COVID-19: Information, resources and services

Reviewed February 1, 2021

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

COVID-19 Vaccine rollout information

The Department of Health has developed and translated a number of communication resources for multicultural communities with information on the national COVID -19 vaccines rollout. Please see the link below to access the following translated resources:

Social media tiles and captions
Vaccine video animation
Radio announcement
Poster
An editorial by Adjunct Professor John Skerritt, from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), explaining the TGA process for assessing and approving COVID-19 vaccines and ensuring COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective for the public.

Link to resources

Please disseminate these resources through your networks to reach multicultural communities.

Additional resources are currently being translated including animated explainer videos, an editorial and factsheet. A video development guide has also been created to support community leaders and members to film their own videos and distribute to their communities through their own channels. These and the resources outlined above will be shared with the you and multicultural stakeholders as part of a stakeholder outreach pack once finalised in the coming week.

Please also note that Medicare is not required to receive the vaccine.

Multilingual and accessible information

Government provided information

Latest translated Victorian Government coronavirus (COVID-19) information.

The stakeholder packs below contain resources and important translated materials.

COVID safe principles for businesses – the latest stakeholder pack contains links to in-language social media posts, posters, audio recordings and animations to inform businesses how they can follow COVIDSafe Principles.
Every test helps – translated information encouraging everyone to get tested if they’re ever feeling unwell, to stay home until they get their results. Support payments are still available for eligible workers who miss work.
Embracing different – translated messaging on what Victorians can do to maintain vigilance and remain safe and healthy. Includes video and audio audio messages, social media tiles and animated gifs – 57 languages.
Worker safety – translated information that can help workers stay safe in the workplace during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic; where to receive financial assistance if you can’t access sick leave, what to do if you feel unwell and understanding the roles and responsibilities of workers and employers.
Stories from the frontline – videos with people sharing the experience and recovery from COVID – 23 languages
Help with your bills factsheet – 14 languages including Dinka, Farsi and Hazaragi. More information in English here.
Useful pictographs on the World Health Organisation website, showing how to wear a mask safely.
How to make a mask: video with translated closed captions
Worker Support payment – Stakeholder Kit (9 July 2020) – please note: the worker support payment includes a $450 test isolation payment, available immediately after testing while waiting for results, for those who meet the eligibility requirements of the larger scheme. For more information please see here or call the DHHS COVID-19 hotline on 1800 675 398.
Change the way you travel – Stakeholder Kit (19 June 2020)
Get Tested Campaign – Stakeholder Kit (16 June 2020)

Coronavirus testing factsheet (Victorian Government). This has been translated into 47 languages is available here, organised by language. You can download the English version here.

Translated mental health fact sheet: The Victorian Government has translated the factsheet “Looking after your mental health during coroanvirus (COVID-19)”. Currently available in Vietnamese, Turkish, Thai, Tamil, Spanish, Punjabi, Persian (Farsi), Macedonian, Korean, Khmer, Italian, Indonesian, Hindi, Greek, Tagalog (filipino), Dinka, Dari, Mandarin-Simplified Chinese, Cantonese-traditional Chinese, and Arabic. You can read the English version here.

The Australian Government Department of Health has translated a range of Department of Health Fact Sheets in 21 languages including Arabic, Farsi (Persian) Farsi (Afghan) / Dari, Assyrian, Hazaragi, Kurdish Kurmanji, Swahili, Nepali, Burmese, Karen, Tigrinya and Chin Hakka. (Select language in top left drop down menu).

Other multilingual information sources

Health Translations has the most up-to-date translated materials collection on COVID-19. The COVID-19 collection of resources includes facts sheets, videos & posters in over 50 languages. It is monitored and updated daily. You can access the collection at this link.

Access Easy English has a range of pictorial and Easy English factsheets about COVID-19.

AMES Australia has COVID safe video information on their YouTube in multiple languages, including Urdu, Farsi, Kareni, English, Dinka, Amharic, Nepali, Tigrinya, Oromo, Arabic, Karen and Dari. The videos are available on YouTube.

Australian Red Cross COVID-19 resource page includes a poster ‘simple steps to reduce the risk of coronavirus for yourself and others’, available in 19 languages.

Bendigo Community Health Services (BCHS) has uploaded conversation with a lead clinician on COVID-19 matters, in languages other than English onto their YouTube channel here. BSCHS has also developed a written resource ‘coronavirus – ways to reduce your risk’ in Karen, Dari and Dinka.

The Cancer Council of Victoria has developed an information sheet on COVID-19 and cancer, translated into several languages including Arabic and Farsi.

Enliven has multilingual and Easy English pictorial resources translated on Covid-19.

Harmony Alliance has put together fact sheets with information on the impact of COVID-19 and pregnancy on women and their babies. The fact sheets were developed from information provided by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG). Currently available in English, Arabic, Dari, Chinese (Simplified), Vietnamese and Nepalese.

The Migrant Workers Centre has key factsheets on workers’ rights through COVID-19 crisis available here.

Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health have information about upcoming radio health sessions on their wesbite.

SBS multilingual coronavirus online portal includes the latest news and resources across more than 60 languages. You can access the SBS multilingual coronavirus portal at sbs.com.au/coronavirus

Shifra is an online platform, co-designed with refugee and migrant communities and organisations to help users access culturally-sensitive sexual and reproductive health information in local languages. Information is currently available Arabic and English with more languages coming soon. Shifra has some information about COVID-19 in Arabic and English

Health advice and services

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Victoria’s COVID-19 page has the latest information, updates and advice from State Government on COVID-19.

If you suspect you may have the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) call the dedicated hotline – open 24 hours, 7 days. Coronavirus hotline: 1800 675 398.
If you would like to contact the Victorian government coronavirus hotline and need an interpreter, call 131 450 (TIS National), then request the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services Coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398
Please keep Triple Zero (000) for emergencies.

Specialist Refugee Health and Wellbeing Services

For more information you can also see the Australian Refugee Health Practice Guide.

The Refugee Health Program operates in 17 local government areas of Victoria. All refugee health programs continue to provide services. Staff are screening all clients before any onsite appointments and may also deliver consultations via telephone and telehealth services where COVID context requires.

The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre delivers a range of services for people seeking asylum, including health service for those who are not eligible for Medicare. For more information on current service offerings, please phone (03) 9326 6066.

Cabrini Asylum Seeker and Refugee Health Hub provides quality primary and specialist health care for people seeking asylum and newly arrived refugees. The Health Hub is operating with a mix of face-to-face and telehealth, depending on the current COVID context. Contact the service directly for more information regarding service availability on (03) 8388 7874.

Monash Refugee Health and Wellbeing offers health and mental health services for people of refugee background, including people seeking asylum. For referrals or information, contact Refugee Health Nurse on Triage: phone (03) 97928100.

Royal Children’s Hospital – Immigrant Health Service For more information about the Children’s current operating modes please visit their website. The Children’s Immigrant Health Service website is hosting an extensive directory with helpful information and resources during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture (Foundation House) remains operational and committed to delivering services and support for clients and communities. Mental health services can be offered by phone and video-conferencing technologies depending on what is required by the current COVID context. Foundation House encourages agencies and individuals to continue to refer clients to the service by phoning (03) 9389 8900 and can now refer by email on .

Utopia Refugee and Asylum Seeker Health continues to operate in Melbourne’s West, Monday-Friday 9 am-5 pm with adaptations as required. Utopia Health is also offering healthcare facilitated telehealth linkage with specialists/hospitals if clients are unable to do so. The service can provide support to clients with downloading telehealth technology on phones/laptops/PC/tablets, if the client is non-English speaking or lacking IT skills.

Maternal and Child Health

Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health (MCWH) is working with bilingual health educators to develop a series of multilingual health education videos on a range of health issues for refugee and migrant women. To keep updated on the progress, join their mailing list here.

PANDA (perinatal mental health) has a National Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Helpline, operating Monday to Friday, 9am – 7.30pm AEST/AEDT). Call 1300 726 306. Free telephone interpreting services available. PANDA’s website also includes a number of helpful resources on perinatal mental health.

Shifra is an online platform with culturally-sensitive sexual and reproductive health information in local languages. Information is currently available Arabic and English with more languages coming soon. The website also aims to help users find respectful health services that specialise in migrant and refugee health. Shifra has some information about COVID-19 in Arabic and English.

Financial support and emergency relief

Victoria – General

Anglicare Victoria can be contacted for information about locally available supports across the state. To find out more, complete the ‘Contact Us’ form, then query for Emergency Relief. You will then be directed to the appropriate office.

Australian Red Cross is delivering the Extreme Hardship Program for people ineligible for income support. Applications can be made via web based portal here: The web portal is now available eight languages other than English. In addition to the online application available through the Red Cross website, a dedicated phone line (1800 855 240) is available to respond to people needing support to apply for financial assistance at the Red Cross. The phone line is open from 9.30am-4.30pm Monday-Friday. NB: The single person payment $800, and can be accessed on two occasions.

The Centre for Multicultural Youth has developed a brief information sheet summarising the financial support and assistance available to young people and their families during COVID-19. This includes clear information about Services Australia (Centrelink) financial supports.

Ask Izzy is a free anonymous search engine, where you can search over 360,000 services to find housing, meals, healthcare, counselling, legal advice and addiction treatment.

The Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) hosts a thorough directory of services available for refugees and people seeking asylum in Victoria, including details on emergency relief. Provider contact details are available on the website. Contact providers directly for the most up to date service availability.

Victoria – Metropolitan Melbourne

Hume Whittlesea Primary Care Partnership (HWPCP) have a COVID-19 resources page, which includes details on emergency relief in the area.

The Outer Northern Refugee Health Network’s 2018 Service Directory presents comprehensive and consolidated information regarding services for refugees/asylum seekers in the Northern region. Mental health and financial support services are covered.

Finding food in Casey, Cardinia and Greater Dandenong: Enliven has put together an excellent resource for those living and working in the South East of Melbourne. Details on locations for emergency food relief include*:

Sikh Volunteers Australia
Project Hope
South East Community Links
Cardinia food relief directory
Casey North Community Information and Support Service
The Andrews Centre
Cranbourne Community Information and Support Service
Doveton Neighbourhood Learning Centre
Emerald Community House – Food is Free cupboard available
24×7 on the ECH front deck.

*Please note operation of emergency food relief services may change frequently, so best to contact your local emergency food relief first for more information.

Monash Health have developed an overview of financial support available to people of refugee backgrounds during COVID-19, focusing on supports for people in the South East of Melbourne. Access the resource here.

Up to date information on community, food and material relief for people in the Outer Eastern Melbourne Area now available:

Maroondah Local Government Area: emergency relief and financial assistance
Knox Local Government Area: emergency relief and financial assistance
Yarra Ranges Local Government Area: emergency relief and financial assistance

Victoria – Rural and Regional

Baw Baw Shire Council have shared information about locally available material aid via their website.

Central West Gippsland PCP, the Baw Baw Food Movement and Food For All Latrobe Valley have developed a local food security resource.

The Emergency Relief Network of Latrobe City (ERNLaC) has information about short term help to Latrobe City residents who are experiencing financial crisis.

Emergency Food Relief – Wangaratta and surrounding areas

Loaves & Fishes (based at Anglicare Wangaratta)

Phone (03) 5723 7900 between 10 am – 12 noon (Monday to Friday) to book a phone appointment. A worker will phone you at the appointment time for an assessment. You will be allocated a time to collect food that day from the rear car park of Anglicare (39 Ovens Street, Wangaratta).

Open Door Neighbourhood House

Phone (03) 5721 9175 between 10am – 2pm (Monday to Friday) to organise a time to collect food, from the rear of the house (61 Bourke Street, Wangaratta).

Vinnies Wangaratta

Call (03) 5722 4959 between 1pm – 3pm to book a phone appointment. A worker will phone you at the appointment time for an assessment. You will be allocated a time to collect supermarket vouchers from the rear of Vinnies Wangaratta (36-38 Rowan Street, Wangaratta).

Let us know if you know if something here isn’t right, or you are aware of more resources we can promote through our e-Bulletin and this website.

Services Australia (formerly Centrelink) website with COVID-19 services in language.

Social security information for refugees and people seeking asylum: The Refugee Council of Australia has produced a factsheet about access to social security for refugees and people seeking asylum during COVID-19.

Fact sheets on Services Australia (Centrelink): Economic Justice Australia has published a factsheet (English) with information on what Centrelink can do for people affected by COVID-19 including:

Economic Support Payment for Centrelink recipients
Mutual Obligations
Payments if you don’t currently get Centrelink
Asset Hardship Provisions
Step-by-Step guide to claiming Centrelink during COVID-19

Mental Health

Crisis Support – Helplines

Lifeline provides private and confidential phone-based crisis support and suicide prevention. Telephone: 131 114 Lifeline has access to a free interpreting service through TIS National.

Suicide Call Back Service is a nationwide service that provides professional 24/7 telephone and online counselling to people who are affected by suicide. Support is available via online chat, video chat and phone chat. Please call 1300 659 467. This service provides free telephone interpreting. The website also has some great (English language) resources on supporting someone you are worried about.

Suicide Line Victoria Mental health support services offer single session counselling, multi session counselling and case Management. Interpreters are available. For more information, visit their website.

Mental Health Services

NEW! HeadtoHelp. The Primary Health Networks have been funded to deliver additional mental health support services across Victoria. There will be nine HeadtoHelp hubs located in Greater Melbourne and six in regional Victoria. The locations are:

Greater Melbourne: Berwick, Frankston, Officer, Hawthorn, Yarra Junction, West Heidelberg, Broadmeadows, Wyndham Vale, Brunswick East
Regional Victoria: Warragul, Sale, Bendigo, Wodonga, Sebastopol and Norlane

The hubs, announced on 17 August as part of a $31.9 million federal government mental health package to support Victorians during the COVID-19 pandemic, have been rapidly rolled out across the state at a cost of $26.9 million. Interpreting services are available. People of seeking asylum who do not hold a Medicare ARE eligible for this service.

Visit headtohelp.org.au for more information.

NEW! Switchboard Rainbow Door: A free specialist LGBTIQA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Gender Diverse, Intersex, Queer, Asexual, BrotherBoys, SisterGirls) helpline providing information, support, and referral to all LGBTIQA+ Victorians, their friends and family during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond. Interpreters available.

Beyond Blue has been funded by the Department of Health to deliver the Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service. This service includes an online forum and informational resources, as well as helpline 1800 512 348. Free telephone interpreting service available. Beyond Blue has also released translated versions of its factsheet on managing mental health through the coronavirus pandemic. Available here.

Carers Victoria provide support for carers. A carer is someone who provides unpaid care and support to family members and friends with a disability, mental illness, chronic health issue or age-related condition. Carers Victoria is offer a range of services including emotional support and service advice, in-home respite, delivered goods and equipment, equipment that may help through social isolation, online supports and education and telephone, or online counselling sessions. Visit their website or phone 1800 514 845 for assistance. Free telephone interpreting services available.

Care in Mind Wellbeing Support Services (WSS) is a free phone and online counselling support service. This service is for anyone of any age who is feeling the pressures and stresses of everyday life. Available to those who live, work or study in northern, western and central Melbourne. The service is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Call 1300 096 269 to speak to a counsellor.

Centre for Multicultural Youth – MY CONNECT: INFO LINE DURING COVID-19. For young people looking for info or assistance to navigate services during this difficult time. CMY’s experienced staff are available to connect young people to the services and supports needed. Factsheet here.

Call MY Connect: (03) 9340 3770

8am – 8pm, Monday to Friday
Free & confidential

Centre for Multicultural Youth – Reconnect offers support for multicultural young people aged 12-21 who have been in Australia for less than five years who may be at risk of homelessness. Available in:

Cities of Greater Dandenong
City of Casey
Brimbank
Hume
Moonee Valley
Wyndham
Fill out a referral form for CMY’s Reconnect program.

Headspace offers free online support and counselling to young people 12 – 25 and their families and friends.

Kids Helpline is an Australian free, private and confidential, telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25. Free telephone interpreting services available.

PANDA (perinatal mental health) has a National Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Helpline, operating Monday to Friday, 9am – 7.30pm AEST/AEDT). Call 1300 726 306. Free telephone interpreting services available. PANDA’s website also includes a number of helpful resources on perinatal mental health.

NEW: Partners in Wellbeing program provides specialist psychosocial and wellbeing supports across Victoria via telephone and video technology to people with experiencing poor psychosocial health and mental-ill health in response to the coronavirus pandemic. For more information please see Neami’s website here or the fact sheet here. Please note, this service is delivered in partnership between ACSO, EACH and Neami. Please refer to information flyer for best referral pathway.

The Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture (Foundation House) Foundation House encourages agencies and individuals to continue to refer clients to the service by phoning (03) 9389 8900.

VMIAC is the peak Victorian organisation for people with a lived experience of mental health problems or emotional distress. VMIAC is providing regular information and updates, including links to mental health and wellbeing resources. Currently all written materials are in English. VMIAC is not a crisis service, but can provide advice, advocacy, information and referral. Please call (03) 9380 3900. Free telephone interpreting services available.

Other Mental Health Information and Resources

Black Dog Institute have released several tools and resources to support people in looking after their mental health during the coronavirus outbreak. They are also conducting a survey right now about how COVID-19 is impacting the mental health of Australian adults, and what people are doing to stay mentally healthy. All resources available in English only.

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has released a range of mental health resources. These include a video series with titles such as ‘dealing with loss of control’ and ‘support and kindness’. These resources are currently available in English only, however multilingual versions may become available.

Embrace Multicultural Mental Health offers many helpful resources for communities and service providers, including multilingual information about mental health and wellbeing.

Headtohealth is an online gateway funded by the Australian Government that can help you find free and low-cost, trusted phone and online mental health resources. Available in English only.

Family violence

Note: If you are in danger, call 000 or contact the police in your state or territory.

Information and resources

The COVID-19 pandemic increases several known risk factors for family violence, including employment and housing insecurity, financial insecurity.

Specialist family violence services are open and available for support and advice for anyone experiencing family violence, and those worried about how potential self-isolation or quarantine will impact on their safety and wellbeing.

The Orange Door website orangedoor.vic.gov.au has helpful information if you’re feeling unsafe, need more support with the care of children or are worried about how someone close to you is treating you

Technology Safety Australia offers the Women’s Technology Safety & Privacy Toolkit: a great resource to engage with as services are shifting to remote service delivery in response to COVID-19.

inTouch has developed an ‘online hub’ designed to:

empower victim-survivors to be informed about resources and services they can access, and to continue to be able to self-refer to inTouch
support the sector and other service providers to continue to facilitate referrals and request secondary consultations.

For more information, visit their website.

No to Violence has helpful guidelines for adapting practice during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Domestic Violence Resource Centre (DVRC) has many helpful information and resources for victim-survivors, health professionals and community members.

Family Violence Support Services

Safe Steps Victoria continues to operate their 24/7 crisis response phone line. The phone line offers confidential crisis support, information and accommodation on 1800 015 188. If it is unsafe to call, email .

The Orange Door service continues to operate during the coronavirus outbreak from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday in:

Barwon (1800 312 820)
Bayside Peninsula (1800 319 353)
Inner Gippsland (1800 319 354)
the Mallee (1800 290 943) and
North Eastern Melbourne (1800 319 355).
Please note these services are closed on public holidays

InTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence provides information and advice for professionals and women experiencing family violence. They can provide support to clients via phone and teleconferencing. inTouch also supports the sector with secondary consultations and co-case management.

With Respect offer specialist LGBTIQ family violence services. You can contact w/respect on 1800 LGBTIQ (1800 542 847) or visit www.withrespect.org.au.

Other helpful contacts:

1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732, the National Sexual Assault, Family and Domestic Violence Counselling Line offers confidential phone help and referral in Australia.
For support for men, call Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.

Legal

See the Refugee Council of Australia website for state-by-state migration and legal resources.
Refugee Legal is continuing to provide legal advice and assistance to asylum seekers, refugees and vulnerable migrants during the COVID-19 pandemic. (03) 9413 0101.
The Administrative Appeals Tribunal’s Migration & Refugee Division’s response to COVID-19 can be found on their website.

NDIS & Disability

Disability Information Helpline is available for people with disability, their families and carers who need help because of coronavirus (COVID-19). The Helpline is free, private and fact-checked.
• Phone (free call): 1800 643 787
• If you are deaf, or have a hearing or speech impairment, you can also call the National Relay Service on 133 677.The Helpline is available Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm (AEST) and Saturday and Sunday 9am to 7pm (AEST). It’s not available on national public holidays.

Victorian State Government – COVID-19 Plan for the Disability Services Sector: This plan gives guidance on how the disability sector can operate and prioritise their efforts in this current stage of the COVID-19 response. Updated December 2020.

Federal Health Department – Management and Operational Plan for People with Disability during COVID-19. The plan provides guidance on a range of factors for consideration in managing and preventing the transmission of COVID-19 for people with disability.

National Disability Ethnic Alliance (NEDA) Radio Campaign. NEDA partnered with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to launch a radio campaign, targeted at new and emerging refugees and humanitarian entrants. The campaign aims to increase awareness on disability, break down disability stigmas and introduce services provided by the NDIS to humanitarian entrants, refugees and emerging communities. The campaign contains 40-seconds announcements, 2 two-minute podcasts and radio interviews with our Ambassadors in five languages (Arabic – Assyrian – Chaldean – Farsi – Burmese) and English. For audio files and transcripts visit their website.

National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA) joined with several organisations representing the interests of people with disability, their families, carers and support persons to write an open letter to the National Cabinet. The letter has 10 points for immediate action. You can read the full open letter, an Easy Read version, and a Plain English version.

People with Disability Australia Covid-19 Hub is regularly updating their website with information and resources and update on advocacy for the needs and rights of people with disability at all levels throughout the crisis.

COVID-19 Disability Plan, released by People With Disability Australia (PWDA) and eight other disability peak bodies, includes recommendations about what people with disability need during this crisis. It also contains the following recommendations for culturally and linguistically diverse people with a disability:

Provide urgent access to translated materials about the COVID-19 public health emergency to people with disability from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Target information to address group events such as church and mosque attendance, and to engage with new and emerging community groups.

NDIS has produced COVID-19 information packs with practical advice to assist during the ongoing COVID-19 situation. Information packs explain the NDIS approach to plan flexibility, assistive technology and the access process.

NDIS updates on COVID-19 response: This page includes updates on changes the NDIS has made to support people with disability through the COVID-19 crisis.

Collaborating for Inclusion: This planning guide helps people with disability to get the facts about Coronavirus (COVID019) and make a plan for how they will manage the impact of this situation.

Translated information for NDIS particiapnts about COVID-19: available in 12 languages.

Education: Supporting children and families with home-based learning

For the most recent updates on the Early Childhood Education and Childcare please see here

Learning from home: information for parents and carers: The Victorian Department of Education and Training (DET) developed several resources to support children and families during learning from home, including in other languages. Visit the website for the most up to date information.

Also see the Learning from Home webpage on Fuse, which includes resources for teachers to develop activities for English as an Additional Language (EAL).

Fuse also includes information about e-Safety and privacy for schools and links to other resources including:

e-Safety Commissioner- Help in languages other than English (Translated into 23 languages)
Australian Multicultural Foundation’s CyberParent Web App (Translated into 17 languages)