Here are reliable, evidence‑based mental‑health apps and digital services widely used and recommended for people in Australia, with a short note on what each is best for, cost, evidence, and safety/privacy pointers.

1. Smiling Mind — mindfulness & mental fitness

• Best for: daily mindfulness, stress reduction, programs for kids/teens, workplaces and schools.
• Cost: free (not‑for‑profit).
• Evidence/endorsement: has published studies showing reduced stress and improved wellbeing; accredited to Australia’s National Safety & Quality Digital Mental Health standards and recommended by national organisations. (smilingmind.com.au)

2. Beyond Now (Lifeline) — suicide safety‑planning app

• Best for: creating and carrying a personalised suicide‑safety plan to use in crisis (not a substitute for urgent help).
• Cost: free.
• Evidence/endorsement: developed with researchers and lived‑experience contributors; listed and described on Medicare Mental Health (Head to Health) and now managed by Lifeline. Use this only as part of a broader safety plan and contact emergency/crisis supports if at immediate risk. (medicarementalhealth.gov.au)

3. MindSpot Clinic — free online assessment, courses and clinician‑led teletherapy

• Best for: people with suspected anxiety or depression who want a free, clinically supervised digital treatment (assessment + guided online courses or brief teletherapy).
• Cost: free (funded by the Australian Government).
• Evidence/endorsement: clinically evaluated service delivered by MQ Health/Macquarie University with demonstrated symptom reductions in routine care. (MindSpot.org.au)

4. MoodGYM / e-hub programs (ANU eCentreClinic) — internet CBT self‑help courses

• Best for: structured CBT self‑help for anxiety/depression (good for self‑guided learning of CBT skills).
• Cost: free to Australians via e‑hub/Head to Health.
• Evidence/endorsement: long history of RCTs and widespread evaluation; accredited to National Safety and Quality Digital Mental Health standards. (MoodGYM.com.au)

5. THIS WAY UP — clinician‑developed iCBT courses (St Vincent’s / UNSW)

• Best for: short, structured courses for specific issues (panic, social anxiety, OCD, grief); option for clinician support if needed.
• Cost: many free or low‑cost options; some courses available via clinics or private subscription.
• Evidence/endorsement: widely used in Australia and referenced by GPs and clinical guidelines as an iCBT option. (RACGP.org.au)

6. Head to Health / Medicare Mental Health — the Australian Government portal and service directory

• Best for: finding and comparing trusted Australian digital mental health tools, phone/chat services and local services (useful starting point to find an app or program that fits you).
• Cost: free to use.
• Note: Head to Health rebranded recently to Medicare Mental Health but remains the government‑run trusted directory. (headtohealth.gov.au)

Other useful, commonly recommended tools

• Heart/CBT trackers and mood journals (e.g., Daylio) — helpful as adjuncts for tracking mood and habits but check privacy/in‑app purchase policies. (mhdas.barwonhealth.org.au)
• Employer or specialist‑linked platforms (e.g., HealthZone, HeadGear) — targeted programs for workplace or specific groups; check evidence pages and privacy terms. (HealthZone.org.au)

How I judged “reliable”

• Endorsement or listing by Australian Government services (Head to Health / Medicare Mental Health), national clinical bodies, or major universities/health services.
• Published evidence or clinical evaluations (RCTs, clinical outcome reports) and accreditation to the National Safety and Quality Digital Mental Health standards where available. (headtohealth.gov.au)

Safety & privacy — quick guidance

• If you are in immediate danger or at risk of harming yourself, call emergency services on 000 or Lifeline on 13 11 14 (available 24/7). Use Beyond Now only as part of a broader safety plan. (apps.apple.com)
• Check each app’s Product Information Statement, privacy policy and data‑sharing details before uploading sensitive information. Government‑listed services (Head to Health/Medicare Mental Health) and NSQDMH‑accredited programs have published product/PI information. (smilingmind.com.au)
• Apps can help with mild‑to‑moderate problems and prevention; if you have moderate‑to‑severe symptoms, suicidal thoughts, psychosis, or complex needs, seek a GP, mental‑health clinician or services like MindSpot for clinician‑led care. (MindSpot.org.au)

If you’d like, I can:

• Find the exact app store pages or government product statements for any of the apps above (I can paste direct links), or
• Help you pick the best option for a specific issue (sleep, panic, PTSD, teenage mental health, workplace resilience), or
• Walk you through how to set up a safety plan in Beyond Now.

Would you like me to fetch the app store/product pages or show contact numbers for crisis services in your state?