For persons who are Deaf or hard of hearing who need the person they are communicating with to remove their face mask.
The Victorian Government’s new Community Activation and Social Isolation (CASI) initiative is intended to help people who might be feeling lonely or have lost their regular networks during coronavirus (COVID-19) to build social connections and networks of support in their local communities. Factsheets on the service are available in Chinese Simple / Mandarin, Italian, Greek, Vietnamese, Arabic, Punjabi, Hindi, Sinhalese, Spanish, Turkish, Fasi, Somali, Chin Hakha, Karen, Dinka, Oromo, Tigrinya, Malay, Nepalese and Urdu.
Red Cross, Brotherhood of St Laurence and the Department of Health and Human Services have implemented the Extreme Hardship Support Program to provide emergency financial assistance to people who are unable to access income support.
To be eligible for this program a person must:
For those who have exhausted their sick leave in Victoria. To apply, simply call 180 22 66.
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning have prepared translated materials that highlight available financial assistance for utilities for Victorians during this difficult time. Please share this information widely with your networks to support Victorians facing financial challenges in paying for their basic necessities.
Announced Sunday 13 September 2020, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced a new $3 billion package
To find out more about the support package and find out if you're eligible to apply for a grant, go to:
8. VIC | WORKING | Youth Employment for Victoria
The Working for Victoria Youth Employment Program is an opportunity for young people to gain experience in the Victorian public service. Up to 800 young people will have the chance to get a ‘foot in the door’ and develop skills for the future. The Youth Employment Program is part of the Working for Victoria initiative, which helps Victorians, including people who have lost their jobs as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19), find paid work that supports our community.
Find out more about Working for Victoria9. VIC | BOOSTING | Mental Health and AOD Services and Their Workers
Enabling non-government organisations who deliver mental health and alcohol and other drugs (AOD) services are ready to respond and to prevent possible outbreaks, as coronavirus case numbers come down – and Victoria takes steps to COVID Normal.
Mental health and AOD services share some common risk factors as those in general health services and aged care and disability residential services, such as shared facilities and servicing vulnerable cohorts – this funding will ensure these vital services are able to safely care for Victorians during the coronavirus pandemic and through recovery.
One of the many programs this funding has supported includes the new
Partners in Wellbeing service - a free, state-wide one-on-one counselling service providing Victorians with ongoing wellbeing coaching and emotional support. The service helps people explore the reasons causing stress and anxiety helping them get back in control.
Partners in Wellbeing service is available to anyone in Victoria by contacting 1300 375 330. Support continues to be available through Lifeline Australia (13 11 14), Beyond Blue (1800 512 348), or Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800).
Read the full 23/9 Victorian Government statement10. VIC | UPGRADING | More than 50 Public Aged Care Facilities
The Victorian Government is upgrading more than 50 public sector residential aged care services, delivering hundreds of new jobs and ensuring thousands of older Victorians continue to get the care and comfort they deserve.
The package will deliver $20 million to upgrade 33 facilities that collectively operate 1,787 aged care beds – including 267 beds that are dedicated to supporting the mental health of older Victorians.
This includes $15 million shared by 17 metropolitan facilities to upgrade buildings, replace infrastructure and improve accessibility for residents and staff.
Another $5 million will see 16 regional facilities also undertake important upgrades, including installing new flooring, refurbishing communal living areas and replacing equipment.
A further $10 million will deliver 20 improvement projects across 19 regional facilities, funded through the fourth round of the Government’s landmark $350 million Regional Health Infrastructure Fund (RHIF).
Read the full 20/9 Victorian Government statement11. VIC | GRANTS | Hospitality Business Grant Program
This Business Victoria program supports
food service businesses that have been affected by the return to Stage 3 and Stage 4 ‘Stay at Home’ restrictions to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Victoria. Eligible businesses will be provided with one-off, $25,000 grants to pay for business costs to support the continued operation of their business. An additional $5,000 is available for each additional premises, capped at a total of $20,000.
Find out more and apply12. VIC | GRANTS | Commercial Landlord Hardship Fund | Open, closing 16 October 2020
The Victorian Government is offering grants for small private landlords who may not have the capacity to provide rent reductions to their tenants under the Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme. Up to $3,000 per tenancy to eligible small private, individual and joint-owner landlords facing financial hardship after reducing rent for their tenants under CTRS requirements, from 21 August 2020 for eight weeks or until funds are exhausted, whichever comes first.
Find out more and apply13. VIC | GRANTS | Supporting Connection Among LGBTIQ Victorians | Open, until 23 October 2020
Virtual events and projects that help LGBTIQ Victorians connect to each other and experience pride and belonging are set to be held across the state, with support from the Victorian Government.
Minister for Equality Martin Foley today launched the new round of the Pride Events and Festivals Fund. Organisations are invited to apply for grants of up to $10,000 for events and projects for LGBTIQ communities which can be run online before 30 June 2021. Total funding of $200,000 is available.
This change will make it easier for LGBTIQ Victorians living in rural and regional areas to access a broad range of diverse events. At least half of the grants will be awarded to organisations based in regional and rural areas, which will be delivering events to local LGBTIQ communities.
Reflecting Victorian Government's commitment to inclusion, all event organisers will be required to ensure their event provides meaningful access for people living with a disability.
Organisations can apply for grants until 23 October 2020, with application information available at
vic.gov.au/pride-events-and-festivals-fund14. VIC | PAUSING | Evictions Ban Extended and Extra Renter Protections introduced (residential and commercial) | until 31 December 2020
The Victorian Government will extend a ban on evictions and rental increases until the end of the year, increase assistance and ensure tenant turnover is taken into account in rental negotiations – giving tenants certainty and security they won’t lose their home or workplace during the pandemic.
Under the extension, evictions will continue to be banned for both residential and commercial tenancies until 31 December 2020, except in specific circumstances. Rental increases continue to be banned for the same period.
Read the full 20/8 Victorian Government statement15. VIC | RESTORATIVE | Youth Justice Trial to Boost Safety and Reduce Reoffending
A pilot program to help young people build important life skills including developing stronger relationships and make better life choices is now underway in Victorian youth justice centres.
Minister for Youth Justice Natalie Hutchins announced $350,000 in funding for the pilot program, which will improve the day-to-day operations of youth justice centres by reducing violence and conflict.
Using restorative justice principles, young people will be taught how to manage conflict and interpersonal relationships in custody so they prosper on their release into the community.
Restorative justice helps to build positive, respectful relationships and encourages young people to take accountability for their actions and address harm that may have occurred.
The 2 year trial is being run by Jesuit Social Services, drawing more than 20 years of experience using restorative justice processes across Australia to guide young people towards positive pathways.
Read the full 16/9 Victorian Government statement16. VIC | SUPPORTING | Farmers Get The Workers They Need This Season
Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes announced a $17 million package to help address seasonal workforce shortages brought on by the coronavirus pandemic and reiterated the call for farmers to register their workforce needs on the Working for Victoria platform to be matched with eager jobseekers.
The package includes more than $6 million to boost the supply of COVIDSafe accommodation for seasonal workers, including working with councils and local accommodation providers like motels and caravan parks to explore accommodation options for regional seasonal workers.
To help connect workers to jobs as quickly as possible, the Government will also employ new Seasonal Workforce Coordinators who, along with new Engagement Officers, will link local industry groups, employers, labour hire agencies, local government and other stakeholders.
Jobseekers can register now and be alerted when opportunities in the sector appear on the site. To do so and to find out more about the
Agriculture Workforce Plan go to
agriculture.vic.gov.au/agworkforceplan.
Read the full 17/9 Victorian Government statement17. VIC | REHABILITATING | More Bushfire Appeal Funds to Help Communities and Families
Locals will help direct $14 million in funding for various recovery and rebuilding projects and programs in fire-affected areas, thanks to the generosity of Victorian Bushfire Appeal donors across our state and beyond.
The Victorian Bushfire Appeal’s $4 million Community Grants Program addresses short to medium-term recovery needs endorsed by Community Recovery Committees across the Alpine, Towong and East Gippsland shires.
Community Recovery Committees are comprised of diverse groups of locals from bushfire affected areas who come together to guide councils and government on funding priorities. This community-led approach ensures projects and programs are the right fit for each community.
Organisations wishing to access the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Community Grants Program can contact their local council or Community Recovery Committee, with more information at vic.gov.au/bushfireappeal. More information about Community Recovery Committees can be found at
brv.vic.gov.au.
Read the full 17/9 Victorian Government statement18. VIC | TRAINING | Extra Funding To Keep Apprentices Learning
Apprentices and trainees will continue to get the help they need to complete their apprenticeships and training and find employers, thanks to the Victorian Government.
Minister for Training, Skills and Higher Education Gayle Tierney today announced an extra $900,000 funding for the Program for Retrenched Apprentices and Trainees.
The program, a collaboration with the Apprenticeship Employment Network (AEN), the peak body for group training employers, is now fully funded to operate till next June.
More than 400 apprentices and trainees have registered with the program, and more than 30 have been assisted to recommence with a new employer during coronavirus while close to 300 more are training.
Apprentices and trainees who register are supported by a project officer until they are placed with an employer.
Employers can also register apprenticeship and traineeship vacancies at the site, making the process of matching them with displaced trainees and apprentices easier.
Read the full 17/9 Victorian Government statement19. MELB | STUDYING | Workshops for VCE students
If you work with VCE students or their families in the Flemington/North Melbourne area who have been impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions, please pass on the details of these online workshops, provided by the Department of Education and Training and Inner Melbourne African Australian Partnership (IMAAP), a Victorian African Communities Action Plan Initiative (VACAP) homework club provider.
Find out more20. MELB | MARKING | Tunnelling Hits Halfway With TBM Breakthroughs
Two giant tunnel boring machines (TBMs) have broken through key sections of the Metro Tunnel, marking the half-way mark of tunnelling on the ground-breaking project.
Construction on the Metro Tunnel Project has continued throughout the coronavirus pandemic, with more than 1,800 workers adhering to strict COVID-19 safety measures to keep the project going.
The four TBMs are named after ground-breaking women: Victoria's first female Premier Joan Kirner, Australian women's cricket captain Meg Lanning, Victoria's first female Member of Parliament Lady Millie Peacock and wartime medical hero Alice Appleford.
The project will connect the Sunbury Line to the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines via two nine kilometre tunnels up to 30 metres below Melbourne with five new underground stations, and links to the existing network at key locations.
Read the full 22/9 Victorian Government statement21. VIC | VMC | Nominate a diversity hero today | Nominations close
Sunday 11 October 2020 Do you know someone who deserves to be recognised for their outstanding efforts to strengthen multiculturalism in Victoria? Nominate them for an award! The Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence recognise the outstanding achievements of people and organisations who strengthen multiculturalism across 15 categories.
Find out more and nominate22. VIC | MAV | Shelter Commissions Program
Multicultural Arts Victoria is inviting expressions of interest for
Shelter 2, a commissions program developed to respond to the unique challenges presented by coronavirus (COVID-19) for culturally diverse artists and communities. The second edition is open to culturally and linguistically diverse artists who live in or who were staying in any of 9 public housing estates in Flemington, Kensington and North Melbourne during the July lockdown.
Find out more and apply23. VIC | ABC | Victorian Voices: COVID-19 livestream
“We're all in this together" yet every community is unique, with different needs and ways of connecting. ABC Melbourne is partnering with the Victorian Council of Social Service to deliver a series of online events to discuss critical COVID-19 public health and legal information. There will be a focus on working with communities and language groups that might not ordinarily engage with the mainstream media.
Find out more and register24. VIC | CCOEI | Virtual Music Concerts
Communities Council on Ethnic Issues (CCOEI) are running a series of free, online Multicultural Community Concerts to help keep communities connected and engaged. The series starts this Sunday 6 September and will include a special performance by Ade Ishs. Tune in via their Facebook page to enjoy a variety of musical and dance acts from different cultural and community groups.
Find out more25. VIC | SAFE STEPS | Escaping harm - even during curfew hours is OK
Community leaders dealing with matters of family and domestic violence need to be aware that those escaping harm can do so even during the curfew hours of 8pm-5am.
Anyone can leave their home at anytime to escape family or domestic violence.
Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre is Victoria’s statewide first response service for women, young people and children experiencing family violence.
If someone is in immediate danger call 000.
26. VIC | WIRE | PROVIDING | free generalist information, support and referral service for women, non-binary and gender-diverse people
Free support, referral and information for all Victorian women, nonbinary and gender-diverse people.Commonly arising issues include:
WIRE stands for Women’s Information and Referral Exchange although we have now extended our service to respond to the needs of non-binary and gender-diverse people as well. We are the only Victoria-wide free generalist information, support and referral service run by women and non-binary people for women, non-binary and gender-diverse people.
A just and inclusive society where all people can thrive.
Women’s Information and Referral Exchange (WIRE)
Telephone Support Line on 1300 134 130 (available until 5pm)
Text chat is available (from 9.30am to 4.30pm)
Email:
support@wire.org.auWebsite:
https://www.wire.org.au27. VIC | VMC | Community Ambassador videos
The Victorian Government is sharing community ambassador videos, delivered by community leaders in their own language. In the videos, they share what the current coronavirus restrictions are, why they are so important, and instructions on wearing a face covering. By sharing these messages, you are helping your network stay safe and informed about coronavirus (COVID-19).
Download the stakeholder pack
