1,000 signatures reached
To: Jacinta Allan, Victorian Premier; Mary-Anne Thomas, Minister for Health; Lizzie Blandthorn, Minister for Child Protection
Save Parentline
The Victorian State Government is planning to shut down Parentline, a vital and confidential telephone counselling service that has supported parents and carers across our state for more than two decades.
Parenting does not come with a manual, and the challenges do not end after the first year. Parenting is a lifelong role that needs strong social safety nets. Parentline is as close to a manual as you can get, providing expert advice and support when families need it most.
Parentline receives over 1,000 calls each month from parents and carers seeking help with everything from mental health and family breakdowns to parenting strategies and child wellbeing. Many describe it as a “lifesaver” that strengthens families, prevents crises and connects people to the right help.
The Government plans to cut this service on 31 October 2025.
We are calling on the Government to reverse this decision and commit to ongoing funding so Victorian families do not lose this essential lifeline.
Why is this important?
Parentline is a critical first line of support for Victorian parents and carers. It offers confidential, anonymous and accessible counselling on everything from child behaviour and development to family violence and mental health.
When people talk about how hard parenting is, they often say “it does not come with a manual.” Parentline is as close to a manual as you can get, a trusted, expert voice to guide parents through the hardest moments.
More than 15 highly qualified counsellors now face losing their jobs, taking with them hundreds of years of Child Protection and counselling experience. Removing this expertise would leave an already stretched system even weaker.
Research is clear that early intervention works. For years, Parentline’s dedicated public servants have helped parents build strong family relationships, navigate crises and connect with vital community resources before problems spiral.
We must save this service. Without it, thousands of Victorian families will lose an irreplaceable lifeline.