Health Alerts

Air quality (EPA Victoria)

Medicare

Residents who have lost property or belongings in the Victoria bushfires can obtain their Medicare number from any Medicare office or by calling Medicare Australia on 13 20 11. Medicare Australia will also provide Medicare numbers, on request, direct to hospital staff, health professionals, pharmacists and other support services. This will allow people to continue to have access to Medicare rebated health services. Temporary replacement cards will be available for anyone who no longer has their Medicare card. These cards can be issued by Centrelink, Medicare Australia, or other agencies like Red Cross.

Resources for Teachers, Carers and Parents (DEECD)

In response to the current bushfire crisis, a series of resources has been developed and is available to help provide practical, immediate support for parents, schools and early childhood communities during this very stressful and emotional time.

• Possible Reactions of Students after a Natural Disaster - designed to assist teachers and parents with possible reactions of students after a Natural Disaster. Provides suggestions for restoring a sense of safety and security in the school community. Designed to assist teachers and parents.
• Helping Children after a Bushfire - Teacher Booklet - to assist teachers in addressing bushfire related issues with students.
• Helping Children after a Bushfire - Children's Workbook - for those working with individual children to guide exploration of fire related fears and anxieties.
• Helping Adolescents after a Bushfire - identifies possible reactions that adolescents may experience and provides strategies for assisting adolescents.

Housing & Property

A telephone advice service has been launched to help victims of Victoria's bushfires re-build their homes.

The Bushfire Building Advice line will operate from 8am to 8pm (AEDT) Monday to Friday on 1300 360 320.

Building Commission - Building/plumbing industry practitioners who wish to volunteer for the bushfire support effort.

Plumbing Industry Commission - Building/plumbing industry practitioners who wish to volunteer for the bushfire support effort.