Where to get help and support
If you are experiencing hardship or doing it tough as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, these services may be able to help with food packages or vouchers, financial assistance, your safety, and legal advice.
To find information about a particular service use the alphabetised menu below:
Community Connector Merri-bek
Moreland Council has a dedicated phone line and email address for residents to contact if they need support as a result of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
You can call 8311 4140 from Monday to Friday between 9am to 5pm.
Email: casi@moreland.vic.gov.au
Food relief services
For an updated list of Food and Material relief services, please visit our Food relief web page.
Face masks
From 6:00pm on Friday 26 March, face masks will be mandatory:
- on public transport
- in rideshare vehicles and taxis
- in sensitive settings, such as aged care facilities
- in airports and on flights
You must always carry a face mask with you when you leave home unless you have a lawful reason not to. You must wear one if you are in an indoor or outdoor setting and you can't physically distance from others.
The Department of Health and Human Services will be distributing 2.1 million reusable face masks to:
-
Vulnerable Victorians
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Aboriginal Victorians; and
- Workforces who come into direct client contact and deliver Victorian Government funded health and human services to a range of vulnerable Victorians
Find out more about reusable face masks for vulnerable Victorians.
Additional mask and face covering resources:
-
More information about face masks can be found on our Be Kind to Yourself web page
Ordering reusable face masks - Information for service providers
Agencies eligible to place orders for masks include:
- Community pharmacies
- GP offices
- Disability agencies and funded residential care services for people with disabilities
- Clinical and NGO mental health services providing community and residential based care
- Youth support services
- Alcohol and drug services (including needle and syringe programs)
- Family violence services
- Agencies providing support to people in public housing and homeless people (including refugee and asylum seeker agencies)
- Supported Residential Services and boarding houses
- Aboriginal Community Controlled (Health) Organisations
Orders can only be made using the DHHS online ordering form.
There will be limits on the number of masks each agency will receive, to ensure a fair distribution of masks across Victoria.
Government payments and support
You'll find more information about the available Federal and State Government payments and support during COVID-19 on our Government Payments and Support web page.
Rent relief and housing support
New temporary laws exist to protect Victorian tenants, landlords and the rental market from the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. New rules cover a moratorium on evictions, rent relief for eligible tenants, suspension of rental increases, land tax reductions and deferrals for landlords, and a new dispute resolution process. Find out more information on these new rules and changes for tenants and landlords through Consumer Affairs Victoria.
Rental Hardship
If you are experiencing rental hardship due to COVID-19, you may be eligible for assistance from the Victorian Government Rent Relief grants.
Accommodation and Support
If you need accommodation or support contact VincentCare on 1800 825 955 or visit VincentCare services page for a full list of available services.
Rental Advice
Seek information and basic advice by email from Tenants Victoria.
More information
See Council's Emergency housing page for more information.
Family violence
Family violence includes any actions where a family member threatens, intimidates, controls, stalks or harms another person within a family relationship or household.
See Council’s What is family violence web page for more information.
Times of stress, hardship and uncertainty, such as during the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, are never an excuse.
Triple Zero (000) - if someone has been, or is about to be, injured, property is damaged, or other criminal acts happen that need a response immediately.
Services for women and their children
Berry Street Family Violence Support
- Call 9450 4700 (business hours)
- Call 1800 015 188 (24/7)
Djirra (Koori Women's Place - support and legal advice for women)
- Call 1800 105 303 (business hours)
Other family violence support services for women, men and children
See Council’s family violence help web page
Legal assistance
Northern Community Legal Centre
- Call 9310 4376 (business hours)
Free and confidential legal advice and assistance to people who live, work, or study in Merri-bek, Hume or Mitchell Shire municipalities.
Current priority groups assisted include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders; those experiencing mental ill health, disability, or cognitive impairment; homeless people; LGBTQI+ community; refugees and newly arrived; victims / survivors of family violence and young people under 25.
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Call 1300 792 387 (Melbourne Office business hours)
- Call 9302 8777 (Broadmeadows Office)
Helps people and community groups connect with free legal help. Regular services continue and services have been expanded for those affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
Services can be accessed online and via phone.
Refugee and Asylum Seeker support
- Call 9326 8343
Cabirini Asylum Seeker and Refugee Health Hub
- Call 8388 7874
Co-Health Refugee and Asylum Seeker Service
- Call 9448 5531 (Fitzroy)
Foundation House (Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture)
- Call 9388 0022
Your Community Health – Refugee/Asylum Seeker Health Service
- Call 8470 1111
Disability support and information
Find more information on our Access to Council services and information web page.
- Call 1800 800 110
International student support
International Student Tenancy Outreach Program
International students living in rooming or share houses can seek help from an Outreach Worker.
- Call 9411 1444 or fill out the online form
Northern Community Legal Centre (NCLC)
Legal Clinic for international students addressing housing and renting rights, employment, managing debt, and accessing financial support.
- Call 9310 4376 or email admin@northernclc.org.au
Free events and confidential support services
- Call 1800 056 449
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health support
Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS)
Aboriginal men’s crisis support line (24-hour support).
Support for family violence issues, parenting issues, communication, separation and relationship stress.
- Call 1800 435 799
Family Support
- Call 1300 786 433 (toll free) or 9302 6100
Child Protection
- Call 1300 664 977 (North Division intake)
After hours child protection emergency service
- Call 131 278
Support for young people
- Call 1800 334 673 (8am to midnight, 7 days a week)
QLife (online counselling for LGBTQIA+ youth)
- Call 1800 184 527 (3pm to midnight, everyday)
Eheadspace (Online and telephone support and counselling for 12–25 year olds)
- Call 1800 650 893
Mental health and well-being
Lifeline provides crisis support and can be phoned any time on 13 11 14
- Online help resources on Financial Problems
- Online Service Finder tool
- Crisis Support Chat (online)
- LifeLine text (6pm-12am) - text 0477 131 114
- Call 1800 512 348
- Call 13 11 14
- Text: 0477 13 11 14
RUOK
- Call 1800 551 800
- Call 1800 424 287
Employment resources and support
If you have found yourself unemployed and looking for work based on various factors or perhaps the impacts of COVID-19, we’ve put together some handy information and tips to assist you in your job search. There is also information about Working for Victoria and support to register for Working for Victoria jobs.
Gambler's Help remote support services
With gambling venues closed, some Victorians may be feeling anxious, stressed or bored. Some people may turn to other forms of gambling to cope. Gambler's Help support services remain available for anyone who might be affected by gambling issues.
Gambler's Help is available on 1800 858 858, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Online help is also available.
Uniting offers access to an extensive range of financial support services, including financial counselling and no interest loans and CareRing partnership with other community agencies, the Government, utility companies and financial service providers:
- No Interest Loans of up to $1,500 for low-income households for example for education, household appliances, car-related costs and others. Call 1800 002 992 or email info@kildonan.org.au to find out if you are eligible.
- CareRing supports individuals and families experiencing financial issues and is a partnership between community agencies, the government, utility companies and financial service providers. Support services include assisting you to set up an affordable payment plan, checking your eligibility for concessions and grants and advising what to do if you have problems paying your bills. Call 1800 545 366 to find out if you are eligible.
- The Uniting Financial Support Programs Website has details for financial counselling and other financial support programs in additional to these two above.
Useful services for older people
Moreland City Council continues to run useful services for older people. We are following official COVID-19 guidelines, to make sure you and our staff stay safe.