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.
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.
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
