Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.
As many of our clients are looking for information and resources daily, this page is intended to be a pooled reference resource for those within the Australian healthcare industry. While this page will be updated with as information becomes available, we recommend the Australian Federal Government Department of Health website is checked for the most current and up-to-date information.
This webpage was last updated on Wednesday 15 April 2020 at 14:01 (AEST).
National updates and advice
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) health alert – status active.
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Health Information Line – 1800 020 080.
- COVID-19 response update for primary care and allied health practitioners (9 April 2020).
- COVID-19 National Health Plan – Primary Care – Bulk Billed MBS Telehealth Services.
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) CDNA National guidelines for public health units.
- COVID-19 National Health Plan – Primary Care Package – MBS Telehealth Services and Increased Practice Incentive Payments.
- MBS Online Bulk billing a telehealth video consultation - how a patient assigns their right to a Medicare benefit by email.
- Department of Health Coronavirus (COVID-19) health alert - alert every day with the latest medical advice and official reports.
- Australian Health Sector Emergency Response Plan for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
- Interim advice on non-inpatient care of persons with suspected or confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), including use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) information on the use of surgical masks.
- WHO Cornonavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak updates.
- RACGP - Coronavirus information for GPs - updated with the latest information for Australian GPs as it becomes available.
- National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) news updates.
- ACRRM - Coronavirus updates for Rural Generalists.
- AMA Fact sheet regarding COVID-19 testing and initial assessment/care.
- Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) - aged-care specific information about COVID-19.
- QML Pathology specialist collection centres screening for Coronavirus (COVID-19).
- Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology Testing locations for novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
- HealthDirect - Coronavirus (COVID-19).
- Tracking the current statistics
- Fair Work Ombudsman - Coronavirus and Australian workplace laws.
- Safe Work Australia - Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for persons conducting a business.
- Australian Government Smart Traveller - travel advice for Coronavirus (COVID-19).
- Avant Mutual COVID-19: medico-legal advice for doctors and practices.
- MDA Insurance National coronavirus advice.
- MIGA Insurance Novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
- MIPS Insurance Coronavirus update for practitioners.
- Tego Medical Practitioner Professional Indemnity Insurance.
- National Disability Services – Coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage.
- NDIA Changes to plan review process in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
- NDIS and disaster response – Coronavirus information and FAQ’s.
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission Provider Alert (09 Mar 2020).
- Australian Government Department of Social Services – COVID-19 Information and Support.
- Disability Consulting Services - Guide to developing a business continuity plan: COVID-19.
- Disability Consulting Services - quality, safeguards and the pandemic.
- Lifeline - mental health and wellbeing during the Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak.
- Beyond Blue - Looking after your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak.
- Kids Help Line.
- Headspace - how to cope with stress related to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
- Drs4Drs - for the use of medical professionals and medical students.
- RACGP GP Support Program - free service offered to all Australian RACGP members who are registered medical practitioners.
- Australian Government COVID-19 online 30-minute training for all healthcare workers in all settings.
- Australian Government Department of Health COVID-19 Infection Control Training.
- Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC) Infection Prevention and Control.
- ACSQHC Infection prevention orientation eLearning module (free).
- ACSQHC Infection Prevention and Control eLearning Modules.
- Hand Hygiene Australia 5 moments for hand hygiene.
- Hand Hygiene Australia – online training modules.
- HotDoc Novel Coronavirus/COVID-19 Update for General Practice webinar (RACGP CPD approved).
- ThinkGP COVID-19 Coronavirus in Australia (RACGP, ACCRM and CME CPD point approved) module.
- WHO - Infection Prevention and Control eLearning Modules.
- WHO Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) online training – includes:
- Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) for novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Introduction to emerging respiratory viruses, including novel coronavirus
- Critical Care Severe Acute Respiratory Infection course, and
- Health and safety briefing for respiratory diseases – ePROTECT
- Area9 Lyceum Coronavirus (COVID-19) An adaptive learning introduction.
- TAFE NSW fee-free* online short courses.
- ABC News 'Coronacast' – a daily podcast answering Coronavirus questions.
- ABC News Coronavirus FAQ: Frequently asked questions about COVID-19.
- WHO Coronavirus advice for the public: myth busters.
- Pen CS Webinars three available webinars around COVID-19 and CAT4 and Topbar.
- RACGP Telehealth templates, factsheets, and a video consultation guide.
- Central QLD, Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast PHN Coronavirus (COVID-19) Practice Plan template.
- HotDoc Coronavirus/COVID-19 Kit to help clinics manage patient flow and reduce the risk of cross-infection.
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) resources for health professionals, including pathology providers and healthcare managers.
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and remote communities.
Posters
- Department of Health – Coronavirus (COVID-19) campaign resources.
- KAMS Aborignal and Torres Strait Islander peoples inclusive infection control poster – Cover Your Cough and Sneeze.
- RACGP Patient alert poster.
- Practice Coach Australia 7 Simple Steps to Fight Coronavirus.
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) STOP return to your car if you have these symptoms poster (English).
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) STOP return to your car if you have these symptoms poster (simplified Chinese).
Thanks to the organising committee from the Practice Managers Network Facebook group, there is a provision of pro-bono services to facilitate Australian medical practices to have access to hand sanitiser suppliers during the COVID-19 crisis.
If your practice requires hand sanitiser, read the conditions and submit an application here.
State/territory-specific updates and advice
- NSW Government Health latest COVID-19 updates, faces and information for health professionals.
- NSW Health & RACGP NSW&ACT Coronavirus update webinar (20 Feb 2020).
- NSW Health patient waiting room poster.
- Advice for people suspected to have novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.
- Worksafe NSW.
- PHNs:
- Central and Eastern Sydney PHN Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) information.
- Hunter New England and Central Coast PHN Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) information.
- Murrumbidgee PHN Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) information.
- Nepean Blue Mountains PHN Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) information.
- North Coast PHN Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) information.
- Northern Sydney PHN Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) information.
- Coordinare (South Eastern NSW PHN) Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) information.
- South Western Sydney PHN Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) information.
- Western NSW PHN Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) information.
- Wentwest (Western Sydney PHN) Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) information.
- QLD Health – information for clinicians – novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
- Department of Health updated the list of countries for which clinicians should consider testing of people with a clinically compatible illness and history of travel.
- AMA QLD – Urgent update for QLD GPs video (11 Feb 2020).
- Workplace Health and Safety QLD Coronavirus (COVID-19) workplace risk management.
- PHNs:
- Brisbane North PHN Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) information.
- Brisbane South PHN Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) information.
- Our PHN (Central Queensland, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast PHN) Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) information.
- Darling Downs and West Moreton (DDWM) PHN Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) information.
- Gold Coast PHN Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) information.
- Northern Queensland PHN Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) information.
- Western Queensland PHN Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) information.
- TAS Government Department of Health Communicable diseases prevention – Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) updates and resources.
- TAS Department of Health Novel Corona Virus information updates.
- TAS Department of Health Guidelines for Notifying Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
- TAS PHN Novel Coronavirus information.
- WorkSafe Tasmania Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
- Health and Human Services information for health services and general practitioners - coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
- Worksafe Victoria – Preparing for a pandemic: a guide for employers.
- Novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Home isolation guidance (01 Feb 2020).
- PHNs:
- Eastern Melbourne PHN Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) information.
- Gippsland PHN Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) information.
- Murray PHN Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) information.
- North Western Melbourne PHN Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) information.
- South Eastern Melbourne PHN Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) information.
- Western Victoria PHN Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) information.
- WA Department of Health Coronavirus (COVID-19) updates.
- WA Department of Health Poster for patients attending an ED or GP.
- PathWest collection of COVID-19 specimens’ information.
- WA Primary Health Alliance (WAHPA) PHN Coronavirus (COVID-19) information.
- WorkSafe WA Coronavirus - What can be done to prepare for the possibility of a viral outbreak in the workplace?
- Victorian Aboriginal Health Service.