COVID-19 support

On this page:

• Testing 
• Masks
• Personal protective equipment (PPE)
• What to do if you get COVID-19?
• COVID-19 and mental health
• Stay protected poster / fact sheet
• Ventilation fact sheet for disability providers
• Disability workers and vaccination
• COVID-19 stories

Testing

You should get tested for COVID-19 if:

• you have symptoms of the illness — even if your symptoms are mild
• you have recovered from COVID-19 and develop new symptoms of COVID-19 after 28 days since you completed isolation
• you have been advised to do so by a health professional.

Find out more about Rapid Antigen Tests.

If you’re at higher risk of severe illness, have COVID-19 symptoms and test negative on a RAT (Rapid Antigen Test), get a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test.

Occasionally, a RAT may not detect a COVID-19 infection straight away, so it’s important to get a PCR at a state or territory testing site. The Easy Reads below give more information on taking a RAT test.

• How to do a rapid antigen test with your saliva – Easy Read
• How to do a rapid antigen test from your nose – Easy Read

Masks

Wearing a mask can help protect you and those around you. To use a mask properly you should:

• wash or sanitise your hands before putting it on or taking it off
• make sure it covers your nose and mouth and fits snugly under your chin
• avoid touching the front of your mask while wearing or removing it
• keep it in place – don't hang it around your neck or under your nose
• use a new single use mask each time
• wash and dry reusable masks after use and store in a clean dry place.

Click here to access an Easy Read for mask wearing.

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Personal protective equipment protects the wearer from infection and stops the spread of COVID-19.

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has information available to help you find out who should use PPE, how to use it, and how to supply, if needed, is managed through the National Medical Stockpile.

For further information on supports available through the NDIS take a look at your health and safety.

What to do if you get COVID-19?

• You can call your doctor or medical centre if you get COVID-19

• Some people get a little sick when they get COVID-19 and some may get very sick if they get COVID-19.