Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Advice for social and community services & the NT

In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, NTCOSS has created this central resource to bring together as much advice specific to the Northern Territory’s social and community services sector and organisations. It includes advice specific to social and community services organisations and the sector in the NT as well as general advice for Territorians. We are attempting to aggregate information so it is easy to find, however the most up to date and accurate information will always be found in the critical resources sections below.

Critical Resources – Northern Territory Secure NT – Please follow this link for the most up to date information from the Northern Territory Government regarding coronavirus (COVID-19) including:

Critical Resources – Australia Health.gov.au has the most reliable and up to date information about COVID-19 and includes information about what COVID-19 is, symptoms of illness, how to seek medical attention, getting tested, who is most at risk and how it spreads. Specific information at the website includes:

Northern Territory Hotlines:

  • 1800 008 002: Northern Territory COVID-19 hotline number. This number works within the NT only.
  • 1800 020 080: National COVID-19 hotline number.
  • 1800 518 189: Remote services hotline
  • (08) 8922 8044: If you are in Darwin, you can call the Public Health Unit.

Emergency Relief Providers (Northern Territory)

Additional Resources:

Travel to Remote Communities

For up-to-date information about travelling within the NT and to and from remote communities, please visit the SecureNT website. Information specific to Indigenous communities is being posted on www.niaa.gov.au and www.indigenous.gov.au

Personal hygiene precautions: The most important thing workers and those receiving services from the social and community services sector, and the public more broadly can do to stop the spread of the virus is to practice good hygiene. Good hygiene includes:

  • covering your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue.
  • disposing of tissues properly.
  • washing your hands often with soap and water, including before and after eating and after going to the toilet.
  • using alcohol-based hand sanitisers.
  • cleaning and disinfecting surfaces.
  • if you are sick, avoiding contact with others and staying more than 1.5 metres away from people.

For more information about hygiene, download and print this poster or watch this short video.

NT Government Stimulus: $5 million for not-for-profit and community organisations The Northern Territory Government has announced a round of stimulus measures as part of its $65 million Jobs Rescue & Recovery Plan. Read the full media release here. Please follow the links from the Department of Trade, Business and Innovation Immediate Work Grant page for eligibility criteria, how to apply and department contacts.

NTCOSS is advocating for the sector and vulnerable people in the NT by:

  1. Advocating for support for vulnerable Territorians including easing cost of living pressures by extending concessions schemes, expanding and guaranteeing hardship policies for essential services such as no late fees or disconnections, limiting and eliminating rental evictions and developing support networks for people in isolation.
  2. Advocating for economic stimulus and support for the social and community services sector: including economic stimulus similar to business and industry, automatic extensions to contracts with less than six month to run, flexible service agreements and funding for agencies who need to scale up to meet demand.

These links are up-to-date as of 25/01/2022