Pay online
Contact us
Restrictions
Contact us at feedback@whittlesea.vic.gov.au if you need assistance accessing any of the information on this page.
We can also help you access it in your preferred language - call 131 450 for support.
If you require the information in other formats please let us know.
Latest restrictions
The Victorian Government has announced from 11.59pm on Sunday 6 December restrictions will be eased further as Victoria moves to the last step towards reopening:
- Wearing a face mask is only mandatory on public transport, while in taxis or ride share vehicles, or when going to large retail venues, including shopping centres, supermarkets and department stores. Wearing a face mask is strongly recommended indoors and outdoors when you can’t keep 1.5 metres distance from other people. You must carry a face mask with you when you leave home.
- You can have up to 30 visitors to your home per day
- Up to 100 people can meet outdoors in a public place
- Customer limit increases for the number of people allowed at community facilities such as libraries, sporting facilities (such as gyms), and entertainment facilities (such as cinemas).
- Weddings, funerals and religious gatherings can occur with no limits on the number of guests or attendees. To ensure people can keep 1.5 metres distance the venue must apply the two square metre rule. If a service is conducted in a private home, the private gathering limit applies (30 visitors)
- Dance floors can reopen in bars and pubs as well as at weddings. The four-square metre rule must be applied to limit the number of people on the dance floor and there can only be up to 50 people on the dancefloor at one time, if space allows
From 30 November private companies can have up to 25% of the workforce return to office based work.
View the Victorian Government's Roadmap to Reopening.
Visit the Department of Health and Human Services website for more information about how restrictions apply to:
- Sport and exercise
- Entertainment and culture
- Religion and ceremony
- Community services
- Travel
- Cafes and restaurants
- Shopping and retail and personal services
- Work and study
How do I report a breach of COVID-19 restrictions?
To report a suspected breach of public health restrictions contact the Police Assistance Line on 131 444 or report online.
Restrictions are in place to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and save lives.
Latest advice
+ Who should get tested for COVID-19?
Northern Suburbs Outbreak
New coronavirus cases have been identified in the northern metropolitan Melbourne area. Students from these schools and their families are asked to get tested, even if you do not have any symptoms:
- East Preston Islamic College
- Croxton School (Northcote)
East Preston Islamic College will be closed for 14 days. The preliminary recommendation for Croxton school is for a 14-day closure, however this will be regularly reviewed as further information comes to hand.
To make sure the DHHS can fully track the spread of this virus, all students and staff, their families and close contacts are asked to get tested and stay at home until they get a negative result.
The coronavirus test is free and available to everyone. You do not need to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. You do not need a Medicare card. There is no cost.
If you cannot leave your home to get tested, free testing at home is also available. Call the coronavirus (COVID-19) hotline on 1800 675 398 and select option 9 to find out if you are eligible for this service. The Call-to-Test service will operate from 9am-5pm, 7 days a week.
Financial support is available to help you stay at home if you need to miss work. Please visit the Test isolation and worker support payments page for more information.
View the full list of testing locations.
Symptomatic testing
Victorians with even mild symptoms are asked to get tested to help the government better track the spread of the virus.
The symptoms to watch out for are:
- Fever
- Chills or sweats
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Shortness of breath
- Runny nose
- Loss of sense of smell
In certain circumstances headache, muscle soreness, stuffy nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea may also be considered.
Tests are free and you should bring your Medicare card.
To get further advice, call the 24-hour coronavirus hotline 1800 675 398 or speak to your local doctor.
+ Where can I get tested?
A new Call-to-Test serviced will enable vulnerable people who cannot leave home due to injury, mobility or other eligible reasons to get tested at home. Read more about about to access this service.
Testing is at the following sites:
- Northland Shopping Centre, Murray Rd, Preston. 7 days. 9am-5pm
- Mernda Station Carpark - Schotters Rd entrance. 7 days. 9.30am-4.30pm.
- Northern Hospital, Drive-Through & Walk-In Clinic Northern Centre for Health Education & Research (NCHER) car park (enter via Cooper Street)
187 Cooper Street, Epping. 7 days, 8am until 7.30pm - Austin Hospital, Call the COVID-19 hotline on 9496 6606 (8am-8pm Monday to Friday, and 8am to 5pm weekends and public holidays) to book an appointment or for advice.
You can also get tested at:
- Your local GP (call ahead)
- A GP respiratory clinic.
- A Community Health Centre respiratory clinic.
Call 1800 675 398 for more information or
+ What do I need to do once I get tested?
If you HAVE symptoms, no matter how mild, and get tested you need to STAY HOME until you received your coronavirus test result.
You may be eligible for a Victorian Government payment if you don't have access to sick leave and are required to isolate. More information is available here.
+ How can I stay safe?
You should take the following actions to stay safe:
- wear a mask when you leave home
- practice good hygiene
- maintain physical distancing, keep at least 1.5 metres away from others
- understand the risk and symptoms
- help continue to slow the spread of COVID-19 by getting tested, even if you have mild symptoms
- stay home and avoid contact if you’re feeling unwell
- take care wherever you go, assume others may be carrying the virus.
More information is available here.
Health care
- It is important to seek emergency care if you have serious or life-threatening symptoms, and those requiring urgent care should attend the emergency department.
- People with minor, less-urgent conditions should seek medical advice from their general practitioner (GP) in the first instance.
- Do not put off seeking medical care - you are allowed to leave home to access medical services. Read more.
Can I leave home in an emergency?
- You can leave your home during an emergency if your home is unsafe.
- If a power outage impacts your health or safety or the health and safety of someone you live with, you can travel to a friend of family member's house.
What about fire prevention?
- If you live in metropolitan Melbourne and own property in regional Victoria, you cannot currently travel to your regional property to prepare it for an emergency, unless you have been issued with a Fire Prevention Notice, legally requiring you to undertake fire preparedness activities for that property, from your local council.
- If you live in metropolitan Melbourne you cannot travel to help your family members or friends prepare their property.
- If you live in metropolitan Melbourne you can travel to your second property, holiday home or business to repair damage caused by an emergency. You should carry with you evidence of property ownership and, if available, evidence of damage (i.e. photos, insurance claim etc).
+ City of Whittlesea coronavirus news
+ Should I download the CovidSafe app?
Yes. The CovidSafe app speeds up contacting people exposed to COVID-19 (coronavirus).
+ Where can I find reliable information about COVID-19
Where can I find more information about COVID-19?
The most reliable information on the coronavirus can be found on both the Victorian and Australian government’s websites.
Victorian Government
www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
1800 675 398
Australian Government
www.health.gov.au or www.australia.gov.au
1800 020 080
There is a self assessment tool available on the DHHS website which helps assess if you are at risk of COVID-19.
Download the Australian Government's information app:
Join the Australian Government's WhatsApp channel on iOS or Android.
Download the COVIDSafe app:
+ Information in other languages
Arabic
Chinese
Greek
Hindi
Italian
Macedonian
Punjabi
Sinhalese
Tamil
Turkish
Vietnamese
Click here to visit the DHHS website for COVID-19 information translated in other languages.
You can call the coronavirus hotline if you have concerns: 1800 675 398. If you need an interpreter call 131 450.
Additional resources:
Translated Government messaging can be found on the Victorian Government DHHS Youtube channel.
SBS information hub has multiple languages: SBS website
DPV Health multicultural resources: DPV Health
Victorian Multicultural Commission has range of information about COVID-19 in other languages
+ Information for people with a disability
There is now a Disability Information Helpline you can call on 1800 643 787 for all kinds of coronavirus-related help and information.
The hotline is available Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm (AEST) and Saturday and Sunday 9am to 7pm (AEST). It’s not available on national public holidays.
The Council for Intellectual Disability has easy English information
Expression Australia is providing updates for the Deaf community
The Growing Space has a Coronavirus/COVID19 resource in easy English
Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) have developed an easy English Guide to Coronavirus
Read information about COVID-19 for guide dog handlers.
Read Access Ability Australia's social story about keeping safe during COVID-19.
+ Information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
There is information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Victorians on the DHHS website.
There is also information on the Australian Government website: Health.gov.au resources