On this page
- Key points
- Information on coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Current restrictions
- Face masks
- Other resources
- Testing
- What to do if you have coronavirus (COVID-19)
- What to do if you are a close contact
- Disability services – what changes to expect
- Support for children, young people and families
- Financial assistance
- Mental health resources
- Family violence resources
- Information for Aboriginal communities
- More information and resources
Key points
- Continue to access the medical treatment and services you need.
- Stay connected to friends and family. If you are feeling sad, stressed or overwhelmed because of coronavirus (COVID-19), call Beyond on 1800 512 348. It is a 24-hour service that provides support, information and referral to other services.
- If you don’t feel well and want to get tested, you may be able to get tested at home. Call the Victorian coronavirus (COVID-19) hotline on 1800 675 398 and select option 9.
- If you need information or help you can contact the Disability Information on 1800 643 787. Phone 133 677 for the National Relay .
- If you have any questions about your supports, contact your Support Coordinator if you have been appointed one. Or contact the on 1800 800 110. Phone 1300 555 727 for the National Relay then ask for 1800 800 110.
- If you need an interpreter call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS on 131 450.
Information on coronavirus (COVID-19)
Easy English
Information from the Australian Department of Social Services
- Coronavirus: What is it? Easy English
- Coronavirus: 5 things to do right now – Easy English
- Coronavirus: What do you need to know? – Easy English
For more information, go to the How to stay safe and well web page.
Current restrictions
Easy English
From 18 February 2021 Victoria returns to COVIDSafe Summer restrictions.
- COVIDSafe Summer restrictions across all of Victoria now apply – Easy English
- COVIDSafe Summer restrictions across all of Victoria now apply – Easy English
For more information about the changes to restrictions please go to the COVIDSafe Summer webpage.
Face masks
All Victorians must carry a face mask when leaving home and face masks must be worn when indoors (except in peoples homes), on public transport, and in commercial passenger vehicles, apart from when eating or drinking, unless a lawful reason not to wear one.
Under the law, these reasons include:
- a person with a medical condition including breathing problems or disability who may find wearing a face mask painful or difficult
- a person with a mental health condition who may find wearing a face mask stressful
- persons who are Deaf or hard of hearing and those communicating with them, but only temporarily when the ability to see the mouth or facial expressions is essential for communication and where a distance of 1.5 metres can be maintained
- infants and children under the age of 12 years.
Masks are strongly recommended in the home if people other than your immediate household are present. Wearing a face mask is strongly recommended outdoors when you can’t keep 1.5 metres distance from other people.
Easy English
When you need to wear a face mask
- Do I have to wear a face mask? - Easy English - Handout
- Do I have to wear a face mask? - Easy English
How you can get a free face mask
- Who can get free face masks in Victoria? - Easy English
- Who can get free face masks in Victoria? - Easy English
Frequently asked questions about wearing face mask
- Answers to your questions about masks for people with disability – Easy English
- Answers to your questions about masks for your support workers – Easy English
- Face coverings: Frequently asked questions for people with disability and their support workers
Auslan
Video about the impact of face masks when communicating with Deaf and hard of hearing community.
Other resources
For more information about face masks and exemptions please visit the Face masks: whole of Victoria .
eLearning modules for Community Services Workers
Two free short eLearning courses about staying safe from coronavirus (COVID-19) are now available for community service workers and volunteers. Find out more from this 3-minute video about the key features of the two e-learn products:
To access the free online courses, visit visit the Community services - all sector - coronavirus page.
Testing
People with disability can get tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) at home. This is called the Call-to-Test service.
Carers of people with disability can also use the service.
To access the Call-to-Test service call the Victorian coronavirus (COVID-19) hotline on 1800 675 398 and select option 9.
Easy English – getting tested at home
For more information about getting tested at home, go to the DHHS webpage.
What to do if you have coronavirus (COVID-19)
Easy English
What to do if you have coronavirus
For more information visit the What to do if you have coronavirus page.
Support is available if you need help while in isolation. See Isolation and quarantine extra help and .
What to do if you are a close contact
Easy English
What to do if you are a close contact
- What to do if you are a close contact – Easy English
- What to do if you are a close contact – Easy English
For more information visit the What to do if you are a close page.
Support is available if you need help while in quarantine. See Isolation and quarantine extra help and
Disability services – what changes to expect
It is important that you continue to access the disability services you need during coronavirus (COVID-19). Talk to your service providers and health professionals so you know what the changes mean for you.
Easy English
Changes to disability services during coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) changes to disability services – Easy English
- Coronavirus (COVID-19): Changes to disability services
Information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) plan for disability service providers can be found on the Information for disability services webpage.
Support for children, young people and families
Information for families with children with disability.
Resources:
- Visit the Association for Children with web page for information and resources to support families and children with disability. You can also call them on 03 9880 7000 or 1800 654 013 (regional).
- The Youth Disability Advocacy Service is for individual advocacy for young people with disability aged 12–25. Visit their coronavirus (COVID-19) web page for information and links to resources.
- I Can network provides online peer mentoring sessions for autistic young people aged 9–20. Find out more about the I Can on their web page.
- The new AllPlay Learn page has been created to support children, families and educators with the challenges that have been brought about by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. To access the resource go to the AllPlay Learn .
- Visit a group nearest you. MyTime is free support for all parents and family carers of children with disability. MyTime is a place to socialise, to discuss, to get information, and to support and be supported by other carers.
- Visit the webpage for information about autism and supports for autistic people, parents and carers, other family members and professionals. They have free online learning resources and a directory of support groups.
Financial assistance
People with disability have access to financial assistance. These factsheets outline more about the support that is available.
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) - How to get financial help - Easy English
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) - How to get financial help - Easy English
Access to food and emergency relief packages
People with disability have prioritised access to food and supplies, including the coronavirus emergency relief package which is free for people who have to isolate because they have coronavirus (COVID 19).
These factsheets outline more about the support that is available.
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) - How to get food and other important things you need - Easy English
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) - How to get food and other important things you need - Easy English
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Access to food and supplies for people with disability - Plain English
Access to additional phone data and affordable internet
Many of the phone and internet services are providing free data top ups during this time. Check with your plan provider to see what they offer.
Mental health resources
It is important to look after your mental health during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Easy English - looking after your mental health
- Coronavirus - looking after your mental health – Easy English
- Coronavirus - looking after your mental health – Easy English -
Resources
- For more tips and resources to look after your mental health during the pandemic visitMental health resources – coronavirus .
- Contact the Disability Information on 1800 643 787 (available Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday and Sunday 9am to 7pm) for information or help because of coronavirus (COVID-19).
- You can visit the Council for Intellectual webpage for tips to look after your mental health.
- You can also get help through the Partners in service on 1300 375 330 to get free one-on-one support for your mental health and wellbeing during the pandemic. Partners in is funded by the Victorian Government.
- Contact the Beyond Blue Support on 1300 22 4636 available 24/7 or online chat (3pm–12am, 7 days a week).
- Remain connected with friends and family members and seek out peer support groups such as Peer .
Family violence resources
Easy English - What to do if you are experiencing family violence
- Family violence - how to get support during coronavirus (COVID-19) - easy read version
- Family violence - how to get support during coronavirus (COVID-19) - easy read version - accessible
Resources
For links to resources and support services visit Family violence crisis response and support during coronavirus .
Read the Violence against women with factsheet from Women with Disabilities Victoria.
Visit the webpage for information on Sunny, an app for women with disability experiencing violence and abuse.
Resources in easy read to support people with disability who have experienced sexual assault are available on the Centre Against Sexual Assault web page.
Information for Aboriginal communities
There is a range of information and resources for the Aboriginal community about how to manage the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19).
To find out more go to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for Aboriginal communities on this site.
The First Peoples Disability Network has also developed a series of short films to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and ensure families and communities are safe.
For more information go to the First Peoples Disability Network community
More information and resources
Factsheet on resources and support for people with disability from diverse communities:
- Aboriginal people
- LGBTIQA+ people
- People from culturally and linguistically diverse communities
- People in regional Victoria
- Women.
Reviewed 19 February 2021