Legal Assistance Programs
The Australian Government funds a range of legal assistance programs. The services listed may provide further information to individuals wishing to obtain legal advice or information.
Legal Aid Program
Legal aid commissions provide a wide range of services in criminal, family and civil law matters. Legal aid services provided by legal aid commissions include:
- information and referral, including by telephone or at the reception counter of the commission
- community legal education and publication
- legal advice and minor assistance, including preparation of simple documents
- duty lawyer services at courts and tribunals
- family dispute resolution — where at least one of the parties to a family law dispute has received a grant of legal assistance, and
- grants of legal assistance for legal representation before a court or tribunal.
Further information about the Legal Aid Program:
Community Legal Services Program
Community Legal Centres are independent and community managed non-profit services which provide a range of assistance on legal and related matters to people on low incomes and those with special needs.
They are a key component of Australia’s legal aid system. They provide services which complement and extend the services provided by legal aid commissions and the private profession. Services may include information and referral, legal advice and ongoing legal assistance.
Further information about Community Legal Centres:
Indigenous Legal Aid and Policy Reform Program
The Australian Government's Indigenous Legal Aid and Policy Reform (LAPR) Program funds projects that:
- deliver high quality, culturally sensitive, equitable and accessible legal aid services for Indigenous Australians, so that they can fully exercise their legal rights as Australian citizens
- seek to support law reform and policy development, and the delivery of community legal education, and
- support the ongoing development and continuous improvement of the program and its outcomes.
Find further information about Indigenous Legal Aid and Policy Reform Program.
Family Violence Prevention Legal Services Program
This program provides culturally sensitive assistance to Indigenous victim-survivors of family violence and sexual assault through the provision of legal assistance, court support, casework and counselling.
The Family Violence Prevention Legal Services program is complemented by other Indigenous law and justice programs.
Further information about the Family Violence Prevention Legal Services Program:
Family Law Courts National Enquiry Centre
The National Enquiry Centre is the entry point for all telephone and email enquiries on Family Law Court matters for the Federal Magistrates Court and Family Court of Australia, and operates from 8.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday.
For individuals living in Western Australia, please contact the Family Court of Western Australia
The Law Society in your state or territory will be able to assist you to locate a private lawyer: