STATE GOVERNMENT:
http://www.directory.nsw.gov.au/
An online directory for the state government of New South Wales.
Phone: NSW Government Contact Centre on 133 679 for the cost of a local call.
Ageing, Disability and Home Care: http://www.adhc.nsw.gov.au
Phone: (02) 8270 2000
The Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care provides services to older people, people with a disability, and their families and carers in NSW. Services include: Help at home with personal care, domestic tasks and meals; Home modifications; Respite and support for carers; Community transport; and Community nursing and related health services.
Ambulance Service of New South Wales: http://www.ambulance.nsw.gov.au/
Head Office Phone: (02) 9320 7777
Anti-Discrimination Board: http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/adb
Phone: 1800 670 812 – Toll Free Number
Phone: (02) 9268 5555 – General Switchboard
Phone: (02) 9268 5544 – Complaints/Enquiries Line
TTY Tel: (02) 9268 5522
Births, Deaths and Marriages Registry NSW: http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au
Phone: 1300 655 236
Department of Family and Community Services: http://www.humanservices.nsw.gov.au
Phone: (02) 9248 0900
The Department of Family and Community Services promotes the safety and wellbeing of children and young people, working to build stronger families and communities.
Department of Health: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au
Phone: (02) 9391 9000
The NSW Department of Health provides information on common health topics that may help you to understand the facts about various medical conditions. A complete listing of all the health topics covered by the website can be found at the follwing link:
www.health.nsw.gov.au/topics/index.asp
Guardianship Tribunal: http://www.gt.nsw.gov.au
Phone: 1800 493 928 or (02) 9556 7600
The Tribunal determines and reviews applications for the appointment of guardians and financial managers for adults with decision-making disabilities. It exercises a protective jurisdiction and facilitates substitute decision making by hearing. It also reviews the appointment of enduring powers of attorney and enduring guardianship; provides consent to medical or dental treatment; and can approve a clinical trial so that people with decision-making disabilities can take part.
Health Care Complaints Commission: http://www.hcc.nsw.gov.au
Phone: 1800 043 159 or (02) 9219 7444
The Health Care Complaints Commission acts to protect public health and safety by dealing with complaints about health service providers in NSW. It can receive and assess complaints relating to health service providers in NSW; resolve or assist in the resolution of complaints; investigate serious complaints that raise questions of public health and safety; and prosecute serious complaints.
Home Care Service of NSW: http://www.adhc.nsw.gov.au/individuals/help_at_home/home_care_service
Phone: (02) 9374 3650
The Home Care Service of NSW helps older and younger people with a disability to live independently in their own home, and also supports carers. The main services are: domestic assistance; personal care; respite care.
Housing NSW: http://www.housing.nsw.gov.au
Phone: 1300 468 746 (1300 HOUSING)
Housing Contact Centre: (02) 8753 8000 (General Switchboard)
Housing NSW provides accommodation solutions for people in need. Services include: Public housing; Community housing; Aboriginal housing; Linking support services; Private Rental Assistance.
LawAccess NSW: http://www.lawaccess.nsw.gov.au
Phone: 1300 888 529
LawAccess NSW is a free government telephone service that provides legal information, referrals, and in some cases advice, for people who have a legal problem in NSW.
Legal Aid Commission of NSW: http://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au
Phone: 13 36 77 (National Relay Service)
Phone: (02) 9219 5000 (General Switchboard)
Legal Aid Commission of NSW provides free face-to-face advice on most legal issues; has lawyers to assist you at many courts and tribunals across NSW; and provides factsheets and resources to help you with your problem.
NSW Anti-Discrimination Board: http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/adb/ll_adb.nsf/pages/adb_index
Phone: (02) 9268 5555
Phone: (02) 9268 5544 (General Enquiry Service & Employers Advisory Service)
The Anti-Discrimination Board promotes anti-discrimination and equal opportunity principles and policies throughout NSW. It can investigate claims of discrimination, oversee conciliation processes, and apply penalties where discrimination is shown to have occurred.
NSW Fair Trading: http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au
Phone: 13 32 20
NSW Fair Trading safeguards the rights of all consumers and advises business and traders on fair and ethical practice; investigates unfair practices and ensures that the products sold in NSW are safe and meet their regulations and safety standards.
Fair Trading has updated its popular Your home, Your car, Your money consumer rights audio information resources. 21 audio files provide valuable consumer rights information on issues such as renting a house or unit, buying a strata property, resolving disputes with traders, avoiding scams and many other topics of particular interest to seniors.
Those who prefer information in audio format can listen to or download the Your home, your car, your money online audio files from the Fair Trading website www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au or order a free audio CD pack by telephoning Fair Trading on 13 32 20.
NSW Ombudsman: http://www.ombo.nsw.gov.au
Phone: (02) 9268 1000
Phone: 1800 451 524 (Toll Free Number outside Sydney metro area)
The NSW Ombudsman has the power to handle complaints that relate to public sector agencies; local government; the police; community services; workplace child protection; correctional centres; freedom of information; and protected disclosures. However, complaints should first be addressed to the agency providing the service you wish to complain about prior to contacting the NSW Ombudsman.
Other watchdog agencies in NSW include:
(Click on the agency name to go to the website)
Audit Office: Investigates serious and substantial waste/s of public money
Energy and Water Ombudsman NSW: Investigates electricity, water, and gas suppliers
Financial Ombudsman Service: Investigates banks and other providers of financial services
Independent Commission Against Corruption: Investigates public sector corruption
Office of the Legal Services Commissioner: Investigates legal services
Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman: Investigates telephone and internet service providers
NSW Police Force: http://www.police.nsw.gov.au
Phone: (02) 9281 0000 – General Switchboard
Phone: 13 14 44 – Police Assistance Line (Non Emergencies)
Phone: 1800 333 000 – Crime Stoppers (report crime anonymously)
NSW Transport Info Line: http://www.131500.com
Phone: 131 500
The NSW Transport Info Line (website and phone service) provides public transport users in NSW with the transport service information they need to plan an efficient journey; access information and timetables for trains, buses and ferries in the Greater Sydney Metropolitan Area (including Newcastle and the Central Coast, Wollongong and the Illawarra). For further public transport information contact:
http://www.cityrail.info – The passenger rail service provider for Sydney and the Greater Metropolitan. Phone 131 500 for general enquiries.
http://www.countrylink.info – The passenger rail service for long distance travel across NSW, ACT, VIC and QLD. Phone 132 232 for timetable information.
http://www.railcorp.info – Rail Corporation New South Wales is government owned and delivers metropolitan and long distance passenger rail services. It is responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of passenger trains, railway stations and the metropolitan rail network. Phone: 1300 038 500
NSW Trustee and Guardian (formerly Public Trustee NSW): http://www.tag.nsw.gov.au
Phone: 1300 264 103
NSW Trustee and Guardian offers the full range of services provided by the former Public Trustee NSW and the Office of the Protective Commissioner. All business and legal documents containing the title Public Trustee NSW or Office of the Protective Commissioner remain valid. NSW Trustee and Guardian provides professional and independent trustee services in the making of Wills, acting as Executor in deceased estates, and the administration of trusts and Powers of Attorney.
NOTE: Contact details for the former Office of the Protective Commissioner: (02) 8688 2600 or 1300 360 466 outside Sydney metro.
Seniors Card: http://www.seniorscard.nsw.gov.au
Phone: 1300 364 758
The NSW Seniors Card is a discount and benefits scheme, introduced by the NSW Government in partnership with the private sector. The free card incorporates government travel concessions as well as a large range of discounts and benefits from thousands of businesses across the state. It is available to all NSW residents from the age of 60 years old, working no more than 20 hours paid work per week. To find out how to apply, click HERE.