If you need help

Available support

• Aged care and disability services

  We will continue to deliver services to Port Phillip's older people, people with disability and their carers, with a range of precautions taken to protect the health of our clients.

  This includes physical and social distancing where appropriate, working with clients to tailor services to their needs, and following the advice of the Victorian and Federal governments.

  Eligibility for these services is defined under State Government Home and Community Care or Commonwealth Government legislation.

  To apply, please request an assessment:

  • For people aged over 65 years, please contact My Aged Care Clients Helpline on 1800 200 422.
  • People aged under 65, please contact ASSIST on 03 9209 6777.

• Financial support

  Victorian Government support

  The Victorian Government Coronavirus website provides advice on financial support during COVID-19 and worker support payments including:

  • $450 Test Isolation Payments for Victorian workers who are self-isolating while awaiting COVID-19 test results
  • $1,500 Coronavirus Worker Support Payments for workers who have either tested positive for COVID-19 or been a close contact with someone who has tested positive.

  Financial support is available for families and individuals, as well as business and industry.

  Saver Plus community program

  Saver Plus is a matched savings and financial education program, offered by community organisations in every state and territory. This free 10-month program matches your savings, dollar for dollar, up to $500 to help with education costs for you or your children.

  Saver Plus is delivered by Brotherhood of St Laurence and provides financial education, budgeting and savings tips.

  Participants receive up to $500 from ANZ in matched savings for education costs for themselves or their children

  Enquire online at saverplus.org.au
  Email saverplus@bsl.org.au
  Call 1300 610 355

• Food services

  If you're experiencing difficulty accessing food and grocery supplies due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, there are a number of services available to help.

  Below are some of the available services. For a full list, download the Emergency Food Directory (PDF 475 KB).

  Delivered meals service (Meals on Wheels)

  Council’s Delivered meals service will continue during this time.

  Meals are delivered to residents' homes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and are delivered fresh to be consumed within three days or can be frozen for up to two months. The number of meals provided to each eligible resident is based on a needs assessment and can be up to seven meals per week.

  The meals are delivered by Choice Fresh Meals who offer a great variety of nutritional food and can cater to many special dietary requirements including texture modified. Meals are three courses and include a soup or sandwich, main meal and dessert option.

  Meal packaging has been designed to be easily heated and is both microwave and oven safe.

  A regular delivery time will be provided with a two-hour window dependent on the suburb of the resident.

  Access to the service is based on an assessment and can be arranged via contacting intake:

  Email: helpdeskaaintake@portphillip.vic.gov.au
  Phone: 03 9209 6749

  Food Relief Centre

  A local Food Relief Centre is located at 412 City Road Southbank to support members of the community who are in need. For centre opening hours and details, visit the Empower Australia website.

  Empower Australia, the charitable arm of PlanetShakers Church, partners with Foodbank and Fareshare to deliver this service. They supply food and basic household items to help vulnerable members of the community, including the elderly, people experiencing homelessness, refugees and people experiencing economic hardship.

  Food for Life - free vegetarian meal delivery service

  Hare Krishna Melbourne Food For Life is providing free home delivery of vegetarian meals to those in need during the COVID-19 emergency.

  If you are a City of Port Phillip resident with a valid student or concession card or another reason to be considered for this service, please send an SMS to 0438 716 335 with your:

  • name and address
  • concession card type/why you need meals
  • number of meals to deliver.

  Orders can be placed until 6 am on the day of delivery. Meals are delivered between 1 pm and 2 pm daily.

• Home medicine services

  The Australian Government Department of Health is helping vulnerable and self-isolated people to access prescription medication remotely, through its National Health Plan – Home Medicines Services.

  The service is available to:

  • people isolating themselves at home on the advice of a medical practitioner, for confirmed COVID-19 cases
  • people who meet the current national triage protocol criteria for suspected COVID-19 infection after consultation with
    • the national COVID-19 hotline
    • state COVID-19 hotlines
    • a registered medical or nursing practitioner
    • COVID-19 trained health clinic triage staff.
  • people aged over 70
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged over 50
  • people with chronic health conditions or who are immunocompromised
  • parents with new babies and people who are pregnant.

• International students

  The Australian Government is providing support for international students through Study Australia, and Study Melbourne is dedicated to supporting our international student community during this challenging time.

• Mental health and wellbeing support

  Listed below are some of the many mental health and wellbeing services and resources available for those impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.

  You can also find a list of mental health resources on the Victorian Government Coronavirus website.

  Beyond Blue

  Beyond Blue provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live.

  Phone: 1300 224 636

  They have also launched a new online platform, Be You which includes resources to help support mental health during the COVID-19 outbreak.

  Carer Gateway

  Carer Gateway provides links to resources for carers during COVID-19, including for emergency respite care.

  Phone: 1800 422 737

  Conversation in Isolation

  A group of Victoria-based health students started Conversation in Isolation to help support Australians who are at risk of loneliness and social isolation during the COVID-19 crisis. When you sign up, you're matched with a student volunteer to be your ongoing telephone supporter. They'll find a time that suits you, and call every so often to say hi and have a friendly chat.

  Disability Information Helpline

  The Disability Information Helpline provides free, private and fact-checked information and referrals for people with disability who need help because of COVID-19.

  The Helpline can help families, carers and support workers, too.

  Phone: 1800 643 787

  Griefline

  Griefline is Australia's only dedicated grief helpline service that provides counselling support services free of charge to individuals and families.

  Phone: 1300 845 745

  Headspace

  Headspace is a national youth mental health foundation dedicated to improving the wellbeing of young Australians.

  Phone: 1800 650 890

  Head to Health

  The Government's Head to Health site provides Australians with trusted information, tips and resources to help support everyone's mental health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 outbreak.

  Healthy Mind - a new mental health resource

  Healthy Mind is a new website designed to help people with Intellectual Disability (ID) to recognise and regulate their thoughts and feelings.

  The Black Dog Institute worked with people who had lived experience with intellectual disabilities to ensure that the website is designed to suit the needs of its users.

  Jewish Care Victoria

  Victoria'a Jewish community can seek COVID-19 assistance and support by visiting Jewish Care or calling the helpline.

  Phone: 03 8517 5555

  Lifeline

  Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.

  Phone: 13 11 14

  ReachOut

  ReachOut has put together a list of 10 ways how you can take care of yourself and each other during this time.

  RESPECT

  If you or someone you know is experiencing family or domestic violence, visit Services Australia or phone 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732). If you are in immediate danger call Triple Zero (000).

  Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre

  safe steps is Victoria’s 24/7 family violence support service. If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, for help and support, visit safesteps.org.au or call safe steps Family Violence Response Centre 24/7 on 1800 015 188.

  Suicide Call Back Service

  Suicide Call Back Service is a nationwide service that provides 24/7 telephone, video and online professional counselling to people who are affected by suicide.

  Phone: 1300 659 467

  Support Act Wellbeing Helpline

  The Support Act wellbeing helpline is a free, confidential phone counselling service available 24/7 for anyone who works in the performing arts industry. Call to make an appointment, or request to speak to someone immediately about any aspect of your mental health and wellbeing.

  Phone: 1800 959 500

  Switchboard Victoria

  Switchboard Victoria is a community based not for profit organisation that provides peer-based, volunteer-run support services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex people and their friends, families and allies.

  Phone: 1800 184 527

• Social support

  Council will still be offering social support programs over the phone and online. We encourage older residents to contact our Seniors Register and Linking Neighbours Program for these activities.

  The following services are continuing with modifications to protect our clients and staff:

  Community bus

  Our free Community Bus service is operating a reduced service to provide point to point transport for medical appointments and essential shopping only.

  Services are restricted to mornings only. You must make a booing to travel. Please phone 03 9209 6223 to make a booking.

  The following safety measures are being implemented:

  • Bookings must be made to travel
  • Contact details are being collected for all passengers so that we can pass on relevant information if necessary.
  • buses are sanitised throughout each journey and cleaned at the end of each shift
  • hand sanitiser units have been installed in each bus for driver and passenger use
  • drivers have been issued with disposable gloves and surgical masks
  • passenger capacity has been reduced to maintain physical distancing
  • the first row of seats behind the driver has been cordoned off as a physical distance measure
  • passengers are asked to physically distance themselves by sitting in alternate seats.

  Home care

  Community support staff will continue to assist with household cleaning tasks including vacuuming, mopping and cleaning. Residents are encouraged to continue the tasks they can manage such as dusting, dishes and wiping bench tops.

  Home Care is provided on weekdays during normal working hours.

  Personal care

  Community support staff will continue to help residents with tasks of daily living that are 'personal' in nature, such as assistance with showering, bathing, dressing and grooming, and making your own meals

  Property maintenance

  The property maintenance service will continue to assist residents with maintaining a safe, secure and healthy home environment. Urgent tasks to ensure safety and security are still being undertaken. Outdoor maintenance will also be undertaken such as window and gutter cleaning.

  Home and Property Maintenance is provided on weekdays during normal working hours.

  Respite care

  Respite care provides short breaks for those taking care of a family member or friend. Respite services are available for carers with the major responsibility for the wellbeing of a person needing care.

  Care is provided on weekdays during normal working hours but there is some limited capacity for these services to be provided after hours for clients who have high needs.

  Unescorted shopping assistance and bill paying

  Care workers will continue to shop for essential supplies and pay bills on behalf of residents. The same rigorous protections regarding payment cards apply.

  This service operates during normal working hours.