Like many HACSU members, weare still waiting for details on community mental health eligibility for the newly-introduced Hospital Surge Support Allowance.

We believe Community Mental Health should be included in this, but the wording on the documentation isn't clear. We have written to the Department and questioned this in a meeting, and have been told they will respond to us.

All mental health workers have faced increased risk, increased workloads and increased stress due to COVID-19. In the event that Community MH have not been explicitly included in this allowance, we will advocate to both the Victorian Government and the Department as they should not exclude community teams from the allowance.

Please see the breakdown of the allowance below, based on the information we have so far.