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
• Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, State Government of Victoria