No Worker Left Behind – Services Directory

Below are a list of services available to Australian residents and migrants. Criteria may apply to each individual service, so please follow the link for that service to find out more. Unions are also campaigning to provide all workers access to the $1500 fortnightly wage subsidy. Sign our No Worker Left Behind petition here.

Index

Emergency Food Assistance in Sydney

Emergency food assistance in NSW

Accommodation and housing

Charities and Non-Government Organisations

Mental health and wellbeing

NSW universities and education providers

Australia’s Immigration and Border Arrangements

Foreign Embassies and Consulates in Australia

Other links


Emergency Food Assistance in Sydney

City of Sydney Meals on Wheels

Website: https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/community/community-services/older-adults/meals-on-wheels

Phone: 8512 4230 (Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 3pm)

Uniting Harris Community Centre Emergency Food Support Service

Anyone experiencing difficulties is welcome to access this service, including international students. Open Monday to Thursday between 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm.

Please call 9552 1140, text 0401 670 712 or email harriscentre@uniting.org with your details and reason for accessing this service.

OzHarvest

Provides food hampers from their market in Kensington for people facing food insecurity.

Website: https://www.ozharvest.org/what-we-do/market/

The Staples Bag

Has affordable groceries for those facing food insecurity in Campsie and Parramatta.

Website: https://www.thestaplesbag.ssi.org.au/

Hearth and Soul

Provides free meals to anyone suffering job or revenue loss as a result of COVID-19. Please register a date to receive a takeaway meal from this Newtown restaurant.

Website: https://hearthandsoul.com.au/

Addi Road Food Pantry

Has affordable, fresh food for those facing food insecurity based in Marrickville.

Website: https://addiroad.org.au/the-food-pantry/

Emergency food assistance in NSW

FoodBank

Connects people in need to charity partners who provide meal and grocery services throughout NSW.

Website: https://www.foodbank.org.au/covid-19-nswact/?state=nsw-act

Phone: (02) 9756 3099

Food Fairness Illawarra

Lists all the free meal services available in the Wollongong area for anyone facing food insecurity.

Fact Sheet: http://foodfairnessillawarra.org.au/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Low-Cost-and-Free-Meals-Directory-2018.pdf

Anglicare

Provides free emergency food packages for anyone facing food insecurity. Also provides low-cost groceries through their Community Pantry.

Website: https://www.anglicare.org.au/what-we-offer/food-and-financial-assistance/help-with-food/

Food Recovery

Provides free meals and food hampers to those facing food insecurity on the Far North Coast of NSW.

Website: http://www.foodrecovery.org.au/locations.html

Accommodation and housing

NSW Government moratorium on rental evictions

If you need help to understand your legal situation, contact International Student Legal Service NSW or the Tenants’ Union of New South Wales for free advice.

More information on this is available at https://www.pm.gov.au/media/national-cabinet-statement (Commercial and residential tenancies section).

NSW Fair Trading – Information for tenants

NSW Fair Trading is working closely with stakeholders to monitor the effect COVID-19 is having on consumers and businesses, and will continue to offer as much support and guidance as possible.

The Tenants Advice and Advocacy Services provides assistance and advocacy to all tenants, including international students.

To find your nearest Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service, go to www.tenants.org.au or call +612 8117 3700.

Emergency accommodation for international students

City of Sydney Homelessness Unit

The City’s Homelessness Unit continues to provide 7 day a week coverage, and public space liaison officers continue to engage with people experiencing homelessness. Staff are providing people sleeping rough with the most up-to-date information from NSW Health, along with information about available services and accommodation.

Website: www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/community/community-support/homelessness

Phone: 9265 9333

Wayside Chapel

Wayside is open from 9.30-1pm 7 days per week for showers, practical support and takeaway breakfast and lunch. 2pm – 4pm phone outreach only
2pm – 8pm – phone outreach, street reach and home out reach (front yard by referral from day staff)

Website: https://www.waysidechapel.org.au/

Phone: 9581 9100 (Kings Cross) or 9581 9190 (Bondi Beach)

Link2Home

From 9am to 10pm daily, Link2home provides callers with information, assessments and referrals to homelessness support and accommodation services across NSW.

Website: https://coronavirus.dcj.nsw.gov.au/services/housing-and-homelessness

Phone: 1800 152 152

AskIzzy

Ask Izzy is a search tool to help people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness find shelter, food, health and other critical support services.

Website: https://askizzy.org.au

St Vincent de Paul Society

Emergency housing in NSW

Website: https://www.vinnies.org.au/page/Find_Help/NSW/Housing

Rough Edges

Rough Edges is a non-government organisation that aims to bring a greater sense of self to everyone who walks through their doors. Opening hours to be confirmed on a daily basis. Please call in advance for take away dinner (7:30pm-8:30pm), case management and counselling.

Website: https://www.roughedges.org/

Phone: 9360 6844

Charities and Non-Government Organisations

Redfern Legal Centre

To access this service, call (02) 9698 7645 or make an enquiry online using their free Check-In app. Free legal advice is by appointment, usually on a Tuesday evening or a Wednesday evening, either in person, by phone or using video-link up.

Face-to-face consultations have been replaced by phone or video-link up services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To call using a free telephone interpreter, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450. Please note that the Service can advise students living anywhere in NSW.

Website: https://rlc.org.au/our-services/international-students

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army provides all social services without discrimination. Services include housing and homelessness support, finding employment and youth services.

Phone: 13 SALVOS (13 72 58)

Website: https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/need-help/


Australian Red Cross

As more people enter mandatory self-isolation, Australian Red Cross is providing some extra help to those who don’t have the support of an income or a network of family and friends. The Australian Red Cross is working with other state and territory governments to ramp up wellbeing phone calls and other support to people who are left especially vulnerable.

Website: https://www.redcross.org.au/get-help


St Vincent de Paul Society

St Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies) provides support for emergency housing & homelessness, finances, food, health and wellbeing to vulnerable people across Australia and NSW.

Helpline 1800 Vinnies: 1800 846 643

Website: https://www.vinnies.org.au/findhelp#!nsw

Mental health and wellbeing

The importance of mental wellbeing during COVID-19

It can feel overwhelming during this time as we work together to combat the spread of COVID-19 but there are organisations, services and resources out there to support your mental health and wellbeing.

There are several services and resources that are available in a range of languages or that have a tailored approach to supporting diverse communities.

Headspace

How to cope with stress related to COVID-19 online resource
Translation into 21 languages about services
Phone: 1800 650 890

Kid’s Helpline

Kids Helpline webpage dedicated to support during COVID-19
Phone:1800 55 1800

Youth Beyond Blue

Supporting schools
Supporting early learning communities

Beyond Blue

Looking after your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak

National Coronavirus Helpline

A list of resources about COVID-19 in other languages.
Phone: 1800 020 080

Lifeline

Mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus outbreak
A free interpreting service for people who do not speak English is available at 13 11 14.
To access this service please:
1) Call TIS on 131 450 and ask to talk to Lifeline on 13 11 14 in the language required.
2) TIS will call 13 11 14 on behalf of the caller.

Embrace Multicultural Mental Health

Multilingual information about mental health

Head to Health

Psychological tips for coping with infectious diseases
Supporting culturally and linguistically diverse people

Transcultural Mental Health Centre

COVID-19 Information resources

Life in Mind

COVID-19 resources

Mental Health Australia

Mental Health Australia has launched a new social awareness and connection campaign to promote positive mental health and wellbeing during this time of physical distancing and heightened anxiety in our community. The best way to follow the campaign is via social media using the hashtag #LookAfterYourMentalHealthAustralia

Time to Talk

Time 2 Talk is a free telephone support service for people around a range of COVID-19 related challenges relating to individuals, couples, families, and households. Time 2 Talk is a telephone service staffed by a team of qualified relationship counsellors and social workers, established to assist members of the community.
Phone: 1300 022 966
Website: www.relationshipsnsw.org.au/support-services/time-2-talk

NSW universities and education providers

University of Sydney

Financial support is available through bursaries and interest-free loans. Student support services are available including computer and mental wellbeing support.

COVID-19 response

Financial support

UTS

An International Student Hardship Fund is now available to students impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Student support services are available as normal.

COVID-19 response

Student support

UNSW Sydney

International Student Advisors are available to assist international students affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

COVID-19 response

Student support

 

Western Sydney University

The Student Welfare Service is available for international students to help with visa matters, financial assistance, accommodation and academic advocacy.

COVID-19 response

Student Welfare Service

Macquarie University

Extensive information is provided on how international students might be affected and resources available to them. Normal support services are available to international students.

COVID-19 response

Information for international students

Normal support services are available for international students.

COVID-19 response

Student support

COVID-19 response

Student support

Normal support services are available for international students.

COVID-19 response

Student support

coronavirusadvice@nd.edu.au.

COVID-19 response

Student support

Normal support services are available for international students.

COVID-19 response

Student support

Student Emergency Assistance Fund – COVID-19 for more information.

COVID-19 response

Student support

Normal support services are available for international students.

COVID-19 response

Student support

Website: https://www.tafensw.edu.au/student-services/international-student-support

 

English Australia, the national peak body for the English language sector of international education in Australia, has compiled the most up-to-date information and advice relevant to the English language teaching industry.

COVID-19 response


Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA)

ITECA, the peak body representing independent providers in the higher education and vocational education and training sector, is supporting members through the challenges arising from management of the COVID19 virus outbreak

COVID-19 response


Independent Higher Education Australia (IHEA)

IHEA, is the peak body representing independent higher education providers in Australia, is working through the COVID-19 crisis to protect higher education providers and students.

COVID-19 response

NSW Department of Education

The department is working with schools to make sure students who need access the most have devices and internet connectivity to learn from home.

Learning from home resources

DE International COVID-19 response

The Association of Independent Schools of NSW is the peak body supporting and representing independent education, specifically independent schools.

COVID-19 response

Australia’s Immigration and Border Arrangements

COVID-19 and the border

Updates to Australia’s immigration and border arrangements during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak.

https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au

https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/staying-australia

Status Resolution Support Service (SRSS) for people who have applied for a Protection Visa) The SRSS program can provide you with temporary needs-based support if you are unable to support yourself while resolving your immigration status.

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/status-resolution-service/status-resolution-support-services

Foreign Embassies and Consulates in Australia

https://protocol.dfat.gov.au/Public/ConsulatesInAustralia/2

Other links

Services Australia Website with COVID-19, Services in your Language

https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/subjects/affected-coronavirus-covid-19

To search for other support services, search the Department of Social Service

The DSS Grants Service Directory includes details of active grants and organisations providing service delivery.

https://serviceproviders.dss.gov.au/

Temporary Early Release of Superannuation

Temporary skilled visa holders who have been stood down, but not laid off, can access up to $10.000 of their superannuation this year.

https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-03/Fact_sheet-Early_Access_to_Super_2.pdf