Community Sector COVID-19 Resource Page
Community sector workers are performing critical work in the pandemic. Keeping members safe and the workforce intact is paramount. The ASU, DHHS, FSV and WorkSafe have been issuing a series of guidance and resources for OHS and industrial responses to COVID-19. We’ve tried to rope a bunch of it into one easy place below.
If you are concerned about compliance with the guidelines at work, raise these with your Health and Safety Representative (HSR). Learn more about HSR’s here. We are stronger dealing with issues together, and recommend members also talk to delegates, elected workplace health and safety reps and other workers!
If you still have concerns contact the ASU member contact centre info@asuvictas.com.au
Recent advice from DFFH on COVID for the Community Sector
Community and Non-Residential Disability Services Factsheet
Community Services covered by the Care Facilities Directions Factsheet
Stage 4 Links
Community services safe working requirements in stage 4
Guidance to support the continuation of permitted service provision under additional restrictions across Victoria, particularly regarding requirements to wear face masks, stay at home restrictions, permitted worker permits and access to childcare permits.
https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/community-services-all-sector-coronavirus-covid-19
Creating a COVID Safe Plan
Whole Sector Advice
Community services – all sector – coronavirus (COVID-19)
See coronavirus (COVID-19) plans and guidance for the community services sector, including:
- PPE for Community services guide
- FAQs for community services workers about wearing face coverings
- Community services safe working requirements in stage 4
www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/community-services-all-sector-coronavirus-covid-19
Cleaning and Disinfecting to reduce COVID-19 Transmission
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) – Guidance Note on Employment-Related Matters
View the guidance note for the Community Services Sector Advice as of 16 March 2020
OHS and industrial advice for employees and employers.
Agency monitoring during the COVID-19 emergency
Outlines key principles changes to KPIs and approach that funded agencies can expect in relation to monitoring and managing service delivery performance and continuity issues during the pandemic.
Guidance for coronavirus (COVID-19) planning in the community services sector
View the Guidance for coronavirus (COVID-19) planning in the community services sector
It supplements the COVID-19 Plan for the Community Services Sector (August 2020) and is intended to support updates to existing business continuity planning. The guidance is intended to remain relevant as restrictions continue to be adjusted, yet the risk posed by coronavirus remains.
Sub-Sector Advice
COVID Guidance for HCSA Industries
Alcohol and Other Drugs Services
Victorian DHHS Care Services (Out of Home Care) (Kinship, foster and residential care; lead tenant)
View the COVID-19 Plan for the Victorian DHHS Care Services (Out of Home Care)(Kinship, foster and residential care; lead tenant)
Covers prioritisation of service types (Critical, Medium and Low) and measures to reduce risk.
Care Services and Child and Family Services FAQs
View the COVID-19 Care Services FAQs
View the COVID-19 Family Services FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – updated for both Care Services and Child and Family Services, which relate to each of the sector plans released in early April.
Victorian DHHS funded Child and Family Services (Child FIRST; family, parenting and leaving care services)
View the COVID-19 Plan for Victorian DHHS funded Child and Family Services (Child FIRST; family, parenting and leaving care services)
Covers prioritisation of service types (Critical, Medium and Low) and measures to reduce risk.
Family Violence and Sexual Assault Sector Guidelines
View the COVID-19 Family Violence and Sexual Assault Sector Guidelines
Covers prioritisation of services: Priority – ongoing, Priority – transition, Secondary priority services.
Homelessness services guidelines and conditions of funding
View the COVID-19 Amendment to homelessness services guidelines and conditions of funding
Covers prioritisation of services: Priority – ongoing, Priority – transition, Secondary priority services.
Child protection
Victorian Neighbourhood House Sector
View the COVID-19 Plan for the Victorian Neighbourhood House Sector
Covers considerations for activities in neighbourhood houses and outreach work.
Disability Services Sector
View the COVID-19 Plan for the Disability Services Sector
Covers considerations for residential services in group homes and short-term accommodation, Social and community participation including group-based activities, Home-based services and office-based service delivery.
ASU Member Resources
ASU 6 Step Plan for Navigating Change During the Pandemic
ASU Working From Home factsheets
The most frequently asked questions about working from home.
Working From Home – General Principles
Working From Home – WorkCover
Working From Home – Flexible Work Arrangements & COVID-19
OHS & PPE – Fact Sheets and Requests
PPE for community services* providers for prevention of coronavirus (COVID-19)
The guidance applies to outreach home-based care, residential care and client visits. *Disability services, out of home care residential services, family violence and sexual assault services, child and family services, child protection or other essential community (non-health) services
WorkSafe’s guidance for new, returned and redeployed workers in the healthcare and social assistance
DHHS - Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
WorkSafe - Prevention and management of exposure to coronavirus (COVID-19) in the healthcare and social assistance industry
Information about managing the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in clinical and non-clinical settings, including patient transport.
Preventing and managing the increased risk of employee fatigue in healthcare during coronavirus (COVID-19)
The ASU is in regular contact with DHHS and the state government about amendments to these policies as the situation changes. Let us know if you see anything in the Guides that you think could be better!
ASU Facebook
Another good reason we need crossbench senators to pass the Closing the Loopholes legislation - it will help make workplaces safer for women.
#16DaysOfActivism
#16DaysOfActivismAgainstGenderBasedViolence
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Yesterday the Legislative Council referred the Labor Government's terrible WorkCover bill to a committee for an inquiry.
The ASU strongly opposes workers losing any protections that are part of the WorkCover scheme and we support the inquiry.
The Labor Government shouldn't deprive workers who have been injured at work of support through WorkCover, no matter what sort of injury they have suffered at work.
4 CommentsComment on Facebook
Well if the unions had stood up to protect people from the jab maybe workcover premiums wouldn't be going up. With the jab injuries claims.
How is it that the government that unions campaign to get elected every four years, keeps getting away with screwing over workers?
Presets the legislation to before the Leigh Hubbard years - were the unions blindsided by this bill as every worker in every field will be effected adversely ?
I am a victim of this corrupt system. Hurt myself at work, 2018. Injury got accepted as musculoskeletal to my chest wall by the medical panel. Told to stay home by insurance company and they said they would look after me. But the insurance company wrote that I had a back muscle strain. Which I think is different. Was covered for 140 weeks. ( Back muscle strain). Now on Centrelink payments DSP. I have asked to change the writing of my injury but they will not. As I think if they did I would have a case. Sent letter to Minister of work safe/cover. Response was we seen your letter and if they find it appropriate they will ring me. I doubt they will. I will visit him soon. BTW I am still in pain when I do to much lifting.
After months of industrial action, local media is still reporting on the action taken by ASU members at the City of Whittlesea!
You can read full story here: ncreview.com.au/2023/11/28/city-of-whittlesea-workers-reach-pay-deal/
Members ran a no vote campaign, and can be proud to have stood their ground.
Benefits of the new Agreement include:
One of the highest pay rises in local government in Victoria – four per cent in year one
Backpay to July 1, 2023;
$350 in pocket immediately;
15 week’s primary parents’ leave;
Five weeks of secondary parents’ leave;
Better casual conversion and casual salary progression;
Better protections around working in adverse weather.
Congratulations Comrades on a great effort all round! ✊✊✊
6 CommentsComment on Facebook
Well done to Delegates and all ASU staff involved.
Fantastic outcomes! Well done to ASU members, delegates and ASU staff!
Great work to delegates and ASU Org
✊️✊️ well done everyone
4% great . should be the norm min 4 % ...annually for all staff
I’m a delegate at city of Whittlesea’s and l like to say Georgia our ASU organiser did one hell of a fight, she’s a little ruthless brutal negotiator, l just sat back and enjoyed the show, Sean McCourt you and Rod Undy have established a good EBA & LAWA in the past, at the same time we had Di Smith in their running the show😂😂😂