We hope you are staying safe and well over this holiday period.
We have developed a directory of contact details for health advice, income support, government services and assistance available regarding COVID-19, as well as other contacts and services relevant to the holiday period.
Key COVID-19 Contact Numbers:
Government information on all non-health related Covid-19 enquiries: 13 77 88
A 24/7 hotline has been set up to handle COVID-19 inquiries including the latest updates on restrictions, cost of living assistance, financial support for businesses or rules around social distancing. Service NSW operate the hotline and it can be reached on 13 77 88.
Health enquiries relating to COVID-19: 1800 020 080
NSW Health COVID-19 information
Federal Govt COVID-19 Resources
If you suspect you or a family member has coronavirus you should call (not visit) your GP or ring the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
Holiday Period Contacts and Services:
For Housing Enquiries
Surry Hills and Waterloo offices will be closed between 25 December 2020 and 8 January 2021. The Offices will reopen on Monday 11 January 2021. The Strawberry Hills office will remain open for phone service to continue operating.
- For Surry Hills specific enquiries or appointments ring: 9319 9333
- For Waterloo specific enquiries or appointments ring: 9384 4166
- Maintenance reports or general enquiries ring housing call centre: 1800 422 322
Services/Organisations
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Newtown Neighbourhood Centre, 1 Bedford St Newtown 9564 7333
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Information and referral, free computer and phone, Telstra phone cards (pay phones), Freezer meals
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Opening hours: Mon & Wed 10-1pm, Thursday 2-4pm
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Last day Wednesday 23rd, First day back Monday 11th January
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Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS), 36 Turner St, Redfern NSW 2016, 9319 5823
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Provides culturally appropriate health care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.
- Medical clinics
- Specialised clinics
- Dental clinics
- Drugs and Alcohol services, Mental Health services
- Social Work
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WHEN AMS is CLOSED; Please call the Sydney Medical Service (02) 8724 6300 Please make sure you have a valid Medicare card. If you have a medical emergency, are experiencing chest pains or having difficulty breathing, call 000 and ask for an AMBULANCE
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Mon to Thur: 8am – 2pm Friday: 9am – 5pm
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Closure: Closed December 25th 2020
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Reopens: January 1, 2021
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Link2Home, 1800 152 152
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Telephone information and referral services for homeless people or those at risk of homelessness, seeking immediate accommodation and support services
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Open every day of the year, 24 hours, 7 days a week
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Mental Health Acute Care Team, 1800 011 511
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Support for people in mental health crisis or those who may need help for another person in crisis.
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Support provided 24 hours, 7 days a week, every day of the year.
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Redfern Community Centre, 29 – 53 Hugo St, Redfern, 9288 5713
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A range of community centre programs, call for details.
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Closed on: 24th December 2020
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Reopen: 4th January 2021
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Programs resume in February 2021
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The Factory, 67 Raglan St, Waterloo, 9698 9569
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The Factory identifies with the local community, including the provision of support for people of high social and economic disadvantage.
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Family and Case Support, Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm
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Last day: 18th Dec 2020
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Re-open: 11th Jan 2021 (Re-open for calls on the 4th of January)
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WAGEC – Women & Girls Emergency Centre, 174 Redfern Street, Redfern, 9319 4088
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Crisis and early intervention support services to women, children and young people, and families who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and/or domestic and family violence.
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Closed Public Holidays Only. Opening hours: 9am – 4:30pm
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Food Support
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Newtown Blessing Box, corner of Bedford St and Station St
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Pantry items and toiletries as available
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Sydney Food Share, operates out of Natty’s Café on Northumberland Street in Stanmore
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Food and assorted hampers to people in need
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Contact the café or the Sydney Food Share Facebook page to determine availability
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Addi Road Food Pantry Marrickville, Addison Road Community Centre, in Hut 1
- Free and discounted food available.
- The Food Pantry’s last day of the year will be Tues 22nd Dec and will re-open Tues 12th Jan.
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The Station, 82 Erskine Street, Cnr Clarence & Erskine Sydney
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Free takeaway only lunch available 22th December 12 midday
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Newtown Mission Drop In Centre, 280A King Street Newtown
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Free takeaway only lunch available 25th December 12 midday
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Further resources are available on the Newtown Neighbourhood Centre website.
Other COVID-19 Related Assistance:
Information and assistance for renters
The Tenants Union provide one on one assistance for renters facing evictions, needing to negotiate rent reductions and other tenancy issues.
Tenants Union - Tenants' Advice Line
1800 251 101
The new Disability Information Helpline for COVID-19
Free Call 1800 643 787
ServiceNSW and drivers licence renewals
Older drivers renewals: If you're aged 75 years and older and/or you're a low-risk driver you can request an extension by calling the Licence Review Unit (LRU) on 6604 9301 between 8am and 7pm Monday to Friday. Information about general renewals is here.
Information about special COVID-19 income support available from the Federal Goverment
If you need help with Centrelink and payments: Economic Justice Australia factsheet or you can call the Welfare Rights Centre: 9211 5300 | 1800 226 028
COVID-19 information in 63 languages
SBS has factsheets, videos and important information in a range of languages.
Advice for International Students facing hardship
Redfern Legal Centre has put together a factsheet for international students who need a range of assistance.
Prescriptions and chemist delivery service
COVID-19 Home Medicines Service - a scheme to enable participating pharmacies to deliver medicines on PBS to patients. My Med Kit is an app to home deliver prescriptions and other pharmacy products. $5 delivery and delivers to Inner West.
Financial support for businesses
Assistance from the federal government includes cash flow support to businesses and temporary measures to provide relief for financially distressed businesses.
Information from the NSW Government regarding commercial leases