Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for Families and Children

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for Families and Children

For children and families seeking information, please see the information and resources below.

For more health information please call the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080 which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week or visit the Department of Health website.

For latest advice from Government Agencies visit australia.gov.au.

Please note that as official COVID-19 guidance is updated, this information will be amended to reflect new information and advice.

This information is by way of general information and is designed for discretionary use. It does not replace the requirement for the reader to obtain specific operational, legal, insurance, or other advice. FRSA accepts no responsibility for any errors in the information provided, nor the effect of any such errors.

Page last updated: 14 May 2020

Information and resources for children and families

Support Services

FRSA Member Services

Over the coming weeks and months, children and families will be facing additional emotional and financial stress as Australia deals with COVID-19.

FRSA member organisations provide family and community services including Family and Relationship Services, Family Law services, Children and Parenting services, Adult Specialist Support services and more.

FRSA Member Directory – If you are seeking support you can search and filter the directory by State and/or Type of Service from the drop down menu below, to find an appropriate member organisation in your area.

National Helplines

Lifeline
Phone: 13 11 14 (24 hours/7 days)
Text: 0477 13 11 14 (6pm – midnight AEDT, 7 nights)
Chat online: https://www.lifeline.org.au/crisis-chat (7pm – midnight, 7 nights)

Lifeline provides a 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention service, as well as online support and counselling.

Families and Children’s Support:

  • Family Relationship Advice Line
    1800 050 321
    Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm local time
    Saturday 10am to 4pm local time
    Closed Sundays and national public holidays
    The Family Relationship Advice Line is a national telephone service that helps families affected by relationship or separation issues, including information on parenting arrangements after separation. It can also refer callers to local services that provide assistance.

Family violence and sexual assault services:

  • 1800RESPECT
    1800 737 732
    24-hour service by phone and web chat.National domestic violence, sexual assault and relationship counselling service.

Children’s support services:

  • Kids Helpline
    1800 551 1800
    Available 24/7 to answer via call, email or WebChat.
    A free, private and confidential phone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged five to 25.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SUPPORT HELPLINES AND WEBSITES

Tips for Parents and Families

We’ve compiled some articles and resources for families that may be useful during this challenging time.

The Institute of Child Protection Studies have developed resources to help children, young people and their families make sense of what they are seeing, hearing and feeling during this challenging time of COVID-19:

The eSafety Commissioner’s office is continually adding online safety advice, link to support & resources to help all Australians during the COVID-19 crisis. Including:

FARE has created an online resource with useful tips, strategies and information on how to limit alcohol use, and groups you can turn to if you need support.

The advice provided equips people with important information about how to minimise the spread of the virus as well as reduce harms if they are using substances.

  • Relationships Australia Victoria has put together a number of resources to help families manage difficulties they may be experiencing as a result of the COVID-19 crisis:

Family Court of Australia

The Chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia and Federal Circuit Court of Australia has put out a statement  to clarify that the Courts remain open to assist parties, and to provide parents with some general guidance regarding Parenting Orders. Read the full statement here.

Visit the Family Court of Australia website for a list of information relating to the Courts and their management of COVID-19.

Health Information

Please refer to the Government or your local State or Territory health authority for the latest health information and updates on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Information about Coronavirus translated into multiple languages.

Stimulus payments to households

The Australian Government is providing financial assistance to Australians. This assistance includes income support payments, payments to support households and temporary early releases of superannuation.

  • Income support for individuals
  • Payments to support households
  • Temporary early release of superannuation
  • Temporarily reducing superannuation minimum drawdown rates
  • Reducing social security deeming rates

Find out more information on the Treasury website.

Workplace

Find out about your workplace entitlements and obligations if you’re affected by the outbreak of coronavirus.

This information sheet answers common questions about social distancing — including what it is, how to do it and why it’s important.

An information sheet that answers questions about home isolation for those people who are unwell with a suspected or confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19).

An information sheet for people who have been required to be in home isolation or quarantined and have completed their 14 day period without showing signs or symptoms of being unwell due to coronavirus (COVID-19).