Disability information
Last Updated: 01 Apr 2020 11:20am
Supported accommodation for people with disability in Tasmania
The Australian Government has released national guidelines for the prevention, control and public health management of COVID-19 outbreaks in residential care facilities in Australia. These guidelines should be referred to for on the prevention and management of outbreaks in Tasmania’s accommodation for people with disability (supported accommodation) where residents sleep, eat and live either temporarily or on an ongoing basis. This includes NDIS Supported Disability Accommodation (SDA).
This information provides targeted advice regarding the Tasmanian Support Measures & Stimulus Package, in particular the emergency accommodation supports included in this package. This information provides targeted guidelines for disability accommodation facilities in Tasmania.
NDIS Providers should refer to the NDIS website and the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission for COVID-19 advice regarding supporting participants and providers.
Contacts
For-up-to-date information, visit:
* Tasmanian Public Health website or Hotline 1800 671 738
* Tasmanian Department of Communities Tasmania
* Coronavirus Health Information Line 1800 020 080
* Tasmanian Government Coronavirus website
* NDIS Website
* NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
Tasmanian Support Measures and Stimulus Package
To be read in conjunction with national guidelines for residential care facilities.
Accommodation Support for Frontline Workers
Emergency accommodation will be available for frontline workers if they need to stay away from home, in circumstances where their family members are ill.
Disability Support Workers are eligible for this form of assistance.
For workers of disability accommodation, this means that emergency accommodation support will be available by contacting the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 if it is demonstrated that they are at risk of infection if they reside at their family home.
Accommodation Support for Vulnerable Tasmanians
Emergency accommodation will be available for low-income individuals and families who have been placed in isolation but who are unable to return to their regular place of residence.
For residents of disability accommodation, this means that emergency accommodation will be available by contacting the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 if it is demonstrated that isolation from other residents who are at high risk within the facility cannot be reasonably achieved.
Emergency Relief
The provision of emergency food hampers, delivery of medications, financial counselling and other essential support from Recovery Network Partner organisations for persons who are required by Public Health to self-isolate due to COVID-19 risk.
Recovery Network Partners include Red Cross, Rural Business Tasmania and The Salvation Army.
For residents of disability accommodation this means that emergency relief assistance for isolated residents will be available where there is demonstrated need that the facility requires this form of assistance by contacting the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738. Eligibility for these payments does not require residents to transfer to alternative accommodation. Public Health will provide an appropriate referral.
Isolation Assistance
For isolated residents of disability accommodation this includes:
- Emergency Relief with the provision of emergency food hampers, delivery of medications, financial counselling and other essential support from partner organisations such as Red Cross, Rural Business Tasmania and The Salvation Army
- Pandemic Isolation Assistance Grants for vulnerable Tasmanians with the provision of one-off payment.
These forms of assistance can be accessed by phoning the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738.
Pandemic Isolation Assistance Grants for Vulnerable Tasmanians
Pandemic Isolation Assistance Grants for vulnerable Tasmanians (also known as Emergency Relief Payments) – one-off payments will be made to low-income persons who are required by Public Health to self-isolate due to COVID-19 risk.
For residents of disability accommodation, this means that one-off relief payments for isolated residents will be available by contacting the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738. Eligibility for these payments does not require residents to transfer to alternative accommodation.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Disability Service Providers are advised to follow the information provided at https://www.health.gov.au/
Disability Support Workers
Disability Support Workers include workers in Tasmania’s disability accommodation facilities. These workers will be considered as frontline workers who may be eligible for Accommodation Support under the Tasmanian Support Measures & Stimulus Package.
Emergency Accommodation for Isolation
Emergency accommodation for isolation is available under the Tasmanian Support Measures & Stimulus Package and can be accessed by phoning the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 (see information on Accommodation Support for vulnerable Tasmanians).
This is in addition to Emergency Relief and Pandemic Isolation Assistance Grants which are also available to residents of disability accommodation they are transferred for isolation to alternative emergency accommodation.
NDIS Participants
Participants should contact the NDIA on 1800 800 110 if they need to talk to a planner, make changes to their plan or are having trouble sourcing services due to COVID-19.
More information about COVID-19 for NDIS participants and their families and carers is available on the NDIS website.
For further information related to Disability Accommodation and COVID-19 in Tasmania contact the Public Health hotline on 1800 671 738.
