Independent Community Support Groups
Independent community support groups play an important role in helping people living with ME/CFS and long COVID feel supported and less isolated. These groups create opportunities to connect with others who share similar experiences.
All groups listed here on our website are run independently and are not funded or managed by Emerge Australia.
Requests for Support
From time to time, independent support groups contact Emerge Australia to ask about public liability insurance or auspicing arrangements. Please note that:
- Emerge Australia currently does not have the capacity to provide auspicing for independent support groups
- Public liability insurance requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Emerge Australia’s Public Liability Insurance
Public liability insurance protects your group if you meet in a public space, such as a church or hall, and someone is injured or their property is damaged as a result of your activities.
It may cover:
- Injury to a participant or visitor.
- Damage to property.
- Legal costs and compensation claims.
Example:
- Someone trips and is injured at a meeting.
- Damage occurs to a venue during an event.
If your group would like to be considered for coverage under Emerge Australia’s public liability insurance, there are a few simple requirements:
- At least one administrator, moderator, or facilitator in your group must hold a current police check.
- Please request your group be considered for public liability insurance by completing the Emerge Australia Contact Form.
- Please consider sharing basic information about your group for inclusion in Emerge Australia’s communication channels.
While there are no formal guidelines, groups covered under Emerge Australia’s public liability insurance are expected to:
- Have a public email address for enquiries and communication.
- Be open to all people living with ME/CFS and long COVID who wish to join, regardless of age, faith, gender, sexual orientation, or race.
- Be publicly listed on the Emerge Australia website.
- Be free to join (no membership or attendance fees). A small donation for shared supplies (e.g. tea, coffee, biscuits) is acceptable.
- Not provide medical advice. Medical advice should only be given by qualified health professionals. Emerge Australia is not responsible for any advice or treatment undertaken.
Page last updated 28/5/2026
