The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is being rolled out across Australia by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). For people with a mental illness the NDIS is the main vehicle through which psychosocial support and other disability support associated with a having a mental illness is accessed. Its largest component is the provision of individual support packages in which consumers identify goals around life domains, and funding is provided for the support and services required to reach them. To be eligible for the NDIS people will need to:

• be under 65 years of age

• live in an area in which the NDIS is operational

• be an Australian citizen or permanent resident

Contact: NDIS.Info@bsl.org.au

• have a disability that is attributable to a psychiatric condition

• have an impairment or impairments that are permanent, or are likely to be permanent

• have an impairment or impairments that substantially reduces functioning in daily living Local Area Coordinator

The Brotherhood of St Laurence Find more information about the NDIS in this quick guide.

Northern Metropolitan

22 Lakeside Dr Broadmeadows VIC 3047

(03) 9359 5493

Bright Futures provides assessment, development of a case plan, enhanced case management and/or therapeutic group work responses to children whose families are accessing Homelessness and/or Family Violence Services. Case management involves:

• Intensive support that is focused on social, recreational, health and educational support needs.

• Identification and linkages to appropriate services

• Supporting positive interactions with peers and family

• Minimisation of anxiety and stress related tension caused by traumatic experiences

• Advocacy on the rights of children and young people to access services.

Offices are located in Broadmeadows, Northcote and Brunswick.

Child First intake (Hume Moreland)

1300 786 433

Child and Family Information, Referral and Support Teams have been established in designated sub-regional catchments across Victoria to provide a community-based referral point into Family Services. Hume Moreland Child FIRST provides information and advice to professionals and members of the community concerned about the wellbeing of children and vulnerable families living in the Hume and Moreland local municipalities. The program also conducts initial assessments to identify and facilitate access to the most appropriate service responses For information about how to make a referral, visit DFFH. 

Child FIRST intake (North East Metro)

1800 319 355 

Child and Family Information, Referral and Support Teams for the North East Melbourne now occurs through The Orange Door. The Orange Door is the new access point for women, children and young people who are experiencing family violence, or families who need assistance with the care and wellbeing of children to access the services they need to be safe and supported.

Northern Metropolitan

22 Lakeside Drive Broadmeadows VIC 3047

03) 9359 5493

The North and West Regional Children's Resource Program was developed to assist the homelessness sector in identifying and addressing the specific needs of children experiencing homelessness and family violence. The program provides a range of support to homelessness services in the Northern and Western areas who work with children from families that may be homeless or at risk of homelessness. The program is state-wide with co-coordinators in each metropolitan region and in rural regions as well. Services include:

• Information provision

• A specialist secondary consultation

• Children’s Brokerage program

• Co-facilitating workshops, activities, forums and participating in children-specific events and festivals

• Research and data collection

• Developing partnerships with Indigenous communities to raise the profile and support the specific needs of Indigenous children.

• Developing partnerships with CALD communities to raise the profile and support the specific needs of CALD children.

Available: 24/7

Region: Statewide

Online guide for families affected by alcohol and other drugs. It includes information about Alcohol and Other Drugs, an explanation of service types and links to statewide AOD service details.

Click here for more information

Northern Metropolitan

For intake in AOD services in the Northern Metropolitan Region, contact UnitingCare ReGen or Odyssey House on the central intake number 1800 700 514

Available: 24/7

1800 015 188 (toll free) 24/7 response

 (03) 9928 9600 - Administration Region

Region: Statewide

GPO Box 4396 Melbourne VIC. 3001

Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre:

• Provides telephone risk assessment, safety planning, referral, information, advocacy and support

• Is the central contact point for women’s refuges in Victoria

• If there are no vacancies in Victorian refuges, Safe Steps will assist a woman to explore and secure safe alternative interim accommodation options until a refuge vacancy is available

• Agencies can ring for information about the service

• Provides information and referral to the Victorian Disability and Family Violence Crisis Response Initiative

• Provide 24-hour access to interpreters as well as support for Indigenous women.

(03) 9409 8787 or 9409 8766

Region: Northern Metropolitan

The Men’s Active Referral Service (MARS) is the intake agency for Victoria Police formal referrals (L17s) in Hume and Moreland. MARS refers male perpetrators of family violence into Men’s Behaviour Change programs in Hume and Moreland.

The Orange Door, Hume Moreland

Available: 9am-5pm weekdays

1800 271 151 Region: Hume and Moreland 

Hume Global Learning Centre 1093 Pascoe Vale Rd Broadmeadows

The Orange Door incorporates the intake services for specialist family violence and family services (previously Child FIRST) services. The Orange Door has a specialised Aboriginal Practice Leader and Aboriginal Response Team.

The service provides assistance to adults, children and young people who are experiencing or have experienced family violence, or families who need extra support with the care and wellbeing of children.

The service is delivered at the following sites:

• Hume Global Learning Centre. 1093 Pascoe Vale Rd, Broadmeadows

• 21 Victoria St, Coburg (co-located with Merri Health)

• 33 Macedon St, Sunbury 

The Orange Door, North Eastern Melbourne

Available: 9am-5pm weekdays

1800 319 355 Region: Banyule, Darebin, Nillumbik, Whittlesea and Yarra

56 Burgundy St Heidelberg. VIC 3084

Level 1 Cnr Miller & Cooper Streets Epping. VIC 3076.

The Orange Door incorporates the intake services for specialist family violence and family services (previously Child FIRST) services. The Orange Door has a specialised Aboriginal Practice Leader and Aboriginal Response Team.

The service provides assistance to adults, children and young people who are experiencing or have experienced family violence, or families who need extra support with the care and wellbeing of children.

The service has two sites:

56 Burgundy St Heidelberg & Level 1, cnr Miller & Cooper Streets Epping

Available: 9am-5pm weekdays

1300 379 462

Region: Hume, Moreland and Yarra

Available: 9am-5pm weekdays

Mental Health NDIS Access Support This service assists people with a mental illness to access the NDIS. They can:

• Assist to gather supporting evidence and complete the Access Request form

• Liaise with health services, GPs and psychiatrists

• Follow up with the NDIS on the status of the application.

1300 859 789

Region: Banyule and Nillumbik

The triage (or access) point for clinical mental health services.

1300 TRIAGE (1300 874 243)

Region: Darebin, Hume, Moreland, Whittlesea

The triage (or access) point for clinical mental health services.