- VIC | GOV | UPDATING | Pandemic Response
- AUST | ATO | GRANTING | JobMaker Hiring Credit | 1 February–30 April 2021
- VIC | GOV | GRANTING | Local Anti-Racism Initiatives Grants Program | closing 16 Apr 2021
- VIC | GOV | GRANTING | Supporting Multicultural and Faith Communities to Prevent Family Violence | closing 21 Apr 2021
- VIC | GOV | GRANTING | Multicultural Festivals and Events Program - Small stream | closing 21 Apr 2021
- VIC | GOV | GRANTING | Priority response to multicultural communities during coronavirus (COVID-19) | closing 28 May 2021
- VIC | GOV | SHARING | TREATY | Deadly & Proud Stories Online
- VIC | GOV | REBATING | Money on solar with a new solar panel or battery installation
- CoPP | GOV | GRANTING | Cultural Development Fund Recovery | Applications opened Monday 25 January
- VIC | AVS | RECRUITING | Agriculture Victoria Services Board Member
- VIC | GOV | RECRUITING | Veterinary Practitioners Registration Board of Victoria
- VIC | EQPR | GATHERING | LGBTIQA+ health and wellbeing Day | Saturday 8 May 2021 | 9.30am-4.45pm
- AUST | UTAS | SURVEYING | Religious Freedom and LGBT+ Discrimination
- VIC | VMC | SURVEYING | Social Media Users
- AUST | GOV | HEARING | from people with disability following the release of its issues paper on ‘Promoting Inclusion’ | submissions close 2 April 2021
- VIC | HV | CONSULTING | Social Housing Consultations | open now until 9 April 2021
- AUST | NA21 | RECOGNISING | Narragunnawali - Reconciliation in Education | nominations open until 30 April 2021
- AUST | Coronavirus hotline
- AUST | Helpers and Reliable Sources Along the Way
- Acknowledgment to Sources
- Bye bye to Essentialists
- Self-Isolators, Non-Essentials And The Homebound
1. VIC | GOV | UPDATING | Pandemic Response
COVIDSafe Settings – restrictions apply from 6pm Friday 26 March 2021
Subject to public health advice, there are changes to restrictions for all Victorians. These are the important changes to understand:
Social gatherings:- You may have up to 100 people visit your home per day, not including children under 12 months of age. This includes your front and backyards.
- Up to 200 people can meet in a public outdoor place.
Return to offices:- Up to 100 per cent of workers can return to their offices in both the private and public sectors.
- The maximum density limit for workers in all offices is 1 person per 2 square metres.
Physical recreation or fitness classes:There will no longer be limits on class sizes for outdoor and indoor settings – and unstaffed gyms will be moving from a density limit of 1 person to 8sqm to 1 person per 4sqm.
Indoor entertainment venues- Additional people will also be allowed with an increase from 50 per cent to 75 per cent capacity however, the limit of 1000 people per space remains.
- Dancefloors will move to the same density limit of the venue and the 50 patron cap will also be removed.
- Density limits in venues still operating under more restrictive settings – like casinos, karaoke venues and nightclubs – will move from 1 person per 4sqm to 1 person per 2sqm. This is in line with cafes, pubs and restaurants.
Face masks:- You do not need to wear a face mask in retail environments.
- You must carry a face mask with you at all times.
- You must wear a face mask when on public transport, in rideshares and taxis, and when visiting or working in a hospital or care facility.
- If you have a lawful exemption for not wearing a face mask (e.g. a relevant medical condition), you do not have to wear a face mask.
For more information, visit
coronavirus.vic.gov.au.
For up to date information, Department of Health's website in English or Other Languages
Read the 23/3/21 Victorian Acting Premier's statementCOVID-19 vaccines – Is it true?
With new COVID-19 vaccine developments every day, it’s normal to have questions or concerns, and possibly feel hesitant about getting a vaccine. That's why we're providing accurate, evidence-based answers to questions about COVID-19 vaccines.
2. AUST | ATO | GRANTING | JobMaker Hiring Credit | 1 February–30 April 2021
Eligible businesses can claim payments through JobMaker Hiring Credit for new positions they create until 6 October 2021. The first claim period opened on 1 February 2021 and closes on 30 April.To claim JobMaker Hiring Credit payments during this period, you need to register and meet the eligibility requirements before it ends.
To submit your claim:
- register - via ATO online services or the Business portal, or through your registered tax or BAS agent
- nominate your eligible additional employees by running payroll events through your Single Touch Payroll (STP) enabled software
- claim payments - you'll need to enter your headcount and payroll for the JobMaker period, and we'll calculate your claim amount based on the information you provide.
ATO has resources available to help you with the JobMaker Hiring Credit, including a guide and tool for estimating payments.
You can register at any time until the scheme ends, but when you register will affect the periods you can claim for.
Find out about:
3. VIC | GOV | GRANTING | Local Anti-Racism Initiatives Grants Program | closing 16 Apr 2021
What's changed: Brand new program opened
This Program aims to support all Victorians in preventing and responding to racism and discrimination, promote positive intercultural understanding and strengthen the evidence of the challenges faced by culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. The Program provides grant funding of between $50,000 and $500,000 per organisation for one year. The Local Anti-Racism Initiatives Grants Program 2021 is divided into two funding streams:
- Social cohesion and community harmony grants Grants from $50,000 – $149,999 for one year for local initiatives that promote and foster social cohesion, community harmony and anti-racism, delivered by an individual organisation or through a partnership arrangement.
- Anti-racism grants Grants from $150,000 – $500,000 for one year for local anti-racism initiatives delivered by an individual organisation or through a partnership arrangement.
Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) (VIC)Find out more4. VIC | GOV | GRANTING | Supporting Multicultural and Faith Communities to Prevent Family Violence | closing 21 Apr 2021
What's changed: Brand new program opened
The program aims to strengthen the capacity of Victorian multicultural and faith communities to address family violence and all forms of violence against women through innovative, culturally appropriate, tailored primary prevention and early intervention projects The program is a three-year, merit-based grant program administered by the Office for Prevention of Family Violence and Coordination (OPFVC) in the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH).
There are two different program streams available to support organisations with different levels of experience with prevention and/or early intervention of family violence and/or all forms of violence against women.
Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) (VIC)Find out more5. VIC | GOV | GRANTING | Multicultural Festivals and Events Program - Small stream | closing 21 Apr 2021
What's changed: New round opened
The purpose of the 2020-21 Multicultural Festivals and Events (MFE) Program Round Two is to support multicultural organisations to plan and deliver festivals and events that showcase multiculturalism to the wider Victorian community. This program supports activities that will take place between 1 March and 30 June 2021. In this round, a further $50,000 is available to support organisations to celebrate Hinduism through celebrations, festivals and events across the state. This will be the second allocation of funding from the Victorian Government’s investment of $200,000 to support Victoria’s Hindu community over a four-year period. In addition to this, $200,000 will be available to support Victoria’s Greek communities to connect, celebrate and mark the bicentenary of Greece's independence in 2021. Local community organisations, as well as peak organisations, from the Greek community will be supported in celebrating this momentous occasion in meaningful ways.
Department of Premier and Cabinet (VIC)Find out more6. VIC | GOV | GRANTING | Priority response to multicultural communities during coronavirus (COVID-19) | closing 28 May 2021
What's changed: Brand new program opened
Applications for funding through the Priority Response to Multicultural Communities during Coronavirus (COVID-19) Phase 2 initiative are now open. Applications funded through Phase 1 of the Priority Response to Multicultural Communities during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) grants program are eligible to apply for Phase 2 funding. The program will ensure organisations can respond to the current health crisis and its impacts for multicultural and faith communities, with a focus on providing support to those communities and areas most in need, and in particular to respond to the distinct and disproportionate challenges experienced by CALD women and young people and new and emerging communities. It will also promote capacity building of local community network and organisations.
CALD Communities TaskforceFind out more7. VIC | GOV | SHARING | TREATY | Deadly & Proud Stories Online
Many Aboriginal people use the word “deadly” to mean awesome, strong, brilliant. Hearing each other is one of the many steps along the Path to Treaty.Victoria is proud to be on the path to negotiating the nation’s first treaty with Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victorians. This is a significant moment in time and a chance to build new relationships and forge a new, shared future for Victoria.
Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victorians have long called for treaty and have made it clear there can be no self-determination without treaty.
Treaty will formally recognise and celebrate Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victorians' unique status, rights and cultures.
Treaty will benefit all Victorians by fostering shared pride in Aboriginal cultures and helping to heal the wounds of the past.
And the many deadly stories of Aboriginal history and cultures are part of our collective identity as Victorians.
8. VIC | GOV | REBATING | Money on solar with a new solar panel or battery installation
Put the power of the sun in your hands. There’s never been a better time to go solar, with rebates for solar panels and solar batteries available as part of the Solar Homes Program.Solar panel (PV) rebates are available for owner-occupiers, as well as landlords. You can save up to $1,850 off the upfront cost of your system. To further reduce costs, you can also apply for an interest-free loan of up to $1,850. *
Solar battery rebates can save you up to $4,174 off the cost of your system,* helping you save hundreds of dollars every year on your electricity bills.
For information about the Solar Homes Program in languages other than English, please visit
Solar Homes information in community languages. For further assistance, please call the National Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.
*Eligibility criteria apply.
9. COPP | GOV | GRANTING | Cultural Development Fund Recovery | Applications opened Monday 25 January
The City of Port Phillip (CoPP) is supporting a new round of arts project grants that will support local artists, groups or arts and related organisations to develop creative projects that engage our community during COVID-19 recovery.
For more information, contact Cultural Development Fund's Sharyn Dawson, on email:
cdf@portphillip.vic.gov.au or Tel: 03 9209 6165
10. VIC | AVS | RECRUITING | Agriculture Victoria Services Board Member
AVS helps to improve the productivity and competitiveness of Victorian agriculture where a private sector route to market for research outputs is needed.
The AVS Board is currently recruiting for three board positions in the areas of agricultural science, research &/or industry development; intellectual property strategy and management; technology commercialisation, entrepreneurship &/or investment; and government stakeholder relations.
AVS encourages applications from people of all ages, Aboriginal people, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and from lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, gender diverse and intersex people. We will provide adjustments to the recruitment process upon request.
More Information and Apply11. VIC | GOV | RECRUITING | Veterinary Practitioners Registration Board of Victoria
The Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions is pleased to invite applications from legal practitioners to be approved as persons who may be called on to participate in informal and formal hearings held by the Veterinary Practitioners Registration Board of Victoria (the Board).
Two legal practitioners are sought to participate in hearings investigating complaints made against veterinary practitioners.
These positions provide exciting opportunities for suitably qualified and experienced persons to contribute to the important work of the Board. The term of office will be until 30 June 2022.
More Information and Apply12. VIC | EQPR | GATHERING | LGBTIQA+ health and wellbeing Day | Saturday 8 May 2021 | 9.30am-4.45pm
Join in a day of connection, nourishment, learning and practice for LGBTIQA+ communities in Melbourne's west.Experience and explore ways to enhance your health and wellbeing by participating in workshops, panel discussions and mindful practices with health service providers that include Switchboard, Thorne Harbour, Relationship Matters, Beyond Blue, Williamstown Psychology and other local health and wellbeing practitioners.
Where: Williamstown Town Hall, Williamstown VIC
Cost: Full A$50.63; Concession A$30.19; Hobsons Bay resident A$30.19 or Scholarship
Bookings: online through The Equality ProjectNEED A SCHOLARSHIP?If funds are tight, organisers can help you with your ticket.
Apply NowWIN A $150 VOUCHER!
Red Balloon GiveawayThe first 50 tickets will go in the draw to win a $150 voucher to
Red Balloon. You can use this amount towards over 3500 curated experiences or products on their site. From relaxing spa treatments, to weekend getaways, fine dining and more!
WIN DOUBLE PASSES!
Supernova Movie GiveawayThe next 50 tickets will go in the draw to win 3 double passes to see the new film
Supernova in cinemas April 15.
MORE:Better Together LGBTIQA+ Health and Wellbeing Day
The Equality Project Ltd
Email:
mail@theequalityproject.org.auWebsite:
www.theequalityproject.org.au13. AUST | UTAS | SURVEYING | Religious Freedom and LGBT+ Discrimination
This research is aiming to identify strategies to manage religious freedom and LGBT+ rights in the workplace. It focusses on government funded religiously affiliated workplaces.The project combines empirical social research about workplace experiences and managerial practices with legal and philosophical analysis. The empirical research consists of two major national surveys, combined with long interviews with volunteer participants.
It will produce findings that organisations and policy makers can immediately use to guide their responses to religious freedom and LGBT+ rights. The research is the first major study of this kind in Australia.
LGBTQ+ SURVEYLGBTIQ+ employees in religiously affiliated workplacesThis survey is for LGBTQ+ people whose workplace has a religious affiliation. For example: Christian, Hindu or Islamic schools, private hospitals such as Catholic affiliated hospitals, social welfare agencies such as Anglicare, and aged care facilities such as Jewish or Salvation Army aged care.
We want to hear from LGBTQ+ workers such as nurses, doctors, teachers, teacher’s aides, health care workers, social workers, administrators, managers, counsellors, cleaners, support staff, and all other people who work in religiously affiliated organisations, or have done so in the last 5 years.
This study is designed to inform the development of LGBTQ+ inclusive practices and resources for workplaces with religious affiliations.
The survey takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes to complete.
Click hereRELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN AUSTRALIAThis survey is for people who consider themselves religious, are over 18 years old, and live in Australia. The survey aims to inform government policies and laws so that religious freedom and other rights are best protected. The survey asks about religious people’s experience of religious freedom and discrimination, and of their attitudes towards lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender, and other genders and sexualities such as queer (LGBT+).
The survey takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes to complete.
Click hereMORE: University of Tasmania, School of Social SciencesThe research is an Australian Research Council funded project being run by researchers at the University of Tasmania in conjunction with the University of Sydney and University of Ottawa, Canada.14. VIC | VMC | SURVEYING | Social Media Users
This Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) has designed a quick anonymous survey to gain a greater understanding of what you'd like to see from us on social media. The questions are about how you use social media, what platforms you use and what content you like.
Fill in the survey15. AUST | GOV | HEARING | from people with disability following the release of its issues paper on ‘Promoting Inclusion’ | submissions close 2 April 2021
The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability is seeking to hear directly experienced issues around Promoting Inclusion.The issues paper is asking to hear from the public:
- individual and organisational views about what an inclusive society looks like, the barriers to inclusion, how we can become a more inclusive society, and how inclusion might prevent violence.
- The issues paper asks 9 questions to help people and organisations to provide responses.
- The paper is available in Easy Read and PDF
- Responses need to be submitted by 2 April 2021.
Find out more hereMORE:Australian Government
Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability
Address: GPO Box 1422, Brisbane Qld 4001
Tel: 1800 517 199 or +61 7 3734 1900
Email:
DRCenquiries@royalcommission.gov.auWebsite:
https://disability.royalcommission.gov.au16. VIC | HV | CONSULTING | Social Housing Consultations | open now until 9 April 2021
Homes Victoria (HV) is inviting community members to have their say on social and affordable housing as part of a 10-year strategy that will ensure more Victorians have access to safe and suitable accommodation for years to come.
This strategy will provide the roadmap and reforms required to ensure all Victorians who need housing support have a safety net as well as access to secure and affordable housing so they can get ahead and thrive.
Help shape Victoria’s social housing system and transform the future of affordable housing by:
- responding to the online survey, or
- making a written submission in your preferred language
Fill in the survey by 9 April 202117. AUST | NA21 | RECOGNISING | Narragunnawali - Reconciliation in Education | nominations open until 30 April 2021
Held biennially since 2017, the Narragunnawali Awards are the first national awards program that recognises and celebrates Australian schools and early learning services that are implementing outstanding reconciliation initiatives. Finalists are acknowledged for strengthening relationships, building respect, and providing meaningful opportunities in the classroom, around the school or service, and with the community.
There are two Narragunnawali Awards categories:
- Schools: this category incorporates primary, secondary, senior secondary and combined schools within the Government, Independent or Catholic sectors.
- Early Learning: this category incorporates early childhood education and care, preschool, family day care and out of school hours care services.
Nominate a school or early learning service for a Narragunnawali Award 2021!Nominating a school or service is an opportunity to share your positive feedback and encourage the school or service to formally apply for an Award.
Please note that the information that is entered into the nomination form below will be shared with the school or early learning service’s Principal/Director, and with Reconciliation Australia, upon submission. Where a nominated school or early learning service has a
Narragunnawali RAP, the RAP Working Group will also be notified of the nomination details.
If you have any questions about the nomination process prior, download the
Narragunnawali Awards 2021 Info Kit or contact on details below.
MORE:Narragunnawali Awards 2021
Email:
https://www.narragunnawali.org.au/contact-usWebsite:
https://www.narragunnawali.org.au
18. AUST | Coronavirus hotline
- Coronavirus hotline: If you are concerned, call the coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398 (24 Hours).
- Coronavirus in-language information
- If you are an NDIS participant you can also call the national hotline on 1800 020 080.
- Information and referrals for people with disability and their supporters about Coronavirus: Contact the Disability Information Helpline on 1800 634 787.
- If you are deaf, or have a hearing or speech impairment, you can also call the National Relay Service on 133 677.
- Interpreting service: If you need an interpreter, call TIS National on 131 450.
- Testing locations: Find a testing location near you.
- Call-to-Test-at-Home service, providing in-home coronavirus testing to Victorians who would otherwise be unable to get tested, call the DHHS Coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398.
- Triple Zero: Please keep Triple Zero (000) for emergencies only.
19. AUST | Helpers and Reliable Sources Along the Way
- Access Easy English – Over 70 resources developed on coronavirus.
- AUSLAN – Updates by Expression Australia - Regular Auslan only videos on updates of breaking news in Victoria, Australia and abroad.
- Australian Government Department of Health – Coronavirus advice for people with disability
- Australian Government Department of Health – Translated resources into 60 different languages, informing communities about COVID-19 vaccines and how they will be rolled out across Australia.
- Australian Government Department of Social Services – Daily update on NDIS participants and workforce and easy English information on COVID-19.
- Beyond Blue – translated information on managing your mental health during COVID-19 in 63 languages.
- Blind Citizens Australia – Information on coronavirus for people who are blind or vision impaired.
- Council for Intellectual Disability (CID) – Easy English information for people with intellectual disability and videos about COVID-19.
- DHHS – Victorian Government Department of Health and Human Services advice and information on coronavirus available in 56 languages
- Down Syndrome Australia – Easy Read guide about using money on the internet.
- Ethnolink Language Services – Multi-lingual resource library with information available on coronavirus in 71 languages.
- Expression Australia – Keep up to date with regular Auslan videos on COVID-19, breaking news in Victoria, Australia and abroad.
- GP Expert Advice Matters – a website for patients translated into Arabic, simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Hindi and Vietnamese, and has practical information on how to access a local GP, telehealth and interpreter services
- Health Translations – A comprehensive place to find current COVID 19 multilingual information in 78 languages including Auslan and Easy English.
- Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission – important information translated into 10 languages and simplified English
- MyAus Covid-19 app – Multilingual resource application produced by Migration Council Australia (MCA) for Australia's culturally and linguistically diverse communities about COVID - 19, it's impact and available support.
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) – Information about changes to how the NDIS work during the COVID -19 pandemic in 12 languages.
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission – Information contains links to updates, training, alerts, and resources for NDIS participants and providers.
- Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) – promoting The Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line (OPCSL) within ethno-specific communities.
- Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre – Victoria’s statewide first response service for women, young people and children experiencing family violence.
- SBS – news and information about coronavirus (COVID - 19) available in 63 languages.
- Scope – Key word sign video, posters and easy english resources on communicating COVID-19.
- VALID – 16 Page plain language guide to NDIS Specialist Disability Accommodation
- Women’s Information and Referral Exchange (WIRE) – Free support, referral and information for all Victorian women, nonbinary and gender-diverse people.
20. Acknowledgment to Sources
This is a consolidated account of information current at time of issuance, sourced, collated and provided by Victorian Multicultural Commission, Victorian Jewish Community COVID-19 Taskforce, Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria, various Government Authorities, community organisations and public domain, received with gratitude.
21. Bye bye to Essentialists
Us non-essentialists will endeavour to manage our expection of miracles and do our best to follow rules while staying out of the way.
Contact your closest friendly non-essentialist if you need anything that can be done remotely. Bye bye to Essentialists for now, please leave to attend to the essential work. That is all from GEIFN Caretaker at this time.
22. Self-Isolators, Non-Essentials And The Homebound
Meanwhile, if with a surplus of time, this and the following is offered. Discuss with sincerity. Deny untruth. Dismiss unuseful. Accept useful. Adapt to change. Adopt least effort most benefit. Adept with sharing. Enjoy throughout. As each case may be. Round about. And again. Or not.
