Monash Council has compiled information to assist our residents to better understand the local services and support options available to them.
We understand this may be a stressful time for some people but there are support services available to help you.
Council staff are available to assist and provide guidance and referrals to other services. We are here for you during this crisis and importantly, we are with you as we recover and move forward.
Call Monash Customer Service on 9518 3555 and we will direct your call to someone who can assist.
Print off this handy Emergency Relief - Important Community Information flyer (pdf, 161KB) that provides useful contacts and information to help you.
Our Community Newsletter and Information (pdf, 2MB) also includes useful information on COVID-19 and local services. Key information on accessing other services is translated on the last page of the newsletter.
Both documents are available in other languages:
Traditional Chinese - Emergency Relief Community Information (pdf, 758KB)
Traditional Chinese - Community Newsletter and Information (pdf, 2MB)
Simplified Chinese - Emergency Relief Community Information (pdf, 644KB)
Simplified Chinese - Community Newsletter and Information (pdf, 2MB)
Greek - Emergency Relief Community Information (pdf, 666KB)
Greek - Community Newsletter and Information (pdf, 2MB)
Italian - Emergency Relief Community Information (pdf, 546KB)
Italian - Community Newsletter and Information (pdf, 2MB)
The Victorian Department of Health & Human Services has a 24 hour Hotline available for current information and advice on the following topics.
Phone: 1800 675 398
- Health Information or Symptoms Assessment (or if you are a health professional) – your call will be transferred to the National Hotline
- Information about social distancing measures, either as a business owner or an individual
- If you are self-isolating as a result of coronavirus and you have urgent relief needs, such as food, personal care and wellbeing
- Alleged breach of the Chief Health Officer’s directions
Or for regular updates visit the DHHS website
Quick links:
Stay at Home
The Victorian Government is directing all Victorians to stay at home to help limit the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). By staying at home and limiting your contact with other people, we can all reduce the spread of the virus.
The ‘Stay at Home’ period initially commenced at midnight on 30 March until midnight on 13 April 2020. It has now been extended until midnight on 11 May 2020.
Victorians may only leave their home during this period for the following reasons:
- To shop for food and other necessary goods and services
- To access medical services or provide caregiving – e.g. providing care and support to an unwell, disabled, elderly or pregnant friend or relative, or shared parenting obligations
- To attend work or education (if they cannot be done remotely)
- For outdoor exercise
Wherever you are not at home, you must practice physical distancing by keeping a full arm-span (about 1.5 metres) between yourself and other people to avoid any direct contact.
Safety Register
The Safety Register is a joint initiative of Monash Council, South East Volunteers, Mount Waverley and Glen Waverley Police. The purpose of the Safety Register is to ensure that vulnerable residents (e.g older residents or people living with a disability) who live alone are regularly contacted to check that they are okay.
If you know of an elderly person or a person living with a disability, they can be included on the Safety Register.
Contact South East Volunteers for more details on 9562 0414.
Food and Other Necessities (Non-emergency)
Woolies Basics Boxes
Woolworths supermarkets are offering an $80 box of basic groceries that can be delivered to isolated people. The box includes meals, snacks and a few essential items and cannot be customised.
Boxes can be ordered online and should be delivered within 2–5 working days. Phone support is available for people who are not able to order online.
People who have families or friends who are able to shop for them while they are isolated should continue with those arrangements, to limit demand on the online service.
Website: Woolworths Priority Access
Phone: 1800 000 610
Home Medicines Service via Australia Post
The Home Medicines Service is available through participating pharmacies to assist people in self-isolation or those with vulnerable health to access their medication without having to leave their home. This service will support (not replace) existing home delivery options available through pharmacies, enabling patients to have their Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS) prescriptions delivered to their home.
It is free to receive one delivery per month. Other items can also be delivered from the pharmacy, if it is part of the same order.
Pharmacies or prescribing doctors can provide information on eligibility and the best method for ordering medicines for home delivery.
View the Australia Post Media Release here: Australia Post launches free Pharmacy Home Delivery service
More information: COVID-19 National Health Plan – Home Medicines Services information for consumers
Sharps Containers – Home Delivery Service
Residents can access sharps containers for safe syringe disposal via Council’s delivery service.
Requests can be made for up to 2 x 1.4Lt sharps containers. We will make a no-contact delivery to the resident by leaving the containers on their doorstep within 3 business days.
At this stage, we will not be collecting used, sealed containers. Residents will be asked to keep them at home in a safe place for the interim.
Arrange a delivery by contacting Customer Service: 9518 3555
Emergency Relief & Support
The Victorian Government is providing emergency relief packages to vulnerable people who are in mandatory self-isolation due to coronavirus (COVID-19). These packages contain essential food and personal care items for people who have little or no food, and no network of family and friends to support their access to these supplies.
Victorian Government Emergency Relief
For Monash residents experiencing hardship as a result of coronavirus who do not have access to essential items, there are emergency relief support options available.
Monash Oakleigh Community Support & Information Service
The MOCSIS has provided emergency relief to people in the local area for more than 40 years and is continuing to do so in the COVID-19 crisis, providing food and vouchers to people seeking assistance.
Waverley Community Information & Support Service
- Rear of 47 Miller Crescent, Mount Waverley
- (located within Mount Waverley Community Centre)
- 9807 9844 or 9807 5996
- wavcis@bigpond.com
- www.monashwaverleycis.org.au
- This office is not currently staffed at regular hours. Leave a phone message and one of the volunteers will call back as soon as possible.
Crisis Housing
The following contacts can be of assistance if you, or someone you know, is currently experiencing homelessness and requires support to secure emergency accommodation. The appropriate housing service will be determined by the current address on the person's health care card.
If you need further advice or assistance, contact Bill Kendall at Monash Council on 0412 787 850 or bill.kendall@monash.vic.gov.au
Monash Housing Service Boundaries
Crisis After Hours:
- 1800 825 955
- During business hours this number will direct the appropriate housing service (determined by location)
Uniting Harrison
- Suburbs: Mulgrave
- 321 Ferntree Gully Rd, Mount Waverley
- 1300 277 478
Community Housing Limited
- Suburbs: Glen Waverley, Wheelers Hill and Burwood
- 19-23 Prospect St, Box Hill
- 1300 245 468
Salvo Care
- Remaining Monash Suburbs
- 317 High St, Kew
- 9853 5680
At Risk of Homelessness
If you, or someone you know, is at risk of losing their current tenancy (e.g. due to loss of employment, or inability to work due to illness, leading to an arrears in rental payments) the Private Rental Assistance Program (PRAP) has funding which can support at-risk households to sustain affordable and appropriate housing in the private rental market. This program also assists with information and advocacy if you have concerns about your current tenancy.
PRAP funding can be applied for through Salvo Care or Uniting Harrisons.
- Salvo Care - 9853 5680
- Uniting Harrisons - 1300 277 478
Maintaining your mental health during COVID-19
It is normal to feel overwhelmed or stressed by the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19). It is a rapidly changing and unprecedented situation and many people may experience stress, anxiety, grief and depression as a result of the virus and the many changes that it has imposed on our lives.
Beyond Blue has some excellent tips for managing your mental health while in self-isolation:
- Remind yourself that this is a temporary period of isolation to slow the spread of the virus
- Remember that your effort is helping others in the community avoid contracting the virus
- Stay connected with friends, family and colleagues via email, social media, video conferencing or telephone
- Engage in healthy activities that you enjoy and find relaxing
- Keep regular sleep routines and eat healthy foods
- Try to maintain physical activity
- Establish routines as best possible and try to view this period as a new experience that can bring health benefits
- For those working from home, try to maintain a healthy balance by allocating specific work hours, taking regular breaks and, if possible, establishing a dedicated work space
- Avoid news and social media if you find it distressing.
Seek Support
We encourage people, especially those who have experienced mental health issues in the past, to seek support by:
- Activating your support networks – keep in contact with people as best you can;
- Acknowledging your feelings of distress, anxiety, loss and concern for others; and
- Seeking professional support early if you are having difficulties.
Useful Contacts
Health Services
- Emergency Services – Ambulance, Police, Fire
- 000
- Monash Health – COVID-19 Screening Clinic
- Phone: 1800 675 398
- Website: Monash Health Screening Clinics
- Check website for further instructions before attending the clinic
Mental Health Services
Lifeline (24 hours)
13 11 14
Crisis support and suicide prevention
- Beyond Blue Support Service
1300 22 4636
www.beyondblue.org.au
- Phone and online messaging support services
- Kids Helpline (24 hours)
1800 551 800
- www.kidshelpline.com.au
Free phone and online counselling for kids, teens, young adults, parents and carers
- Wavecare Counselling
- Level 1, 2 Euneva Ave, Glen Waverley
- 9560 6722
- Telehealth consultation and counselling available for referred clients
DirectLine (24 Hours)
1800 888 236
Alcohol and drug counselling and referral
- Suicide Support Line
- 1300 651 251
- MensLine Australia
- 1300 789 978
- Telephone and online counselling service for men
- Headspace
- 1800 650 890
- Youth mental health and counselling service
- Monash Youth Services
- 9518 3900
- Support, information and referral for young people aged 10-25 years
-
Refugee Health & Wellbeing Clinic
- Monash Health - Dandenong
- 9792 8100
- Health clinic for asylum seeker and refugee patients who require non-urgent medical care
Family Support Services
Families are experiencing many changes as a result of coronavirus. Routines are being lost and families are currently experiencing a range of additional pressures. Support is available to help families to navigate all these changes and to stay strong and safe throughout this time.
Here are some organisations who can assist you and your family to manage any issues that you may be facing at this time.
- Child FIRST and family services
- 1300 762 125
- Child FIRST is an easily accessible, community-based point of entry for children, young people and families needing support, especially when experiencing difficulties that impact on their parenting and family life. Child FIRST (Child and family information, referral and support teams) are the entry point into family services.
1800RESPECT
1800 737 732
National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service
- Maternal and Child Health Advisory Line (24 hours)
13 22 29
Child health tips and advice on your phone
- A free MCH App is available to download from app stores
Parentline (8am-midnight)
13 22 89
Counselling and support for parents and carers every day of the year, including public holidays
- Carers Victoria
- 1800 514 845
- www.carersvictoria.org.au
- Provides advice or assistance to carers, as well as information regarding access to emergency respite care should a primary carer become ill or be required to self-isolate due to Covid19.
Business and Financial Support
Links for more information for businesses
Australian Government:
Coronavirus information & support for business
Australian Government Covid-19 WhatsApp
Victorian Government:
Business Support is on its way
DHHS - Business & industry (Coronavirus disease)
City of Monash:
Support for residents and businesses
Financial Hardship Policy