Key Victorian Groups providing Advocacy, Information, Legal Support and Complaints handling etc.
You can download a full copy of this list VALID Advocacy Complaints etc. agencies
STATEWIDE DISABILITY ADVOCACY SERVICES
ADEC (Action on Disability in Ethnic Communities)
175 Plenty Rd, Preston 3072
ph. 9480 7000 fax: 9480 3444 Toll Free 1800 626 078
E: [email protected] W: adec.org.au
Dandenong Office – 186 Foster St, East Dandenong ph: 9791 8344
Werribee office – Level 1, 1-3 Watton St. Werribee 3030 ph: 8744 2100
Info, referral, advocacy for ethnic families/groups, Bi-lingual Ethnic Disability Workers
AMIDA (Action for More Independence & Dignity in Accommodation)
1st Flr, Ross House, 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 3000
ph: 9650 2722 fax. 9654 8575
E: [email protected] W: www.amida.org.au
Info, referral & self advocacy support for people with disability re. housing issues/problems
Association for Children with a Disability (ACD)
Suite 1, 587 Canterbury Road, Surrey Hills Vic 3127
Phone: 03 9880 7000 Toll Free 1800 654 013 fax 9818 2300
E: [email protected] W: www.acd.org.au
Info., Advocacy & Support for families of children who have a disability
BCA (BLIND CITIZENS AUSTRALIA)
Lev. 3, Ross House, 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 3000
Ph: 9654 1400 Toll Free 1800 033 660 fax. 9650 3200
E: [email protected] W: www.bca.org.au
Info & individual advocacy support for people with sensory impairment
Consumer affairs Victoria (CAV)
113 Exhibition St, (GPO Box 123: 3001) Melbourne
Helpline 1300 558 181 Koori Helpline 1300 661 511
E: [email protected] W: www.consumer.vic.gov.au
For complaints about purchases, refunds, contracts, scams, door to door sales etc.
DEAF VICTORIA (formerly Victorian Council Of Deaf People – VCOD)
The Commons, Level 4, 54 Wellington St, Collingwood 3066
T: 03 8080 7590 E: [email protected]
Statewide advocacy, info & support service for the deaf community.
Disability Justice Advocacy (DJA)
2 /28A Albert Street Preston 3072
Ph: 9474 0077 freecall 1800 808 126
E: [email protected] W: www.justadvocacy.com
Provide advocacy for people with higher support needs
DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION LEGAL SERVICE (DDLS)
2nd Flr, Ross House 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 3000
Freecall 1300 882 872 ph. 9654 8644 TTY: 9654 6817 fax: 9639 7422
E: [email protected] W: www.communitylaw.org.au/ddls
Can provide advocacy, legal advice, training & community education on the Federal DDA
DISABILITY RESOURCES CENTRE (DRC)
MAIN: 3rd Flr, Ross House 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 3000
Ph: 9671 3000 fax. 9489 2988
E: [email protected] W: www.drc.org.au
Outreach: 186 Foster St East, Dandenong
ph. 9791 4870 F: 9792 1111 E: [email protected]
Info., individual advocacy & support for adults with disabilities in Melbourne area.
INDEPENDENT FAMILY ADVOCACY SERVICE (IFAS)
Referrals to Ph: 1800 849 200 or via E: [email protected]
W: www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/IFAS
Provides info, advocacy, coaching for self-advocacy and/or referrals to parents or primary carers who have Child Protection involvement with their families in the pre court stage
INDEPENDENT MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY (IMHA)
350 Queen Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Intake Line: 1300 947 820 Ph: 03 9093 3701
E: [email protected] F: 03 9269 5400
Advocacy support service for people receiving compulsory psychiatric treatment to have as much say as possible about their assessment, treatment and recovery
LEADERSHIP PLUS Inc. (formerly Action for Community Living)
25 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Ph: 9489 2999 fax. 9489 2988 Freecall: 1300 727 017
E: [email protected] W: www.leadershipplus.com
Statewide advocacy & Info for people with all types of disability
NATIONAL AGED CARE ADVOCACY LINE ph. 1800 700 600
OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC ADVOCATE (OPA)
Level 1, 204 Lygon St, Carlton 3053
ph 1300 309 337 TTY 1300 305 612 F: 1300 878 510
E: [email protected] W: www.publicadvocate.vic.gov.au
Advice, assistance & advocacy re. complaints on behalf of people who have an intellectual or psychiatric disability; dementia or an acquired brain injury.
STAR VICTORIA
4th Floor, Ross House, 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 3000
ph 9650 2730 fax. 9650 6972
E: [email protected] W: www.starvictoria.org.au
Aims to heighten awareness of the rights of people with intellectual disabilities.
VALID (Vic. Advocacy League For Individuals with Disability Inc.)
130 Cremorne St, Richmond 3121
Ph: 03 9416 4003 Freecall 1800 655 570 fax. 9416 0850
E: [email protected] W: www.valid.org.au
Provides advocacy support for adults with an intellectual disability across Victoria
VICTORIAN MENTAL ILLNESS AWARENESS COUNCIL (VMIAC)
Building 1, 22 Aintree St. Brunswick East
ph 9380 3900 fax. 9388 1445
E: [email protected] W: www.vmiac.org.au
Individual advocacy & support for groups of people with emotional and/or mental difficulties
VILLAMANTA DISABILITY RIGHTS LEGAL SERVICE
244 Latrobe Terrace
Geelong West Vic 3218
Postal:
PO Box 7328
Geelong West Vic 3218
Admin line: 5260 1845
Toll Free 1800 014 111 E: [email protected] W: villamanta.org.au
Statewide community legal service with primary focus on people with intellectual disability
WOMEN WITH DISABILITIES VICTORIA (WDV)
Lev 9, 255 Bourke St. (GPO Box 1160) Melbourne 3001
Ph: 9286 7800 fax. 9663 7955
E: [email protected] W: www.wdv.org.au
Systemic advocacy on behalf of women with disabilities
YOUTH DISABILITY ADVOCACY SERVICE (YDAS)
Level 2, 235 Queen St, Melbourne 3000
Ph. 0429 964 859 Email: [email protected]
Individual advocacy & support for young adults with disabilities
REGIONAL & LOCAL DISABILITY ADVOCACY SERVICES
ASSERT 4 ALL – A4All (also Barwon Disability Resource Cnl)
48 McKillop St, Geelong 3220
ph /TTY 5221 8011 Toll free 1300 942 773 fax 5229 5665
E: [email protected] W: www.bdrc.org.au
Outreach office: 1 Rutherford Crt, Maddingley 3340
Info, individual advocacy for people with disabilities in Barwon & Southern Grampians areas
COLAC OTWAY REGION ADVOCACY SERVICE (CORAS)
50 Rae St, Colac 3252
Ph: 5232 1009 fax. 5232 1291
E: [email protected] W: www.coras.com.au
Info., individual advocacy & support for people with disabilities
DRAS – now part of Reg. Info. Advocacy Council (RIAC) see next page
GRAMPIANS DISABILITY ADVOCACY ASSOCIATION (GDAA)
MAIN 2/32 Tuson St (Box 112), Ararat 3377
Ph: 1800 552 272 fax. 5352 2733
E: [email protected] W: www.grampiansadvocacy.org.au
Ballarat Office: Suite 19, 15 Dawson St Sth; ph 5364 293 E: [email protected]
Daylesford: 13 Hospital St. ph 5348 3350 E: [email protected]
Clunes – 69 Service St. c/- of Daylesford office contacts
Horsham off: 17 McLachlan St; ph. 5381 2400 email: [email protected]
Stawell office: 111 Main St: ph 5358 2164
Info, individual advocacy & support for people with disabilities
GIPPSLAND DISABILITY ADVOCACY
Suite 2 first floor, 6 – 8 Grey St (PO Box 409, Morwell 3840) Traralgon 3844
Ph: 5175 0444 E: [email protected]
Provides support with individual, self & family advocacy, plus some citizen advocacy
MELBOURNE EAST DISABILITY ADVOCACY (MEDA)
Level 1, 79 Mahoney’s Rd, Forest Hill, 3131 (PO Box 302)
Ph: 9877 7990 email: [email protected] W: www.meda.org.au
Matches voluntary ‘citizens’ to a person with a disability as support in the inner east area (Municipalities of Manningham, Whitehorse, Monash & Boroondara)
MRC (Migrant resource Centre) North West
20 Victoria Cres., St Albans Vic 3021
ph: 9367-6044 fax: 9367-4344
E: [email protected] W: www.mrcnorthwest.org.au
Individual for people with a disability from CALD backgrounds
NORTH EAST CITIZEN ADVOCACY (NECA) .
56 Gabonia Avenue Watsonia South 3087 (PO Box 251) Heidelberg 3084
ph/fax 8407 3684 E: [email protected]
Matches voluntary ‘citizens’ to a person with a disability as support in inner Northern Reg.
REGIONAL DISABILITY ADVOCACY SERVICE (RDAS)
132 Melbourne Rd, (Box 982) Wodonga 3689
Ph: 02 6056 2420 Toll free: 1800 250 292 F. 02 6024 6809
E: [email protected] W: www.rdas.org.au
Wangaratta office: 15-17 Ely St. ph. 5718 0171
Individual & systemic advocacy for people with disabilities living in Upper Murray area
RIGHTS INFORMATION & ADVOCACY CENTRE – (RIAC)
For ALL offices – Shepparton, Bendigo, Geelong and Mildura contact:
Box 1763 : 3632, Shepparton
Phone Intake Officer 5822 1944
email: [email protected]
Individual advocacy (all offices), ATSI advocacy (Shepp office) & Support Groups (Loddon Mallee region)
SOUTHERN DISABILITY ADVOCACY
320 Main St Mornington (Box 161 Bentleigh 3204)
Ph: 03 9533 5977 F: 9923 6173
E: [email protected] W: www.southernda.org.au
Mornington office: ph. 03 5973 6320
Advocates for person with a disability living in Southern Region using paid & voluntary staff
SOUTHWEST ADVOCACY ASSOCIATION – SWAA
45 Hider St (Box 480) Warrnambool 3280
Ph. 5561 4584 fax. 5561 4371
E: [email protected] W: www.southwestadvocacy.org.au
Info., individual advocacy & support for people with disabilities
SUNBURY AND DISTRICT CITIZEN ADVOCACY
5A, 36 Macedon Street (PO Box 420) Sunbury
Ph: 9744 7378 fax: 9740 8535
E: [email protected] W: www.citizenadvocacysunbury.com.au
Matches voluntary ‘citizens’ to a person with a disability as support in Sunbury district
SELF ADVOCACY GROUPS
The following are ‘formal’ self advocacy groups or networks. However there are many local informal or service based (i.e. participants come from one service) groups across Victoria – contact SARU or VALID to find out for info about local & service based groups.
SARU (Self-Advocacy Resource Unit)
Level 1, Ross House 247 Flinders St., Melbourne 3000
ph: 9639 6856 email: [email protected]
Provides info & resourcing to set up & support self-advocacy groups
ADVOCACY SOUTH WEST NETWORK
Facilitator – E: [email protected]
Self-advocacy network of people from services across the South Western area of Victoria
BRAIN INJURY MATTERS (BIM)
4th Floor, Ross House, 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Ph: 9639 7222 fax. 9654 1057
E: [email protected] W: www.braininjurymatters.org
Self-advocacy group representing people with brain injury.
DIVERSITY & DISABILITY (DND)
45 Main Road West, St Albans Vic 3021
ph: 9367-6044 fax: 9367-4344
E: [email protected] W: www.mrcnorthwest.org.au
Facilitates self advocacy groups for people with a disability from CALD backgrounds
NEW HORIZONS (EACH)
46 Warrandyte Rd, Ringwood 3134
ph. 9871 1850 E: [email protected]
W: www.each.com.au/service/eachchoice-new-horizons-self-advocacy-group
Self-advocacy group that meets in evenings
NEW WAVE SELF ADVOCACY GROUP
c/- 8 Hopetoun Ave, Morwell
ph: 5134 8071 E: [email protected]
Self-advocacy group for people with intellectual disability including a drop in centre
POWERFUL PARENTS SELF-ADVOCACY
Ph: 9639 9106 E: [email protected]
W: www.positivepowerfulparents.com.au
Self-advocacy group representing parents with intellectual disability meets at Ross House
REINFORCE
Lev 2, Ross House, 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Ph: 9650 7855 F. 9636 4004
E: [email protected] W: www.reinforce.org.au
Self-advocacy group representing people with intellectual disability
UNITED BRAINS
Ross House, 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 3000
ph: 03 9639 7222 E: [email protected]
Provides links between ABI self-advocacy groups to share info & resources
VALID SELF-ADVOCACY NETWORKS
c/- 130 Cremorne St Richmond 3131
ph: 03 9416 4003 email: [email protected]
W: www.valid.org.au/valid-self-advocacy/
Facilitates four self-advocacy groups for individuals from services across regions to gain skills & information, as well as advocate about issues of concern to government etc.
STATEWIDE GENERIC ADVOCACY SERVICES
CONSUMER AFFAIRS VICTORIA (CAV)
Statewide – main phone: 1300 558 181 Interpreter Service: 131 450
Metro North West – 27 Dimboola Rd, Broadmeadows ph. 9936 9100
Metro South West – 46-50 Walker St, Dandenong ph. 8765 5222
Metro Eastern – 703 Station St., Box Hill ph: 8803 8444
Grampians – 206 Mair St, Ballarat 3350 ph: (03) 4301 7000
Hume – 119-121 Murphy St, Wangaratta 3677 ph: (03) 5723 6444
Gippsland – 25 Ann St, Morwell 3840 ph: (03) 5116 5701
Barwon SW
- Level 5, 30a Little Malop, Geelong 3220 ph: (03) 5226 4444
- 218 Koroit St, Warrnambool 3280 ph: (03) 5560 5273
Loddon Mallee
- 81 Bull St, Bendigo 3550 ph: (03) 5440 6100
- 59 Madden St, Mildura 3500 ph: (03) 5021 6100
Info & advocacy for any ‘consumers’ including people with disabilities who need support with problems with buying products, refunds contracts, door to door salespersons
ELDER RIGHTS ADVOCACY – ERA
Level 2, 85 Queen St., Melbourne
Ph. 9602 3066 Freecall 1800 700 600
E: [email protected] W: www.era.asn.au
Advocacy & info for potential/current residents (& their families) in Nursing Homes & Hostels
SENIORS RIGHTS VICTORIA (SRV)
Level 4, 533 Little Lonsdale St., Melbourne
Ph: 1300 368 821 email: [email protected]
Provides legal services & advocacy (esp. re. Elder Abuse) to any Victorian aged 60 & above
SHASP – SOCIAL HOUSING ADVOCACY & SUPPORT PROGRAM
Metro Regions
Wesley Housing & Support Service 291A Maroondah Hwy, Ringwood ph: (03) 8870 4030
Uniting Care Harrison 1012 Little Burwood Hwy, Wantirna South ph: (03) 9871 8700
HomeGround Services 1A/68 Oxford St, Collingwood ph: (03) 9417 2500
SASHS Western – Network (Sunshine) ph. 9312 5799
Wombat Housing & Supt Servs Nth Melbourne 3051 ph: 8327 2222 Freecall: 1800 887 775
HomeGround Services 122 Chapel St, St Kilda ph: (03) 9537 7888
WAYSS 294-300 Thomas St, Dandenong ph: (03) 9791 6111
Rural Regions
Community Connections Vic. 26 Fairy St, Warrnambool 3280 ph: 1300 361 680
Bethany Community Support 1 Gibb St, Hamlyn Heights 3215 ph: (03) 5278 8122
Quantum Support Servs 225-227 Princess Dve, Morwell ph: 5120 2000 Freecall: 1800 243 455
Brophy Family & Youth Servs. ph. 5561 8888
PACT Comty Supt Level 4, 17 Lydiard St Nth, Ballarat ph: 5309 1900 Freecall: 1800 660 446
Rural Housing Network
Seymour ph. 5735 2000
Shepparton ph. 5833 1000
Wodonga ph: (02) 6055 9000
Wangaratta ph. 5722 8000
Advocacy & Rights Centre (Bendigo & Mildura) ph: 5444 4364 Freecall: 1800 639 121
Provides advice, advocacy & assistance to public housing tenants throughout Victoria
TENANTS UNION VICTORIA
55 Johnston St, Fitzroy 3065
Admin ph: 9411 1444 Tenants Help line (03) 9416 2577
E: [email protected] W: www.tuv.org.au
Provides advice, assistance & advocacy for tenants of private and public rental properties
LEGAL CENTRES
A great resource is the Law Handbook and you can find it online http://www.lawhandbook.org.au/
AED (Association of Employees with Disability) LEGAL CENTRE
Suite 4 Level 9, 276 Flinders St, Melbourne
ph 9639 4333 fax. 9650 2833
E: [email protected] W: www.aed.org.au
Info, training & legal advice for people with disabilities about employment, education & rights.
DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION LEGAL SERVICE (DDLS)
See entry in ‘Statewide Advocacy section’ W: www.ddls.org.au/
Can provide advocacy, legal advice, training & community education on the Federal DDA
FEDERATION OF COMMUNITY LEGAL CENTRES (FCLC)
Level 3, 225 Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Ph: (03) 9652 1500 E: [email protected]
W: fclc.org.au
Info & support to find appropriate lawyer or to find your local Community Legal Centre etc.
MENTAL HEALTH LEGAL CENTRE
Building 97, 106–108 Victoria Street, Carlton Vic 3053
ph: 9629 4422 Freecall 1800 555 887 fax. 9614 0488
E: [email protected] W: mhlc.org.au
Info. & advice (phone or in person) to people who have a mental illness & their families
VICTORIA LEGAL AID (VLA)
350 Queen St, (GPO Box 4380) Melbourne 3001
ph: (03) 9269 0234 Rural Victoria 1300 792 387
Range of support including a free phone legal advice & information service.
VILLAMANTA DISABILITY RIGHTS & LEGAL SERVICE
See details in ‘Statewide Advocacy Service section’ W: www.villamanta.org.au
Statewide community legal service with primary focus on people with intellectual disability
WELFARE RIGHTS NETWORK LEGAL SERVICES
Social Security Rights Vic. PO Box 1221 North Fitzroy 3068
ph: 03 9481 0355 Freecall 1800 094 164 fax. 9419 3552
W: ssrv.org.au
Barwon Community Legal Service Level 1, 63 Thompson St., Belmont
Ph: 1300 430 599 or 5221 4744
E: [email protected] W: www.barwoncls.org.au
Legal Centre for people with problems related to Centrelink. Ph Advice Tue – Frid afternoons
COMPLAINTS: Monitoring &/or Support with
A great resource is ALSO the Law Handbook – http://www.lawhandbook.org.au/
ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS TRIBUNAL – AAT
Main: Level 4, 15 William St, Melbourne (GPO Box 9955, Melbourne)
ph: 1800 228 333 E: [email protected]
The Tribunal reviews administrative decisions made by Australian Gov’t ministers, departments, agencies (eg NDIS, Centrelink) including Migration & Refugee decisions.
AUSTRALIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION (AHRC)
Postal Address: GPO Box 5218, Sydney NSW 2001
Complaints: 1300 656 419 Enquiries: 1300 369 711
E: [email protected] W: www.humanrights.gov.au
COMMISSIONER FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE (CCYP)
Level 18, 570 Bourke St, Melbourne Vic 3000
ph: 8601 5884 Freecall 1300 782 978
E: [email protected] W: www.ccyp.vic.gov.au
Promotes the safety & wellbeing of children; investigates child deaths & monitors the standard & quality of care to children in out-of-home care.
COMMUNITY VISITORS (CV)
C/- Office of Public Advocate Freecall 1300 309 337
204 Lygon St., Carlton W: www.publicadvocate.vic.gov.au
Monitors & reports on care of people living in disability funded residential accommodation
COMPLAINTS RESOLUTION & REFERRAL SERVICE (CRRS)
Freecall 1800 880 052 F: 08 9382 9277
E: [email protected] W: www.crrs.net.au
PO Box 1764 Osborn Park DC, WA 6916
Complaints about Commonwealth funded employment or advocacy services – 9am – 7pm
CONSUMER UTILITIES ADVOCACY CENTRE Ltd (CUAC)
Suite 3, Level 2, 172 Flinders St, Melbourne Vic 3000 Note: Building Is Branded ‘180’
ph: 9639 7600 F: 9639 8966
email: [email protected] W: www.cuac.org.au
Systemic advocacy on behalf of energy & water consumers on policy & regulatory issues
CONSUMER AFFAIRS VICTORIA (CAV)
refer to the ‘Statewide Advocacy Services’ section for contacts W: www.consumer.vic.gov.au
Complaints & advocacy related to purchases, refunds, contracts, scams, door to door sales
COURT INFORMATION & WELFARE NETWORK
555 Lonsdale St, Melbourne
Ph: 03 9603 7433 Freecall 1800 681 614 Admin. 9603 7420 fax. 9670 8804
E: [email protected] W: www.courtnetwork.com.au
Volunteers provide info & support to victims during Court cases. Rural contacts on website.
DISABILITY SERVICES COMMISSIONER (DSC)
Level 30, 570 Bourke Street, Melbourne 3000
E: [email protected] W: www.odsc.vic.gov.au
Ph. 1800 677 342 (free call) TTY: 1300 726 563 Fax: 03 9603 8310
Supports to resolve complaints about State funded disability services
HEALTH COMPLAINTS COMMISSIONER
26th Floor, 570 Bourke St., Melbourne
Complaints ph. 8601 5200 TTY 1300 550 275 Freecall: 1300 582 113
E: [email protected] W: https://hcc.vic.gov.au/
Information about concerns and to make a complaint about a health services.
JUSTICE CONNECT (formerly Public Interest Law Clearing House)
17/461 Bourke St, [PO Box 16013, Collins St West, Melbourne 8007]
Ph General: 8636 4400 Legal Inquiries: 03 8636 4444
E: [email protected] W: www.justiceconnect.org.au
For improving access to justice and protecting human rights. Can assist with advice & access to pro-bono legal support Undertakes law reform, policy work and legal education.
LAW INSTITUTE OF VICTORIA
Level 3, 140 William St, Melbourne (GPO Box 263 Melbourne 3001)
Ph. 03 9607 9311 Fax. 03 9602 5270
E: [email protected] W: www.liv.asn.au
Can provide info on lawyers in your area & who deal with specialist issues
MENTAL HEALTH COMPLAINTS COMMISSIONER (MHCC)
Level 26, 570 Bourke Street, Melbourne 3000
Ph. 1800 246 054 (free call) Fax: 03 9949 1506
E: [email protected] W: www.mhcc.vic.gov.au/
Supports to resolve complaints about Victorian mental health services.
MY AGED CARE COMPLAINTS
Dept of Social Services, Stakeholder relations, Box 210, Balwyn 3103
ph:1800 200 442 W: myagedcare.gov.au
Investigate concerns & complaints re facilities receiving aged care funding
NATIONAL ABUSE & NEGLECT HOTLINE
Freecall: 1800 880 052 E: [email protected]
Hotline for reporting abuse & neglect of people with disabilities using gov’t funded services
NDIS QUALITY & SAFEGUARDING COMMISSION (QSC)
PO Box 210, Penrith NSW 2750
ph: 1800 035 544
E: [email protected] W: www.ndiscommission.gov.au
Any complaint, including breaches of restrictive practice or Code of Conduct; incidents related to staff & services purchased with NDIS funding
OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
Level 24, 50 Lonsdale St, Melbourne 3000
ph: 9096 8427 Fax: 9096 8017
E: [email protected] W: www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/victorian-senior-practitioner
Works in partnership with professionals & organisations to maximise people’s quality of life, promote people’s development and safeguard their rights
OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC ADVOCATE (OPA)
Refer to entry in State Wide Advocacy Services W: www.publicadvocate.vic.gov.au
OFFICE of the VICTORIAN INFORMATION COMMISSIONER (OVIC)
Level 6, 121 Exhibition St (GPO Box 24274) Melbourne 3001
Enquiries: 1300 006 842 General: 03 8684 1660
E: [email protected] W: ovic.vic.gov.au
OMBUDSMAN & INDUSTRY COMPLAINTS
AUSTRALIAN FINACIAL COMPLAINTS AUTHORITY (AFCA) (formerly Financial Ombudsman Serv)
includes banking complaints 1300 780 808
GPO Box 3, Melbourne 3001 email: [email protected] W: afca.org.au
COMMONWEALTH OMBUDSMAN
Lev 1, 441 St Kilda Road Melbourne 3004 ph: 1300 362 072
E: [email protected] W: www.ombudsman.gov.au
CREDIT & INVESTMENT OMBUDSMAN (CIO)
PO Box A252, Sydney South NSW 1235 Complaints 1800 138 422
Energy & Water Ombudsman Vic. (EWOV) www.ewov.com.au
GPO Box 469, Melbourne 3001 1800 500 509 email: [email protected]
Legal Services Board & Commissioner www.lsbc.vic.gov.au
Lev 5, 555 Bourke St, Melbourne 1300 796 344 email: [email protected]
Private Health Insurance Industry Ombudsman
Complaints Hotline 1800 640 695 Admin 02 8235 8777
E: [email protected] W: www.phio.org.au
Police Complaints – Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC)
GPO Box 24234, Melbourne Ph: 1300 735 135
E: [email protected] W: www.ibac.vic.gov.au
Public Transport Ombudsman
Box 538, Collins St W, Melb. 8007
ph: 1800 466 865 E: [email protected] W: www.ptovic.com.au
Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO)
Box 276, Collins St West 8007
E: [email protected] 1800 062 058 W: www.tio.com.au
Victorian Ombudsman
Lev 1, 459 Collins St. Melbourne
regional only 1800 806 314 metro: 9613 6222
E: [email protected] W: www.ombudsman.vic.gov.a
SENIOR PRACTITIONER (OPP)
Office of Professional Practice (previous page) for issues re. DHHS programs
W: www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/victorian-senior-practitioner
Monitors & advises on ‘restrictive’ practice in disability services in Vic.
VCAT – GUARDIANSHIP LIST
55 King St., Melbourne 3000
Ph: 9628 9911 Freecall 1300 079 413
E: [email protected] W: http://www.vcat.vic.gov.au
Appoints Guardians & ‘Administrators’ where required for people over 18 years, who have a impairments, disability or illness
VICTORIAN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY & HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
Level 3, 204 Lygon St, Carlton 3053
Email: [email protected] W: www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au
Complaints about unfair treatment regarding work, school, services, housing or financial matters. Free Advice service on discrimination law through Enquiry Line 9-4pm weekdays
EQUIPMENT & COMMUNICATION
COMMUNICATION & INCLUSION RESOURCE CENTRE (CIRC)
830 Whitehorse Rd. Box Hill 3128
Ph: 9843 2000 Freecall: 1300 472 673 F. 9843 2033
E: [email protected] W: www.scopeaust.org.au/services-for-individuals/specialised-communication-services/
Aids, resources & training related to communication impairment. Also Gastrostomy info. & NECAS (Non-Electronic Communication Aids Scheme)
CONTINENCE AIDS PAYMENT SCHEME (CAPS)
ph: 1800 239 309 for assistance with Applications and information
W: www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/continence-aids-payment-scheme-caps
People with permanent disability aged 16 – 65yrs – receive an annual allocation of funds for purchase of continence aids, including pads.
ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICES SCHEME – ECDS www.yooralla.com.au
Refer to details for Independent Living Centre details below
EQUIPMENT RECYCLING NETWORK – ERNI
17 Greenwood Ave (Box 419) Ringwood 3134
Ph. (03) 9879 5211 email: [email protected] W: www.erni.asn.au
Provides recycled equipment & computers to people with disabilities.
HOME RENOVATION SERVICE
ph. 03 9815 1900 rural 1300 136 513 W: housing.vic.gov.au/home-renovation-loan-owners
Provided via Archicentre 1300 13 45 13 a free assessment & advice on home modifications that assist maintain independent.
DISABILITY AIDS & EQUIPMENT
Showroom 35-37 Tinning Street, Brunswick, VIC 3056
ph: 1300 788 855 E: [email protected] W: www.independenceaustralia.com
Full range of equipment & aids including continence products
KEY WORD SIGN VICTORIA (formerly called Makaton)
PO Box 142, Canterbury 3126
ph: 9899 8684 E: [email protected] W: www.keywordsignvictoria.org
NATIONAL CONTINENCE HELPLINE
Ph: 1800 330 066 E: [email protected] W: www.continence.org.au
Free info & referral telephone service, with professional continence advisors, for people affected by incontinence; including advise about state & territory continence schemes
NATIONAL PUBLIC TOILET MAP W: www.toiletmap.gov.au
NATIONAL RELAY SERVICE (NRS)
24 hour Relay of calls – Voice/TTY 133 677 or Speak & listen 1300 555 727
Lev 2, 10 Mallet St, Camperdown NSW 2050
E: [email protected] Admin:1800 555 660 F: 1800 555 680
Assists people who are deaf or with speech impairment to make phone calls
SCOPE VIC. – ADVISORY SERVICES
Building Advisory Service (BAS) ph. 03 9843 2000 E: [email protected]
Gokids Mobility Advisory Service ph. 03 8311 4009 E: [email protected]
SUPPORTED ACCOMMODATION EQUIPMENT ASSISTANCE – SAEAS
Contact: SWEP Freecall 1300 747 937
E: [email protected] W: swep.bhs.org.au/
Provides equipment & aids for people with disability living in Non-government disability accommodation or respite (excluding aged care facilities)
STATE-WIDE EQUIPMENT PROGRAM (SWEP)
PO Box 1993 Bakery Hill Vic 3354
ph: 1300 747 937 or 03 5333 8100 fax: 03 5333 8111
E: [email protected] W: swep.bhs.org.au
Provides people who have a permanent or long-term disability with subsidised aids, equipment, oxygen, continence and vehicle and home modifications
SOLVE DISABILITY SOLUTIONS (formerly TADVIC)
c/- Royal Talbot Rehab Centre, 1 Yarra Blvd Kew 3101
Freecall 1300 663 243 fax. 9853 8098
email: [email protected] W: www.solve.org.au
Assists modify standard equipment or develop aids not available retail.
TELSTRA DISABILITY EQUIPMENT PROGRAM
Voice: 1800 068 424 TTY: 133 677 fax: 1800 814 777
E: [email protected] W: www.telstra.com.au/disability
Info & assistance with telephone adaptations for people with impairments or disability.
VISION AUSTRALIA FOUNDATION
454 Glenferrie Rd, Kooyong 3144
ph: 1300 847 466 email: [email protected] W: www.visionaustralia.org
Low Vision clinics across State. Sells aids & equipment for people with visual impairments
AIDS & EQUIPMENT WEBSITES
Continence Foundation of Australia website – www.continence.org.au
Bladder Bowel website – www.bladderbowel.gov.au
Independent Living Centres Australia – ilcaustralia.org.au/
INFORMATION & SUPPORT SERVICES
AFTER-HOURS GP HELPLINE 1800 022 222 provides free health information and assistance from a registered nurse or medical advice from a GP
AGED CARE INFORMATION LINE – 1800 200 422
ARBIAS
27 Hope St (Box 5002) Brunswick
ph: 8388 1222 fax. 9387 9925
E: [email protected] W: www.arbias.org.au
Provides range services to people with ABI including accom, info, counselling, case mgmt. etc
Association for Children with a Disability www.acd.org.au
For main details refer to entry in Advocacy Services List
AMAZE (formerly Autism Victoria)
24 Drummond St Carlton (Box 374 Carlton South)
ph: 9657 1600 INFOline 1300 308 699 F: 9639 4955
E: [email protected] W: amaze.org.au
Info, counselling, family support & other services to people with autism/their families
Carers Association of Victoria
Level 1, 37 Albert St (Box 2204) Footscray 3011
ph: 9396 9500 Toll Free 1800 242 636
E: [email protected] W: carersvic.org.au
Info, referral & support for carers of people with disability/illness
CARER GATEWAY
Freecall 1800 422 737 W: www.carergateway.gov.au
Support for parents/carers including respite, info & After Hours emergency respite service
DARU (Disability Advocacy Resource Unit)
Level 8, 128 Exhibition St., Melbourne 3000 ph: 9639 5807
E: [email protected] W: www.daru.org.au
Provides info & resourcing for state funded advocacy services, their Boards & staff
DIRECTLINE www.health.vic.gov.au/aod/directline
Freecall 1800 888 236 – 24 hours 7 days a week
A 24 hour telephone service which provides anyone in the community with access to drug and alcohol counseling, information and referral to services
DISABILITY GATEWAY
Freecall 1800 643 787 W: www.disabilitygateway.gov.au
Information and services to help people with disability, their family, friends and carers, to find the support they need in Australia Support for
DOWN SYNDROME VICTORIA Inc. (DSV)
18/71 Victoria Cres., Abbotsford 3067
ph. 9486 9600 or 1300 658 873 fax. 9486 9601
email: [email protected] W: www.downsyndromevictoria.org.au
Support, info, referral, hospital visiting to new parents, computer club & local contacts.
EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF VICTORIA
587 Canterbury Rd, Surrey Hills 3124
ph.8809 0600 Infoline 1300 761 487
email: [email protected] W: www.epilepsyfoundation.org.au
Support Groups, info, counselling & advocacy assisting people with epilepsy/families.
FAMILY PLANNING VIC. – Disability Services
901 Whitehorse Rd. (Box 1377) Box Hill 3128
Main. 9257 0100 freecall 1800 013 952 Disability Prog: 9257 0191
E: [email protected] W: www.fpv.org.au
Info., library, counselling, community & school ed’n, sexuality education; clinical services.
HOUSING CHOICES AUSTRALIA (formerly Singleton)
Level 3, 350 Queen St, Melbourne Vic. 3000
ph: 1300 312 447 fax: 1300 312 737
E: [email protected] W: www.housingchoices.org.au
Provides range of accommodation options & works with others to plan build housing developments
MIIGRANT RESOURCE CENTRES – MRC
Migrant Info Centre Eastern Melbourne
Suite 2, Town Hall Hub, 27 Bank St, Box Hill
ph. 9285 4888 email: [email protected] W: www.miceastmelb.com.au
Diversitat
153 Pakington St, Geelong West 3218 ph. 5221 6044
E: [email protected] W: www.diversitat.org.au
Gippsland Multicultural Services
100 Buckley St, Morwell ph: 5133 7072
E: [email protected] W: www.gms.org.au
New Hope Migrant & Refugee Centre
40 Grattan St, Prahran 3181 ph. 9510 5877
E: [email protected] W: www.newhope.asn.au
MRC North West
20 Victoria Cres, St. Albans ph: 03 9367 6044
E: [email protected] W: www.mrcnorthwest.org.au
Southern Migrant & Refugee Centre
39 Clow St, Dandenong ph. 9767 1900
E: [email protected] W: www.smrc.org.au
Spectrum MRC www.spectrumvic.org.au
Lev 5, 61 Riggall St, Dallas 3047 ph.1300 735 653 email: [email protected]
163 Harvester Rd., Sunshine 3020 ph.1300 735 653
NATIONAL DISABILITY INSURANCE AGENCY (NDIA)
Freecall 1800 800 110 W: www.ndis.gov.au
New agency overseeing the establishment of the Nat. Dis. Insurance Scheme in Vic.
INFORMATION WEBSITES
Human Services Directory (health, disability, community) www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
InfoXchange www.infoxchange.net.au www.serviceseeker.com.au
Mental Health Advice Website www.health.vic.gov.au/mentalhealthadvice
Depression Net http:/depressionet.org.au
NOTE: Any updates APPRECIATED & can be forwarded to Christine Scott
03 9416 4003 or via email to [email protected] web: www.valid.org.au
UPDATED: 3rd Sept 2021