Community services

Community services

Community services offer support to the public. The support may be information, advice, practical help, financial help or a combination of services. The community service may be run by federal, state or local government or by a non-government organisation such as a charity. Generally, community services are either free or well priced.

Examples of targeted groups in the community

Community services often address the needs of a specific group, such as:

Children

Teenagers

Women

Men

Families

Senior citizens

People with disabilities

People with housing difficulties

Aboriginal Australians or Torres Strait Islanders

Immigrants and refugees

People living in rural or remote areas

People in crisis

People coping in the aftermath of an emergency

People with specific health or medical problems.

How to access a community service

Resources that can alert you to the community services relevant to your situation can include:

Your doctor

Your local community health centre

Your local council

Front pages of the

White Pages

(Business and Government) telephone directory

Government departments such as the Department of Health, the Department of Human Services or the Family Assistance Office

The Community Portal website – for information on government and non-government community services across Australia

The Victorian Human Services Directory.

Consider being a volunteer

Many community services rely on volunteers. About 4.4 million Australians are currently volunteers. The personal advantages of volunteering include:

Making a difference

Supporting an issue you feel strongly about

Building self-confidence

Acquiring new skills

Meeting new people

Feeling an enhanced sense of purpose.

Where to get help

Your

GP (doctor)

Your local community health centre

Your local

council

External Link

Department of Families, Fairness and

Housing

External Link

, State Government of Victoria