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.

Support services

Find providers to help with free and low cost food, personal items, transportation, pharmacy items, accommodation, legal support and a wide range of other services. 

Housing

Private Rental Assistance Program

Launch Housing’s Private Rental Assistance Program provides people with financial and practical assistance to establish and maintain private rental tenancies.

Racism and discrimination

Victorian Equality Opportunity and Human Rights Commission

If you, or someone you know, has experienced discrimination or vilification on the basis of race or religion and would like to report it or seek information about your rights, you can make a complaint to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC).

English language support

Adult Migrant Education Program (AMEP)

Learn English for free through this program  which helps eligible migrants with low English levels to improve their English language skills, develop work skills and improve their understanding of Australian community life.

People living with HIV/AIDS

The Positive Living Centre (PLC)

The Positive Living Centre is a vibrant and safe environment for all people living with HIV, enhancing their health and wellbeing through the provision of social, emotional, recreational, and skills-based services and activities.

Gambling help and resources

Visit our gambling page to find help and useful resources for adults and youth experiencing gambling related harm.

Find a community group

Looking to join a local group? Use the search directory to browse community groups and organisations in Stonnington.

Reconnect with your local community

Stay healthy, informed and connected with information, events and programs from the City of Stonnington and other service providers.

• City of Stonnington events
• Active Stonnington events
• Arts and culture events
• Stonnington Engaged — activities and social program for people aged 55 years and over
• Walks — tours and trails
• Sport4All Grassroots and school sports program for people with disabilities

Support services

Find support services and providers with practical tools to support your health and wellbeing.

COVID-19 vaccination information

COVID-19 vaccination is free for everyone in Australia, even if you don't have a Medicare card. Learn more about how to book a vaccination.

Mental Health Support

Service Provider Help Lines

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

Head to Health

Head to Health provides Australians with trusted information and digital resources to help support their mental health and wellbeing during this pandemic.

Multicultural mental health resources

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

FriendLine

FriendLine is for anyone who needs to reconnect or just wants a chat. All conversations with FriendLine are anonymous. Not a crisis service.

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.

Thorne Harbour Health

This program provides information, support and referral to all LGBTIQA Victorians.

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.

Wellbeing and Mental Health Support for Victorian Small Businesses

Find mental health support for Victorians dealing with the challenges of running a small business during COVID-19.

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.

Online safety kit for parents and carers

Read 'COVID-19: an online safety kit for parents and carers' from the eSafety Commissioner.

Domestic and Family Violence Response Training (DV-Alert)

Domestic and Family Violence Response Training provides training to frontline workers to recognise and respond to domestic and family violence.

Safe Steps 24/7 Family Violence Response Centre

Safe Steps provides specialist support services for anyone in Victoria who is experiencing or afraid of family violence including a 24/7 crisis phone line.

Additional Child Care Subsidy (temporary financial hardship)

The Additional Child Care Subsidy supports families experiencing temporary financial hardship due to COVID-19. 

The Father Hood 

The Father Hood is a community that offers support, advice and inspiration for dads

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.

Youth programs

Our Middle Years and Youth Services team run programs, organise events and provide services to children and young people, aged 12 to 25 years, who live, work or visit our city.

Resources for students

Advice and resources for students about how to adapt your learning during COVID-19, to look after yourself, and where to get help.

Transition to work

The Transition to Work employment service supports young people aged 15-24 in finding work (including apprenticeships and training) or education.

National Work Experience Program

The National Work Experience Program (NWEP) is a work experience program for job seekers aged 17 years or over. Job ready participants undertake real life unpaid work experience placements to gain experience and confidence.

Online safety tips for the ‘new normal’

eSafety provides young people with information about online safety in a COVID-19 world; staying connected, managing mental health, studying remotely, dealing with fake news and cyberbullying. 

Gambler's Help Youthline

Find free and confidential gambling advice and support for under 25s, 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 1800 262 376.

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

Engaged program

Our activities program for people aged 55 years and older, people with disabilities, and carers.

Active Stonnington

Our sports and fitness program keeps our community health and safe while staying socially connected.

Rate relief and financial support

Council has a number of support measures in place for people experiencing difficulty in paying rates, fees or charges. This is an incredibly challenging time for our entire community and support is available.

Isolation support and emergency relief

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

Moneysmart financial assistance

Find government financial support for those impacted by COVID-19.

Australian Taxation Office (ATO)

Find information about ATO measures and support during COVID-19.

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 & 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.

Sports and recreation grants

Vicsports provides a list of grants available to recreation and sporting clubs in Victoria, including state government Sports and Recreation Victoria grants.

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.

Gambling support

Gambler's Help provides free and confidential advice 24/7 to assist people experiencing gambling problems as well as those close to them who are affected by their gambling. Their helpline number is 1800 858 858.

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.

Business 

Head to our Helping Businesses navigate COVID-19 page for support and advice for businesses dealing with the impact of COVID-19.  

Business Victoria grants and programs

See a list of grants and programs available to support your business.  

Sustainability grants

Sustainability Victoria is accepting applications from businesses, charities, industry groups and associations for a number of grants for recycling initiatives.

Learn how to protect yourself online while using the internet. This video workshop will address issues around internet security and give you the tools and confidence to stay safe online.

For individuals 

JobTrainer

As part of its economic response to COVID-19, the Australian government is providing free or low-fee training courses across the nation through its $1 billion JobTrainer Fund.

Jobs Hub

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

Jobs Victoria Mentors

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

jobactive

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

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.

ParentsNext

ParentsNext helps parents and carers to build confidence, develop skills, and access local support and services to obtain employment.

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.

For business

Head to our Helping Businesses navigate COVID-19 page for a range of support and advice for business dealing with the impact of COVID-19.

Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements

The Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidy supports businesses and Group Training Organisations to take on new apprentices and trainees, to build a pipeline of skilled workers and assist with the COVID-19 recovery. 

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.

Wage Subsidies

Wage subsidies up to $10,000 (GST inclusive) may be available to Australian businesses hiring employment services participants in ongoing jobs. 

Jobs Victoria Fund

The Jobs Victoria Fund is a wage subsidy program that supports businesses to hire people whose employment has been most affected by the pandemic.

The Arts Wellbeing Collective

The Arts Wellbeing Collective is an Arts Centre Melbourne initiative with arts and cultural organisations working together to promote positive mental health and wellbeing in the performing arts. The Support Act Wellbeing Helpline (1800 959 500) is a free, confidential phone counselling service available 24/7 for anyone who works in the performing arts industry. 

Creative Victoria

Resources including information on grants and support for Victoria's creative industries, spanning arts, culture, screen, design and more.

The Equity Health Database

Download a list of GPs, psychologists, and other mental health professionals who have self-identified as having a special interest in or affiliation with the arts and/or artists.

Community Recovery

Recovery is best achieved when the affected community can not only participate in, but 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, and coordinating appropriate recovery activities. Earlier this year we asked the committee what their vision was for Stonnington as we recovered and reconnected after COVID-19. Here were their answers: