Support available during COVID-19 pandemic
During these unprecedented times, Waverley Council is committed to supporting the community to prevent the spread of COVID-19, maintain social connections and quality of life. Council is working closely with various community groups to help ensure we remain connected, cared for and safe during this challenging time.
Waverley Council's Community Programs team has developed a directory of services available to the community during COVID-19. For information about support that is available, please see below.
- National Relay Service Providing accessible services for people who are deaf, hard of hearing and/or have a speech impairment. Phone service available from Monday to Friday between 8am to 6pm by dialling 1800 555 660.
- Translating & Interpreting Service To speak to someone in a language other than English, please telephone the Australian Government's interpreter service by calling 13 14 50. Service is available 24/7.
- Aboriginal Medical Service For medical assistance or support, please call 9319 5823.
- AbSec Providing information, support, and resources to Aboriginal children, families and individuals.
- Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network Directory for Aboriginal health services and support.
- NSW Aboriginal Land Council Information and resources about tackling COVID-19 in Aboriginal communities in NSW.
- Carers Gateway Helpline for support and services which is available from Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm by dialling 1800 422 737.
- Beyond Blue COVID-19 mental health wellbeing support service via 1800 512 348.
- Black Dog Institute Evidence-based resources to help individuals, workplaces, schools, parents and health professionals on topics related to anxiety, stress and wellbeing.
- Kids Helpline Phone counselling service for children and young people aged 5-25 years. Service is available 24/7 by calling 1800 55 1800. Mental health resources are also available on their website.
- Headspace Information for your people affected by stress related to COVID-19 via their website.
- Lifeline Crisis support and suicide prevention.
- Parent Line NSW Online information and resources as well as phone counselling via 1300 1300 52.
- Raising Children Network Support for families during COVID-19.
- Emerging Minds Information and resources on supporting children during COVID-19. Topics include parenting, anxiety, stress and resilience as well as online and social media use.
- Youth Beyond Blue Online mental health resources and online chat available between 3pm - 12am. Phone counselling also available 24/7 by dialling 1300 22 4636.
- NSW Mental Health Commission The NSW Mental Health Commission has compiled a directory of support services and resources for people experiencing mental health issues and their carers
- Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467: The Suicide Call Back Service is a 24 hour nationwide, free service that provides telephone and online counselling to people 15 years and over who fit one of the following categories: people who are suicidal, people caring for someone who is suicidal, people bereaved by suicide, health professionals supporting people affected by suicide.
Accessing mental health services in NSW
Mental Health Line (1800 011 511): The NSW Mental Health Line is a 24-hour state-wide telephone number which puts you in touch with your local mental health service. Staffed by mental health professionals, the line gives NSW residents access to expert mental health advice, support and referrals for people dealing with a mental health problem and their families and carers.
For urgent help in an emergency call triple zero (000). If someone has attempted or is at immediate risk of attempting to harm themselves or someone else call triple zero immediately.
- Disability Gateway Helpline providing information and services to support people with disability as well as their family, friends and carers. Service available Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm by calling 1800 643 787.
- IDEAS Provides disability resources, including community education, information provision and training.
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) If you are an NDIS participant, a number of temporary measures have been put in place to assist people during the pandemic. Visit their website for more information.
- NSW Ageing and Disability Abuse Helpline Support available Monday to Friday between 9am to 5pm by calling 1800 628 221.
- NSW Domestic Violence Hotline Service is available 24/7 by dialling 1800 65 64 63.
- 1800RESPECT National sexual assault, domestic & family violence counselling service available by calling 1800 737 732.
- Mensline Australia Phone and online counselling service for support on mental health, relationships, parenting and family violence. Call 1300 78 99 78.
- NSW Department of Communities and Justice Providing support related to housing, child protection and family assistance.
- Digital Lunchbreak Assisting children and young people with finding online resources and activities to do at home.
- NSW Department of Education Providing information and advice about e-learning from home to parents and carers.
- e-Safety Commission Up-to-date information about online safety for children and young people.
- Waverley Library e-library service providing reading materials for children and families. Take a look around the Waverley Library website for other online resources for children and young people.
- List of mental health resources for adolescents undertaking remote learning during COVID-19.
- Waverley Council For information on how to access food and other essential services in Waverley, please see here.
- NSW Health COVID-19 information, advice and resources available via their website.
- Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network Directory of services for medical and allied health services.
- Public Health Network Fact sheet with information about how to access telehealth services during COVID-19.
- NSW Government Residential tenancy support package providing financial support measures for tenants and landlords.
- Link 2 Home Homelessness information and referral telephone service. Available 24/7 by calling 1800 152 152.
- Eastern Area Tenants Service Providing free information, advice and advocacy to renters in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs.
- Tenants Union Information about renting in NSW during COVID-19, including rent reductions, negotiations and tenancy arrangements.
- Service NSW Providing a 24/7 hotline for information on COVID-19 financial support for households, individuals and businesses. Telephone service can be accessed by dialling 13 77 88.
- Service Australia Disaster Payment providing financial support for individuals who have experienced loss of work or reduced hours of work as a result of the pandemic.
- NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service Online COVID-19 resources and information translated into various languages.
- Ethnolink Translated resources on COVID-19 available in multiple languages.
- Asylum Seekers Centre Providing information, resources and support services online and via telephone by dialling 9078 1900.
- STARTTS (NSW Service for the treatment and rehabilitation of torture and trauma survivors) Offering a range of resources for refugees and newly arrived migrants explained in your language.
- Stay Smart Online Multilingual information about how to protect yourself against online scams.
- Victoria Health Online audio translations about COVID-19 information translated into a variety of languages.
- International Student Welfare Services Hub Provides students with information about support services that are available to them in Australia
- Food Bank Provides international student hampers for those facing food insecurity
- My Aged Care Providing support to help older people access Australian Government-funded aged care services. Phone service available Monday to Friday between 8am - 8pm and on Saturday between 10am - 2pm by calling 1800 400 422.
- Ageing and Disability Commission Tips on how to provide support to older people during COVID-19.
- Ageing and Disability Abuse Helpline Providing telephone support from Monday to Friday between 9am - 5pm on 1800 628 221.
- Dementia Helpline Offering support, information online and via telephone by dialling 1800 100 500. Phone support available between from Monday to Friday between 9am - 5pm.
- Seniors Rights Service Providing information, resources and advocacy services for older people by calling 1800 424 079 from Monday to Friday between 8am and 8pm.
- Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line Provides information and support to senior Australians, their families and carers. Service available Monday to Friday, except on public holidays, from 8.30am to 6pm. Phone 1800 171 866.
- NSW Health COVID-19 resources for young people, parents and carers
- International Student Welfare Services Hub Provides students with information about support services that are available to them in Australia
- NCOSS (National Council of Social Service) Providing comprehensive financial support and information for not-for-profit organisations during COVID-19.
- NSW Department of Community and Justice Offering information, advice and resources for community groups continuing to deliver services during the COVID-19 period.
- Safe Work NSW Sharing pandemic planning advice for organisations.
- NSW Government Personal Protective Equipment Information Information about safe working practices required for staff using personal protective equipment (PPE).