COVID-19 resources
In these unsettling times of COVID-19 and its impact on our daily lives, our jobs and the wellbeing of our clients, it is reassuring and timely to remind ourselves that community workers, many of whom will be in frontline services, are qualified professionals and well-equipped to provide services. We take comfort in the fact that our members have level heads and will be taking all sensible precautions and above all supporting clients to do the same.
We will update this page regularly with resources to help you continue to deliver quality services and look after yourself during these challenging times.
With the Coronavirus outbreak and response evolving rapidly, it is important to get your information from reliable sources:
National Coronavirus Health Helpline: 1800 020 080
Department of Health
World Health Organisation
Department of Social Services (financial support)
Department of Business (business support)
Fair Work Ombudsman (work entitlements)
ACNC (advice for charities)
NDIS (advice for providers and participants)
Mental health
Beyond Blue - Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service
Blackdog Institute - Mental health and coronavirus webinar series
FACE COVID ebook - responding mindfully using the principles of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
This way up - free tools and courses
New mental health clinics in Victorian - factsheet
Masks/Face coverings
Updated August DHHS face covering advice - Victoria
PPE for community workers - online training module
Provider/NFP support
COVID-19 Plan for the Victorian Community Services Sector - updated 1 May
Funding Centre - this page tracks grants and funds available to organisations.
Business continuity planning - a template and tool
Developing a business continuity plan - a guide for NDIS support providers.
Epidemic/Pandemic Policy - adaptable tool.
Information for aged care providers and workers - covers outbreaks, practice and PPE
Managing the workplace in the face of the outbreak – includes working from home policy template and checklist.
Pivoting to remote work - online training
Workplace guidelines for COVID-19 response - template
Q Shelter COVID-19 Learning Exchange - weekly teleconference for those in the housing and homelessness sector
COVID 19 and Homelessness - webinar
Social Impact Assessment Technology - free technology to give you insights into the needs of your clients
Practice guide to employee phones and tablets - for frontline services
COVID-19 Safety Planning Series - videos
COVID-19 Safe Plan template and checklist for community sector organisations
Damn good guide to COVID safe workplace
COVID-19 Safe Plan template and checklist for community sector organisations
Damn good guide to COVID safe workplace
Engaging with funders during a crisis - webinar
Government support for NFPs - wrap-up of income support and relief available
WorkSafe Victoria - new guidance for the community sector (September 2020)
Responding to COVID-19: Lessons from Community Housing Organisations
Guide to setting up online support groups for LGBTQIA+ young people
How to lead your organisation to ensure a COVID-19 safe workplace
Mentally healthy workplaces during COVID-19
Guide to setting up online support groups for LGBTQIA+ young people
How to lead your organisation to ensure a COVID-19 safe workplace
Mentally healthy workplaces during COVID-19
Practitioner support
Working from home - our tips for community workers working remotely
The impact of COVID-19 on community workers - survey results
Services Australia eKit - for connecting clients with payments and services
Resilience at work during COVID-19 - video series
COVID-19 Infection control training – free online training for aged care workers
Information sheet for in-home care workers
A practical guide to video mental health consultation - useful for anyone moving to online delivery of therapeutic service
Managing your mental health when working from home
Adapting practice – focuses domestic and family violence support services
Orientation to telephone counselling for alcohol and other drug workers - online training
Practice guidelines for delivering perpetrator interventions and MBCPs
Technology and Vicarious Trauma - webinar focused on domestic violence (technology starts at around 9min, vicarious trauma at 27min)
Addressing social issues - factsheets on social issues in the context of COVID-19 including homelessness, loneliness, disability and digital inclusion.
Shared parenting in the time of COVID-19 - practitioner version
Australian Children's Knowledge Acceleration Hub - to inform program responses
Working with infants and toddlers in a family violence context
Multilingual COVID-19 screening questions
Teleworking during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond: a practical guide
Aged care workforce retention bonus – FAQs for workers
Communicating with migrant & refugee communities during COVID-19
Tips for managing back to work anxiety
Challenges and benefits of running online groups
Communicating with migrant & refugee communities during COVID-19
Tips for managing back to work anxiety
Challenges and benefits of running online groups
Volunteering support
Guide for creating informal volunteer groups in response to the COVID-19
Client support
National Debt Helpline - a not-for-profit service with financial counsellors that help people tackle their debt problems.
MyAus COVID-19 - a multilingual mobile app
Free technology support - Leep is offering free tech support to people isolated in their homes which can cover skills such as online banking, accessing e-Health information and connecting to family and friends through phone and video chat.
Shared parenting in the time of COVID-19 - parent version
NDIS participants FAQs - now includes questions about support coordination
Red flags: Workplace rights during COVID-19
Call-to-Test service - for vulnerable Victorians to get the COVID-19 test in their homes
Dear Landlord - a tool for Victorians struggling to pay rent
