Community support and recovery

COVID-19

COVIDSafe settings for community services in Victoria

Learn how COVIDSafe settings and new restrictions affect community services in Victoria on the state government website.

COVID-19 resources for community groups

Use these resources to support your conversations with people in your community.  

Service Provider Help Lines

Find a list of services and providers for mental health counselling and support.

Multicultural mental health resources

Find a list of mental health services and resources specifically developed for Victorians from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Carer Gateway

By calling Carer Gateway, you will be connected with a new Australia-wide network of Carer Gateway service providers to help you to find local services and support to help you. 

Department of Health

Physical distancing and isolation can make you anxious, stressed and worried. Look after your mental wellbeing and look out for those around you with these resources.

Raising Children COVID-19 family guide

This guide for parents and carers provides information and tips on coping with COVID-19, protective hygiene, and more.

Association for Children with a Disability

Find information to support children with disabilities during COVID-19 on the Association for Children with a Disability website.

Council on the Aging (COTA) Victoria

Find COVID-19 resources and information for older Victorians including health advice, restrictions, vaccines and more. You can call their information line at 1300 135 090.

Multicultural Seniors Support Program

Grants of up to $2,000 per annum are available for multicultural seniors’ groups to support their members and build stronger community connections.

Be Connected

Be Connected is a government initiative that empowers older people to stay connected digitally to access services, make social connections, and develop digital skills while staying COVIDSafe. 

Isolation support and emergency relief

Information on the support that is available while you isolate or quarantine.

Energy bill relief for concession card holders

This $250 power saving bonus provides direct support to vulnerable Victorian households experiencing energy bill stress due to COVID-19.

Concessions and benefits

A range of concessions are available to all Victorians who are on low incomes or experiencing hardship and need help meeting the cost of living. 

Escaping Violence Payment

The Escaping Violence Payment program is available for people 18 who have recently experienced family violence, have a changed living situation and are experiencing financial stress.

Good Shepherd

Good Shepherd helps women, girls and families achieve financial independence with financial assistance services and a financial independence hub. 

National Debt Helpline

If you are having financial difficulties, visit the National Debt Helpline COVID-19 Financial Survival Guide or call at 1800 007 007. You can speak to a financial counsellor for free and get advice.

For individuals 

Jobs Hub

The Jobs Hub assists job seekers and employers to connect in a rapidly changing job market in the COVID-19 world.

Jobs Victoria Mentors

The Jobs Victoria Mentors services provides eligible workers with advice and support to find a suitable job.

Career Transition Assistance

The Career Transition Assistance program is designed to help mature-age job seekers aged 45 years and over to build their confidence and skills to become more competitive in the market.

Mature Age Hub

The Mature Age Hub lists services and supports that connect businesses and mature age workers.

New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS)

New Business Assistance with NEIS can help you turn your business idea into a viable business, where you can be your own boss.

Launch into Work

The Launch into Work program supports pre-employment projects, helping job seekers prepare for vacancies and employers to trial new ways of recruiting. The program is primarily focused on creating long-term employment pathways for women.

Uniting Employment Services

Uniting specialise in working with people who have a permanent medical condition, mental illness, injury or disability requiring employment tailored to their abilities, and provides services to match job seekers and employers.

Working for Victoria

Jobs Victoria Employment Network works with employers to identify their business needs and help find jobseekers across Victoria with the right skills and experience.

jobactive

jobactive is an Australian government initiative dedicated to getting more Australians into work, connecting job seekers with employers. 

Recovery is best achieved when the affected community can not only participate in but also help lead the recovery process.

In recognition of this, the City of Stonnington is actively collaborating with community members via a Community Recovery Committee, which provides a mechanism for local leadership and community self-determination.

In this sense, the committee acts as Council's strategic decision-making body for sustainable community recovery:

• assessing emerging social issues and community needs
• recommending priorities
• coordinating appropriate recovery activities.

In 2022, we asked the committee what their vision was for Stonnington as we recovered and reconnected after COVID-19. Here were their answers:

• Sustainable
• more fun
• friendly
• lively
• transition-town read
• inter-generational and fu
• diverse
• vibrant
• healthier
• active
• connected
• fun
• inclusive
• innovative
• regenerative
• equitable
• accessible
• community spirt
• family orientated
• thriving
• safe
• alive
• musical
• out-of-the-box
• adaptability
• buzzing
• adaptable
• collaborative
• the place to be
• innovative
• inspiring
• biodiverse
• focused
• caring
• welcoming.

The Committee is continuing its work in 2023.