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Government Releases COVID-19 Helpline Dedicated to People With Disability

The Australian Government have launched a dedicated helpline for people with disability who are concerned or have questions about coronavirus (COVID-19) and how restrictions may impact on their individual circumstances.

The helpline is free, private and fact-checked, and has been put in place to provide information and referrals for people with disability, families, carers or support workers.

You can contact the helpline in the following ways:

• Phone Call (free): 1800 643 787.
• If you are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment, you can call the National Relay Service on 133 677.
• If you require support in another language, you can use the Translating and Interpreting Services (TIS National) free of charge. You can choose to call the Disability Information Helpline on 1800 643 787 and ask for an interpreter or call TIS on 131 450 and ask to be connected to the Disability Information Helpline on 1800 643 787.
• To chat online, click on the weekday livechat link, then on the button in the bottom right corner, or on the weekend livechat link. 

The Helpline is available Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm (AEST) and Saturday and Sunday 9am to 7pm (AEST). It’s not available on national public holidays.

When you call the Helpline, you will speak to a person who will:

• Listen carefully to you.
• Use their connections to find things out, check the facts, and get information for you.
• Transfer you to services that can help you.
• Transfer you to a phone counsellor for emotional support, if you would like.
• Give you clear and accessible information.

The Disability Information Helpline is funded by the Australian Government.

Source: Australian Government, Department of Social Services