Free help for separated dads. No catch. We're dads, helping dads.
Keeping dads alive and in their kids lives since 1999.
Tony Miller OAM, Founder, Dads in Distress, Fathers Day 1999
A bit of history. Dads in Distress from 2010. Tropfest finalist film. Featuring Phil York.
'Dads in Distress' is a national support group for dads experiencing separation
Support is available by phone, LiveChat, email, through our online forum, checklist and in person at the locations listed below
Everything we do is 100% free, male friendly and confidential; everyone you'll talk with is a volunteer and a peer who's been through it themselves
About our Groups and Mentors
Groups meet regularly in locations across Australia. There's no need to book, prepare or pay anything. Just find one from the map and list below, and turn up. It's that simple but there is a check in at the beginning so it pays to be a bit early. Take a look at the video above to get an idea of what happens at a typical group.
Mentors are a bit different. They are volunteers who meet you locally, in person, and need to be booked through our helpline. Like groups, our mentor support is free.
Steve is a dad that used our support. Here's his take on it.
What people say about us
Click quick links below to view all locations by state, or scroll down to view manually
Australian Capital Territory
Canberra (Mentor)
Starting 2020
Have some time to help others, or can offer us the use of a venue?
New South Wales
Sydney CBD (Group)
Status: Operational
Every Tuesday at 7.00 pm
2nd floor, 48 Chippen Street, Sydney, NSW 2008
Metered parking outside and free parking in adjoining streets
Pendle Hill (Group)
Status: Operational
Every Monday at 7pm
25 Magowar Road, Pendle Hill, NSW 2145
Free parking on street outside
Newcastle (Group)
Status: Operational
Every Wednesday at 7.30 pm
Tighes Hill Public School, 33 Elizabeth St, Tighes Hill, NSW 2297
Limited free parking outside on road
Liverpool (Group)
Status: Operational
Every Thursday at 7pm
St Luke’s Anglican Church Meeting Room, 156 Northumberland St, Liverpool, NSW 2170
Free parking outside venue
Hornsby (Group)
Status: Operational
Every Wednesday at 7pm
St Peters Anglican Church, 207 Peats Ferry Road Hornsby NSW 2077
Free parking outside venue
Freshwater (Group)
Status: Operational
Every Wednesday at 7.30pm
Swim Club (above sea pool), bottom of carpark off Lumsdaine Rd, Freshwater, NSW 2096
Free parking outside venue
Coffs Harbour (Group)
Status: Operational
Every Tuesday at 6.30pm
The Community Village, 22 Earl Street, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450
Free parking outside
Dubbo (Mentor)
Starting 2020
Wollongong (Mentor)
Starting 2020
Campbelltown (Group)
Status: Opens Oct'19
Bega (Mentor)
Status: Operational
Contact helpline to arrange a one to one meeting with our local mentor
Have some time to help others, or can offer us the use of a venue?
Northern Territory
Queensland
Logan (Group)
Every Thursday at 6.30pm
The Family Place, 35A North Road, Woodridge, QLD 4114
Free parking outside venue
Gold Coast (Group)
Every Tuesday at 6.30 pm
Palm Beach Family Support, 16 Third Ave, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Free parking on street outside venue
Townsville (Mentor)
Starting 2020
Contact helpline to arrange a one to one meeting with our local mentor
Have some time to help others, or can offer us the use of a venue?
South Australia
Adelaide (Mentor)
Starting 2020
Contact helpline to arrange a one to one meeting with our local mentor
Have some time to help others, or can offer us the use of a venue?
Tasmania
Launceston (Mentor)
Contact helpline to arrange a one to one meeting with our local mentor
Hobart (Group)
1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month at 6.30pm
Salamanca Arts Centre, 77 Salamanca Pl, Battery Point TAS 7004
Paid parking on road outside
Have some time to help others, or can offer us the use of a venue?
Victoria
Frankston (Group)
Every Wednesday at 7.30pm
20 Ebdale St, Frankston VIC 3199
Free parking (4hrs)
St Kilda (Group)
Every Monday at 7.30pm
200 Alma Rd, St Kilda East VIC 3183
Limited free parking outside venue
Bayswater (Group)
Every Tuesday at 7.30pm
30 Glen Park Rd, Bayswater North VIC 3153
Free parking outside venue
Warragul (Group)
Every Thursday at 7.30pm
Warragul Community House, 138 Normanby St, Warragul, VIC 3820
Free parking outside venue
Bendigo (Mentor)
Contact helpline to arrange a one to one meeting with our local mentor
Ballarat (Mentor)
Contact helpline to arrange a one to one meeting with our local mentor
Mernda (Group)
Every Wednesday at 7.30pm.
! Starting 15 April 2020 !
110 Hazel Glen Drive, Doreen, VIC 3754
Free parking outside venue
Western Australia
East Perth (Group)
Every Tuesday at 7pm
St Bartholomew’s House, 7 Lime Street, East Perth, WA 6004
Free parking outside
Albany (Mentor)
Starting 2020
Contact helpline to arrange a one to one meeting with our local mentor
Bunbury (Mentor)
Starting 2020
Contact helpline to arrange a one to one meeting with our local mentor
Have some time to help others, or can offer us the use of a venue?
