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As the Victorian State election will be held on Saturday 28 November 2026, the Victorian Government will assume a Caretaker role from 6pm on 3 November 2026. During the caretaker period, content will only be added to this website in accordance with the Caretaker Conventions. See Guidelines for Caretaker Conventions.

Chronic Illness Peer Support (ChIPS)

How to join ChIPS

  • Referral process

    If you are interested in becoming part of the ChIPS program the first step is to complete a referral form. All referrals need to be endorsed by a healthcare professional who is part of the young person’s treatment team.  

    Referral Form PDF

    Referral process step-by-step

    1. Submit a referral to ChIPS: this can be done by emailing the completed referral form linked above to chips.program@rch.org.au or your RCH healthcare professional can fill in a referral (orders) through the Electronic Medical Record (EMR). 
    2. ChIPS staff will review the referral and consult with medical staff if necessary. ChIPS staff will access your EMR as part of this step (RCH patients only). 
    3. If your referral is accepted, a member of the ChIPS staff will contact the young person or guardian to arrange a time to meet and organise an intake assessment. 
    4. After an intake assessment is completed, ChIPS staff members, in collaboration with the young person and their family/guardian, will assess the young person’s readiness to join an intake group. 
    5. The young person will then either be invited to attend an intake group or be given alternative resources and options for support with more appropriate services.

    All new participants must complete an intake group before they can join the program.  

    For eligibility to join the ChIPS Program you must be: 

    • A minimum age of 12 and in high school. 
    • Aged 18 years or younger at time of referral. 
    • Living with a primary diagnosis of a chronic medical illness.   
    • Willing and able to attend an intake program (all participation in ChIPS is voluntary). 
    • Ready and able to engage safely in supervised and unsupervised group settings.  

    ChIPS does not accept referrals for young people whose primary diagnosis is:

    • An eating disorder
    • A mental health condition
    • Somatoform or Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS) 
    • Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)
    • Cancer 

    If you have any questions about a young person's suitability for the program, would like some more information on the referral process, or wish to discuss detailed referral criteria please contact the ChIPS office on (03) 9345 6616 or chips.program@rch.org.au