How Quitline can help you get back on track

Quitline counsellors can support you to turn your quitting story into a quit-for-good story.

Quitline 13 7848 is a welcoming, confidential telephone counselling service that can support you during your quit journey

Quitline counsellors are qualified to help you stop smoking or vaping. They can help you to figure out what caused you to go back to smoking or vaping, and chat with you about strategies to stop it happening again. Quitline counsellors can also support you if you are using prescription e-cigarettes to stop smoking.

They can chat to you about your motivation to quit. Have your reasons changed? Are they still strong enough to motivate you to stay quit? What's the one reason that really tugs on your heart strings?

People who call Quitline are more likely to stay quit

Quitline counsellors understand how hard it can be to stop smoking or vaping and are there to offer support at every stage. They will help you identify and manage your triggers, understand nicotine withdrawals as well as build the motivation, skills and confidence to quit and stay quit!

What to expect when you call Quitline

Quitline counsellors can:

• Discuss your last quit attempt. Quit counsellors can help you to draw on your experience to make a plan to quit.

• Help you set up a plan to quit smoking or vaping that is tailored just for you.

• Listen carefully and offer tips and strategies that suit you. 

• Help to motivate you by listening carefully to your reasons for quitting smoking or vaping. 

• Post you a quit pack or a quitting brochure.

Common questions about Quitline

• Who will be on the other end of the line? Quitline counsellors have many years of experience. Quitline counsellors understand that quitting is a complex process and that most people will have a number of goes at quitting before they quit for good. Quitline counsellors are trained to listen carefully.

• How long can I talk to them for? Many people call Quitline with a quick question, but a typical first call to Quitline 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. On a first Quitline call, you’re likely to discuss your smoking or vaping history and your typical smoking or vaping habits. An essential part of the first Quitline call is to set up a plan for quitting that suits you. Quitline counsellors can give advice about the different ways to quit. Quit counsellors are trained to help you to explore your desire to quit and to deepen it. Quitline can also send you a range of resources that might be helpful.

• Do I have to be currently trying to quit to talk to them? Not at all. If you’re currently smoke or vape and are thinking about your options, or you're a family member looking for advice on how to help a loved one, Quitline is here for you. 

• Can I speak to the same Quitline counsellor again? Unfortunately due to Quitline counsellors’ working shifts it is difficult for us to pair you with a particular Quitline counsellor. Quitline counsellors all have the same training, and talking to different counsellor provides you with lots of different tips.

• When is Quitline open?  The Quitline is open from 8:00am to 8:00pm Monday to Friday EST. 

• Does it cost anything to call? Just the cost of a local call (normal charges apply from a mobile phone). But you can also request a Quitline callback. 

• How well does Quitline work? Quitline is regularly reviewed for effectiveness. Studies show that Quitline greatly increases your chance of quitting and that callers find Quitline really helpful.  

How else can I contact Quitline?

There are many ways to get in touch with Quitline - by phone or other ways:

• Call 13 7848

• Request a callback using the online form

• Text 'call back' to 0482 090 634 (VIC, SA, NT and WA only)

• Webchat at quit.org.au (VIC, SA, NT and WA only)

• Message us on Facebook Messenger @quitvic or WhatsApp: 61 385 832 920 (VIC, SA, NT and WA only)

Quitline is a culturally safe space

Quitline is a culturally safe space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and LGBTIQA+ communities.

A Quitline counsellor can speak with you in languages other than English through an interpreter service.

• 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.

You can help us improve by letting us know when you think we could do better and when we got it right. To help us improve, please go to Complaints, Compliments and Feedback page.

Last updated February 2024.