Services available through Diversitat
There is no service delivery from the Northern Community Hub office until further notice.
All staff are now working from home, however we will continue to provide a service to communities through phone contact with you.
You can still call the office number 5260 6000 and your call will go to a reception staff member.
If it is an emergency, please call 000.
If you are sick and think you have symptoms of COVID-19, call your doctor. If you want to talk to someone about your symptoms first, call the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080 for advice.
When you call us, reception will ask the appropriate person to call you back with an interpreter if required.
Staff will call you as soon as possible but please be patient.
Diversitat is committed to continuing to support you and your community during this difficult time.
We would also like to hear from you about ways we might best be able to assist you at this time.
More Information
If you require more information about coronavirus (COVID-19) in a number of different languages please view the following resources.
Resources for family and domestic violence support services as well as racial discrimination and abuse are also available on this page.
- National Coronavirus Helpline – 1800 020 080 Call this number if you need information on coronavirus (COVID-19). The number operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and has an interpreter service.
- Victorian Government DHHS Website – Information on coronavirus (COVID-19) from the Victorian Government.
- Support services that can help you during COVID-19 – Download PDF.
- SBS – Coronavirus (COVID-19) information in your language.
- Australian Government Website – Information from the Federal Government about coronavirus (COVID-19).
- Learning From Home: Information for Parents and Carers – Factsheet.
- Barwon Health COVID-19 Screening Clinic – 155 Princes Highway, Norlane – call 4215 4445 to book an appointment.
Racial discrimination and abuse is against the law, contrary to our values, and damages social cohesion.
Australia is a proud multicultural nation, united by shared values based on freedom, equality and respect for all people.
All Australians have a role to play in responding to racism, by calling it out when they see it, standing in solidarity with affected people and communities, and celebrating our rich multicultural diversity.
- Information and support is available at: australia.gov.au/helpstopracism, and in a range of community languages at: covid19inlanguage.homeaffairs.gov.au/racism-not-acceptable.
- Complaints of discrimination and breaches of human rights can be made here: humanrights.gov.au/complaints.
- You can also access the Making a Complaint fact sheet that has been translated into 63 languages and is available in PDF and Word formats.
Prevention of violence against women
Domestic & sexual violence is likely to increase during times of community distress. Domestic & sexual violence is never okay and should not be dismissed or excused.
If you feel frightened or are concerned about your own or someone’s safety and wellbeing, or if you need to reach a place of safety, call safe steps 1800 015 188 for advice, help and support.
If you cannot safely call the 24/7 phone line, please email safesteps@safesteps.org.au and a support worker will reply to you ASAP. Learn more at Safe Steps.
For non-English speakers:
If you or someone you care about is experiencing family violence and speaks limited or no English, safe steps can help. They have a number of multi-lingual staff or can arrange for a telephone interpreter to translate calls.
All you need to do is call them on 1800 015 188 and tell them:
- Your phone number
- Your language
- When it is safe to call
A bi-lingual staff member or interpreter will then call you back.
If a woman you know is unable to speak English to give us this information, you can call for them to help arrange a follow-up telephone call.
Family and domestic violence support services:
- 1800 RESPECT national helpline: 1800 737 732
- Men’s Referral Service: 1300 766 491
- Lifeline (24-hour crisis line): 131 114
- Relationships Australia: 1300 364 277
Emergency Relief
Diversitat’s Emergency Relief service has ceased operation.
Information Videos
Information videos in a number of languages.
Refugee and Asylum Seeker Information
Counselling Services
Asylum seekers | Refugees | Permanent residents | Holders of temporary visas | Families
Refugee & Asylum seeker counselling team at Barwon, Child, Youth & Family (BCYF)
You can ask for emotional support if you are newly arrived or have been in Australia for many years by calling BCYF on 03 5226 8900
Headspace
You can access mental and physical health support if you are 12 – 25 years old on (03) 5222 6690
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
You can access mental health support for children and adolescents from 0 to 15 years on 4215 8631
After Hours: 1300 094 187
✓ All of these services are free of cost for all permanent residents as well as holders of temporary visas
✓ If language is a barrier, you will be supported with an appropriate interpreter
✓ You don’t need a GP referral to access these services
You can also talk with your doctor/GP about your mental health. When you see your doctor, they’ll assess what help you need.
This could include:
- making a mental health assessment
- creating a mental health treatment plan
- referring you to a psychiatrist or other mental health professional
- giving you a prescription for medicines to treat depression or anxiety.
National 24/7 crisis services:
- Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
- Lifeline 13 11 14
- Sane Australia 1800 18 7263
- Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
- Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
A free interpreting service for people who do not speak English is available for these services.
To access this service:
- Call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450
- Ask for the language you need, the service provider you would like to contact (Headspace, for example) and the phone number.
