COVID-19 Advice Lines & Referral Information
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. For information on the steps we have taken as part of this, please see here.
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.
Accessing mental health services in NSW
- 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.
- Red Cross Free phone support service available during business hours by calling 1800 733 276 or register via redcross.org.au
- Department of Social Services Disability information helpline for COVID-19. Helpline is available from Monday to Friday between 8am - 8pm as well as Saturday and Sunday between 9am - 7pm. Please call 1800 643 787.
- IDEAS Disability information helpline available Monday to Friday between 8am to 8pm by calling 1800 029 904.
- National Disability Abuse & Neglect Hotline Available Monday to Friday between 9am - 7pm by calling 1800 880 052.
- 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.
- ABC ME Aimed at primary school students to provide them with education programming on weekdays from 10am - 3pm for Term 2.
- 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 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.
- 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.
- Waverley Council Information on how to access food in Waverley and Council's COVID-19 response to homelessness in Waverley.
- 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.
- NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service Online COVID-19 resources and information translated into various languages.
- SBS COVID-19 Portal Providing up-to-date information about COVID-19 in various languages.
- Ethnolink Translated resources on COVID-19 available in multiple languages.
- Red Cross Providing information and support for temporary Visa holders requiring emergency relief. Telephone support available from Monday to Friday between 9am - 5pm by dialling 1800 733 276.
- 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.
- 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.
- Department of Health Support line for senior Australians available from Monday to Friday (except public holidays) between 8:30am - 6pm by calling 1800 171 866.
- NSW Health COVID-19 resources for young people, parents and carers
- 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).