Resources
If private legal advice is not financially accessible for you, a specialist legal service or community legal centre may be able to provide high-quality legal advice and assistance free of charge. If you are on low or no income, or otherwise meet a service’s eligibility criteria, you may be eligible for free legal advice or representation.
Eligibility, the types of matters accepted and the assistance available vary between services. The following directories and services can help you find appropriate legal assistance.
Free Legal Help
Victoria Legal Aid’s Equality Law Program provides specialist advice and representation to eligible people experiencing discrimination, sexual harassment and victimisation. Victoria Legal Aid also maintains an up-to-date list of other Victorian services that may be able to help.
Working Women’s Centres operate in every state and territory and provide workplace legal advice, support and advocacy. Working Women’s Centre Australia maintains current contact details for the centre in each state and territory.
Community Legal Centres Australia
Community legal services provide mostly free legal advice and assistance across Australia. Some are generalist services assisting people in a particular area, while others specialise in particular areas of law or communities. Community Legal Centres Australia links to directories for each state and territory.
Federation of Community Legal Centres Victoria
If you are in Victoria, you can search by suburb or postcode for a community legal centre that may be able to provide free, confidential legal help.