Resources

Aboriginal peak organisations and leadership are working closely with state, local and Commonwealth Governments to coordinate response plans and ensure we have the necessary resources, equipment, supplies, and support for our community.

www.dhhs.vic.gov.au

Tonic Health has released a number of videos answering common questions about COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

Tonic Health is a group of well-known, accredited medical professionals. Watch the videos here.

Health is closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic. Their website provides daily updates, questions answered about the latest news, current facts and figures, travel advice, key contact and phone numbers.

Click here for more information

Visit Australia.gov.au to learn more about COVID-19 support from all of government including financial support and advice for businesses and employees, help for education providers, advice on domestic and international travel and other community services.

No matter how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting you, Beyond Blue have developed a range of information, strategies and expert advice to help support your social and emotional wellbeing. 

Click here for more information

Economic Justice Australia has put together a factsheet about claiming Centrelink during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The guide is broken into two sections:

• claiming Centrelink for the first time, and
• Claiming Centrelink when you have applied for a payment before.

Download the factsheet

Dementia Australia has released four Help Sheets outlining tips for people living with dementia, carers, families and friends of people living with dementia, residential care providers and home care providers. Find them here. 

The Carer Gateway has an Emergency Care Plan Document that can help ensure that the person you care for is looked after if you are unable to care. Find it here.

The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has established a new program to support people in mandatory self-isolation, who have little or no food, and no network of family and friends to support them. Each eligible household will receive a two-week supply of essential goods. The program is coordinated by the Red Cross in partnership with Foodbank Victoria under the direction of the State Relief Coordinator.

People who are not eligible for the emergency relief packages are encouraged to be self-reliant and call on the help of family and friends wherever possible during the current pandemic.

From Monday 23 March the program can be accessed by calling Victoria’s dedicated coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398.

Emerging Minds Australia have developed a toolkit of resources that can assist carers to support children’s mental health during the pandemic. It includes videos, fact sheets, podcasts, guides, information about what to expect and how to help children and families cope.

You can find the toolkit here.

Click here to find out about the financial support available to people and businesses affected by coronavirus (COVID-19).

Factsheet: Who can Access Free Masks?

DHHS has developed an Easy English factsheet on “Who can get free face masks in Victoria” which explains who can get free masks, what type of masks you can get, when they will be available, and where you can get free masks. Download the factsheet here.

Visitor access to hospitals and health care

Hospitals and some health services are not allowing visitor access unless the person is an ‘essential carer’. Eastern Health provides a good definition of an ‘essential carer’ here.

If carers are anticipating a planned visit to hospital or another health service, we recommend they call ahead. Carers can provide information about their care relationship and the hospital/health service can advise how to best proceed. If carers have an unsatisfactory experience they can contact the Health Complaints Commissioner on 1300 582 113 or visit the website here.

The Victorian Government is currently offering vulnerable Victorians in metropolitan Melbourne including people with an injury or chronic health issue; people with moderate to severe physical or psychosocial disability; people with moderate to severe mental health issues; and carers of a person with moderate to severe disability, with access to in-home COVID-19 testing.

A qualified health clinician will come to your home to administer the test. To access this service, you will require a referral from your General Practitioner. To find out more about this service, visit the DHHS website here.

Services Australia has information here for current income support recipients such as Carer Payment, Jobseeker Payment, Disability Support Payment and Aged Pension:

This Industry Code ensures aged care residents are provided the opportunity to receive visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic, while minimising the risk of its introduction to, or spread within, a residential care home.

The Commonwealth will provide Victorians with 10 extra Medicare-subsidised psychological therapy sessions to help support mental health through the second wave. The change will apply to Victorians who have a Mental Health Treatment Plan, and will be available through to 31 March 2021. For more information about Mental Health Treatment plans please click here.

Taking care of your mental health during coronavirus

Here are some tips to take care of your mental health during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Increase to Multi Purpose Taxi Program Subsidy

The Multi Purpose Taxi Program (MPTP) assists with the travel needs of people with accessibility and mobility needs by offering subsidised commercial passenger vehicle fares to members. Under COVD-19 restrictions, commercial passenger vehicle services, including ride share and taxis, are permitted to operate – but can only to be used to travel for a permitted purpose. The driver is not required to ascertain whether the passenger has a valid reason for travelling - this is the passenger's responsibility.

To assist MPTP members in accessing essential services, including healthcare, the MPTP subsidy has been temporarily increased from 50% to 70% of the total cost of a trip. The $60 per trip cap and annual limits remain unchanged. More information can be found here.

The NIDA has information here for participants and providers on plan flexibility and payments.

The Agency and NDIS Quality and Safeguard Commission (NDIS Commission) have jointly released an open letter to all Victorian participants, their families and carers.

Click here to read the letter in full.

The Australian Government’s Department of Health is the official website for the federal response.

The Victorian Government also has its own dedicated local resource.

If you are worried you may have come into contact with COVID-19 please call the Corona Virus Hotline on 1800 020 080 which is open 24 hours 7 days a week.

The Commonwealth Department of Health has information here for older people living at home, including those receiving Commonwealth Home Support Program services or a Home Care Package:

People with disability face unique challenges during this epidemic.

"People with Disability Australia - PWDA" will be updating their website regularly to collate information and resources and updates on their work advocating for the needs and rights of people with disability at all levels throughout the crisis.

Pharmacies can now offer free delivery on prescriptions. Speak to your local pharmacy to find out if they have signed up.

Click here for more details 

Older people, people with a disability or with compromised immunity or who are required to self-isolate due to COVID-19 can register for priority assistance through Woolworths, Coles and some IGA stores. 

The Australian Government has launched an official app: "Coronavirus Australia" to help you stay informed.

Download app in the Apple App Store or Google Play, or join our WhatsApp channel on iOS or Android.

The Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria has released an eBook with ideas to keep you socially connected during the pandemic. The eBook can be used by anyone undertaking social isolation.

Download the free eBook here. 

The Commonwealth Department of Health has information here for carers, family and friends of older people living in residential aged care facilities.