*UPDATE* Lunches and afternoon tea catch ups postponed
We regret to inform that due to the restrictions and recent spike in Covid-19 cases, we have had to stop our lunches and coffee catch ups for the time being. We are sorry for any inconvenience caused and will let you know when these programs will be back up and running. In the mean time, if you require support please don't hesitate to contact us on 0477 001 110.
Need free food?
Empower Food Relief Centres
Sundays 10.30am – 3pm
Empower Food Relief Centres are open Sundays at these 5 locations! They are open to anyone in need who is facing serious food insecurity.
- CITY 412 City Road,Southbank VIC
- NORTH EAST 360 Main Road,Lower Plenty VIC
- EAST 251 Maroondah Hwy,Ringwood VIC
- SOUTH EAST RCS Products, 12 Bormar Drive, Pakenham VIC
- GEELONG 147 Marshalltown Road,Grovedale VIC
https://empoweraustralia.com.au/programs/food-relief-response/
Reservoir Community Pantry
Reservoir Community Pantry is simply an open cupboard fixed to the outside wall of Reservoir Neighbourhood House to which people can either donate, or freely take out, any non-perishable food. On Mondays the Neighbourhood House also gives away free bread.
Address: 2B Cuthbert Road, Reservoir, 3073
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday 9.00am to 4.00pm (closed during school holidays)
Free $50 Electricity Bonus!
Every Victorian household is entitled to a $50 energy rebate until June 30th.
Click here to apply! https://compare.energy.vic.gov.au/
Help paying bills
Utility relief grant scheme
Relief grants for paying overdue energy or water bills are available to low-income Victorians experiencing unexpected hardship. If you have a Health Care Card you may be eligible for a maximum of $650 on each utility type in a two-year period (or $1,300 for households with a single source of energy (e.g. electricity only).
https://services.dhhs.vic.gov.au/utility-relief-grant-scheme
Victorians on low incomes can receive concessions and benefits to help pay their energy bills.
If you have a relevant concession card, you may be eligible for one of these concessions:
https://services.dhhs.vic.gov.au/energy
No Interest Loans
Good Sheppard No Interest Loan Scheme
No Interest Loans (NILS) provide individuals and families on low incomes with access to safe, fair and affordable credit.
Loans are available for essential goods and services such as fridges, washing machines, car repairs and medical procedures for up to $1,500. Repayments are set at an affordable amount over 12 to 18 months.
Am I eligible?
- I have a Health Care Card / Pension Card or earn less than $45,000 a year after tax ($60,000 for couples or people with dependants)
- I have lived at my current or previous address for at least 3 months
- I can show that I have a capacity to repay the loan
Do you have a phone connected to Telstra?
Telstra are currently offering discounts if you apply before June 30.
All Customers
All personal and small business post-paid mobile and mobile broadband customers can register for an extra 25GB of data at no extra charge - to use in Australia within 30 days if they register by 30 June 2020. You can register via the My Telstra app and the data will be available within 48 hours
Families
Offering low income families with school-aged kids a $35/mth credit for the first 12 months on our $75 home internet plan.
Those on centrelink payments
Launched a new $30/month Value Mobile Offer for customers with a valid eligible Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession card.
Jobkeeper
If you have a Telstra fixed bundle service and/or multiple Telstra post-paid mobile services you may receive a single $20 per month discount off your total bill for six months, while those with a single Telstra post-paid mobile service may receive a $10 per month discount off their bill for six months.
Click here for more info https://www.telstra.com.au/covid19/supporting-you-during-covid-19#jobseeker
Support for women on Temporary Visas
Are you currently studying in Victoria?
You may be eligible for a $1100 emergency support relief payment through Study Melbourne.
To ensure Victoria’s international students can buy the basics and get through to the other side of the crisis, the Victorian Government will establish a $45 million International Student Emergency Relief Fund.
The fund will provide a one-off payment to students in need while expanding emergency provisions for those experiencing exceptional circumstances.
https://www.studymelbourne.vic.gov.au/help-and-support/support-for-students-coronavirus
Red Cross Migrant Support Program
Website: https://www.redcross.org.au/about/how-we-help/migration-support
Asylum Seeker Resource Centre
Address: 214-216, Nicholson Street, Footscray VIC 3011
Phone: 03 9326 6066
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.asrc.org.au/get-help/
Call up or go to the above address.
MiCare
Monday – Friday between 9:00am-5:00pm
Multicultural service offering support for both humanitarian visas under SETs and New migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and international students under Monash Community Strengthening program. SETs covers City of Kingston, Monash, Greater Dandenong and Frankston. Monash Community Strengthening is limited to those who live, work, study or have connections to City of Monash. Support includes but is not limited to information advice and referral regarding Centrelink, Family/Relationship issues, Making appointments, Referral to legal services, Health Related issues, Advocacy for Utility Relief Grants, Concessions and Payment plans, links to other services.
https://www.micare.com.au/about-us
MyAusCovid-19 App
Migration Council Australia (MCA) has developed a multilingual resource for Australia’s culturally and linguistically diverse communities about COVID-19, its impact and available support.
With the MyAusCovid-19 app you can:
- Browse articles to find out more about COVID-19, tips for prevention, caring for individuals and community, information on government response, and access to health care, financial assistance and support
- Search for topics or points of interest
- View short animations with helpful summaries of specific topics
- Find useful tips and contacts to help you adjust during COVID-19
https://www.myauscovid-19.org.au/
LGBTIQ+
Intersect
Building culturally safe and inclusive communities
Intersect aims to enhance the visibility, safety, mental health and wellbeing, social inclusion and sense of belonging amongst LGBTIQ people from multicultural and faith based communities. Supporting the ongoing development of culturally diverse LGBTIQ-inclusive services through increased connection, conversation and understanding.
http://www.lgbtiqintersect.org.au/
DocLIST
An online list of doctors and mental health professionals who have been recommended by lesbian and bisexual women in Australia.
http://www.doclist.com.au/lists/vic
Switchboard Victoria
Provides peer-driven support services for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender diverse, intersex, queer and asexual (LGBTIQA+) people, their families, allies and communities.
http://www.switchboard.org.au/
National LGBTI Health Alliance
COVID-19: INDIVIDUAL AND COMMUNITY CARE FOR LGBTI PEOPLE
https://lgbtihealth.org.au/covid-19-individual-and-community-care-for-lgbti-people/
Health
COVID-19 health costs waiver: Victorian hospitals will waive the costs of treatment for overseas travelers, including international students, with symptoms of corona virus who fall ill in Australia and do not have adequate insurance coverage
Melbourne Sexual Health Clinic
Melbourne Sexual Health Centre is currently open to provide testing and treatment for sexually transmissible infections, including HIV. Monday - Friday 8.30am-5pm.
Routine STI testing: No walk in service. Call first to book a time to test. 93416200
1800myoptions
Providing Victorians with reliable information about sexual and reproductive health and help to connect you with services.
The phone line operates weekdays, 10am -4pm, excluding public holidays.
Telehealth
Telehealth provides you with the ability to book a phone appointment with an InstantScripts GP in the comfort of your own home. At the moment InstantScripts GPs are providing medical consults via the phone. Free with a valid Medicare card, $50 without.
https://www.instantscripts.com.au/telehealth/
National Pharmacies Home Medicine Service
This temporary service allows for the Australian Government to subsidize home delivery of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme medications. This service removes the need for a patient to visit the pharmacy in person. The delivery is free of charge to eligible customers.
To see if you are eligible visit:
https://www.nationalpharmacies.com.au/home-medicine-service/
Free online mental health/support/exercise programs
Managing Your Mental Health Online During COVID-19 & Mental Health Resources Specific to COVID-19
https://www.emhprac.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/COVID-19-Factsheet-1.pdf
Free online Zoomba classes
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/d/online/free--events/zumba-classes/
THE LIVIN HEALTH MOVEMENT
LIVIN is all about living your life at the top and breaking the stigma around mental health. Connecting, supporting and encouraging one another to talk about their feelings and challenges because “It Ain’t Weak to Speak”. Through the development of cutting edge education programs, apparel and community awareness initiatives, LIVIN are launching a generational change.
https://livin.org/blogs/podcast
Current Victorian Laws regarding the sex industry
Currently, escort services can operate, but sex work venues and services and adult entertainment services remain closed.
From 11:59pm on 21 June, some services can resume:
- Strip clubs can open for seated service only, with up to 50 customers per space providing 1.5 metres between tables, groups of customers should be limited to 20 people.
- Adult entertainment venues should implement increased cleaning, apply the four square metre rule, and take contact details of customers. For more information visit Business and industry page.
Brothels and sex on premises venues remain shut.
Free Legal Advice
Victoria
Victoria Legal Aid
1300 792 387 or 03 9269 0120
Consumer Action Law Centre
1800 466 477
Women's Legal Service Victoria
03 8622 0600 or 1800 133 302
Aboriginal Community Legal Service
1800 064 865
LGBTIQ Legal Centre
https://lgbtiqlegal.org.au/contact-us/
In case of emergency please contact:
1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) – available 24/7, speak to someone if you are experiencing family violence
Homeless Crisis Hotline (1800 825 955) – available 24/7, speak to someone if you are homeless or at risk of being homeless
Victoria Police/Ambulance (000) – available 24/7, call for any other emergency
National Coronavirus Helpline (1800 020 080) – if you think you or someone in your family might have COVID-19
Further information on Covid-19
Testing for coronavirus (COVID-19) fact sheet available in different languages
Find out if you should be tested, who can perform the test, where you can get tested, what it involves and how long it takes to get the result.
Check out: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus to keep up-to-date with what the government is saying about coronavirus and what we should all do!
Translated Resources
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Project Respect via email: [email protected] or call/txt/whatsapp: 0477 001 110.
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