Social Ventures Australia has created 7 Steps for keeping the lights on: Support for social enterprises (COVID-19 impact response)

The COVID-19 Rapid Advocacy Fund is offering grants and building a pool of funding to support strategic grassroots advocacy responses to the pandemic in Australia

The Women’s Services Network (WESNET) has created a comprehensive resources page for DFV agencies wanting to use technology during the COVID-19 pandemic

COTA Australia, National Seniors Australia, Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) and Dementia Australia’s COVID-19 hotline is now live to assist with queries for older Australians

Group of Eight universities (Go8) has developed a comprehensive report, charting a Roadmap to Recovery following the COVID-19 global pandemic. Click here for more information, and the full report

The National Debt Helpline is a not-for-profit service that helps people in Australia tackle their debt problems through free financial counselling

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (NATSILS) and State Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (ATSILS), are urging “Governments to do everything in their power prevent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander deaths in custody due to COVID-19”. In particular, they are calling for early release of prisoners, with priority given to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, many of whom suffer from chronic illness, live with disability and/or have family members, including elderly relatives and children, who rely on their support. We understand there are currently no immediate plans to implement early release of prisoners due to COVID-19. Please sign this petition to stop COVID Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.

Good Things Foundation has launched a brand new grant to support organisations to purchase devices to loan to older Australians in their communities who face barriers to getting online. The aim is to reduce social isolation and improve access to information and connections to community, services and digital skills support during COVID-19.

Anglicare Australia is calling on the government to raise the rate of income support payments for good. The call is made as Anglicare Australia releases its Rental Affordability Snapshot. The Snapshot surveyed almost 70,000 rental listings across Australia and found that there is still a chronic shortage of affordable rentals across Australia – even after recent income support increases. Click here for more information.

Economic Justice Australia’s (EJA) member legal centres have been responding to significant increases in demand for their services, with unprecedented numbers of people affected by COVID-19 claiming Centrelink payments and finding it difficult to navigate the complex social security system and Centrelink processes. EJA has produced factsheets on COVID-19 and Centrelink, which explain eligibility and how to apply for JobSeeker Payment and the Coronavirus Supplement, as well as a factsheet specifically for people receiving the Disability Support Pension. EJA continues its work to ensure that particularly vulnerable groups, such as temporary visa holders, people seeking asylum and refugees, are not left without support, especially during this public health crisis. Follow EJA on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

To celebrate World Day for Safety and Health at Work (28 April), we’d like to share this helpful list developed by Connecting Up, which provides an overview free and discounted tools to assist organisations who have had to make the transition to working from home. The page includes resources to ensure a smooth switch out of the office, including links to Connecting Up online courses which you and your team members are able to sign up to!

• The COSS Network is delivering focused webinars on the applicability and accounting for JobKeeper payments for NFPs and charities

  A webinar recording can be found on the WACOSS website

• UNSW Centre for Social Impact is providing free daily webinars through their impact2020 webinar series 

  Multiple dates throughout May, click here for more information on the program

• Australia at Home offers lunchtime briefings, presenting a leader of civil society to join in an interactive conversation

  Multiple dates available, click here for more information on the program

• Consumer Health Forum of Australia (CHF) are hosting a webinar for those who want to know more about telehealth in the age of COVID-19

  8 May, 2020 - click here for more information

• Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA) has created an information hub for people with disability on COVID-19. DANA has also created a hub of simple, plain English advocacy resources to assist organisations in better supporting people with disability for the duration of the pandemic.

• Volunteering Australia have compiled COVID-19 information for organisations who work with volunteers.

• Mackillop Family Services have adapted their services in light of COVID-19 to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children, young people and their families, as well as staff. Mackillop have also compiled resources, activities and tips for self-isolation to support foster carers, families and people with disability during the pandemic.

ACOSS is constantly working to provide an up-to-date list of COVID-19 resources offered by our members. Click here for the full list.

Australian Unemployed Workers Union spokesperson Jeremy Poxon said thousands of Australians could have been affected after already waiting more than a month for the payment to kick in since the 22 March announcement.

National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation CEO Pat Turner says she would like to see a roll-out of rapid-testing equipment throughout Indigenous communities.

Brotherhood of St Laurence Executive Director Conny Lenneberg discusses how young people will be disproportionately affected by the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.

#COVID19au has shown how important our homes are - to our safety, our wellbeing, to everything.
And how easily so many people's housing situation unravelled.
Can you call on @ScottMorrisonMP @AlboMP to make sure everyone has a home.#EverybodysHomehttps://t.co/YFEBK4P3IS pic.twitter.com/12z5lptw61

— Everybody's Home (@_EverybodysHome) April 29, 2020