There is a range of support available for community members who need assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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A new Call-to-Test program will provide in-home coronavirus (COVID-19) testing to vulnerable people living in Victoria who would otherwise be unable to get tested. This includes older people, people with disability, carers and those with an illness that might prevent them from leaving home. For eligible callers located in Melbourne, testers will visit within 48 hours.
To find out if you are eligible for this service, call the coronavirus (COVID-19) hotline on 1800 675 398 and select option 9.
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Through our Emergency Relief Program, we can help:
- provide food vouchers
- support to pay bills
- other material aid
- referral to financial counselling and other support services for our clients.
Contact your caseworker or your nearest VACCA office to find out more.
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Emergency relief packs will be distributed to isolated and vulnerable people in quarantine who have no family or friends that can help out. If you are unable to access goods or medicines due to hardship or vulnerability while being directed to self-isolate, you can access a relief pack.
Relief packs contain a box of groceries for 14 days and can be tailored for various needs to include items such as baby formula, nappies and toilet paper.
To access a relief pack, call: 1800 675 398.
These relief packs are being provided by the Victorian State Government. Find out more here.
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Some supermarkets have introduced priority home deliveries to help elderly people, people with a disability, those with compromised immunity and those in mandatory isolation.
Find out more:
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Woolworths have developed a Basics Box for vulnerable families and individuals. Find out more here.
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There is a free home delivery service for medicine for people who are sick, vulnerable or self-isolating.
People who are eligible include:
- People who are sick,
- People who are self-isolating,
- Anybody over 70,
- First Nations people over the age of 50,
- People with chronic health conditions or whose immune systems are compromised, and
- Women who are pregnant or have a new baby.
How it works:
- Pharmacies can now use Australia Post to mail essential medications to your door,
- The service is for PBS medications; however, you can ask the pharmacy to add other over-the-counter medications to the delivery,
- You can have a delivery once per month, and
- To order, call your local pharmacy (different pharmacies will have different ordering systems).
You can find more information here.
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Remote learning has brought with it much change for children, young people, carers and families that we support and we understand that this is a challenging time for everyone.
Find our Education Support page here.
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For all Centrelink and Federal government support packages announced, visit Department of Social Service.
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For more services available:
- Visit: dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
- Call: 1800 675 398
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To stay up to date with the latest information relating to COVID-19, visit: