This list provides information about the key Victorian groups providing Advocacy, Information, and Complaints handling. Download the List of Victorian Advocacy Organisations
State-wide Disability Advocacy Services
ADEC
(Action on Disability in Ethnic Communities)
- 175 Plenty Rd, Preston 3072
- Tel: 9480 7000
- Toll Free: 1800 626 078
- Fax: 9480 3444
- Email: [email protected]
- www.adec.org.au
Dandenong Office
- 186 Foster St, East Dandenong
- Tel: 9791 8344
Werribee office
- Level 1, 1-3 Watton St. Werribee 3030
- Tel: 8744 2100
Note: Info, referral, advocacy for ethnic families/groups, Bi-lingual Ethnic Disability Workers
AMIDA
(Action for More Independence and Dignity in Accommodation)
- 1st Floor, Ross House, 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000
- Tel: 9650 2722
- Fax: 9654 8575
- Email: [email protected]
- www.amida.org.au
Information, referral and self advocacy support for people with disability with housing issues
Association for Children with a Disability (ACD)
- Suite 1, 587 Canterbury Road
Surrey Hills VIC 3127 - Tel: 9880 7000
- Toll Free: 1800 654 013
- Fax: 9818 2300
- Email: [email protected]
- www.acd.org.au
Information Advocacy and Support for families of children who have a disability
Blind Citizens Australia (BCA)
- Lev. 3, Ross House
- 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 3000
- Tel: 9654 1400
- Toll Free: 1800 033 660
- Fax: 9650 3200
- Email: [email protected]
- www.bca.org.au
Information and individual advocacy support for people with sensory impairment
Communication Rights Australia (CAUS)
- Unit 4, 3 Tuck Street
- Moorabbin (PO Box 292 Bentleigh 3204)
- Tel: 9555 8552
- Toll Free: 1300 666 604
- Fax: 9555 8550
- Email: [email protected]
- www.caus.com.au
Information and advocacy for people with disabilities who have speech or communication difficulties.
Consumer Affairs Victoria (CVA)
- 113 Exhibition St, (GPO Box 123: 3001) Melbourne (local offices listed on page 6)
Helpline 1300 558 181
- Koori Helpline 1300 661 511
- Email: [email protected]
- www.consumer.vic.gov.au
Complaints about purchases, refunds, contracts, scams, door to door sales etc
Deaf Victoria
(formerly Victorian Council of Deaf People – VCOD)
- Level 3, 340 Albert St, (Box 6186)
- East Melbourne 3004
- SMS: 0431 476 721
- Email: [email protected]
- www.deafvictoria.org.au
State-wide advocacy, info & support service for the deaf community
Disability Justice Advocacy (DJA)
- 2 /28A Albert Street
- Preston 3072
- Tel: 9474 0077
- Free call: 1800 808 126
- Email: [email protected]
- www.justadvocacy.com
Provide advocacy for people with higher support needs
Disability Discrimination Legal Service (DDLS)
- 2nd Floor, Ross House 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 3000
Tel: 9654 8644 - Free call 1300 882 872
- TTY: 9654 6817
- Fax: 9639 7422
- Email: [email protected]
- www.communitylaw.org.au/ddls
Can provide advocacy, legal advice, training and community education on the Federal DDA.
Disability Resources Centre (DRC)
- 3rd Floor, Ross House 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 3000
- Tel: 9671 3000
- Fax: 9489 2988
- Email: [email protected]
- www.drc.org.au
Outreach: 186 Foster St East, Dandenong
- Tel: 9791 4870
- Fax: 9792 1111
- Email: [email protected]
Information individual advocacy and support for adults with disabilities in Melbourne area
Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA)
- 350 Queen Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
- Intake Line: 1300 947 820
- Tel: 9093 3701
- Fax: 9269 5400
- Email: [email protected]
- www.imha.vic.gov.au
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
- Tel: 9489 2999
- Fax: 9489 2988
- Free call: 1300 727 017
- Email: [email protected]
- www.leadershipplus.com
State-wide advocacy & Info for people with all types of disability
National Aged Care Advocacy Line
- Tel: 1800 700 600
Office of the Public Advocate (OPA)
- Level 1, 204 Lygon St, Carlton 3053
- Tel: 1300 309 337
- TTY: 1300 305 612
- Fax: 1300 878 510
- Email: [email protected]
- www.publicadvocate.vic.gov.au
Advice, assistance and advocacy re. complaints on behalf of people who have an intellectual or psychiatric disability; dementia or an acquired brain injury
Star Victoria
- 2nd Floor, Ross House, 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 3000
- Tel: 9650 2730
- Fax: 9650 6972
- Email: [email protected]
- https://starvictoria.org.au/
Aims to heighten awareness of the rights of people with intellectual disabilities
VALID
(Victorian Advocacy League for Individuals with Disability Inc.)
- 130 Cremorne St, Richmond 3121
- Tel: 9416 4003
- Free call: 1800 655 570
- Fax: 9416 0850
- Email: [email protected]
- 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
- Tel: 9380 3900
- Fax: 9388 1445
- Email: [email protected]
- www.vmiac.org.au
Individual advocacy and support for groups of people with emotional and/or mental difficulties
Villamanta Disability Rights Legal Service
- Building ad, Level 2, Deakin University
- 1 Gheringhap Street, Geelong 3220
- Tel: 5227 3338
- Toll Free: 1800 014 111
- Email: [email protected]
- www.villamanta.org.au
State-wide 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
- Tel: 9286 7800
- Fax: 9663 7955
- Email: [email protected]
- www.wdv.org.au
Systemic advocacy on behalf of women with disabilities
Youth Disability Advocacy Service (YDAS)
- Level 2, 235 Queen St
- Melbourne 3000
- Tel: 0429 964 859
- Email: [email protected]
- www.ydas.org.au
Individual advocacy & support for young adults with disabilities
Regional and Local Disability Advocacy Services
ASSERT 4 ALL – A4All
(also, Barwon Disability Resource Council)
- 48 McKillop St, Geelong 3220
- Tel/TTY: 5221 8011
- Toll free: 1300 942 773
- Fax: 5229 5665
- Email: [email protected]
- www.bdrc.org.au
Outreach office
- 1 Rutherford Crt, Maddingley 3340
Information individual advocacy for people with disabilities in Barwon and Southern Grampians areas
Colac Otway Region Advocacy Service (CORAS)
- 50 Rae St, Colac 3252
- Tel: 5232 1009
- Fax: 5232 1291
- Email: [email protected]
- www.coras.com.au
- Information individual advocacy and support for people with disabilities
DRAS
Now part of Reg. Info. Advocacy Council (RIAC)
Grampians Disability Advocacy Association (GDAA)
(previously known as Ararat Stawell Advocacy Service)
Main Office
- 2/32 Tuson St (Box 112), Ararat 3377
- Tel: 1800 552 272
- Fax: 5352 2733
- Email: [email protected]
- www.grampiansadvocacy.org.au
Ballarat Office
- Suite 19, 15 Dawson St South, Ballarat
- Tel: 5364 293
- Email: [email protected]
Daylesford Office
- 13 Hospital Street, Daylesford
- Tel: 5348 3350
- Email: [email protected]
Clunes Office
- 69 Service St. Clunes c/- Daylesford office
Horsham Office
- 17 McLachlan Street, Horsham
- Tel: 5381 2400
- Email: [email protected]
Stawell Office
- 111 Main Street Stawell
- Tel: 5358 2164
Information individual advocacy & support for people with disabilities
Gippsland Disability Advocacy
- Suite 2, 1st Floor, 6 – 8 Grey St (PO Box 409, Morwell 3840), Traralgon 3844
- Tel: 5175 0444
- Email: [email protected]
- https://www.gdai.com.au
Provides support with individual, self and family advocacy, plus some citizen advocacy
Melbourne East Disability Advocacy (MEDA)
- Level 1, 79 Mahoney’s Rd, Forest Hill, 3131
(PO Box 302) - Tel: 9877 7990
- Email: [email protected]
- www.meda.org.au
MEDA works alongside adults with intellectual disability in the local government areas of Whitehorse, Monash, Boroondara, Manningham and Monash. MEDA offers volunteer citizen advocacy and individual advocacy services and works in systemic advocacy.
Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) North West
- 20 Victoria Crescent, St Albans 3021
- Tel: 9367-6044
- Fax: 9367-4344
- Email: [email protected]
- 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) - Tel/Fax: 8407 3684
- Email: [email protected]
- www.citizenadvocacy.com
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
- Tel: 02 6056 2420
- Toll free: 1800 250 292
- Fax: 02 6024 6809
- email: [email protected]
- www.rdas.org.au
Wangaratta office
- 15-17 Ely Street Wangaratta
- Tel: 5718 0171
Individual & systemic advocacy for people with disabilities living in Upper Murray area
Rights Information and Advocacy Centre (RIAC)
Shepparton:
- 72 Wyndham St. (Box 1763: 3632) Shepparton
- Tel: 5822 1944
- Fax: 5831 1610
- Email: [email protected] and [email protected]
- www.riac.org.au
Bendigo:
- 122 Queen Street, Bendigo (Box 2219, Bendigo DC 3554)
- Tel: 5443 0550
- Fax: 5443 5178
- Email: [email protected]
Geelong: (formerly DRAS)
- 11/23-31 Gheringhap St. Geelong
- Tel: 5222 5499
- Email: [email protected]
Mildura:
- Deakin Business Ctr, Corner Lemon Ave and Eighth Street (Box 2641: 3502) Mildura
- Tel: 5021 0265
Information individual advocacy and support for people with disabilities
Southern Disability Advocacy
- 320 Main St, Mornington (Box 161 Bentleigh 3204)
- Tel: 9533 5977
- Fax: 9923 6173
- Email: [email protected]
- www.southernda.org.au
Mentone office
- 2/128 Balcombe Rd.
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
- Tel: 5561 4584
- Fax: 5561 4371
- email: [email protected]
- www.southwestadvocacy.org.au
Information individual advocacy and support for people with disabilities
Sunbury and District Citizen Advocacy
- 5A, 36 Macedon Street (PO Box 420) Sunbury
- Tel: 9744 7378
- Fax: 9740 8535
- Email: [email protected]
- 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 for information about local and service-based groups
SARU (Self-Advocacy Resource Unit)
- Level 1, Ross House 247 Flinders St.
- Melbourne 3000
- Tel: 9639 6856
- Email: [email protected]
- www.saru.net.au
- Provides information and resourcing to set up and support self-advocacy groups
Advocacy South West Network
- Facilitator – email: [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
- Tel: 9639 7222
- Fax: 9654 1057
- Email: [email protected]
- www.braininjurymatters.org
Self-advocacy group representing people with brain injury.
Diversity & Disability (dnd)
- 45 Main Road West, St Albans 3021
Tel: 9367-6044 - Fax: 9367-4344 Email: [email protected]
- www.mrcnorthwest.org.au
Facilitates self-advocacy groups for people with a disability from CALD backgrounds
New Horizons (EACH)
- 46 Warrandyte Rd, Ringwood 3134
- Tel: 9871 1850
- Email: [email protected]
- www.each.com.au
Self-advocacy group that meets in evenings
New Wave Self Advocacy Group
- c/- 8 Hopetoun Ave, Morwell
- Tel: 5134 8071
- Email: [email protected]
- Self-advocacy group for people with intellectual disability including a drop-in centre
Powerful Parents Self-Advocacy
- Tel: 9650 7855
- Email: [email protected]
Self-advocacy group representing parents with intellectual disability meets at Ross House
Reinforce
- Lev 2, Ross House, 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
- Tel: 9650 7855
- Fax. 9636 4004
- Email: [email protected]org.au
- www.reinforce.org.au
- Self-advocacy group representing people with intellectual disability.
United Brains
- Tel: 5977 5425
- Email: [email protected]
Provides links between ABI self-advocacy groups to share information and resources
VALID Self-Advocacy Networks
- 130 Cremorne St Richmond VIC 3132
- Tel: 9416 4003
- Email: [email protected]
- www.valid.org.au
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.
State-wide generic Advocacy Services
Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV)
State-wide
- Main phone: 1300 558 181
- Interpreter Service: 131 450
- www.consumer.vic.gov.au
Metro North West
- 27 Dimboola Rd, Broadmeadows
- Tel: 9936 9100
Metro South West
- 46-50 Walker St, Dandenong
- Tel: 8765 5222
Metro Eastern
- 703 Station St, Box Hill
- Tel: 8803 8444
Grampians
- 206 Mair St, Ballarat 3350
- Tel: 03 4301 7000
Hume
- 119-121 Murphy St, Wangaratta 3677
- Tel: (03) 5723 6444
Gippsland
- 25 Ann St, Morwell 3840
- Tel: (03) 5116 5701
Barwon South West
- Level 5, 30a Little Malop, Geelong 3220
- Tel: (03) 5226 4444
- 218 Koroit St, Warrnambool 3280
- Tel: (03) 5560 5273
Loddon Mallee
- 81 Bull St, Bendigo 3550
- Tel: (03) 5440 6100
- 59 Madden St, Mildura 3500
- Tel: (03) 5021 6100
Information and 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
- Free call: 1800 700 600
- Email: [email protected]
- www.era.asn.au
Advocacy and information for potential/current residents (and their families) in Nursing Homes and Hostels
Seniors Rights Victoria (SRV)
- Level 4, 533 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne
- Tel: 1300 368 821
- Email: [email protected]
- www.seniorsrights.org.au
Provide legal services & advocacy (especially Elder Abuse) to any Victorian aged 60 and above
SHASP (Social Housing Advocacy and Support Program)
Metro Regions
Wesley Housing and Support Service
- 291A Maroondah Hwy, Ringwood
- Tel: 8870 4030
Uniting Care Harrison
- 1012 Little Burwood Hwy, Wantirna South
- Tel: 9871 8700
HomeGround Services
- 1A/68 Oxford St, Collingwood
- Tel: (03) 9417 2500
SASHS Western – Network (Sunshine)
- Tel: 9312 5799
Wombat Housing and Support Services
- Nth Melbourne 3051
- Tel: 8327 2222
- Free call: 1800 887 775
HomeGround Services
- 122 Chapel St, St Kilda
- Tel: 9537 7888
WAYSS
- 294-300 Thomas St, Dandenong
- Tel: (03) 9791 6111
Rural Regions
Community Connections Vic.
- 26 Fairy St, Warrnambool 3280
- Tel: 1300 361 680
Bethany Community Support
- 1 Gibb St, Hamlyn Heights 3215
- Tel: 5278 8122
Quantum Support Services
- 225-227 Princess Drive, Morwell
- Tel: 5120 2000
- Free call: 1800 243 455
Brophy Family and Youth Servs.
- Tel: 5561 8888
- PACT Community Support
- Level 4, 17 Lydiard St Nth, Ballarat
- Tel: 5309 1900
- Free call: 1800 660 446
Rural Housing Network
Seymour
- Tel: (03) 5735 2000
Shepparton
- Tel: (03) 5833 1000
Wodonga
- Tel: (02) 6055 9000
Wangaratta
- ph. (03) 5722 8000
Advocacy and Rights Centre (Bendigo and Mildura)
- Tel: 5444 4364
- Free call: 1800 639 121
Provides advice, advocacy and assistance to public housing tenants throughout Victoria
Tenants Union Victoria
- 55 Johnston St, Fitzroy 3065
Admin
- Tel: 9411 1444
- Tenants Help line: (03) 9416 2577
- Email: [email protected]
- www.tuv.org.au
Provides advice, assistance and advocacy for tenants of private and public rental properties
Legal Centres
Great resource is the Law Handbook
AED (Association of Employees with Disability) LEGAL CENTRE
- Suite 4 Level 9, 276 Flinders St, Melbourne
- Tel: 9639 4333
- Fax: 9650 2833
- Email: [email protected]
- www.aed.org.au
Information, training and legal advice for people with disabilities about employment, education and rights.
Disability Discrimination Legal Service (DDLS)
See entry in ‘State-wide Advocacy section’
Note: Can provide advocacy, legal advice, training and community education on the Federal DDA
Federation of Community Legal Centres (FCLC)
- Level 3, 225 Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
- Tel: (03) 9652 1500
- Email: [email protected]
- www.fclc.org.au
Information and 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
- Tel: 9629 4422
- Free call: 1800 555 887
- Fax: 9614 0488
- Email: [email protected]
- www.mhlc.org.au
Information and advice (phone or in person) to people who have a mental illness and their families
Victoria Legal Aid (VLA)
- 350 Queen St, (GPO Box 4380) Melbourne 3001
- Tel: 9269 0234
- Rural Victoria: 1300 792 387
- www.legalaid.vic.gov.au
Range of support including a FREE phone legal advice and information service.
VILLAMANTA Disability Rights and Legal Service
See details in ‘State-wide Advocacy Service section’
State-wide 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
- Tel: 9481 0355
- Free call: 1800 094 164
- Fax: 9419 3552
- www.welfarerights.org.au
- www.ssrv.org.au
Barwon Community Legal Service
- Level 1, 63 Thompson St, Belmont
- Tel: 1300 430 599 or 5221 4744
- Email: [email protected]
- www.barwoncls.org.au
Legal Centre for people with problems related to Centrelink. Phone Advice Tuesday to Friday afternoons
Monitoring and/or support with complaints
Great resource is the Law Handbook
Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT)
- Level 4, 15 William St, Melbourne
(GPO Box 9955, Melbourne) - Tel: 1800 228 333
- Email: [email protected]
- www.aat.gov.au
Centrelink or Child Support
- Email: [email protected]
The Tribunal reviews administrative decisions made by Australian Gov’t ministers, departments, agencies (e.g. 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
- Email: [email protected]
- www.humanrights.gov.au
Commissioner for Children and Young People
- Level 18, 570 Bourke St, Melbourne Vic 3000
- Tel: 8601 5884
- Free call: 1300 782 978
- Email: [email protected]
- www.ccyp.vic.gov.au
Promotes the safety and wellbeing of children; investigates child deaths and monitors the standard and quality of care to children in out-of-home care.
Community Visitors (cv)
- C/- Office of Public Advocate
- 204 Lygon St Carlton
- Free call: 1300 309 337
Monitors and reports on care of people living in disability funded residential accommodation
Complaints Resolution and Referral Service (CRRS)
- PO Box 1764 Osborn Park DC, WA 6916
- Free call: 1800 880 052
- Fax: 08 9382 9277
- Email: [email protected]
- www.crrs.net.au
Complaints about Commonwealth funded employment or advocacy services 9am – 7pm
Consumer Utilities Advocacy Centre Ltd (CuaC)
- Suite 3, Level 2, 172 Flinders St, Melbourne 3000 (Note: Building Is Branded ‘180’)
- Tel: 9639 7600
- Fax: 9639 8966
- Email: [email protected]
- www.cuac.org.au
Systemic advocacy on behalf of energy and water consumers on policy and regulatory issues
Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV)
Refer to the ‘State-wide Advocacy Services’ section for contacts
Complaints and advocacy related to purchases, refunds, contracts, scams, door to door sales
Court Information and Welfare Network
- 565 Lonsdale St, Melbourne
- Tel: 9603 7433
- Free call: 1800 681 614
- Admin: 9603 7420
- Fax: 9670 8804
- Email: [email protected]
- www.courtnetwork.com.au
Volunteers provide information and support to victims during Court cases. Rural contacts on website.
Disability Services Commissioner (DSC)
- Level 30, 570 Bourke Street, Melbourne 3000
- Free call: 1800 677 342
- TTY: 1300 726 563
- Fax: 03 9603 8310
- Email: [email protected]
- www.odsc.vic.gov.au
Supports to resolve complaints about State funded disability services
Health Services Commissioner
- 26th Floor, 570 Bourke St, Melbourne
- Complaints
- Tel: 8601 5200
- TTY: 1300 550 275
- Free call: 1300 582 113
- Email: [email protected]
- https://hcc.vic.gov.au/
Information and complaints re. Health system.
Justice Connect
(formerly Public Interest Law Clearing House)
- 17/461 Bourke St, [PO Box 16013, Collins St West, Melbourne 8007]
- General Enquiries: 8636 4400
- Legal Enquiries: 8636 4444
- Email: [email protected]
- www.justiceconnect.org.au
For improving access to justice and protecting human rights. Can assist with advice and 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)
- Tel: 9607 9311
- Fax: 9602 5270
- Email: [email protected]
- www.liv.asn.au
Can provide info on lawyers in your area and who deal with specialist issues
Mental Health Complaints Commissioner (MHCC)
- Level 26, 570 Bourke Street, Melbourne 3000
- Free call: 1800 246 054
- Fax: 03 9949 1506
- Email: [email protected]
- 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
- Tel: 1800 200 442
- www.myagedcare.gov.au
Investigate concerns and complaints re facilities receiving aged care funding
National Abuse and Neglect Hotline
- Tel: 1800 880 052
- Email: [email protected]
- www.dss.gov.au
Hotline for reporting abuse and neglect of people with disabilities using government funded services
NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Commission (qsc)
- PO Box 210, Penrith NSW 2750
- Tel: 1800 035 544
- Email: [email protected]
- www.ndiscommission.gov.au
Any complaint, including breaches of restrictive practice or Code of Conduct, incidents related to staff and services purchased with NDIS funding
Office of Professional Practice
- Level 24, 50 Lonsdale St, Melbourne 3000
- Tel: 9096 8427
- Fax: 9096 8017
- Email: [email protected] and [email protected]
- Telephone: 03 9096 8427
24/50 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne Vic 3000
Works in partnership with professionals and 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
Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner (OVIC)
- Level 6, 121 Exhibition St (GPO Box 24274) Melbourne 3001
- Enquiries: 1300 006 842
- General: 8684 1660
- Email: [email protected]
- www.ovic.vic.gov.au
Ombudsman and Industry Complaints
Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA)
(formerly Financial Ombudsman Serv) includes:
Banking Complaints:
- GPO Box 3, Melbourne 3001
- Tel: 1300 780 808
- Email: [email protected]
Commonwealth Ombudsman:
- Lev 1, 441 St Kilda Road Melbourne 3004
- Tel: 1300 362 072
- Email: [email protected]
- www.ombudsman.gov.au
Credit and Investment Ombudsman (CIO)
- PO Box A252, Sydney South NSW 1235 Complaints: 1800 138 422
- www.cio.org.au
Energy and Water Ombudsman VIC (EWOV)
- GPO Box 469, Melbourne 3001
- Tel: 1800 500 509
- Email: [email protected]
- www.ewov.com.au
Legal Services Board and Commissioner
- Level 5, 555 Bourke St, Melbourne
- Tel: 1300 796 344
- Email: [email protected]
- www.lsbc.vic.gov.au
Private Health Insurance Industry
- Ombudsman Admin Tel: 02 8235 8777
- Complaints Hotline 1800 640 695
- Email: [email protected]
- www.phio.org.au
Police Complaints
Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC)
- GPO Box 24234, Melbourne
- Tel: 1300 735 135
- Email: [email protected]
- www.ibac.vic.gov.au
Public Transport Ombudsman
- Box 538, Collins St W, Melbourne. 8007
- Tel: 1800 466 865
- Email: [email protected]
- www.ptovic.com.au
Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO)
- Box 276, Collins St West 8007
- Tel: 1800 062 058
- Email: [email protected]
- www.tio.com.au
Victorian Ombudsman
- Lev 1, 459 Collins St. Melbourne
- Regional Tel: 1800 806 314
- Metro Tel: 9613 6222
- Email: [email protected]
- www.ombudsman.vic.gov.au
Senior Practitioner – (former OSP)
Refer to Office of Professional Practice (previous page) for issues re. DHHS programs
Monitors and advises on ‘restrictive’ practice in disability services in Vic. ONLY up until 30-6-19
VCAT – Guardianship List
- 55 King St., Melbourne 3000
- Tel: 9628 9911
- Free call: 1300 079 413
- Email: [email protected]
- www.vcat.vic.gov.au
Appoints Guardians and ‘Administrators’ where required for people over 18 years, who have impairments, disability or illness
Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission
- Level 3, 204 Lygon St, Carlton 3053
- Enquiry Line: 1300 292 153
- Admin: 1300 891 848
- Fax: 1300 891 858
- TTY: 1300 289 621
- Email: [email protected]
- 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 and Communication
Communication and Inclusion Resource Centre (CIRC)
- 830 Whitehorse Rd. Box Hill 3128
- Tel: 9843 2000
- Free call: 1300 472 673
- Fax: 9843 2033
- Email: [email protected]
- www.scopevic.org.au
Aids, resources and training related to communication impairment. Also, Gastrostomy information and NECAS (Non-Electronic Communication Aids Scheme)
Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS)
For assistance with Applications and information
- Tel: 1800 239 309
- Email: [email protected]
- www.bladderbowel.gov.au
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)
Refer to details for Independent Living Centre details below.
Equipment Recycling Network (ERNI)
- 17 Greenwood Ave (Box 419) Ringwood 3134
- Tel: 9879 5211
- Email: [email protected]
- www.erni.asn.au
Note: Provides recycled equipment and computers to people with disabilities.
Home Renovation Service
- Tel: 9815 1900
- Rural: 1300 136 513
- www.housing.vic.gov.au/home-renovation-loan-owners
Provided via Archicentre 1300 13 45 13 a free assessment and advice on home modifications that assist maintain independent
Disability Aids and Equipment
Showroom
- 35-37 Tinning Street, Brunswick, VIC 3056
- Tel: 1300 788 855
- Email: [email protected]
- www.independenceaustralia.com
Full range of equipment & aids including continence products
Independent Living Centre (ILC)
Main
- Shop C1, Central West Shopping Centre
67 Ashley St, Braybrook VIC 3019 - Postal Address: PO Box 1235, Robinson 3019
- www.yooralla.com.au
Eastern
- 54 Railway Road, Blackburn
- Tel: 9362 6111
- Rural: 1300 885 886
- Fax: 9687 1607
- TTY 9687 0301
- Email: a&[email protected] or [email protected] or [email protected]
Electronic Communication Devices Scheme (ECDS) – communication and technology needs, including advice, therapy, equipment info, training and support to improve communication. ILC – range of equipment to try, along with advice and support. Appointments required
Key Word Sign Victoria
(formerly Makaton)
- PO Box 142, Canterbury 3126
- Tel: 9899 8684
- Email: [email protected]
- www.keywordsignvictoria.org
- National Continence Helpline
- Tel: 1800 330 066
- Email: [email protected]
- www.continence.org.au
Free information and referral telephone service, with professional continence advisors, for people affected by incontinence; including advise about state and territory continence schemes
National Public Toilet Map
National Relay Service – NRS
- Level 2, 10 Mallet St, Camperdown NSW 2050
- 24-hour Relay of calls – Voice/TTY 133 677 or Speak and listen 1300 555 727
- Email: [email protected]
- Admin: 1800 555 660
- Fax: 1800 555 680
- www.relayservice.com.au
Note: Assists people who are deaf or with speech impairment to make phone calls
SCOPE Victoria Advisory Services
- Building Advisory Service (BAS)
- Tel: 9843 2000
- Email: [email protected]
- Gokids Mobility Advisory Service
- Tel: 8311 4009
- Email: [email protected]
Supported Accommodation Equipment Assistance (SAEAS)
- Contact: SWEP
- Free call: 1300 747 937
- Email: [email protected]
Provides equipment and 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
- Tel: 1300 747 937 or 03 5333 8100
- Fax: 5333 8111
- Email: [email protected]
- www.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
- Free call: 1300 663 243
- Fax: 9853 8098
- Email: [email protected]
- 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
- Email: [email protected]
- www.telstra.com.au
Note: Information and assistance with telephone adaptations for people with impairments or disability
Vision Australia Foundation
- 454 Glenferrie Rd, Kooyong 3144
- Tel: 1300 847 466
- Email: [email protected]
- www.visionaustralia.org
Low Vision clinics across State. Sells aids and equipment for people with visual impairments
Aids and equipment websites
Information and support services
Afterhours GP Helpline
Provides free health information and assistance from a registered nurse or medical advice from a GP
- Tel: 1800 022 222
Aged Care Information Line
- Tel: 1800 200 422
ARBIAS
- 27 Hope St (Box 5002), Brunswick
- Tel: 8388 1222
- Fax: 9387 9925
- Email: [email protected]
- www.arbias.org.au
Provides range services to people with ABI including accommodation, info, counselling, case management
Association for Children with a Disability
Refer to entry in Advocacy Services List
AMAZE (formerly Autism Victoria)
- 24 Drummond St Carlton (Box 374 Carlton South)
- Tel: 9657 1600
- INFOline 1300 308 699
- Fax: 9639 4955
- Email: [email protected]
- www.amaze.org.au
Info, counselling, family support and other services to people with autism/their families
Carers Association of Victoria
- Level 1, 37 Albert St (Box 2204) Footscray 3011
- Tel: 9396 9500
- Toll Free: 1800 242 636
- Email: [email protected]
- https://www.carersvictoria.org.au/
Information, referral and support for carers of people with disability/illness
Carer Gateway
- Free call: 1800 422 737
- www.carergateway.gov.au
Support for parents/carers including respite, information and afterhours emergency respite service
DARU (Disability Advocacy Resource Unit)
- Level 8, 128 Exhibition St, Melbourne 3000
- Phone: 9639 5807
- Email: [email protected]
- www.daru.org.au
Provides information and resourcing for state funded advocacy services, their Boards and staff
Department of Health and Human Services
(DHHS Vic.) – Disability Intake and Response Team
- Tel: 1800 783 783 (connects to your local office)
Information on services, referral and short-term response for people with disability
Directline
- Free call: 1800 888 236 – 24 hours 7 days a week
- www.health.vic.gov.au/aod/directline
A 24-hour telephone service which provides anyone in the community with access to drug and alcohol counseling, information and referral to services
Down Syndrome Victoria Inc. (DSV)
- 18/71 Victoria Cres, Abbotsford 3067
- Tel: 9486 9600 or 1300 658 873
- Fax: 9486 9601
- Email: [email protected]
- www.downsyndromevictoria.org.au
Support, information, referral, hospital visiting to new parents, computer club and local contacts
Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria
- 587 Canterbury Rd, Surrey Hills 3124
- Tel: 8809 0600
- Infoline: 1300 761 487
- email: [email protected]
- www.epilepsyfoundation.org.au
Barwon SW and Grampians office
- 8/265 Pakington St. Newtown 3220
- Tel: 5223 1645
Support Groups, info, counselling and advocacy assisting people with epilepsy/families
Family Planning Victoria – Disability Services
- 901 Whitehorse Rd. (Box 1377) Box Hill 3128
- Main: 9257 0100
- Free call: 1800 013 952
- Disability Prog: 9257 0191
- Email: [email protected]
- www.fpv.org.au
Information, library, counselling, community and school education, sexuality education; clinical services
Housing Choices Australia (formerly Singleton)
- Level 3, 350 Queen St, Melbourne 3000
- Tel: 1300 312 447
- Fax: 1300 312 737
- Email: [email protected]
- www.housingchoices.org.au
Provides range of accommodation options and works with others to plan build housing developments
Migrant Resource Centres (MRC)
Migrant Information Centre Eastern Melbourne
- Suite 2, Town Hall Hub, 27 Bank St, Box Hill
- Tel: 9285 4888
- email: [email protected]
- www.miceastmelb.com.au
Diversitat
- 153 Pakington St, Geelong West 3218
- Tel: 5221 6044
- Email: [email protected]
- www.diversitat.org.au
Gippsland Multicultural Services
- 100 Buckley St, Morwell
- Tel: 5133 7072
- Email: [email protected]
- www.gms.org.au
New Hope Migrant & Refugee Centre
- 40 Grattan St, Prahran 3181
- Tel: 9510 5877
- Email [email protected]
- www.newhope.asn.au
MRC North West
- 20 Victoria Cres, St. Albans
- Tel: 9367 6044
- Email: [email protected]
- www.mrcnorthwest.org.au
Southern Migrant and Refugee Centre
- 39 Clow St, Dandenong
- Tel: 9767 1900
- Email: [email protected]
- www.smrc.org.au
Spectrum MRC
- Lev 5, 61 Riggall St, Dallas 3047
- Tel: 1300 735 653
- Email: [email protected]
- www.spectrumvic.org.au
- 163 Harvester Rd, Sunshine 3020
National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA)
- Tel: 1800 800 110
- www.ndis.gov.au
Oversees National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
Information websites
Human Services Directory
(health, disability, community)
InfoXchange
Mental Health Advice Website
Depression Net
This NDIS Tip Sheet is a resource developed by the VALID Family Team. Note: Any updates are appreciated and can be forwarded to Christine Scott [email protected]