Changes to the COVID Positive Pathways Program from 1 October

From 1 October 2022, the Victorian Government’s COVID Positive Pathways Program will provide outbound clinical and social intake and assessment of priority populations only.

Non-priority population groups are directed to the National Coronavirus Helpline and connected with primary care for support if they need it, in line with the nationally standardised approach to managing COVID at home.

Who are priority populations?

The Victorian Government defines “priority populations” as:

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
  • People aged 80 years and older
  • People living with disability, or carers of people living with disability
  • People needing help to recover at home (including culturally and linguistically diverse people and disadvantaged people)
  • People who are homeless, in unstable accommodation or who are unsafe at home
  • People of refugee or asylum seeker status
  • People living in specific rural isolated communities.

How will priority populations be supported?

  • People who test positive for COVID-19 will be able to identify as a priority patient by completing survey questions. The survey will be sent by SMS to people who test positive by PCR test. It will be available to people who test positive by RAT and use the self-reporting form or call the Victorian Coronavirus Hotline.
  • GPs can refer patients who may benefit from additional clinical and social wellbeing support and who meet the above criteria to the C+P Program.
  • GPs can access the COVID-19 Positive Management pathway for clinical guidance for management of COVID-positive adults, children, and pregnant patients in the community.The referral details in our region are: