Key points
- Stay connected to friends and family. If you are feeling sad, stressed or overwhelmed because of 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 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.
Stay ahead of COVID-19 with 6 simple steps
Auslan
For COVID-19 information in Auslan, visit Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Auslan.
COVID-19 medicines
People with a high risk of getting very sick with COVID-19 can get medicine to help them stay well. There are medicines to:
- treat COVID-19 symptoms if you get infected
- reduce your chances of getting COVID-19.
Some of these medicines are called ‘oral treatments’ or 'antivirals'. They stop people from getting so sick that they need to go to hospital.
You need to start taking oral antiviral COVID-19 medicine within 5 days of getting sick. This is why it is important to get tested for COVID-19 as soon as you notice any symptoms. You should take the medicine even if your symptoms are mild.
A GP or a GP Respiratory Clinic can assess if you need these medicines and prescribe them for you or refer you to a hospital. If you are unable to get an appointment at a GP or GP Respiratory Clinic, call the Coronavirus Hotline for assistance on 1800 675 398.
Find out if you can get COVID-19 medicines if you get sick.
Testing
Rapid antigen tests (RATs) are the easiest way to test for COVID-19.
You should take a RAT:
- if you have COVID-19 symptoms, even if they’re very mild
- if you have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19 before visiting a hospital, aged care facility, or disability care facility
- before visiting elderly people, people with disability or people at higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness.
COVID-19 can spread before you have symptoms. You can protect others by checking that you are negative before you leave home.
Learn more about RATs and how to use them.
If you are at high risk of severe illness and have symptoms, you should speak to a GP about a PCR test even if you have tested negative on a RAT. This is so you can get any help you need, including COVID antiviral medicine, as quickly as possible.
If you can’t get an appointment to see a GP, you can make an appointment with a GP respiratory clinic or contact the Victorian Virtual Emergency .
For more information see Get a COVID-19 test.
Vaccination
Recharge your immunity with a booster
Getting vaccinated protects you against COVID-19, helps prevent you from getting seriously ill and reduces the spread of COVID-19 to others.
COVID-19 vaccines are available free for everyone aged 5 and over at pharmacies and GPs.
If you or the person you are booking for needs additional support to receive a vaccination, Disability Liaison Officers (DLOs) can assist you to access available vaccination services.
Contact a DLO by emailing DLOcoordinator@dhhs.vic.gov.au.
For easy read resources on vaccinations visit the Australian Government Department of Health’s COVID-19 Vaccination - Easy read webpage.
For more information about vaccinations visit the get vaccinated webpage.
Mental health
For people with disability, this may be a particularly challenging time due to uncertainty, increased social isolation or financial hardship. The impact can be significant especially for those with cognitive impairment and those already living with complex mental health issues.
There are tips for mental well being and resources of people with disability and their carers and families on the mental health support webpage.
Other Resources:
- For more tips and resources to look after your mental health during the pandemic visit Mental health resources - COVID-19.
- Contact the Disability Information on 1800 643 787 (available Monday to Friday 8 am to 8 pm and Saturday and Sunday 9 am to 7 pm) for information or help because of 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 224 636 available 24/7 or online chat (3 pm to 12 am, 7 days a week).
- Remain connected with friends and family members and seek out peer support groups such as Peer
Family violence resources
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.
Read Easy English resources on how to get help if you are experiencing family violence during COVID-19.
Support for children, young people and families
Information for families with children with disability.
- 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).
- I CAN Network provides online peer mentoring sessions for autistic young people aged 9 to 20. Find out more about the I CAN on their web page.
- 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 Amaze Coronavirus 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.
Reviewed 31 May 2023