What is Multicultural Health Connect?

Multicultural Health Connect is a helpline that you can call to get health information and advice in your language from staff who understand your culture. The service is currently available only in Victoria.

Who can use Multicultural Health Connect?

This service is for people of many cultures in Victoria who have questions about their health and who need information about health services.

What support does the helpline provide?

You can call Multicultural Health Connect to:

• find health services such as doctors, hospitals and community health centres
• get health advice from a nurse
• better understand Australia’s health system, including Medicare and private health insurance
• learn about COVID-19, including managing the disease, COVID-19 vaccines, isolation and close contacts

When can I call Multicultural Health Connect?

Call 1800 186 815 between 11:30am to 8pm, 7 days a week, including public holidays.

What happens when I call the helpline?

Your call will be answered by a trained staff member who will ask you some questions, including what language you want to speak. The helpline has interpreters for 160 languages.

If you are calling about a health concern for you or someone else, a nurse from the healthdirect helpline will join the call. The nurse will ask you questions about your symptoms and advise what you should do next.

Staff will also help you find the health services you need.

Who provides the interpreting service?

The Translating and Interpreting Service gives callers access to interpreters.