offering assistance to the obsessed

COVID-19 Resources

COVID-19 RESOURCES

Links to assist artists whose shows and events are affect by the COVID-19

If you are concerned or suspect you have the coronavirus (COVID-19), please contact the DEDICATED Hotline on 1800 675 398. The line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Funding, Grants, and Stimulus Packages | News and Updates | Industry Support | Back to Work & COVID Plans | Health & Wellbeing | Government Information JobSeeker Payments | JobKeeper Payments


Response Funding, Grants, and Stimulus Packages

CURRENT AVAILABLE COVID-19 FUNDING - Listed are various stimulus packages, response funds, and grant support for artists, arts organisations, cultural organisations, and areas of the creative arts industries during the COVID-19 crisis.

News and Updates

CREATIVE VICTORIA NEWS & UPDATES - Creative Victoria is monitoring the rapidly changing situation with regard to coronavirus (COVID-19) in Victoria and its impacts on the creative industries and will continue to share information and updates as they come to hand.

CREATIVE AUSTRALIA NEWS & UPDATES - Creative Australia provides the most current information and funding opportunities to support artists, arts practitioners, arts groups and arts organisations coping with the impact of COVID-19.

THEATRE NETWORK AUSTRALIA NEWS & UPDATES - Current news and resources from the leading industry development organisation for the performing arts.

LIVE PERFORMANCE AUSTRALIA - News, guides, fact sheets, and media releases from the peak body of the live performance industry.

Industry Support

I LOST MY GIG - Collecting real time data on the economic impact of COVID-19 on the arts and entertainment sector

MEAA JOBKEEPER CAMPAIGN - The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) is encouraging individuals to contact their local MP and call for Parliament to expand the eligibility criteria and ensure all freelancers and casuals are eligible for the JobKeeper Payment.

THE FREELANCE JUNGLE - The Freelance Jungle began with a survey of freelancer challenges. It has now grown into a brimming Facebook group, virtual catch-ups for stress reduction and networking, and a commitment to education via podcasts, blogs and online learning via our website.

AUSTRALIAN ARTS AMIDST COVID-19 - This is a place for Australian Arts to ask questions and share ideas about how to work with Covid-19.

DIVERSITY ARTS AUSTRALIA: LOST WORK FOR ARTIST AND CREATIVE OF COLOUR - Diversity Arts Australia is gathering data to help us advocate for culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) creatives affected by cancellations and postponements in the creative industries.

LIVE PERFORMANCE AUSTRALIA CAMPAIGN - Live performance companies and workers, we need your support! #livesupport

MEDIA ENTERTAINMENT ARTS ALLIANCE (MEAA) COVID-19 SURVEY - Complete the survey about the impact of coronavirus on your work and income in the media, entertainment and arts industries.

MEAA RESOURCES & LINKS - This collection of resources was put together by the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA)’s Media Section’s National Freelance Committee for those working from home.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF VISUAL ARTISTS (NAVA) COVID-19 SURVEY - NAVA is working closely with national peak organisations as well as state and federal ministries and government departments to understand these impacts and represent them in detail, so that government at all levels is in the best position to consider urgent policy and funding responses.

ARTS LAW CENTRE FOR AUSTRALIA - The arts sector has been hit hard with cancellations and disruption in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. Arts Law has put together answers to some of the most common question’s we’ve received from artists and arts organisations.

NATIONAL DEBT HOTLINE: COVID-19 FINANCIAL SURVIVAL GUIDE - The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is a challenging time for everyone in Australia (and the world). This is a guide on steps to take and where to find support.

ESAFETY COMMISSIONER - Tips on how to stay safe online during the COVID-19 pandemic.

SCAMWATCH - Scammers are now trying to exploit Australians financially impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Visit this website for the latest news.

Back to Work & COVID Plans

AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, COVID-19 VACCINATIONS AND THE WORKPLACE - Helping you and your business navigate the Australian COVID-19 vaccine rollout in an ever-changing landscape.

PERFORMING ART CONNECTIONS - Guidelines for COVID Safe Theatres: These performing arts venue guidelines aim to provide national consistency and a common framework, recognising that there will be different approaches and timelines across states and territories to easing restrictions and implementing social distancing measures.

AUSDANCE: RETURN TO DANCE - This document provides guidelines for practising dance safely whilst meeting the required health and safety guidelines in a new post-COVID environment.

CREATIVE VICTORIA RETURN TO WORK - As restrictions are gradually eased for Victoria’s arts and cultural sector, tailored guidelines have been developed to help organisations and venues prepare to safely reopen and return to business.

SAFE WORK AUSTRALIA - This page includes resources for workplaces in the live entertainment industry on work health and safety, workers’ compensation and COVID-19.

COVID SAFE PLAN (VICTORIA) - It is mandatory for every Victorian business to have a COVIDSafe Plan. To ensure compliance, random spot checks are occurring in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria. This website has detailed information about what you need to provide and be aware of when creating a COVID plan.

CREATING A COVID SAFE WORKPLACE - Business Victoria has provided details on creating a COVIDSafe Plan and understanding how the different steps apply to your sector.

LPA GUIDELINES FOR COVID SAFE AUDITIONS, REHEARSALS & PERFORMANCES - These guidelines aim to support the safe return of activities associated with auditions, rehearsals and performances of live productions. They are intended to apply to professional productions and broadly across all artforms.

LPA TOURING GUIDELINES - These guidelines aim to support the safe return of national touring of live performances. They are intended to apply to live productions that tour multiple locations over a period of at least two weeks and where the time spent in each location is generally less than four weeks.

ARTS & RECREATION SERVICES SECTOR GUIDANCE - Sector guidance for arts and recreation services businesses within metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria regarding Industry Restart Guidelines.

Health & Wellbeing

SUPPORT ACT WELLBEING HELPLINE - The Support Act Wellbeing Helpline is a free, confidential counselling service that is available to anyone working in Australian music (all genres), or the Australian Performing Arts, who needs to talk to someone about any aspect of their wellbeing.

LIFELINE AUSTRALIA - Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.

BEYOND BLUE - Beyond Blue provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live.

THE ARTS WELLBEING COLLECTIVE - During these uncertain times, we are going to need strength and connection to get through. It’s hard to know where to start – especially when everything is changing so quickly. The Arts Wellbeing Collective have provided some helpful advice in looking after your mental health during COVID-19.

PARTNERS IN WELLBEING - Free Wellbeing Coaching for people in Victoria during the Coronavirus pandemic and beyond.

CHUNKYMOVE WELLBEING RESOURCE - Looking after your psychological wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic.   

THE CONNECTION PROJECT - CircuitWest and Perth Festival have partnered to provide a platform to connect and discuss its associated challenges and stress during this time. The Connection Project is available for to anyone in the Western Australian arts sector.

Government Information Regarding COVID-19

AUSTRALIA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS GUIDE TO GOVERNMENT COVID-19 ASSISTANCE - This guide sets out various assistance initiatives that are being provided by federal and state/territory governments in response to the continuing COVID-19 impacts in 2021.

AUSTRALIA GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH - Their information provides daily updates, answering your questions about the latest news, current facts and figures, travel advice, key contact and phone numbers.

FAIRWORK AUSTRALIA CORONAVIRUS & WORKPLACE LAWS - Fairwork Australia can help you understand your rights and responsibilities at work during the coronavirus outbreak.

BUSINESS VICTORIA: BUSINESS SUPPORT - Business support, advice and information to help your business deal with coronavirus (COVID-19).

AUSTRALIAN TAXATION OFFICE - Information about ATO measures and tailored support during COVID-19 (novel coronavirus).

SAFEWORK AUSTRALIA (Health & Safety Incident Notification) - This fact sheet provides information for persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) on the approach to COVID-19 incident notification laws in each jurisdiction, including details on how to notify when required.

AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT: ECONOMIC RESPONSE TO THE CORONAVIRUS - For up-to-date information on the Australian Government’s Economic Response to Coronavirus.

Support Links about JobSeeker Payments due to COVID-19

JOB SEEKER PAYMENTS - Find out about your mutual obligations if you’re a job seeker affected by coronavirus (COVID-19).

JOBSEEKER PAYMENTS FOR SOLE TRADERS - The Federal Government has announced a supplement to JobSeeker payments from 27 April, with some waived requirements for sole traders. Here's how to get started on your application.

JOBSEEKER HOW TO - A step by step guide on how to apply for the JobSeeker payments.

Support Links about JobKeeper Payments due to COVID-19

JOBKEEPER PAYMENTS - Information about the JobKeeper payment to help keep more Australians in jobs and support businesses affected by the significant economic impact caused by the Coronavirus.

JOBKEEPER FAQs - Frequently asked questions about JobKeeper payments.

JOBKEEPER PAYMENT FACTSHEETS (Supporting businesses to retain jobs)

JOBKEEPER PAYMENT FACTSHEETS (JobKeeper Payment - Information for employers)

JOBKEEPER PAYMENT FACTSHEETS (JobKeeper Payment - Information for employees)

MEAA JOBKEEPER FACTSHEET - Get all the facts from Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance about whether you are eligible to apply for the JobKeeper income subsidy payment.

JOB KEEPER REGISTRATIONS - Employers can register their interest in JobKeeper payments on the ATO website.