Legal assistance
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander legal services
New South Wales
Sydney Regional Aboriginal Corporation Legal Service - 02 9699 8019
Northern Territory
Alice Springs - Central Australian Aboriginal Legal Aid Service - 08 8950 9300 or 1800 636 079
Darwin - North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency - 08 8982 5100 or 1800 898 251
Queensland
Brisbane - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation for Legal Services
07 3025 3888 or 1800 012 255
Townsville - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Legal Services
07 4722 5111 or 1800 074 463
South Australia
Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement - 08 8211 8824 or 1800 643 222 - www.alrm.org.au
Tasmania
Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre - 03 6234 8311 or 1800 132 260
Victoria
Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service - 03 9419 3888 or 1800 064 865 - www.vals.org.au
Western Australia
Aboriginal Legal Services of Western Australia - 08 9265 6666 or 1800 019 900 - www.als.org.au
Collaborative law
Collaborative law uses an interest-based negotiation model where clients
and their lawyers work together to resolve a dispute without going to
court. The aim is to reach a fair agreement while minimising costs, delays
and stress.
As an emerging form of legal practice, Australian lawyers are enthusiastic
about adopting this approach.
Collaborative Professionals Victoria
Collaborative Professionals New South Wales
Queensland Collaborative Law
Collaborative Professionals WA
Collaborative Practice Canberra
Community legal centres
Community legal centres are non-government not-for-profit organisations that offer free legal advice. You usually need to make an appointment to see a lawyer.
National Association of Community Legal Centres
phone: (02) 9264 9595
website: www.naclc.org.au
Consulting a lawyer
In family law, everyone’s case is different. A lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and responsibilities and how the law applies to your case. To make best use of your time with a lawyer, you should prepare for the meeting by writing down the facts of your case and any questions you have.
Family lawyers
If you are looking for a lawyer who deals with family law matters, the Law Council of Australia or the law society in your state or territory may be able to help.
Law Council of Australia - Family Law Section:
phone: (02) 6247 3788
website: www.familylawsection.org.au
e-mail: mail@familylawsection.org.au.
Law Society/Institute:
Australian Capital Territory - 02 6247 5700 - www.lawsocact.asn.au
New South Wales - 02 9926 0333 - www.lawsociety.com.au
Northern Territory - 08 8981 5104 - www.lawsocnt.asn.au
Queensland - 07 3842 5888 - http://www.qls.com.au
South Australia - 08 8229 0222 - www.lssa.asn.au
Tasmania - 03 6234 4133 - www.taslawsociety.asn.au
Victoria (Institute) - 03 9607 9311 - www.liv.asn.au
Western Australia - 08 9322 7877 - www.lawsocietywa.asn.au
Legal aid
All states and territories have legal aid commissions that may be able to help you resolve your case and/or represent you in court. If you are granted legal aid, legal aid may ask for a financial contribution, based on your income.
Australian Capital Territory - 1300 654 314 - www.legalaid.canberra.net.au
New South Wales - 02 9219 5000 or 1300 888 529 (LawAccess NSW) - www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au
Northern Territory - 08 8999 3000 or 1800 019 343 (country callers) - www.ntlac.nt.gov.au
Queensland - 1300 651 188 - www.legalaid.qld.gov.au
South Australia - 1300 366 424 - www.lsc.sa.gov.au
Tasmania - 1300 366 611 - www.legalaid.tas.gov.au
Victoria - 03 9269 0234 or 1800 677 402 (country callers) - www.legalaid.vic.gov.au
Western Australian - 1300 650 579 - www.legalaid.wa.gov.au