Covid-19

This page is updated regularly with key links and resources to support you and the people you work with during the COVID-19 pandemic. If there is something missing, please contact us.

24/7 Coronavirus Hotline: 1800 675 398

Latest ATAGI advice

ATAGI 2023 booster advice

On 8th of February 2023, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) updated its recommendations on the use of booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine:

If you have risk factors for severe COVID-19 illness** and are:
  • Aged over 18 years: ATAGI recommends a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose if your last COVID-19 vaccine dose or confirmed infection (whichever is the most recent) was 6 months ago or longer.
  • Aged between 5 and 17 years: ATAGI recommends that you consider a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose if your last COVID-19 vaccine dose or confirmed infection (whichever is the most recent) was 6 months ago or longer.
f you do not have risk factors for severe COVID-19 illness** and are:
  • Aged between 18 and 64: ATAGI recommends that you consider a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose if your last COVID-19 vaccine dose or confirmed infection (whichever is the most recent) was 6 months ago or longer.
  • Aged 65 or over: ATAGI recommends a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose if your last COVID-19 vaccine dose or confirmed infection (whichever is the most recent) was 6 months ago or longer.
  • ATAGI does not recommend a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose at this time for:
  • Children and adolescents aged 0-17 years with no risk factors for severe COVID-19 illness**
  • Children aged 0-4 who have risk factors for severe COVID-19 illness**

These recommendations are also summarised in the table below.

 Age At risk** No risk factors
<5 years Not recommended Not recommended
5-17 years Consider Not recommended
18-64 years Recommended Consider
≥ 65 years Recommended Recommended

*mRNA bivalent booster preferred; for ages in which a bivalent vaccine is not approved, use a vaccine approved for that age group. A 2023 booster dose should be given 6 months after a person’s last dose or confirmed infection.

**Includes those with a medical condition that increases the risk of severe COVID-19 illness (refer to ATAGI clinical guidance) or those with disability with significant or complex health needs or multiple comorbidities which increase the risk of poor outcomes from COVID-19.

24/7 Coronavirus Hotline: 1800 675 398

COVID-19 updates
COVID-19 vaccination information
COVID-19 testing information

Getting tested for COVID-19 – note that free Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) are available from most local councils.

Advice on Rapid Antigen Testing (Victorian Department of Health)

What to do if you test positive (Victorian Department of Health)

What to do if you are a contact of a positive case

What to if someone in your workspace tests positive

COVID Positive Pathways
Long COVID

Click here to find out more about Long Covid

Information for Service Providers

Health Provider Talking Points. The Immigrant Health Service at the Royal Children’s Hospital have released talking points for those providing health services to refugee, migrant, and asylum seeker communities.

Help for Migrants in Transition. The Australian Red Cross offers support for refugees, people seeking asylum, people in immigration detention, and other migrants. This includes material and financial support. You can access more information on their services and referrals via their website.

Settlement support services are provided by Life Without Barriers and AMES. More information can be found on the relevant sections of their websites.

Multilingual information

The National Ethnic & Multicultural Broadcasters’ Council is the national peak body representing ethnic community broadcasting in Australia. NEMBS has created multilingual audio explainers on various COVID-19 related topics (please note once you have clicked on the link, you must scroll down to select the language required):

Victorian Department of Health COVID-19 tips

Managing COVID-19 at home

How can families and individuals prepare for COVID-19

 

 

COVID-19 support available

Financial and other support for COVID-19 (Victorian Department of Health)

Isolation support and emergency relief (Victorian Department of Health)

Multilingual information  about Commonwealth Government support payments and services. Services Australia have released information in a range of languages about their support payments and services. This includes information for business-owners, older people, those living in regional and remote areas, carers, students, and families

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