Learn about home care, support for carers and our home library service.
Find out about carers and companion cards. You can receive free and discounted entry throughout the city.
Learn about services helping young people with disability.
Find recharge points for electric scooters and wheelchairs.
The Companion CardOpens in new tab is issued to people with a significant, permanent disability, who can show that they are unable to access most community activities and venues without attendant care support. It allows a second ticket to be issued to card holders for no charge.
The Carer CardOpens in new tab is a discounts and benefits card that provides recognition, understanding and support for carers, through a collaboration of government, community and business. In City of Melbourne, you can get discounts at Carlton Baths, North Melbourne Community Centre and more.
Basic assistance
People under the age of 65 years needing general assistance around their home (such as assistance with housework, meal delivery and transport to appointments) should call mecwacare intake on 03 8573 4980.
People over the age of 65 (or over 50 years for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders) should call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 for an assessment of eligibility.
Our home library service offers free delivery of library material, answers to information requests and other library services.
You can access the home library service if you live in the City of Melbourne and can't get to your local library in person. You might not be able to visit because of illness or disability. You can also access the home service if you are temporarily housebound.
City of Melbourne facilitates a monthly carer support group in Carlton that provides support, respite and an opportunity to share experiences with other local carers.
We have also teamed up with queerspaceOpens in new tab and Carers VictoriaOpens in new tab to offer a group for carers who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, asexual and other diverse sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTIQA+).
Visit Carers for more information.
Recharge your electric scooter or wheelchair for free at Melbourne Town Hall, 120 Swanston Street.
Recharge points are also at City of Melbourne Libraries:
- City Library
- East Melbourne Library
- Kathleen Syme Library and Community Centre
- Boyd Community Centre (Southbank Library)
- Library at The Dock
- narrm ngarrgu Library and Family Services at 141 Therry Street Melbourne.
The power points recharge the batteries for standard mobility aides (users will need to supply their own battery charger).
You can also recharge your battery at Travellers Aid Opens in new tabsites at Flinders Street and Southern Cross stations.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is the new way of providing support for people with a disability, their families and carers in Australia. The NDIS commenced in the City of Melbourne in October 2018. For further information, see NDISOpens in new tab.
Ross HouseOpens in new tab in 247-251 Flinders Lane, Melbourne offers accessible and affordable meeting room hire and resources. It is close to Flinders Street and wheelchair accessible. It provides affordable, accessible office space to over 50 small not-for-profit and disability action groups working towards environmental and social justice.
Carer Card
The Carer Card is a discounts and benefits card that provides recognition, understanding and support for carers, through a collaboration of government, community and business. In the municipality of Melbourne, you can get discounts at Carlton Baths, North Melbourne Community Centre and more.
Companion Card
The Companion Card is available to people with a significant, permanent disability, who can show that they are unable to access most community activities and venues without attendant care support. It allows a second ticket to be issued to card holders for no charge. This is a national program.
More information
Links to legal and advocacy services and other resources for people with a disability.
- Disability Discrimination Legal ServiceOpens in new tab (DDLS) is a statewide independent community legal centre that specialises in disability discrimination legal matters. The centre is at Ross House, 2nd Floor, 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne.
Victoria Legal AidOpens in new tab provides free legal services and advice to Victorians. The city office is at 570 Bourke Street, Melbourne.
People with hearing or speech difficulties can contact Legal Aid using the National Relay ServiceOpens in new tab. They offer the following relay call options: Internet relay, TTY users and speak and listen users.
- Brotherhood of St LaurenceOpens in new tab is funded by the NDIA to provide planning support, information and community capacity building.
- Disability Advocacy Network AustraliaOpens in new tab (DANA) is the national representative body for a network of advocacy organisations throughout Australia. The website includes information and links to many disability advocacy groups.
- Voices TogetherOpens in new tab is an online resource for self-advocacy groups, the government and the community to connect, work together and to share information and knowledge.
- Action on Disability within Ethnic CommunitiesOpens in new tab (ADEC) is a state-wide organisation that strives to empower people with a disability from non-English speaking backgrounds.
- Youth Disability Advocacy ServiceOpens in new tab is the only advocacy service in Australia dedicated to helping young people with disability achieve their human rights. Located at Level 2, 235 Queen Street, Melbourne.
- Better Health ChannelOpens in new tab: information on Disability servicesOpens in new tab and Carers, caring and respite care servicesOpens in new tab in Victoria
- Department of Families, Fairness and HousingOpens in new tab: information on supports and services, aids and equipment and your rights in Victoria.
- National Relay Service at Access HubOpens in new tab: all the numbers and access points for making a relay call.
- Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission Opens in new tab
