This page contains up-to-date information on COVID-19 and the impact to Access services. We are monitoring the situation in the weeks and months ahead and will continue to update this page as necessary.
Access' offices and facilities are fully operational and open.
Together we can help stop the spread of the virus and stay healthy. Take care and stay safe!
Please phone our main switchboard on 07 3412 8222 if you have questions or concerns, and listen to the options to be directed to the appropriate place. You can also email us at [email protected]
Access Health Services
Our Health Services across Access and Harmony Place will continue to operate, using videoconferencing where appropriate.
We understand in unprecedented times, like those we are facing now, can cause significant amounts of distress and anxiety in vulnerable communities, and trigger traumatic memories.
We offer mental health and counselling services at Harmony Place to support those experiencing distress. Call us on 3412 8282 to see how we can help.
Anyone visiting Harmony Place will need to be temperature checked before entering the building.
Access Employment and Education Services
We know many people have lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you’re finding it difficult to find new employment, Access can help - particularly if you have a chronic health condition, injury, illness or disability.
Through our Disability Employment Services and Community Employment Services programs, we can provide training, education and one-on-one support to help find the right job for you. Alongside our Health Services and Education and Skill Development teams, we can also support you to overcome any barriers which prevent you from starting or finding work. We are currently taking all appointments via telephone or video concfer
Currently, face to face classroom delivery in Logan will be suspended until the end of August, and we will communicate with all students on a regular basis about any changes to this and ensure a safe, supportive and effective transition back to the classroom.
If you require assistance, please call us on (07) 3412 8222 or email us at [email protected].
Community Hubs
Access facilitates nine Communty Hubs in the Logan and Ipswich.
In Logan, the only Hub currently open is Marsden State School. Woodridge North State School, Woodridge State School, St Francis College and St Paul's Primary School Hubs are closed.
In Ipswich, Staines Memorial College Hub is closed. Fernbrooke State School, Woodlinks State School, Riverview State School are still open at this stage.
To stay up to date with our Community Hubs, follow their Facebook pages here:
Multilingual resources
Here are some useful in-language resources:
COVID-19 Vaccine CALD Implementation Plan
Multilingual COVID-19 Vaccine information
Access Community Services in-language videos
Refugee Health Network Queensland resources
Settlement Council of Australia
Queensland Health multi-lingual resources
Australian Red Cross Coronavirus Resources (Translated resources can be found under ‘Organise’ – currently in 15 languages)
Latest Government news
Here is the latest information about COVID-19 (Coronavirus) from Federal and State governments of Australia:
Federal Government information and advice
Queensland Health official advice and information
Information on easing of restrictions
Information on public gatherings
Coronavirus Health Information Line
Telephone: 1800 020 080 - Call this line if you are seeking information on COVID-19. The line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Protecting yourself and others
Queensland Health encourages good hygiene, self-isolation and social distancing (physical distancing) to minimise the spread of the Coronavirus to help protect yourself and others.
There are a number of visual and video-based resources, like the one above, being generated by the Government, providing easy-to-understand messages on how to stay healthy. They can be shared across various social media platforms and can be found here.
Accessing Centrelink support and local council services
To see what government support is available to you please view the following links:
Information for individuals who receive support from Services Australia – Affected by coronavirus
Financial assistance for individuals and households – Supporting Individuals and Households- Australian Government
Financial assistance for businesses – Supporting Businesses - Australian Government
To check what services or emergency relief your council is providing, please click on the following links:
If you're not sure of your local council, click to here to find out.
Welfare, Employment and Housing
During these uncertain times where job and housing security may be impacted by COVID-19 (coronavirus), make sure you are aware of what rights and entitlements you are eligible for:
Fair Work - info on COVID-19 and Australian Workplace Laws
Tenants Union of NSW - Renting and COVID-19 information
Welfare Rights Centre - Legal advice on Centrelink and social security issues over the phone
Economic Justice Australia (peak body for community legal centres) - Fact Sheet what support you can get from Centrelink
Managing your mental health
It is understandable that during this time people may be feeling stressed, anxious and isolated, which makes it harder to take care of your mental health. Beyond Blue and Lifeline have some tips on looking after your mental health during the COVID-19 outbreak.
We also recognise COVID-19 may create or resurface past traumatic events. There is always someone to listen and support you.
If you want to talk to someone about your mental health, you can call:
Beyond Blue for 24/7 phone counselling and online chat (open 3pm to 12am).
Lifeline for 24/7 phone counselling and online chat (open 7pm to 12am).
1800 RESPECT for sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling.
Embrace Multicultural Mental Health for multi-lingual resources, services and information about mental health.
Head to Health for trauma and stressor related disorders
Mensline, a telephone and online counselling service for men (open 24/7).
QLife - LGBTI peer support (open 3 pm to midnight, 7 days a week).
Kids Helpline – call, chat or email service for children.
Headspace - support for young people aged between 12 and 25.
Travel advice
Travelling in Queensland:
To slow the spread of COVID-19, there is currently restricted entry into Queensland. If you must enter Queensland from Victoria or the Greater Sydney region , you will need to apply for an entry pass.
Anyone who arrives in Queensland must self-isolate for 14 days, including returning Queenslanders.
https://www.qld.gov.au/about/newsroom/queensland-border-restrictions
Travelling to Australia:
Australia’s borders are currently closed. Only Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents and New Zealand citizens who usually reside in Australia are permitted to enter the country.
From March 28, 2020 all people entering Australia must undertake compulsory 14-day isolation in a designated facility (for example, a hotel).
Travelling from Australia:
Australian citizens and permanent residents are restricted from leaving Australia from 25 March 2020.
For more advice on travel to and from Australia, and possible exemptions, visit https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/travel-restrictions