How can Quitline help?

Quitline counsellors are qualified to listen and talk through ways to quit. They can also support you if you are using e-cigarettes to stop smoking and can help you stop vaping.

When you call Quitline, you speak confidentially with a qualified counsellor who can answer your questions without judgement, and support you on how you would like to quit. They’ll be there for you when you need them, at any stage of your quitting journey. Even if it takes a few attempts to stay quit.

You can call Quitline with a quick query but a typical first call takes around 10–20 minutes. The first call often covers your smoking or vaping history, your motivation to quit and how smoking or vaping fits into your life

Research shows the most effective way to stop smoking is a combination of counselling  (such as Quitline 13 7848) and stop smoking medications, like nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or prescribed stop smoking tablets.

Call the Quitline on 13 7848, or request a callback. You can also ask to yarn with an Aboriginal Quitline counsellor. 

• Help you set up a quit plan tailored just for you.
• Listen carefully and offer tips and strategies that suit you.
• Help motivate you by listening carefully to your reasons for stopping smoking or vaping.
• Offer general information on stop smoking medications such as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or prescribed stop smoking tablets. We recommend using Quitline (13 7848) together with a stop smoking medication. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist to see whether a stop smoking medication would be suitable for you.
• Discuss how you might’ve tried to quit in the past. Quitline counsellors can help you draw on your experience to make a plan to quit.
• Post you a resource pack or a stop smoking brochure.
• Provide a tailored service if you are living with a mental illness. The Quitline team are professional counsellors who provide a non- judgemental and supportive clinical service. People living with mental illness receive tailored treatment which monitors their mood and experiences, provides awareness of the possible impacts of drug interactions when quitting and focuses on behavioural strategies.

• Who will be on the other end of the line? Our Quitline counsellors are qualified counsellors who have years of experience. Quitline counsellors understand quitting is a complex process and that most people will have several goes at quitting before they quit for good. Quitline counsellors are trained to listen carefully.
• How long can I talk to them? Many people call Quitline with a quick query, but a typical first call takes around 10–20 minutes.
• What will they want to know? Your call is confidential. This means you don't have to give your name if you don't want to. Quitline counsellors will generally ask you about your smoking or vaping history, your motivation to quit, an understanding of your smoking or vaping based on nicotine dependence, your habit, and the stress side of smoking or vaping. An essential part of the first Quitline call is to set up a quit plan that suits you. Quitline counsellors can also give advice about the different stop smoking medications. Quitline counsellors are trained to help you to explore your desire to quit and to deepen it. Quitline can also offer a wide range of helpful resources.
• Do I have to be currently trying to quit to talk to them? Not at all. If you’re currently smoking or vaping and thinking about your options, or you're a family member looking for advice on how to help a loved one, Quitline is there for you.
• Can I speak to the same Quitline counsellor again? Unfortunately due to Quitline counsellors’ working shifts it is difficult for us to allocate you a particular Quitline counsellor. Talking to different Quitline counsellors means getting a range of different tips.
• When is Quitline open? Quitline operates Monday to Friday, 8am - 8pm.
• Does it cost anything to call? The cost of a local call (normal charges apply from a mobile phone). But you can also ask us to call you, for free. Request a Quitline callback.
• How well does Quitline work? Quitline is regularly reviewed for effectiveness. Studies show that Quitline greatly increases your chance of stopping smoking and that most callers find Quitline really helpful.

• Call us on 13 7848 or request a Quitline callback. You can leave a message outside operating hours and we'll call you back when Quitline opens.
• If you are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment, you can call the National Relay Service to access the Quitline.
• TTY users phone 13 3677 and ask for 13 7848.
• Speak & Listen users phone 1300 555 727 then ask for 13 7848.
• Internet relay users connect to the National Relay Service then ask for 13 7848.
• Learn about Your rights and responsibilities as a Quitline user.

Last updated May 2023.

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