitional accommodation.

We support women experiencing physical, emotional, psychological, financial, sexual, or controlling abuse. Violence is never your fault.

Yes. You don’t need to leave to access support. We’ll work with you at your pace to plan for safety.

Stays vary depending on need. Case coordinators work with you on next steps for longer-term stability.

Case management focuses on practical support, safety planning, and housing, while counselling offers therapeutic support to talk through experiences and build coping strategies.

Yes. All Toora services are trauma-informed, inclusive, and respectful of diverse backgrounds. We are committed to cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, guided by our Reconciliation Action Plan. This includes staff training, partnerships with First Nations communities, and creating safe spaces where culture, family, and community are respected.

Our intake team will respond as soon as possible. If there is an immediate risk, we’ll connect you with crisis accommodation or safety planning right away. Wait times for housing depend on availability, but you can access case management and counselling immediately.

No. You don’t need a diagnosis, proof, or referral—just reach out when you’re ready.

Yes. Many women face more than one challenge. We offer integrated, holistic support.

That’s okay. You set the pace. You never have to share more than you feel comfortable with.

Yes. Your privacy and safety are our priority. We won’t share your information without your consent, unless required by law to keep you or others safe.

Counselling sessions usually run for about 50 minutes.

No. Our one-on-one counselling and support group are free.

Yes. You can join group programs directly if that feels right for you.

We require 24 hours’ notice for cancellations to ensure you receive your full treatment package. If notice is not given, then the session will be deducted from your agreed number of sessions. 

Groups run for 6–8 weeks, depending on the program. You’ll be supported by trained facilitators in a safe, inclusive environment.