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 and interpreter services

  • 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 and Torres Strait Islander services

Carers support

  • Carers Gateway Helpline for support and services which is available from Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm by dialling 1800 422 737.

Counselling and mental health support

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.

Disability and inclusion support

  • 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.

Domestic violence support

Education at-home support

Food and essential items

Health services

Housing and homelessness services

  • 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
  • Tenants Union Information about renting in NSW during COVID-19, including rent reductions, negotiations and tenancy arrangements.

Income support services

  • 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.

Multicultural services

  • 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

Older people

  • 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.

Young people

Support for community organisations