Multicultural Health Connect
Select language: English, አማርኛ (Amharic), (Arabic) العربية , (Dari) دری, Thuɔŋjäŋ (Dinka), Ελληνικά (Greek), 简体中文 (Simplified Chinese), 繁體中文 (Traditional Chinese), Somali (Somali), Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
Need health information and advice in your language?
Call Multicultural Health Connect for health information and advice in your language
1800 186 8151800 186 815
Monday – Friday, 11 am – 7 pm AEDT. *
* Excluding public holidays. Available in all states except Queensland and Tasmania.
What is Multicultural Health Connect?
Multicultural Health Connect is the first national helpline to help people in multicultural communities get health information and advice.
The helpline is free and confidential, and run by workers from multicultural backgrounds.
When you call Multicultural Health Connect, you will speak with a trained worker who understands and respects your culture, needs and concerns. They can help you in your language or with the help of an interpreter.
Who can use Multicultural Health Connect?
This service is for anyone from a multicultural background, whether they’re an Australian citizen or here on a visa of any kind.
You do not need to speak English to call the helpline. When you call, ask for an interpreter in your language.
What support does the helpline provide?
Multicultural Health Connect provides health information and advice in your language.
Call Multicultural Health Connect to:
- get free health advice from a nurse
- find doctors, hospitals, support, and community health centres
- find nearby services that can help you
- learn about COVID-19, including how to get a vaccination, protect yourself and your family and manage your symptoms if you get COVID-19
If your call is an emergency, dial Triple Zero (000) immediately. Multicultural Health Connect is not an emergency service.
What happens when I call the helpline?
A trained worker will answer your call. They will ask you some questions, including which 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 will join the call. The nurse will ask you questions and give you advice.
If you need a health service, the helpline worker can help you find the one you need.
Who provides the interpreting service?
The helpline connects to the Translating and Interpreting Service to speak with you in your language.
When can I call Multicultural Health Connect?
You can call 1800 186 8151800 186 815 from Monday to Friday, 11am to 7pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT).
The helpline is closed on public holidays. The service is not open in Tasmania and Queensland.
How is this helpline different to others?
Some people from multicultural backgrounds don’t like to use helplines because of language and cultural barriers. Multicultural Health Connect is led by experts from multicultural backgrounds who understand these barriers and can help you get the right healthcare.
Who runs Multicultural Health Connect?
Multicultural Health Connect is run by the Australian Government via Healthdirect Australia. It is delivered by the World Wellness Group, a specialist multicultural health service.
Opening hours for the Multicultural Health Connect helpline
Australian Capital Territory | 11:00am – 7:00pm |
New South Wales | 11:00am – 7:00pm |
Northern Territory | 9:30am – 5:30pm |
South Australia | 10:30am – 6:30pm |
Victoria | 11:00am – 7:00pm |
Western Australia | 8:00am – 4:00pm |
Examples of questions you can ask
My son has a bad cough and a sore throat. His skin feels hot, so he might have a fever. What should I do and where can I take him?
I recently moved from India to Australia, and I don't have a Medicare card. Do I need to pay to see a doctor?
I feel alone because I'm in Australia without my family. Can you help me?
I am a service provider — how can the helpline help my clients?
It can be confusing to know where to refer your client in the health system. We can help you find the right service for them.
Download marketing resources about this service, brochures and social media assets, for your local community.
Call Multicultural Health Connect for health information and advice in your language
1800 186 8151800 186 815
Last reviewed: December 2022
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