If you are feeling unwell and think you may have COVID-19 symptoms, contact Health Direct on 1800 022 222 (Freecall). Official information about COVID-19 from the NSW Government. Resources and information on support for Aboriginal people can be found at the COVID-19 and Aboriginal Communities – Essential Information page.

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COVID-19 and Aboriginal Communities – Essential Information

On this page you will find official information and trusted sources about COVID-19 from the NSW Government.

COVID-19 Health Information

Mandatory face coverings

Effective 3 January 2020, in Greater Sydney (including Wollongong, Central Coast and Blue Mountains) face masks are mandatory in the following indoor settings:

shopping (retail, supermarkets and shopping centres)
on public/shared transport and waiting areas for public/shared transport
indoor entertainment (including cinemas and theatres)
places of worship
hair and beauty premises
visiting an aged care facility.

Face masks are also mandatory for all staff in hospitality venues, gaming areas in licensed premises (including casinos) and for patrons using gaming services.

Children 12 years and under are exempt from wearing face masks but are encouraged to wear masks where practicable.

Further information about wearing face masks is available on the NSW Government website.

For the latest health information about COVID-19 visit the NSW Health website or NSW Health Facebook page.
Aboriginal health resources are available on the NSW Health website.
Aboriginal mental health resources are available on the NSW Health website.
Staying connected to culture is important for health and wellbeing. To find out more download resources.
The COVIDSafe app speeds up contacting people exposed to coronavirus. Download the COVIDSafe App
If you are feeling unwell and think you may have symptoms of COVID-19, contact the Health Direct Helpline on 1800 022 222 (Freecall) and speak to a registered nurse. Available 24/7. List of COVID-19 clinics across NSW can be found on the NSW Health website.
Learn about the symptoms and diagnosis of COVID-19, and about testing at NSW Health facilities on the NSW Government website.
Self-isolation and mandatory quarantine information is available on the NSW Government website.
Social distancing – what it means and how it can reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection is available on the NSW Government website.
For information regarding Medicare visit myGov.
For information regarding hygiene and living in residential buildings.
For information about cleaning surfaces at home to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Aboriginal Housing and Accommodation

Visit the NSW Fair Trading website for information on licence and permit fee waivers, consumer rights, renting and property issues.

Visit the NSW Fair Trading website for information on residential tenancy moratorium on evictions during COVID-19.

Visit Department of Fair Trading website for more information.

NSW Communities and Justice has outlined advice for COVID-19 DCJ Housing tenants.

Visit Service NSW for information about Residential Tenancy Support packages.

Community and Justice

Homelessness

Domestic Violence

Child Protection

NSW Communities and Justice has collated information about how our service delivery has changed to keep people in the community safe during the pandemic.

You can help keep your community safe by calling the NSW Communities and Justice instead of visiting its offices.

Contact the Aboriginal Housing Office: 1800 727 555 or visit the Aboriginal Housing Office website.
Aboriginal Enquiry Line (DCJ Housing) 1800 422 322
Child Protection Helpline 13 2111
Link2Home Homelessness 1800 152 152
Domestic Violence Line 1800 656 463
Ageing and Disability Abuse 1800 628 221

Short to medium-term financial support is available for people escaping domestic or family violence. To find out if you are eligible visit the Rent Choice Start Safely page on the Department of Communities & Justice website.

Find out how the NSW Communities and Justice essential services continue to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes housing, child and family services, courts, corrective services and youth justice.

NSW Communities and Justice contacts are available on its website.

NSW Communities and Justice has outlined advice for COVID-19 DCJ Housing tenants.

Caring for Elders

We need to look out for our Aboriginal Elders, community members over 50 and those with chronic illness like diabetes or heart disease. They’re the ones at greatest risk of COVID-19.

Staying at home is important, but remember to check in with your mob. A phone call, a video chat or even a quick message on social media – it’s good to stay connected.

Check in with your family, friends and neighbours to lend a hand. From a safe distance you can offer to:

Collect groceries for Elders, carers or people with a disability and leave them at the front door.
Drop a meal around to a neighbour.
Help with online orders for groceries, medicines and other essential items.
Read a book or play a game over a video chat, to help families with young kids home from school.

Visit the NSW Health website for Aboriginal health resources.

Legal Aid

Legal Aid NSW office doors are closed to protect public safety.
Legal Aid NSW will not be providing face-to-face advice or representation to defendants who are not in custody.
Continuing to provide services by phone.

Legal Aid NSW offer free legal help if you are facing legal issues that relate to the COVID-19 public health laws. This includes employment problems, social security entitlements, family law issues or parenting problems.

You can call LawAccess on 1300 888 529 or check out a range of factsheets available including Understanding the COVID-19 restrictions.

For more information visit: Legal Aid NSW

Your Rights

For information on your rights related to retail, travel and rental visit the NSW Fair Trading website.

Financial Assistance

If you are experiencing financial hardship visit the Service NSW website for more information on financial support for individuals and households.

To find out if you are eligible for a rebate visit the Cost of Living page on the Services NSW website.

Food Assistance Packages

The NSW government has teamed up with both Foodbank and the Rapid Relief Team to deliver emergency relief packages and food boxes to people in need. For more information visit the Service NSW website.

Visit Service NSW for details about supermarket initiatives.

Funerals

The Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order (No 7) 2020 (amended 2 January 2021) outlines the number of persons allowed on non-residential and residential premises, and details directions on gatherings including funerals.

Premises must comply with the 'one person per 2 square metre rule' and have an appropriate COVID-19 Safety Plan.

The Order makes additional restrictions for the Greater Sydney Region (including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Wollongong). Restrictions apply to a range of premises and activities in the Greater Sydney region, including:

Weddings, funerals and memorial services (or a gathering after these services) are restricted to 100 persons, subject to the 4 square metre rule (for indoor areas) and the 2 square metre rule (or outdoor area).

For more information visit the NSW Health website.

Restrictions also apply to a range of premises and activities in other regions of New South Wales (excluding Greater Sydney), including:

There is no longer an upper limit on the number of people at weddings, funerals and religious services. Premises must comply with the 'one person per 2 square metre rule' and have an appropriate COVID-19 safety plan.

For full details on gatherings and movements visit the NSW Health website.

Exemptions

Exemptions are only considered where there are exceptional or unforeseen circumstances and when the applicant demonstrates an understanding of how public health risks will be controlled and has a COVID-19 Safety Plan for the event.

To apply for an funeral exemption visit the NSW Health website and fill in the web form.

Indigenous Business and Worker Support

NSW Government

To find out more about Indigenous Business Support visit the Indigenous Business Australia website.

For more information visit the NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce website.

The NSW Government is waiving a range of licence and permit fees for businesses for 12 months.

For details on the Economic Stimulus Package visit the Revenue NSW website.

Support for small business is outlined on the NSW Small Business Commission website.

If you are a small business who would like to access support, visit the Service NSW website.

For information regarding Centrelink, visit the myGov website. Access the Centrelink tool on the Centrelink website.

For information regarding the Australian Tax Office visit the myGov website.

Commonwealth

The Commonwealth Government is also providing support to Aboriginal businesses, organisations and workers.

Indigenous businesses and organisations, including not-for-profit entities and charities, can access support through the government’s economic stimulus package.

If you are an Indigenous business that employs people you may be eligible for the boosting cash flow for employers measure.

If you are a sole trader and do not employ any staff there are a range of possible support options, including access to credit, income support and tax relief.

If you have a trainee or apprentice eligible employers can apply for a wage subsidy, of 50 per cent of the apprentice’s or trainee’s wage. The wage subsidy will be extened until March 2021.

If you are an Aboriginal business experiencing financial distress you may be eligible for support through temporary relief for financially distressed businesses. Some measures under the financial distress package also apply to Indigenous corporations registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) (CATSI) Act 2006.

Indigenous Business Australia has a range of support packages including for existing clients.

The Government is allowing individuals affected by COVID-19 further access to their superannuation: $10,000 in 2020-21. For more information visit the NSW Treasury website.

Online Safety

It is important to remain vigilant and take precautions to protect personal and professional data online. Visit the Services NSW website for more information about how to stay safe online.

Visit the Stay Smart Online for information about COVID-19 scams and how to stay safe.

Public Transport

Passengers travelling on public transport are now required to wear a face mask on public transport in the Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Wollongong areas, with fines applicable for those not adhering to the Public Health Order.

Children 12 years and under are exempt from wearing face masks but are encouraged to wear masks where practicable.

In order to slow the spread of COVID-19, you should continue to take personal responsibility regarding your travel plans and follow all NSW Health advice. This includes not travelling if unwell, practising physical distancing and good hygiene as well as wearing your own mask.

More information about wearing face masks on public transport, and how to maintain physical distancing is available at the Transport for NSW COVID-19 website page.

Further travel updates and advice can also be found on the Transport for NSW website.

Schools

Back to School – Advice for families

Updated guidelines have been provided to NSW public schools to help them manage the return of students to Term 1 in a COVID-safe way.

In accordance with Public Health orders, parents, staff and students are not required to wear face masks at school, however masks must be worn by those aged 12 years and over on any public transport.

Further advice for families is available from the NSW Department of Education website.

Travel and border restrictions

Restrictions for Greater Sydney, Central Coast and Wollongong

Restrictions for regional and rural NSW

Travel to and from NSW

Interstate hotspots (Queensland affected areas)

Rules and restrictions are in place to the Greater Sydney region (including the Blue Mountains), the Central Coast and Wollongong to protect the community from COVID-19.

Rules and restrictions are in place for regional and rural NSW to protect the community from COVID-19.

General information about travelling within NSW, and to and from NSW from interstate and overseas can also be found on the NSW Government website.

Rules and restrictions are in place if you have been in an interstate hotspot (affected area) and you are entering or have entered NSW.

We recommend you consult the information page first before contacting Aboriginal Affairs NSW (AANSW).

If you are unable to find a response to your query, AANSW can escalate the query to Service NSW, who will endeavour to respond and upload a response onto the information page.

You can find contact details for your closest AANSW office on our website.