COVID-19 Information and Resources

The Government has recently released a new app called COVIDSafe designed to help speed up the ability to find and contain outbreaks of COVID-19 quickly which in turn may mean that governments can ease restrictions on isolation while still keeping Australians safe.

To find out more and/or watch the short video as to how the app works, click here.

To download the app to an apple phone, click here
To download the app to an android phone, click here.

Stay up to date with official information and advice about the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation.  You’ll also find:  important health advice to help stop the spread | quick, daily snapshot of the current official status within Australia | symptom checker | relevant contact information | updated information from the Australian Government | push notifications of urgent information and updates.

Download the app from the App Store, (Apple devices) or Google Play (Android devices).

• Changes to visiting arrangements at Perth Children’s Hospital here
• COVID-19 clinic locations here
• Ethnolink have created a library of multi-lingual resources so that all Australians can access information in their preferred language about coronavirus (COVID-19).
• Centrelink’s $750 one off Economic Support Payment as part of the Government’s response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Coronavirus and kids with ASD, Andrew Whitehouse, Telethon Kids Institute here.

Anglicare Counselling: 13 11 14 | Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 | CAHMS Helpline: 1800 048 636 | Carer Gateway: 1800 422 737 | Carers WA: 1800 007 332 | Family Helpline: 1800 643 000 | Helping Minds: (08) 9427 7100 | MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978 | Parent and Family Drug Support Line: (08) 9442 5050 (Country 1800 653 203) | Salvation Army: 13 72 58 | Samaritans: 13 52 47 | SANE: 1800 187 263 | Separated Parents Lifeline: (08) 9261 4451 | Youth Focus: (08) 6266 4333.

The NDIA has announced many changes to the operations of the NDIS in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many are positive for participants, including:

• More flexible use of core supports
• Plans extended by 12 months

To stay up-to-date, visit the NDIS  website here to learn what the NDIA is doing to manage COVID-19.

To help participants continue to receive their NDIS funded supports and services during COVID-19, the NDIA has temporarily broadened the flexible approach to purchasing low-cost Assistive Technology (AT) items.

Read more here or download the information pack.

The NDIA has released information packs for parents of children aged between 0 to 6 years old, outlining options and alternative ways to get the supports you need to help your child achieve their goals during COVID-19.  Download the information pack.

The Family Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia are aware that the current pandemic is having an enormous impact on families. Parents are naturally concerned about the safety of their children and how COVID-19 will affect parent’s or carer’s ability to comply with parenting orders and what should be properly expected of them by the Courts in these unprecedented times.

The Courts remain open to assist parties and the attached statement is designed to provide parents with some general guidance.  Read the statement here.

Click here for more information and services to help you if you’re affected by Coronavirus (COVID-19) or looking for more details.

You’ll find information for Job Seekers, students and trainees, families, carers, Indigenous and older Australians.

If you’re a carer who is struggling financially due to COVID-19, you can get in touch with Financial Counsellors’ Association of Western Australia who provide free and impartial advice, information and  resources.

There’s help and direction around: How banks may be able to help | Money you may be able to claim | Food and emergency relief.

Click here for more information.

GPs | Psychologists | Midwives | Nurses | Psychiatrists | Paediatricians, speech pathologists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists for services for children with developmental delays | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners | Social workers and dieticians for eating disorders.

Click here to read more and scroll to page 4 onwards for an outline of exactly what’s covered.

Handy factsheets, outlining ‘how’ to effectively distance yourself from someone in the same household who is self-quarantining or self-isolating due to a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 with guidelines around meals, laundry etc.

Government of South Australia Health Department factsheet.

World Health Organisation (WHO)  infographic.

The Answer is YES !!  However, the option to do so is only available until September 2020 at this stage and will be reviewed again in June 2020.

The guidelines have been summarised by Every Australian Counts along with details of what else you can buy with your NDIS funds, such as gym equipment, on the Every Australian Counts website here

Cahoots has launched a FREE new essential shopping and delivery service during COVID-19 in partnership with the Department of Communities.

Cahoots Connects will assist those living with a disability, people facing other exceptional challenges and older Australians with shopping essentials delivered to their door by trained staff and volunteers.  Cahoots dedicated team will even unpack if required and safe to do so, adhering to strict COVID19 screening and training processes, safeguarding standards and PPE (personal protective equipment).  To find out more and sign up, click here.

The NDIS is working closely with the wider disability sector to provide specific information packs to families and carers of school-aged NDIS participants to support them through the COVID-19 outbreak.

The NDIS has collated information on key topics and for different situations to support participants and their families.  Click here for the details on remote learning and more.

The Department of Education has learning resources across all year levels and learning areas to give children and young people the best opportunity to continue to learn at home.  The site also has useful learning resources from other providers such as ABC and the Australian Museum along with tips and useful information for setting up study spaces, routines and schedules and maintaining the health and well-being of children and parents during COVID-19.

Click here to take  look.

The Department of Health has a free 30-minute online training module for health and disability care workers that provides information for infection prevention and control.  Click here to access.