Help to find housing
If you have a criminal record
Help is available if you have a criminal record and are having problems getting housing.
- Community housing is provided by community organisations and local governments to eligible people.
- Housing Service Centres.
If you are leaving jail
If you are about to leave jail, organise a place to live before you are released so you have somewhere to go once released.
Emergency help
- Emergency accommodation
- Crisis payment for released prisoners
- Information about help in crisis including what payments and services are available to prisoners, offenders and their families.
Have no proof of identification?
If you are homeless and need personal identification such as a birth certificate to get government services like housing or rental support, we suggest you follow the steps below.
Get your personal information
Gather any information about yourself if you can. This can be:
- a temporary Medicare card
- a letter from a government department such as Centrelink
- a letter from a temporary residence like a hostel (if that’s where you are staying)
- any other official papers that say who you are.
Get a Birth Certificate application form
Collect an application form*:
- from a Magistrates Court
- at a QGAP office (Queensland Government service office)
- online—Birth Certificate Application form (PDF, 152KB)
*It costs $37 to process the application for a certified copy of your birth certificate—see the latest schedule of fees (PDF, 117KB).
If you don’t have any money, find what financial help is available. Alternatively contact a community organisation like the Salvation Army who may be able to help.
Complete the application form
You must have a contact address, even if it is temporary, to get a reply. This can be a ‘care of’ your temporary accommodation like a hostel or a Housing Service Centre address.
If you need help with the application, Café One on Wickham can help you.
If you (or the person helping you) have any questions about the form:
- Phone: 1300 366 430 (Compliance section)
- Email: bdm-mail@justice.qld.gov.au
Lodge the application form
Send your application form to:
Andrew Hempel
Attention: Compliance
Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages
PO Box 15188
City East QLD 4002
Applications can not be faxed or emailed.
Read about other lodgement options.
How long will it take?
If you were born in Queensland, your application should take:
- 10 business days—applications lodged via post or at a QGAP office
- 4 business days—applications lodged at a Magistrates Court.
Read about our priority processing for urgent applications.
Helpful links
- Australian Prison Foundation has a list of prisoner support organisations.
- Prison Ministry of the Uniting Church supports prisoners and their families in Queensland.
- Prisoners' Legal Service is a community legal centre offering free legal advice to imprisoned people and their families. View what other free legal help is available.
- Brisbane Common Ground—housing for people who have experienced chronic homelessness and low-income earners.
- Families and Prisoners Support Inc offers services to prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families in Far North Queensland.
