The Zahra Foundation’s mission is to create an Australia where all women are economically empowered and safe.

The Zahra Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting women affected by domestic abuse. We offer free programs, services, education, and grants that promote economic well-being and empower participants to build lives free from poverty and abuse. Our programs focus on both recovery and early intervention, and we also collaborate with specialist domestic and family violence services to provide support during critical response phases.

Referral Information for Our Programs, Services, and Workshops

To learn more about how to make a referral into any of our programs, services, or workshops across Australia, please see the information below.

  1. Learn About Our Programs & Services

    Visit the What We Do section on our website to read about the range of programs, workshops, individual support, financial counselling, and grants we offer. This will help you understand which service best fits your needs.

2. Complete the Online Referral Form

To ensure your referral reaches the appropriate team, please complete the relevant referral form located in our Referral Hub on our website. Each service and program has its own designated form. If you're unsure which program to refer to, please use the general referral form available here.

3. Referral Process for Professionals & Community Organisations

All referrals from professionals and community organisations must be submitted via our online referral forms. This allows our centralised intake team, based in South Australia, to manage and triage referrals effectively.

4. Self-Referrals

Individuals wishing to self-refer can still do so by calling our intake team at 08 7079 9048 or by completing the self-referral form on our website which can be found here.

Current Wait Times & Availability
Due to high demand, our wait times may vary:

  • General Intake Appointments: Currently a 4-week wait across all programs.

  • Financial Counselling (SA): 8-week wait.

  • Financial Counselling (NSW): 2-week wait.

  • Program Enrolments for 2024: Closed except for NSW, where there are still spots available for Pathways in Term 4 2024.

  • Upcoming Programs & Workshops: Enrolments will open again in January 2025. Intake for these programs will commence in December 2024.

Crisis Support
Please note that Zahra Foundation Australia is not a crisis service and cannot provide support for crisis situations or those at serious risk of harm. We collaborate closely with specialist Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) crisis services across Australia to ensure that individuals in high-risk situations receive appropriate support and case management. If you are in crisis, please contact one of the following services:

  • Emergency Services: Call 000

  • National Domestic and Family Violence Helpline: 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

  • Lifeline (Mental Health Support): 13 11 14

  • Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467

  • National Debt Helpline: 1800 007 007

  • Mensline Australia: 1300 789 978

  • Kids helpline: 1800 551 800

  • Partentline: 1300 301 300

  • Qlife - anonymous LGBTIQA+ peer support: 1800 184 527

  • Domestic Violence Crisis Line (SA): 1800 800 098

  • Domestic Violence Crisis Line (NSW): 1800 656 463

  • Domestic Violence Crisis Line (VIC): 1800 015 188

  • Domestic Violence Crisis Line (QLD): 1800 811 811

  • Domestic Violence Crisis Line (ACT): 1800 656 463

  • Domestic Violence Crisis Line (NT): 1800 737 732

  • Domestic Violence Crisis Line (WA): 1800 007 339

  • Domestic Violence Crisis Line (TAS): 1800 608 122

Referral Confirmation & Follow-Up
Once you have submitted a referral, please ensure all required sections of the form are completed so your referral can be triaged and prioritised appropriately. Due to high demand, it may take us some time to respond to your referral, but please be assured that we will get in touch as soon as possible.

Important Notes:

  • We do not provide trauma counselling or psychological services. However, we work closely with allied health professionals to connect individuals to these services when needed.

  • If you are considering leaving a domestic or family violence situation, or have recently left within the past six months, we strongly recommend contacting 1800 RESPECT for an assessment and referral to appropriate services based on your needs, risk level, and safety concerns.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we strive to support as many individuals as possible. For further information, please explore the resources and self-help guides available on our website, and always seek professional support if you are concerned for your safety or the safety of someone else.

Learn More About Our Programs and Services

Watch the video below to hear from one of our co-founders, Arman, along with two former participants of Zahra Foundation Australia's programs and services. They share insights into how our support has made a difference in their lives.

Our Impact

To date, The Zahra Foundation has supported 1,690 women to become economically empowered and helped to prevent them from falling into homelessness or extreme poverty.

55%

increase in participation of Financial Counselling services

1,690

total participants supported to date by The Zahra Foundation

$168,614

total amount of financial relief (grants, waivers & debt removal) provided for Zahra participants in the last financial year

100%

of grant recipients found the financial assistance “life-changing”

$367,549

total amount of grants administered to date, to women and families experiencing financial hardship

Our Values

Hope

To instil hope and optimism in the lives of women and children impacted by domestic abuse.

Opportunities

To provide women and their children with with a range of financial and educational opportunities.

Partnerships

To build meaningful relationships and partnerships with the stakeholders and community.

Empowerment

To deliver services that promote women’s economic empowerment