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Community guidelines
The department permits well intentioned discussion on its social media channels. In using the department’s social media channels, all users and participants agree to behave in a respectful manner towards the department, our moderators and towards other community members. Users and participants agree not to make comments that are:
- promoting incorrect or inexpert health advice or other information
- misleading, obscene, abusive, off-topic, or discriminatory to any groups
- promotional or commercial
- unlawful or encourage others to break the law
- defamatory or harassing of department employees or other participants in our channels
- posts copied and pasted or duplicated by users
- any other inappropriate content or comments as determined at the discretion of the Department.
The department reserves the right to delete any comments that it considers, within its discretion, fall within the above description, and to ban or block those posting any of the above from its pages or channels. The department reserves the right, in its discretion, to switch off the comment function on any of the department’s pages or social media channels at any time.
In particular, the department reserves the right to turn off comments on Facebook and Instagram after hours and turn off replies on Twitter and LinkedIn at the discretion of the department.
Use of social media by employees of the Department of Health
The Code of Conduct for Victorian Public Sector guides the use of social media by our employees. It guides all use of social media either when acting as an official representative of the Victorian public sector or private use, as outlined in the official code of conduct.
Enquiries via social media
While we can service simple questions or issues via our social media pages, many matters can't be resolved via social media. You may need to contact the Department by phone or contact form in order to get assistance.
Here’s where to address common queries that cannot be serviced by social media:
Please be aware that content on our social media channels is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. If you have health concerns, you should contact a local healthcare professional. We cannot offer personalised health advice via our social media channels.
Disclaimer
This social media page is provided for general information only. The State of Victoria does not represent or warrant that the content on this page is accurate, authentic or complete or that the information contained on the page is suitable for your needs. You must not rely on this page as a statement of government policy, except where clearly stated. Except where clearly stated as such, the comments or statements posted by persons on this page are not comments or statements made or endorsed by the State of Victoria or the Department of Health, nor do they represent the views or opinions of the State of Victoria or the Department of Health.
To the extent permitted by law, the State of Victoria excludes liability for any loss or damage (including loss from viruses) caused by use or reliance, or arising from any comment or statement posted by any person on this social media page. The Department of Health may amend or withdraw material or comments on this page at any time without notice.
Reviewed 16 November 2023