COVID-19 support and resources
Information on booking vaccinations, supporting someone in isolation, and specific information and support for the LGBTIQA+ community.
Quick links for COVID-19 information
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24/7 Coronavirus Hotline
If you suspect you may have COVID-19 call the dedicated hotline – open 24 hours, 7 days.
Please keep Triple Zero (000) for emergencies only.
Phone: 1800 675 398
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Mental health and wellbeing hubs
Free help and support is available to all Victorians
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
coronavirus.vic.gov.au/mental-health-hub
Phone: 1300 375 330 -
Preparing for home isolation checklist
Useful tips for families and individuals to prepare for COVID-19 and isolating in the future.
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Managing COVID-19 at home
Looking after yourself or someone else that has COVID-19
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Find a Rapid Antigen Test
Looking to find who is stocking Rapid Antigen Tests? Check out this website for locations near you.
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Find a vaccination appointment
Book a vaccination appointment near you for yourself or someone else.
It can feel overwhelming trying to stay across COVID-related recommendations. Here are some simple steps to follow if you find out you have COVID or you are a close contact of someone who has COVID.
This information is current as of 6/1/2022
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If you have COVID-19 symptoms or you are defined as a close contact, then you need to get a PCR test.
Note: People who test positive on a Rapid Antigen Test are no longer required to follow up with a PCR test.
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If you have spent four or more hours with a confirmed case in a household or household-like setting, such as a residential care facility then you are defined as a close contact.
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Step 1: Quarantine at home for 7 days
If you are not staying in the same home as the person who has COVID-19, your 7 days starts from the day you last saw them.
If you are staying in the same home as the person who has COVID-19, your 7 days starts from the date they got tested and returned a positive result.
Step 2: Get tested as soon as possible, or when you have symptoms.
If you have symptoms get a PCR test
If you do not have symptoms, take a Rapid Antigen Test
Step 3: Get another test on day 6 in order to be able to end your quarantine.
If you have symptoms get a PCR test
If you do not have symptoms, take a Rapid Antigen Test
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You are defined as ‘other contact’ if someone who has COVID-19 has informed you that you are their social contact, or a workplace or education facility has informed you that you are a contact.
Step 1: Get a PCR test if you have symptoms.
If you don’t have symptoms you are strongly encouraged to use Rapid Antigen Testing for 5 days.
Step 2: Monitor yourself for symptoms and stay COVID safe.
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Step 1: Focus on your health and get help if you need it.
Step 2: Immediately isolate for 7 days
Step 3: Tell your household and household-like contacts - they must isolate for 7 days.
Step 4: Tell your social contacts - they must get tested if they have symptoms.
Step 5: Tell your workplace and/or education facility
When is my third (booster) dose due?
If you got your second COVID vaccination three or more months ago, it’s time to get your booster shot.
Who is eligible?
Any person who is 18 years and over who received their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine 3 months (or more) ago.
How do I find out what date I got my second vaccine?
You can check your immunisation record or COVID-19 vaccination certificate to find out the date of your second vaccination dose.
You may also be contacted through SMS or email to let you know you are now eligible for a booster vaccination.
Why do I need a booster?
Protection from vaccines starts to decrease after several months. Getting the booster dose helps strengthen your first two vaccinations against the Omicron variant and prevent serious disease from COVID-19 infection.
What vaccines are being used?
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved the Pfizer and Modena mRNA vaccines for the booster dose, even if you had another vaccine for your primary doses.
Where can I get vaccinated?
Current LGBTIQ+ friendly vaccination clinics:
Star Health
Prahran, Port Melbourne, South Melbourne and St Kilda.
CoHealth
Collingwood, Laverton, West Melbourne, and the CBD.
IPC Health
Deer Park, Wyndham Vale, Caroline Springs and St Albans.
Learn more about where you can get vaccinated and other rainbow tick certified health services here.
Gender Affirming Resources for Trans and Gender Diverse Folks
Mama Alto, CEO of Transgender Victoria (TGV) has created some fantastic resources to help you feel safe when going to get your vaccine. You can download these below - for more info check out the Joy FM FabJab resources page.
Resource 1:
Addressing gender and misgendering to reduce vaccine hesitancy (PDF) Download here
Resource 2:
Patient Letter Template (PDF) Download here
LGBTIQ+ Vaccination Resources
Switchboard Social Media Tile - Rainbow Vaccination Week
Rainbow Vaccination Week Poster A3 download and print
Rainbow Vaccination Week Social Media Tile - Download and post
Information on Vaccination Support for LGBTIQ+ folk
FabJab Hub
The Rainbow Vaccine ambassadors are compiling a list of resources for our LGBTIQ+ community to support each other to get vaccinated.
Check out: https://joy.org.au/fabjab/
Q&A with Dr Artemis Muñoz and Mama Alto
More info to come - you can submit your questions ahead of the session
Visit: https://fb.watch/9CGv6_Upil/
Thorne Harbour Health
Thorne Harbour Health have extensive information to answer your questions around COVID-19, PReP and getting the Vaccination
Check out: https://thorneharbour.org/covid19/
Resources for COVID-19
THORNE HARBOUR – COVID-19 SUPPORT AND RESOURCES
Thorne Harbour have a range of services to offer the LGBTIQ+ community to look after their health in this time.
NATIONAL HEALTH ALLIANCE - Health and Wellbeing services
COVID-19: Individual and Community Care for LGBTI People – This is a very useful range of resources compiled by the LGBTIQ National Health Alliance. It includes a range of resources for support during COVID-19 period, not all of them are specific to the LGBTIQ+ community, but all are very helpful.
UNDERCURRENT – SUPPORT SERVICES AND RESOURCES DURING COVID-19
A list of Victorian support services and resources ranging from family violence support, legal support, housing support amongst many other resources.
TRANSGENDER VICTORIA
Transgender Victoria (TGV) is Victoria’s leading body for trans and gender diverse advocacy.
LGBTIQ COMMUNITIES AND COVID-19
A valuable resource created by Equality Australia – A report on the impact on the impacts of COVID-19 on Australian LGBTIQ+ communities and building a strong response.
ACON – COVID-19 AND OUR COMMUNITIES
ACON have compiled an extensive list of helpful resources, which is constantly being updated. This list covers a range of information from living with HIV and COVID-19, supporting LGBTIQ+ people, and looking after your mental health.
FINANCIAL RESOURCES DURING COVID-19
WIRE have put together an extensive list of resources to help clarify how to navigate financial stress during COVID-19. These resources are not LGBTIQ+ specific, however very useful for everyone seeking support if they are feeling financially vulnerable in this time.
QUEERSPACE
Queerspace is an LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing support service for people in Victoria.