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Service Category: I

Inter-agency Information Sharing Scheme

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Inter-agency Information Sharing Scheme (FVISS/CISS)

The protection, safety and wellbeing of adults and children, within our community, is a priority for Ballarat Community Health.
Under Part 5A of the Family Violence Protection Act 2008 and Part 6A of the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005, Information Sharing Entities (ISEs) and Risk Assessment Entities (RAEs) can request information to assess and manage family violence risk, and/or to promote a child’s wellbeing or safety

Need more information

To learn more about Family Violence Information Sharing Scheme (FVISS) and Child Information Sharing Scheme (CISS) visit the Victorian Government website,
Information sharing and MARAM reforms.

Please note

  • The requesting ISE must comply with consent thresholds, where appropriate and applicable.
  • The requesting authorised person/agency will need to be verified prior to the release of information under these schemes.

Guest Access

Where guest access is required as part of the fulfilment of a request to release of information under these schemes, authorised persons/agencies will be required to accept and comply with the following terms of use.

Guest Access to BCH Services

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Innovative Health Services for Homeless Youth

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Innovative Health Services for Homeless Youth

IHSHY works to address the physical and mental health needs of homeless and at-risk young people.

Cook Books

The IHSHY cookbooks were developed using co-design principles, working collaboratively with vulnerable young people and community members.

  • pdf 2023 Tight Arse Cook Book

    In Children and Youth 851 downloads

    Download (pdf, 11.70 MB)
    2023 Tight Arse Cook Book

    The IHSHY Tight Arse Cookbook project addresses food insecurity, enhances food literacy, and boosts self-confidence by supporting at-risk groups and individuals experiencing food insecurity in preparing affordable, nutritious meals. The resource features simple, healthy, and cost-effective recipes that required only basic ingredients.

    After printing, the cookbook is available free of charge to food and emergency relief services, as well as organisations within the Ballarat community services sector. It has also been incorporated into cooking and life skills programs run by homelessness and residential services.

  • pdf Hot Off the Press Cook Book

    In Children and Youth 604 downloads

    Download (pdf, 2.34 MB)
    Hot Off the Press Cook Book

    Following on from the popular Tight Arse Cookboook. We have created the Hot off the Press Cookbook that uses a basic sandwich press for ALL the meal options.Many individuals do not have access to standard cooking facilities and ncreased costof-living has led to food insecurity for many of us. This book is empowering people who are in vulnerable situations to prepare themselves a simple, affordable and nutritious warm meal.This is not only good for an individual’s health but also their wellbeing: being able to look after and nurture oneself is important to a person’s confidence, resilience, and mental health.

Homelessness and housing affordability

pdf Homelessness and Housing Affordability Infographic

In Children and Youth 528 downloads

Download (pdf, 158 KB)
Homelessness and Housing Affordability Infographic

Homelessness is far more than “rooflessness”. Homelessness means being without a safe, sustainable and private space to live.

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Refugee Immigrant Health

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Refugee Immigrant Health Services

At Ballarat Community Health, we are committed to ensuring that everyone in our community—regardless of their journey or background—has access to safe, compassionate and culturally appropriate healthcare. Our Refugee & Immigrant Health services provide dedicated support for individuals and families who are newly arrived in Australia, helping them navigate the health system, understand their wellbeing needs and settle confidently into life in the Ballarat region.
Our team works alongside GPs, allied health professionals, community services and settlement agencies to deliver thorough health assessments, ongoing care coordination and tailored health education.

We focus on early identification of health concerns, immunisations, chronic disease management and connecting people with the right services.

For people starting a new life far from home, good health is a vital foundation. Ballarat Community Health is proud to play a role in supporting refugee and migrant communities to thrive and participate fully in the place they now call home.

Refugee Health Program

The Refugee Health Program provides care for refugee communities, delivered by a Refugee Immigrant Health Nurse with expertise in working with culturally and linguistically diverse and marginalised communities.

The role of the Refugee Immigrant Health Nurse is to support refugees, asylum seekers and those from refugee-like backgrounds with their health needs.

The program also supports all new migrants and those with complex health needs, in order to facilitate access to the appropriate care and support services, offering culturally appropriate health care to ensure the long term health of the client

  • Health Assessments and coordination of referrals to local service providers
  • Referral coordination to local health and community services
  • Nursing and care coordination to health and community services
  • Key worker support, providing coordination and nursing support to refugee and migrants with complex care needs
  • Outreach services, providing clients with services, information, and resources that they might not otherwise access
  • Referrals to Vitamin D Clinic
  • Referrals to Paediatric Clinic
  • Referrals to MAP (Multicultural Access Program) Clinic

Vitamin D Clinic

Specialised Vitamin D Deficiency Care supporting strong bones, muscle health, and overall wellbeing.

Low vitamin D can affect energy, mood, bone and muscle health. Ballarat Community Health’s Vitamin D Clinic supports refugees and immigrants with vitamin D deficiency.

  • Vitamin D deficiency assessments
  • Personalised treatment plans
  • Practical guidance to help restore and maintain healthy vitamin D levels safely
  • Connect clients with any additional support required

Request a callback from the Immigrant Health Nurse. The Immigrant Health Nurse will respond on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Paediatric Immigrant Health Clinic

Caring for children and young people settling in Ballarat with general health concerns. Ballarat Community Health’s Paediatric Immigrant Clinic provides compassionate, culturally safe healthcare for children and young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds.

The clinic supports children and young people (0–18 years) from refugee, asylum seeker, and migrant families. Newly arrived families needing first‑time or catch‑up health checks and families seeking help with school readiness, development, or immunisation histories.

Our Refugee Immigrant Health Nurse will support referrals for the Paediatric Immigrant Health Clinic. Ask your GP to make a referral by contacting Ballarat Community Health to request a callback from our Refugee Immigrant Health Nurse.

The Clinic is ran by Dr David Tickell, a paediatrician with experience in immigrant health. Clinic visits are bulk billed and a GP referral is required.

  • Comprehensive health assessments for newly arrived children and adolescents
  • Catch‑up immunisations and vaccination records support
  • Developmental and learning checks, including referrals where needed
  • Nutrition and growth support, anaemia and vitamin screening coordination
  • Mental health and wellbeing support, including trauma‑informed care pathways
  • Chronic condition management and care coordination with specialists
  • Health system navigation, interpreters, and settlement support links

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Integrated Chronic Disease Management Counsellor

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Integrated Chronic Disease Management Counsellor

Chronic diseases can impact every facet of a person’s life, causing a significant amount of stress upon the individual, families/carers. At Ballarat Community Health our Integrated Chronic Disease management Counsellor aims to assist individuals with chronic diseases. This service focuses on mental health and care management from a wellness and reablement perspective. This service can include counselling, support, health coaching and advocacy for individuals and families living with a chronic health condition (diabetes, musculoskeletal conditions, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Heart Failure etc.).

The service can include assistance with

  • Mental Health Counselling
  • Psycho-Social Support
  • Behaviour change and goal setting
  • Stress management and enhancing wellbeing
  • Family and relationships issues
  • Grief and loss issues
  • Pain management
  • Learning about self-management principles
  • Psychosocial assessment
  • Illness and role adjustment
  • Secondary symptoms of chronic illness (e.g. low mood, worry, anger or sleep disturbance)
  • Socio-legal concerns and medical decision making

Our Integrated Chronic Disease Management Counsellor service is offered at the Lucas site and enquires can be made by phoning us on (03) 5338 4500.

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