Useful links for COVID-19 information
It’s a confusing time and we understand people have many questions across a range of areas, including family law and parenting, employment, tenancy and consumer queries. The community legal sector and related social services organisations have created plenty of resources – links below – to answer the questions you have trying to get through this time as best possible.
The border closure on 8 July has made life more difficult for people who cross the border as part of their daily life. Please call Service NSW with all permit queries on 13 77 88. Links to FAQ factsheets are below for Victorian and NSW residents. If the border closure has led to problems with your family law arrangements, please call us on 1800 918 377 to discuss.
Advocacy is an important part of our work. After we gained an understanding of the issues facing our community and the solutions needed, we raised them with our local MPs and the Victorian and NSW cross border commissioners. Read the full statement on our advocacy approach here.
Our office is closed to the public, but you can still call us on 1800 918 377 or contact us through the website . If we are unable to assist you, we can refer you on to other appropriate services.
If you’re wondering how you can do the right thing to help stop the coronavirus spread, just visit the websites below.
What you can and can’t do – NSW Government
VIC-NSW border closure – what you need to know in Victoria – Victoria Legal Aid
VIC-NSW border closure – what you need to know in NSW – Legal Aid NSW factsheet
Apply for a border crossing permit online – Service NSW
COVID-19 public health orders and fines – Victoria
COVID-19 public health orders and fines – NSW
Local information – Central Hume Primary Care Partnership
Family law & parenting
Family Court of Australia website has the latest information to answer many of your questions about Parenting Orders and contact arrangements. You can find more links below, including Victoria Legal Aid and Legal Aid NSW.
Family Court of Australia – useful Q&A for parents
FCC key changes:
• E-file all documents (hard copies not to be posted to or filed in the registry)
• Email them if the documents cannot be e-filed (e.g. exceed restriction of 100 pp)
• All subpoena viewing is by appointment only
• Appointments can only be made in urgent cases or where a hearing is scheduled within 4 weeks of the appointment.
Magistrates’ Court of Victoria
Victoria Legal Aid – info for parents
Victoria Legal Aid – work discrimination and COVID-19
Victoria Legal Aid – child protection issues
Legal Aid NSW – COVID-19 resources – DV and parenting
Ten tips for managing parenting during COVID-19
Women’s Legal Service Victoria
Australian Women Against Violence Alliance
Safety apps for mobile phones – 1800RESPECT
COVID-19 Tracker App advice for DV survivors WESNET
Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria
Mediation options
Consumer, employment, tenancy and social services
Jobwatch – coronavirus employment rights Q&A
Jobwatch – Jobkeeper payments Q&A
Migrant Employment Legal Service Q&A
Northern Community Legal Centre – Nepali, Hindi and Punjabi factsheets
Tenants Victoria guide for renters
NSW Public Health Laws and Police Powers
Victorian Council of Social Services
NSW Council of Social Services
NCOSS weekly Q&A – clear answers and new issues
Claiming Centrelink during COVID-19
