At times of crisis or emergency finding the support you need can be tricky. Council is here to help put community members in touch with the Council services which are available to them, as well as other community and charitable services in Melbourne's west.
COVID continues to impact our community and Brimbank Council’s COVID Connector Program is still available to help individuals and families get the information they need around vaccinations, treatments and what to do if you have COVID-19 or Long COVID.
Brimbank community members who need that practical assistance can call 92494744 or email emergencymanagement@brimbank.vic.gov.au.
Below is a list of emergency relief resources available to Brimbank community members.
This list is subject to change. Availability of services is subject to individual circumstances and assessment by individual service providers.
If your organisation would like to be included on this list, or you know of an organisation that should be included, please email info@brimbank.vic.gov.au.
We are committed to ensuring that everyone in our community has the right to live a safe and meaningful life free from all forms of violence. COVID-19 should not be an excuse for violence.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger call 000 (triple zero).
Regardless of restrictions related to COVID-19, you can leave your home if you are at risk of harm from family violence. All family violence services are still operating.
Learn about what family violence is and how you can get help.
1800 RESPECT
www.1800respect.org.au
1800 737 732
Translating and Interpreting Service: Call 131 450 and ask them to contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
Confidential information, counselling and support service.
Keilor Downs Police Station
9365 3333
keilordowns.uni@police.vic.gov.au
24 hours 7 days a week. Police station.
Kids Helpline
www.kidshelpline.com.au
1800 55 1800
Free, private and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25.
Men’s Referral Service
www.mrs.org.au
1300 766 491
Support service for men who want to change their violent behaviour.
Safe Steps
www.safesteps.org.au
1800 015 188
If you cannot safely call the 24 hours 7 days a week.phone line email: safesteps@safesteps.org.au
Telephone counselling and referral to safe accommodation.
Sunshine Police Station
9313 3333
sunshine.uni@police.vic.gov.au
24 hours 7 days a week. Police station.
Western Integrated Family Violence Committee
www.wifvc.org.au
Website is a central repository for all current family violence COVID-19.
With Respect
www.withrespect.org.au
1800 542 847
Service supporting LGBTIQ+ communities and their families.
Women’s Health West
www.whwest.org.au
9689 9588
Support, information and referral.
Ask Izzy is an online search service that can link you to various services. As well as food, it can assist with information about housing, health, counselling services and more.
Anglicare Emergency Relief - St Albans
The Martyr Anglican Church, Corner Alexina St & East Esplanade St Albans
1800 809 722
Walk -in service for food parcels available on: 1st and 3rd Monday of the month. 9.30am-12.30pm.
Food Parcels, Medication Scripts, Telstra Vouchers
Primarily available to people living in post codes 3021 or 3023 (St Albans and Deer Park) Will support people in need from other suburbs.
Anglicare Emergency Relief – Sunshine
Holy Apostles Church, 100 Anderson Rd Sunshine
0427 812 517
General Anglicare emergency relief enquiries: 1800 809 722
Monday and Thursdays, 10am-1pm
Walk in Service – No appointment required
Food Vouchers, Food Parcels, Medication, Scripts, Telstra Vouchers, Limited Winter Clothing.
Primarily available to people living in post codes 3020 and 3021 (includes, Sunshine, Brooklyn, Albion, Derrimut, Ardeer) Will people in need from other suburbs.
Anglicare Emergency Relief - Sydenham
St Luke’s Anglican Church Corner Kings Rd & Bellbird Ave, Taylors Lakes
0438 589 630
General Anglicare emergency relief enquiries: 1800 809 722
Wednesdays 10am-1pm
Walk in Service – No appointment required.
Coles and Woolworths vouchers, Medication Scripts, Telstra Vouchers.
Primarily available to people living in post codes 3036, 3037 or 3038 (includes Hillside and Taylors Hill). Will support people in need from other suburbs.
Duke Street Community House
27 Duke St, Sunshine
9311 9973
kat.day@dsch.org.au
Or send a private message on The Duke Street Community House Facebook page.
Wednesday 1pm-2:30pm
Closed during School Holidays.
We are finishing up the snap-lockdown hamper program on 17 June, sadly we are fully booked and not taking new bookings, so the program details below take effect on Wednesday 24 June 2021.
Residents of Brimbank or Maribyrnong are able to “shop” from a small community produce stall, all items are free. Your are encouraged to bring your own shopping bags to help carry items home.
Helping Hands Mission Inc.
85 Hampshire Rd, Sunshine
1300 892 010
Monday-Friday 10am-3pm by appointment only. Please phone to book.
$5 donation.
Health Care card required.
Community Pantry – access to non-perishable, fresh, and frozen food, plus toiletries.
New clients can attend weekly, with most being moved to fortnightly after a period of visits (depending on client’s circumstances).
Clients given pre-packed boxes, rather than choosing groceries, to comply with COVIDSafe plan. Clients will receive 1 x box fresh, 1 x box frozen, and 1 x box non-perishable goods.
Nappies and other hygiene products can be supplied upon request at appointment, subject to availability.
The Humble Mission
0408 718 559 - Muhamed Elkadi
thehumblemission@hotmail.com
Mon-Fri ,9am - 6pm
Delivery is preferred however collection can be arranged on an individual basis.
Out of hours assistance can be arranged for urgent cases. Out of hours deliveries can also be arranged.
Supports include for those with NDIS packages.
Halal support services available. Arabic speaking services available on request
People living in the municipalities of Brimbank or Maribyrnong.
Emergency and essential services relief for vulnerable persons and families including the provision of meals and food essentials and parcels, toiletries, essential clothing, essential hygiene products and blankets.
The Humble Mission is a small not-for-profit that organisation started in response to seeing critical need among the most disadvantaged in our community for food and daily living essentials. New meals service run in the CBD every Saturday at 1:30pm, Batman Park 5 Norval Place, Melbourne CBD.
Kororoit Creek Neighbourhood House
61A Selwyn St, Sunshine
0408 797 776 or 0413 434 082
coordinator@kcnh.org.au
Community Pantry: every 2nd Monday 1pm-2pm. (Opening Tuesday 15 June due to Queens Birthday public holiday on 14 June 2021)
Community Meals: Monday 11am-1pm. (not operating during lockdown)
Drop-in and choose from what is available from pantry items.
Currently operating weekly and returning fortnightly once lockdown is complete.
Loaves and Fishes
Holy Eucharist Parish,1A Oleander Drive St Albans
9366 1310
www.holyeuchariststalbans.org|
Fridays 10.30am-2pm
For people in Brimbank. Must have Centrelink or Immigration Card
No appointment required
Fresh fruit vegetables, non-perishable food
Northpoint Centre (Food relief centre)
3 Trade Park Dr, Tullamarine
9338 1898
Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm
Friday 9am-1pm
Closed public holidays
For Brimbank residents. Must show a Centrelink/ Immigration Card or other form of ID.
Providing hampers only – no food selection.
St Albans Community Café
3 West Esplanade, St. Albans. Croatian Seventh-day Adventist Church
0460 966 585
Facebook
Every second Saturday (from 28 August 2021) 1.30-3.30pm.
Household staples, fresh groceries and hot soup for lunch.
Salvation Army
42 Devonshire Rd Sunshine
9364 9335 - Leave a message and will contact you.
Wednesday to Friday 10am-3pm
Drop-in food hamper service.
Dry and tinned pet food for people needing support to care for animals.
Some capacity to deliver to clients in the inner west who are unable to self-collect.
Friday 5pm-7pm takeaway cooked meal available.
Sunshine Doorway – The Salvation Army
Call 9313 4300 from 9am and press option 2 to make an appointment for food voucher.
Read Sunshine Doorway's Emergency Relief Procedure.pdf for more information.
Uniting Emergency Relief - Footscray
310 Barkly St, Footscray
9689 3515
Wednesday to Friday 9.30am-3pm
Food parcels for people in Brimbank.
Please call to make an appointment for food parcels.
Tin Shed Neighbourhood House (in partnerships with Uniting and Brimbank City Council)
309A Main Road East St Albans
9366 4302
Pick-up on: Tuesdays 10am-12noon
Providing food parcels by appointment only. Call on Monday to make an appointment for Tuesday collection. 25 appointments will be available each Tuesday. Please leave a message with name and number for a call back/appointment to be made.
Food hamper/ parcels available to Brimbank residents
Vantage Point Care
Now on Sundays
Pick up location: Unit 1/16A Keilor Park Drive, Keilor East
Phone: 9844 4465; Email: admin@vantagepoint.church
Website: www.vantagepoint.church/community
This program is transitioning from a Tuesdays drive-thru pick up service to a Sunday social gathering which includes refreshments and the usual food parcels pick-up; all according to current COVID safety guidelines.
Join between 11.30am - 12.15pm for coffee and refreshments until your parcels are prepared.
No delivery service provided.
Also Operating from multiple locations around Melbourne, East Outer East and North/West. Request contact person for North/West. This service is also available to people in Melton, Maribyrnong, Wyndham Moonee Valley, Hume and Moreland municipalities.
West Welcome Wagon
www.westwelcomewagon.org.au
Requests for further information should be addressed to info@westwelcomewagon.org.au
Asylum seekers and refugees can be referred to referrals@westwelcomewagon.org.au
Monday-Thursday, 9am-5pm
Eligibility: Asylum seekers or refugees in western municipalities of Melbourne.(Brimbank, Wyndham, Maribyrnong, Moonee Valley, Hobsons Bay).
Delivery of food parcels, material aid for asylum seekers and refugees
Provision of food essentials and parcels, toiletries, essential clothing, essential hygiene products and blankets. All essentials for the home, including furniture, whitegoods, linen, kitchen utensils, electrical goods etc. Material aid to support students to attend school.
Assistance can be arranged for urgent cases weekend and after hours deliveries can also be arranged.
West Welcome Wagon is a small not-for-profit organisation operating from a warehouse in Brimbank and supporting asylum seekers and refugees throughout Melbourne’s western suburbs. Supporting Asylum Seekers and Refugees, including the provision of meals and food essentials and parcels, toiletries, essential clothing, essential hygiene products and blankets. All essentials for the home, including furniture, whitegoods, linen, kitchen utensils, electrical goods,etc. Our working model is to add people in need to our database and maintain contact with them on all their needs.
Anglicare
0439 271 411
anglicarevic.org.au
Operating during stage 4 restrictions. Suzanne Keil Emergency Relief Service Co-Ordinator Diocesan & Parish Partnerships. Anglicare currently has capacity to support people in the west with utilities payments and other essential services depending on individual circumstances. Telephone assessment required Call 0408 129 590. Support with some utility payments and other essentials.
Australian Multicultural Community Services (Maidstone)
8371 2320
ercm@amcservices.org.au
Provides support and referral to other programs and services that can assist to overcome financial distress – including negotiating with creditors. Service can help with part of overdue utility bills. Service can assist towards part payment of rent arrears.
Centrelink, Medicare, Child Support Services
CommUnity Plus – Provided by Circle Bank Alliance
22 Ballarat Road, Deer Park
7379 0103
Tuesday 12noon – 2pm.
Financial Planning and advice on personal financial budgets.
Djerriwarrh Health Services
1300 786 696
Djerriwarrh Health Services provides financial counselling, information and advocacy in the areas of debt control/management.
Financial Counselling West
1300 786 696
Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.
Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand
Telephone financial counselling available 1800 007 007
St Albans: 8312 8800 - stalbans@goodshep.org.au
To make a phone appointment find a local provider through www.nils.com.au or www.goodmoney.com.au
A financial counsellor is a skilled professional who provides advice to help people manage their debts and get their finances back under control. They provide free, confidential and independent advice.
National Debt Hotline
1800 007 007
ndh.org.au
If you are experiencing financial hardship contact the National Debt Helpline to access free financial counselling.
Uniting
32 Withers Street, Sunshine.
Phone 9311 5900 to make an appointment.
Also offered at the Tin Shed Neighbourhood House, 309a Main Rd, St Albans.
No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS). NILS service available by phone assessment only. Call Wesley Footscray on 9689 3515 to schedule a phone assessment.
Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service
1800 064 865
vals@vals.org.au
9am-5pm.
Free advice and assistance for Aboriginal community dealing with electricity, water, telephone and credit card debt.
West Justice
Visy Cars Hub, 80B Harvester Road, Sunshine
9091 8237
Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 9.30am-1pm and 2-4.30pm.
Drop in service 9.30am-4.30pm Monday, Wednesday & Friday for people up to 25 years old ONLY.
Level 1/72 Buckley Street, Footscray
9749 7720
Monday to Friday 9.30am-1pm and 2pm- 5pm.
Financial counselling, variety of legal assistance.
Cohealth
www.cohealth.org.au
9448 5521
Cohealth in Sunshine has introduced video and telephone appointments to reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission and protect the health of their clients and the broader community.
IPC Health
www.ipchealth.com.au
Deer Park: 9219 7142
St Albans: 9296 1200
All IPC Health services are available over the phone or via a video call. The Deer Park and St Albans campuses are still open for physical appointments if necessary but the Sunshine campus is closed temporarily. If you need face to face treatment this will be at one of their other campuses. Emergency dental available from Hoppers Crossing and St Albans. Needle and Syringe program available from Altona Meadows and St Albans.
Sunshine Hospital
8345 1333
Sunshine Hospital continues to operate as normal. They have implemented new rules for visitors with the aim of minimising the risk of coronavirus for patients and staff. Read Sunshine Hospital visitor information.
Testing for COVID-19 is also available at Sunshine Hospital seven days a week from 10am-6pm.
Mental Health
Contact your local doctor to make an appointment. It is safe to visit your doctor/general practitioner to discuss your mental health and options for ongoing support.
Beyond Blue
www.beyondblue.org.au
1300 22 4636
Beyond Blue has fact sheets about anxiety and offers other practical advice and resources, also available in languages other than English.
Black Dog Institute
blackdoginstitute.org.au
Mental health advice.
GriefLine
griefline.org.au
1300 845 745
Grief, loss and trauma support.
Head to Health
headtohealth.gov.au
Head to Health is committed to providing trusted information and digital supports to help support everyone's mental health and wellbeing during this pandemic.
Get the facts about the COVID-19 outbreak, tips for maintaining good mental health, information on how to access mental health services, information for parents, and how to keep older Australians safe and connected by helping them get established online.
HeadtoHelp
headtohelp.org.au
1800 595 212
Monday-Friday, 8.30am-5pm.
This is not a crisis service. A trained professional will take your call, give you advice, and if you need it, connect you to a free HeadtoHelp hub or help you find the support that suits your needs.
Headspace Sunshine
headspace.org.au
9927 6222
info-headspacesunshine@orygen.org.au
Provides tailored and holistic mental health support to 12 - 25 year olds.
Kids Helpline
1800 551 800
Children and young people can access this free, confidential support line 24/7.
Lifeline
www.lifeline.org.au
13 11 14
Non-profit organisation that provides free, 24-hour telephone crisis and suicide prevention support service.
Mensline Australia
mensline.org.au
1300 78 99 78
Counselling service for men with emotional health and relationship concerns.
Parentline Victoria
132 289
8am-12am, 7 days.
Telephone service for parents and carers of children from birth to 18 years old. Counselling and support on parenting issues.
Psychiatric Triage
1300 363 746
Information, assessment and referral provided for a mental health crisis.
Suicide Call Back Service
suicidecallbackservice.org.au
1300 659 467
24/7 suicide prevention support.
Suicide Line Victoria
1300 651 251
A free 24/7 telephone counselling service for people at risk of suicide.
Homelessness takes many forms. It includes people living on the street or in cars (‘rough sleeping’), staying temporarily with other households (‘couch surfing’), or living in severely overcrowded dwellings. More information on what Council is doing to respond to homelessness in Brimbank can be found here. These organisations provide support to people experiencing homelessness.
Council of Single Mothers and their Children
9654 0622 or 1300 552 511 (outside of Melbourne).
A state-wide telephone support, information and referral service for single mothers and service providers. Monday to Friday, 9.30am-3pm with clients able to self-refer.
Please leave a message to receive a return call or email csmc@csmc.org.au. Also providing limited emergency relief for food and housing for suburbs within the municipalities of Brimbank, Maribyrnong, Melton and Wyndham. Documentation is provided electronically or via text to a mobile number.
Department of Health and Human Services
www.housing.vic.gov.au
Information for current public housing tenants, potential social housing tenants and anyone wanting to know about housing in Victoria.
Information for those requiring a bond loan. Wherever possible please apply for bond assistance through the DHHs online service.
Frontyard Youth Services
www.mcm.org.au
19 King Street, Melbourne
9977 0077 or 1800 800 531
frontyard@mcm.org.au
Frontyard Youth Services provide support for young people aged 16 to 24 experiencing homelessness. Open 9am-8pm weekdays, 10am-6pm weekends and public holidays (except Christmas Day).
Homelessness Advocacy Service (HAS) Council to Homeless Persons
2 Stanley St, Collingwood
Free call 1800 066 256
9am-5pm. Call to schedule a phone appointment or email Angela@chp.org.au. Provides an advocacy service for people who are homeless.
St Kilda Crisis Centre (Salvation Army)
29 Grey Street, St Kilda
1800 627 727
Open 9am-11pm, seven days per week (phone service always available).
Provides after hours information and emergency accommodation for people experiencing an immediate homelessness crisis.
Tenants Union Victoria
www.tenantsvic.org.au
Has a range of information and an email support service for people wanting to know more about their rights and responsibilities when renting privately.
Western Metro Homelessness Services (formerly SASHS)
6/147 Harvester Road, Sunshine
9312 5424
9am-5pm, Monday to Friday
After hours response 1800 825 955
sunshine.iap@salvationarmy.org.au
www.salvationarmy.org.au
Food vouchers, housing crisis support Homelessness access point for Brimbank/ Melton.
Brimbank Melton Community Legal Centre (BMCLC)
Appointments and checks on eligibility can be arranged by calling 8592 9077, or emailing legal@comm-unityplus.org.au.
Provides free legal services for people who live, work or study in the Brimbank, Melton and Bacchus Marsh communities.
Legal support in the areas of
- Family violence and intervention orders
- Fines and infringements
- Car accidents if you do not have insurance and are being chased for money
- Minor criminal matters
- Some family law (not property)
Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS)
1800 064 865
vals@vals.org.au
VALS offers free legal advice and assistance for the Aboriginal community.
West Justice
Visy Cars Hub
80B, Harvester Road, Sunshine
9091 8237
www.westjustice.org.au
Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 9.30am-1pm and 2-4.30pm.
Provides free legal help to people in the western suburbs of Melbourne. They can assist with a range of everyday legal issues including tenancy.
St Vincent de Paul
Vinnies Welfare Assistance Line 1800 305 330
Monday-Friday 10am-3pm
Vinnies Welfare Assistance Line is assisting people with access to food, clothing etc. based on individual needs.
Helping Hands Mission
1300 892 010
www.helpinghandsmission.org.au
Monday to Friday, 10am-3pm. Service closed pending downward trend in COVID infections. Check the Helping Hands Mission Facebook page for updates.
Material and emergency aid e.g. whitegoods, clothes.
Western Water
Payment extension: If possible, contact before bill is due.
EasyPay Payment plan: make fortnightly or monthly payments towards account over 12 months. To set this up SMS 0480 015 200, start a web chat www.westernwater.com.au or email mail@westernwater.com.au
Other support:Contact our Customer Solutions Team by calling 1800 093 558. If you’d like company to call back please SMS 0480 015 200.
Gas and electricity
Households facing economic hardship because of the coronavirus are protected from having their gas or electricity disconnected. Under the changes, which started in 2019, energy retailers must provide assistance to any household that contacts them because they are having trouble paying their bills.
The assistance could include a payment plan, putting account payments on hold while customers work towards paying for their usage, or extending bill due dates.
Anyone receiving such assistance can’t be disconnected while they are participating in the hardship plan. Read the 'Know your rights and keep your lights on' media release.
Australian Multicultural Services
9689 9170
Mondays only 9am- 5pm.
Providing food, petrol vouchers and assistance with bills to anyone living in the western region of Melbourne.
Centrelink
Crisis payments phone line 132 850
Lots of online resources, especially for existing Centrelink customers.
Centrelink - Help in an emergency
Centrelink- Crisis payment
CIS Vic
9672 2099
www.cisvic.org.au
CIS Vic Community Information and Support Victoria peak body representing local community information and support services. Directory of CISVic member agencies across Victoria that may help.
Vinnies Welfare Assistance Line
1800 305 330
www.vinnies.org.au
Monday-Friday, 10am-3pm
Wesley Footscray Outreach
310 Barkly Street, Footscray
9689 3515
Wednesday-Friday, 9.30am-4pm.
Showers, laundry, morning tea and lunch program.
Dry cleaned jackets, blankets available. Shower and laundry facilities. Morning tea and lunch programs.
People living outside of Maribyrnong LGA may be provided with a one off food voucher in an emergency situation.