Support for community members

The City has implemented a number of support services to help vulnerable and elderly members of the community as an immediate response to the emerging Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation.

Development of a Community Services Hotline for Seniors and vulnerable community members
Reducing meal fees for two months for all Home and Community Care and Commonwealth Home Support Program recipients for the remainder of the financial year
Removing client fees for community care services for the remainder of the financial year
A partnership with Vinnies WA to provide emergency food packages
Welfare checks for individuals no longer able to attend social support groups and for the City’s volunteers
Suspension of lease/rent payments of City properties.

The City’s Economic Stimulus and Community Recovery Package was adopted by Council on 12 May 2020 with the following initiatives approved to support our community:

Focus on projects with greatest employment opportunities
Community group assistance fund
Reduction in facility hire fees for community groups
Retention of Community Services hotline for those experiencing hardship
Jobshop services and job readiness program
Extension of the reduction in home support and Meals on Wheels fees
Reduction in library fees and waiving of fines
Sporting clubs and grants programs
Turf curation subsidy for sporting clubs
Waiving of rates charges for sporting clubs
Waiving of ground fees and floodlight charges
Financial counselling service for sporting clubs
No reduction in permanent City staff numbers for planned services.

For more information on the City’s Economic Stimulus and Community Recovery Package click here.

Support services

The Stirling Women’s Centre continues to operate, providing crisis accommodation and support services for women and children who have experienced family and domestic violence.
Support via the Safe at Home program can be provided via telephone and appointment for urgent cases.
Contact (08) 9205 7375 for assistance.
The City of Stirling is an approved provider of services to frail aged people and people with a disability who are eligible for the following programs
- Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP)
- Home Care Packages (HCPs)
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Effective immediately, there will be no client service fees for all Home and Community Care (HACC) and Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) services – with the exception of meals – for at least two months. Meal fees will also be reduced.
There will be no basic daily fee for all Home Care Package (HCP) clients whose services can be met by their HCP subsidy during this period.
Community Care Services are still operational with increased hygiene and infection control processes in place. These services include:
- Domestic assistance
- Social support
- Accompanied and unaccompanied shopping, making access of earlier operating hours and home delivery
- Meal preparation
- Medication prompts
- Personal care
- Community transport for medical appointments.
The City’s Community Services team has established a hotline to connect community members to available services and supports. If you are in need of assistance please call the hotline on 1800 729 655 between the hours 8.00am - 6.00pm, Monday to Sunday (seven days a week).

Did you know the City has a dedicated Support Hotline?

The City’s Community Services team has established a hotline to connect community members to available services and supports. If you are in need of assistance please call the hotline on 1800 729 655 between the hours 8.00am - 6.00pm, Monday to Sunday (seven days a week)

Useful resources

Entrypoint Perth

Entrypoint Perth is a free service for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Perth metropolitan and regional WA area.

For more information, visit the Entrypoint Perth website.

MensLine Australia

MensLine Australia is a telephone and online counselling service for men with emotional health and relationship conerns.

Phone 1300 78 99 78 for assistance.

For more information, visit the MensLine Australia website.

Kids Helpline

Kids helpline is open to answer calls, emails or WebChat from children and parents who might be worried about COVID-19.

Phone 1800 55 18 00 for assistance.

For more information, visit Kids Helpline website

Department of Communities

Department of Communities provides the latest information regarding COVID-19 with specific resources for:

Remote aboriginal communities
Support for NDIS participants
Crisis Care for Child Protection and Family Support
Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline.

For more information, visit the Department of Communities website.

Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN)

OPAN is running a helpline for older Australians who have questions or concerns about the implications of COVID-19.

Call 1800 237 981 (8am-8pm AEDT, Monday-Friday) or email covid@opan.com.au.

For more information, visit OPAN's website.

Council on the Ageing Western Australia

Dedicated information for older Australians (over 60) regarding COVID-19

For more information, visit the Council on the Ageing Western Australia website.

People with Disability Australian (PWDA)

PWDA provides access to a dedicated COVID-19 Hub with current general and disability-focused information.

For more information, visit the PWDA website.

Department of Social Service

Department of Social services provide guidance and assistance for those experiencing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19.

For more information, Department of Social Service website.

Department of Health

Department of Health provides access to information about COVID-19 in different languages to support culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

For more information, visit the Department of Health website.

Department of Premier and Cabinet

The Department of Premier and Cabinet has a number of resources, including the COVID-19 Fact Sheet.

For more information, visit the Department of Premier and Cabinet website.