Last updated 31 September 2021
The ACT lockdown commenced at 5pm on Thursday 12 August – this means that no one can work in the sex industry at this time.
ACT COVID-19 LOCKDOWN. SEX INDUSTRY IS CLOSED.
ACT COVID-19 封锁。 性行业关闭。
พระราชบัญญัติ COVID-19 ล็อกดาวน์ อุตสาหกรรมทางเพศถูกปิด
ACT COVID-19 잠금. 성 산업은 문을 닫습니다.
The ACT lockdown commenced at 5pm on Thursday 12 August – this means that no one can work in the sex industry at this time. We understand that local sex workers are receiving contact from many clients trying to make bookings however you cannot work regardless of your circumstances, however challenging it may be for you at this time.
Private sex work is NOT listed as essential work and escort agencies, brothels and strip clubs are closed during lockdown unless otherwise directed by the ACT Government here:
Lockdown in the ACT - COVID-19 and 翻译 แปล번역
EMERGENCY FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR SEX WORKERS BY SEX WORKERS
如果您是性工作者，需要财务帮助，请按此链接完成自我评估表格。
หากคณุ เป็นผใู้หบ้ รกิ ารทางเพศทต ี อ้ งการความชว่ ยเหลอืทางการเงนิ โปรดกรอกแบบฟอรม์ นี เพอ ื ประเมนิตนเองผา่ นลงิคน์ ี
만약 당신이 지금 금전적인 도움이 필요한 성노동자라면 다음링크를 통해 신청서 작성을 완료해주시기 바랍니다.
ACT sex workers in lockdown are eligible for the Scarlet Alliance Emergency Relief Fund.
English Application
tinyurl.com/erfenglish
ไทย Thai Application
tinyurl.com/erfthai
简化中文 Simplified Chinese Application
tinyurl.com/erfchinese
한국어 Korean Application
tinyurl.com/erfkorean
OTHER FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Migrant, refugee, or asylum seeker?
Emergency Relief Fund - MARSS Migrant and Refugee Settlement Service
Not receiving Centrelink? Apply here:
COVID-19 Disaster Payment - Australian Capital Territory if you do not get a Centrelink or DVA payment - How to claim - Services Australia
Already receiving Centrelink? Apply here:
COVID-19 Disaster Payment - Australian Capital Territory if you get a Centrelink or DVA payment - Services Australia
Earning over $75,000 a year and registered for GST? Apply here:
COVID-19 Business Support Grant - Non-employing - Business Hub (act.gov.au)
Waiting for a COVID test result?
ACT Government COVID-19 Test Hardship Isolation Payment (pdf): A payment of $270 will be made to eligible workers who isolate while awaiting their COVID 19 test result. This payment covers up to three days in isolation. A range of eligibility criteria apply. Apply for the isolation payment here.
Need to self-isolate? Have COVID19? Caring for someone with COVID19?
The Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment - Australian Capital Territory - How to claim - Services Australia is for people living in the Australian Capital Territory who cannot earn an income because they must self-isolate, quarantine or care for someone who has COVID-19.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Access help - COVID-19 (act.gov.au)
Temporary Visa Holders
Winnunga Aboriginal Health and Community Services
Emergency Food and Essentials
Place order by calling VolunteeringACT on 1800 43 11 33 between 9am -5pm. If the phone is not answered, please leave a message and someone will return your call.
Domestic and family violence support - COVID-19 (act.gov.au)
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
Sex worker friendly counsellors from
Meridian Wellbeing Services – Supporting the LGBTIQA+ and Sex Worker Community
If you, or someone you know, are at risk of harm please contact the services below: at risk of harm please contact the services below:
In an emergency, please contact 000.
QLife | Open 3pm – midnight | 1800 184 527 | qlife.org.au
Lifeline | Open 24/7 | 13 11 14 | lifeline.org.au
Domestic Violence Crisis Service| Open 24/7 | (02) 6280 0900 | dvcs.org.au
Access Mental Health on 1800 629 354 or 02 6205 1065. Access Mental Health offers mental health services that are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
For those aged under 25, there are also the following services available:
Kids Helpline | Open 24/7 | 1800 551 800 | kidshelpline.com.au
Eheadspace | 1800 650 890 | eheadspace.org.au
COVID19 TESTING LOCATIONS
Where to get tested in the ACT - COVID-19
COVID19 VACCINATIONS
Can I get a vaccination? And where?
Vaccines Eligibility Checker (healthdirect.gov.au)
No Medicare card? At risk?
If you are concerned about using your legal name, you can use a different name or pseudonym to register for an Individual Healthcare Identifier (IHI). Note that you will need an existing IHI before you can request an IHI under a different name.
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/medicare/individual-healthcare-identifiers/how-get-ihi
REASONS TO LEAVE HOME DURING LOCKDOWN
During the lockdown, the 6 essential reasons you can leave your home during this lockdown are:
- to buy essential groceries and medicine
- to access essential healthcare including in-home care
- or essential work*
- or exercise outdoors for one hour per day near your home
- to get a COVID-19 test and/or vaccination
- to escape domestic violence
*You can only leave your home for work IF it is listed as essential work here Lockdown in the ACT - Business and Community Restrictions
SEXUAL HEALTH SERVICES
Canberra Sexual Health Centre (Canberra Hospital, Woden) are offering appointments for:
- People with symptoms of STIs (discharge, burning, pain, etc.) – face to face/telehealth/phone
- Transgender care - face to face/telehealth
- HIV care - face to face/telehealth
- PrEP script extensions - telehealth, scripts sent to pharmacies
This service is appointment only. To make an appointment, call (02) 5124 2184.
SHFPACT (Sexual Health & Family Planning ACT) (Canberra City) are offering appointments for:
- People with symptoms of STIs (discharge, burning, pain, etc.) – face to face
- Procedure appointments with doctors (for IUD’s, etc.) – face to face
- Other concerns not requiring physical examination – phone
- Asymptomatic STI screening appointments - phone
- Emergency Contraception – phone
- Unplanned pregnancy counselling - phone (face to face considered on individual circumstances)
- PrEP scripts – phone
- Menopause care - phone
This service is appointment only. To make an appointment, call (02) 6247 3077
The Junction Youth Health Service (Canberra City) are offering appointments for:
- Young people (12-25) with symptoms of STIs – face to face
This service has a primary focus on young people who are homeless or otherwise experience (or are at risk of) disadvantage. To make an appointment, call (02) 6232 2423.
Marie Stopes Australia (Canberra City) are offering appointments for:
- Termination/abortion services – face to face
- Other face-to-face procedure appointments
This service is appointment only. To make an appointment, call 1300 867 104.