The first Lifeline service, the 24-hour Crisis Line, began in Brisbane in 1964. The service was first established in 1963 in Sydney by Reverend Alan Walker.

One night Rev. Walker received a distressed phone call from a man who, three weeks later, took his own life. Determined not to let loneliness, isolation or anxiety be the cause of other deaths, Rev. Walker launched a crisis line that operated out of the Methodist Central Mission in Sydney.

Within the first hour of operation, the phones began to ring. Today, thousands of volunteer telephone counsellors based in 42 Lifeline Centres across Australia answer the call. In fact, Lifeline answers a call every minute of every day.

In 2002, 10 Queensland centres and the UnitingCare state-wide family and disability programs merged to officially form UnitingCare Community. This client-focused collaboration has seen each centre diversify and work together to operate more closely and build relationships of mutual benefit to both the community and the organisation. Lifeline Community Care Queensland is also a Registered Training Organisation and operates the Telephone Counselling Training Course as well as other professional development training opportunities.

The following Lifeline Divisions and state-wide programs form Lifeline Community Care Queensland:

• UnitingCare Community - Brisbane
• UnitingCare Community - Central Queensland
• UnitingCare Community - Gold Coast
• UnitingCare Community - Greater Sunshine Coast
• UnitingCare Community - Far North Queensland
• UnitingCare Community - Fraser District
• UnitingCare Community - Ipswich & West Moreton
• UnitingCare Community - Mackay-Whitsunday
• UnitingCare Community - North Queensland
• UnitingCare Community - Childcare
• UnitingCare Community - Disability
• UnitingCare Community - Children & Family Programs
• UnitingCare Community - Inclusion Support Agency
• UnitingCare Community - Prison Ministry
• UnitingCare Community - Community Recovery
• UnitingCare Community - Elder Abuse Prevention Unit
• UnitingCare Community - Financial Counselling and Financial First Aid
• UnitingCare Community - Seniors Enquiry Line
• UnitingCare Community - Time for Grandparents