Australia has a well-established system of free legal services, but navigating it can be confusing. Each state and territory operates its own Legal Aid Commission, and a network of Community Legal Centres provides free help across the country. This guide covers the official sources of free legal assistance in Australia—including their history, what they can help with, notable cases, and your realistic chances of getting help.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Legal Aid Commissions: State-Funded Legal Representation
Each Australian state and territory has a Legal Aid Commission that provides free or subsidised legal services to people who can’t afford private lawyers.
History of Legal Aid in Australia
Australia’s modern legal aid system emerged in the 1970s. Before this, free legal help was provided through ad hoc arrangements, charitable organisations, and the goodwill of individual lawyers.
The Australian Legal Aid Office (ALAO) was established by the Whitlam Government in 1973 as part of broader social reforms. This was later replaced by independent Legal Aid Commissions in each state and territory, funded jointly by the Commonwealth and state/territory governments.
The Community Legal Centre movement began around the same time, with the Fitzroy Legal Service opening in Melbourne in 1972—inspired by similar movements in the UK and USA. Today, there are over 150 Community Legal Centres across Australia.
State and Territory Legal Aid Commissions
New South Wales: Legal Aid NSW
Website: www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au
Phone: 1300 888 529
Legal Aid NSW is Australia’s largest legal aid provider, with offices across the state and a range of specialized services.
What they help with:
- Criminal law (duty lawyers at courts, grants of aid for serious matters)
- Family law (parenting disputes, family violence, child support)
- Civil law (housing, employment, discrimination, social security appeals)
- Children’s legal issues
- Domestic violence
Notable cases: Legal Aid NSW has been involved in major cases including wrongful conviction appeals, landmark family law decisions, and cases that have shaped criminal law in Australia. Their lawyers regularly appear before the High Court of Australia.
Likelihood of help: Moderate. Eligibility is means-tested and merits-tested. You’re more likely to receive help for criminal matters where you face imprisonment, family violence matters, and child protection cases. They provide duty lawyers at most courts who can help on the day.
Victoria: Victoria Legal Aid (VLA)
Website: www.legalaid.vic.gov.au
Phone: 1300 792 387
Victoria Legal Aid serves over 100,000 Victorians each year through legal advice, duty lawyer services, and grants of legal representation.
What they help with:
- Criminal law
- Family law and family violence
- Child protection
- Migration law
- Mental health law
- Civil law (debt, housing, discrimination)
Notable cases: VLA has been involved in significant cases including Momcilovic v The Queen (2011) before the High Court, which examined the compatibility of state laws with the Victorian Charter of Human Rights.
Likelihood of help: Moderate. VLA has invested in expanding services, particularly around family violence. Their Legal Help phone line is a good first point of contact.
Queensland: Legal Aid Queensland
Website: www.legalaid.qld.gov.au
Phone: 1300 65 11 88
What they help with:
- Criminal law
- Family law and child protection
- Domestic violence
- Consumer protection
- Anti-discrimination
Likelihood of help: Moderate. Queensland provides duty lawyer services at courts and has regional offices serving rural and remote communities.
Western Australia: Legal Aid WA
Website: www.legalaid.wa.gov.au
Phone: 1300 650 579
What they help with:
- Criminal law
- Family law
- Child protection
- Civil law matters
South Australia: Legal Services Commission SA
Website: lsc.sa.gov.au
Phone: 1300 366 424
Tasmania: Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania
Website: www.legalaid.tas.gov.au
Phone: 1300 366 611
Northern Territory: Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission
Website: www.ntlac.nt.gov.au
Phone: 1800 019 343
NTLAC serves a jurisdiction with significant Indigenous populations and remote communities, providing culturally appropriate services.
Australian Capital Territory: Legal Aid ACT
Website: www.legalaidact.org.au
Phone: 1300 654 314
Community Legal Centres: Free Legal Help in Your Community
Find a CLC: Community Legal Centres Australia
Community Legal Centres (CLCs) are independent, non-profit organisations that provide free legal services to their local communities or to specific groups of people. There are over 150 CLCs across Australia.
History
The CLC movement began in the early 1970s, with Fitzroy Legal Service (Melbourne, 1972) and Redfern Legal Centre (Sydney, 1977) among the first. These were founded by volunteer lawyers and community activists who wanted to make legal help accessible to ordinary people.
The movement grew from a handful of centres to a national network. Today, CLCs are funded by federal and state governments, but maintain independence and a focus on community needs.
Types of Community Legal Centres
Generalist CLCs serve geographic areas and help with a wide range of legal issues:
- Housing and tenancy
- Employment
- Credit and debt
- Fines and infringements
- Victims of crime
- Neighbourhood disputes
Specialist CLCs focus on particular areas or client groups:
- Women’s Legal Services – Family law, domestic violence, discrimination
- Environmental Defender’s Offices – Environmental law
- Tenants’ Unions – Renting and housing
- Welfare Rights Centres – Centrelink and social security
- Refugee Legal Services – Immigration and asylum
- LGBTIQ+ Legal Services – Discrimination, family law, identity documents
- Seniors Rights Services – Elder abuse, aged care, wills
- Disability Legal Services – NDIS, discrimination, guardianship
Notable Achievements
CLCs have been involved in major law reform and landmark cases:
- Redfern Legal Centre was instrumental in establishing the first Aboriginal Legal Service
- Environmental Defender’s Offices have challenged major development projects and shaped environmental law
- Women’s Legal Services have driven reforms to domestic violence laws and family law
- Welfare Rights Centres won cases establishing that Centrelink must give reasons for decisions and follow fair procedures
- Robodebt litigation – CLCs were crucial in the fight against the unlawful Robodebt scheme, which resulted in a $1.8 billion settlement
Likelihood of Getting Help
Good for advice and minor assistance. CLCs typically offer:
- Free legal advice (usually by appointment, sometimes drop-in)
- Help with letters and documents
- Representation in some matters (limited capacity)
- Community legal education
Demand is high, so waiting times can vary. For ongoing representation, capacity is limited. But for advice and guidance, CLCs are generally accessible.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (NATSILS): www.natsils.org.au
History
The first Aboriginal Legal Service was established in Redfern, Sydney in 1970—the first free legal service specifically for Indigenous people anywhere in the world. It was founded after years of police harassment and legal discrimination against Aboriginal people.
Today, there are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (ATSILS) in every state and territory, providing culturally appropriate legal help to Indigenous Australians.
What They Help With
- Criminal law (heavily used due to over-representation in the justice system)
- Family law and child protection
- Civil law matters
- Stolen Generations compensation claims
- Native title
- Discrimination
State and Territory Services
- NSW: Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT – 1800 765 767
- Victoria: Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service – 1800 064 865
- Queensland: Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Legal Service QLD – 1800 012 255
- Western Australia: Aboriginal Legal Service WA – 1800 019 900
- South Australia: Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement – 1800 643 222
- Northern Territory: North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency – 1800 898 251
- Tasmania: Tasmanian Aboriginal Legal Service – 1800 595 162
Notable Achievements
- Representation in the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (1987-1991)
- Landmark native title cases including Mabo v Queensland (No 2) (1992)
- Stolen Generations litigation and compensation schemes
- Ongoing advocacy for justice reform and reducing Indigenous incarceration
Likelihood of help: Good for Indigenous Australians. ATSILS prioritize criminal matters but provide services across legal areas. They understand the unique challenges facing Indigenous people in the legal system.
Government Agencies and Complaint Bodies
Fair Work Commission and Fair Work Ombudsman
Fair Work Commission: www.fwc.gov.au – 1300 799 675
Fair Work Ombudsman: www.fairwork.gov.au – 13 13 94
What they help with:
- Unfair dismissal claims (Fair Work Commission)
- General protections claims (workplace rights)
- Unpaid wages and entitlements (Fair Work Ombudsman)
- Workplace disputes and bullying
History: The Fair Work system was established by the Fair Work Act 2009, replacing the WorkChoices laws. The Fair Work Commission is Australia’s national workplace tribunal.
Notable cases: The Commission has decided major cases on penalty rates, unfair dismissal, and workplace rights. The Ombudsman has recovered hundreds of millions in unpaid wages, including major cases against 7-Eleven, Domino’s, and other franchises.
Likelihood of help: High. These are accessible systems designed for people to use without lawyers. The Commission provides information and guidance, and hearings are relatively informal. Unfair dismissal claims must be lodged within 21 days of dismissal.
Australian Human Rights Commission
Website: humanrights.gov.au
Phone: 1300 656 419
What they help with:
- Discrimination complaints (race, sex, disability, age)
- Sexual harassment complaints
- Human rights complaints against federal agencies
Likelihood of help: Good. The Commission will investigate complaints and attempt conciliation at no cost. If conciliation fails, you may be able to take the matter to the Federal Court or Federal Circuit Court.
State Anti-Discrimination and Human Rights Bodies
- NSW: Anti-Discrimination NSW – 1800 670 812
- Victoria: Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission – 1300 292 153
- Queensland: Queensland Human Rights Commission – 1300 130 670
- Western Australia: Equal Opportunity Commission WA – 1800 198 149
- South Australia: Equal Opportunity Commission SA – 1800 188 163
Ombudsman Services
Ombudsmen investigate complaints about government agencies and certain industries—free of charge:
- Commonwealth Ombudsman: www.ombudsman.gov.au – 1300 362 072 (Centrelink, immigration, ATO, etc.)
- Australian Financial Complaints Authority: www.afca.org.au – 1800 931 678 (banks, insurers, super funds)
- Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman: www.tio.com.au – 1800 062 058
- Energy and Water Ombudsman – Each state has one for utility disputes
Likelihood of help: High. Ombudsman services are designed to resolve disputes. Companies and agencies must respond to their inquiries.
Pro Bono Legal Services
Australian Pro Bono Centre
Website: www.probonocentre.org.au
The Australian Pro Bono Centre promotes pro bono legal work. Major law firms and barristers provide free services for people who can’t afford lawyers and don’t qualify for legal aid.
Most pro bono work is accessed through referrals from CLCs and Legal Aid, not direct applications.
Justice Connect
Website: justiceconnect.org.au
Justice Connect operates in Victoria and NSW, connecting people in need with pro bono lawyers. They run several programs:
- Homeless Law – Legal help for people experiencing homelessness
- Self Representation Service – Assistance for people representing themselves
- Not-for-Profit Law – Free legal help for community organisations
Likelihood of help: Moderate. Pro bono resources are limited, but if your case meets their criteria, you may receive excellent representation at no cost.
Specialist Services and Helplines
Family Violence and Domestic Abuse
- 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732 – National helpline for sexual assault and domestic violence
- Women’s Legal Services Australia: wlsa.org.au – Find your state service
- Men’s Referral Service: 1300 766 491
Legal aid and CLCs prioritize family violence matters. Women’s Legal Services provide specialist family law and domestic violence help.
Tenancy and Housing
- NSW: Tenants’ Union NSW – 1800 251 101
- Victoria: Tenants Victoria – 03 9416 2577
- Queensland: Tenants Queensland – 1300 744 263
- WA: Tenancy WA – 1800 621 888
Social Security and Centrelink
- National Social Security Rights Network: www.nssrn.org.au
- Welfare Rights Centres exist in most states – they help with Centrelink disputes and appeals
Notable achievement: Welfare Rights Centres were central to exposing and fighting the Robodebt scheme, which unlawfully recovered debts from welfare recipients. This led to a $1.8 billion settlement and Royal Commission.
Consumer Law
- ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission): www.accc.gov.au – 1300 302 502
- State Consumer Affairs: Each state has a consumer protection agency
Immigration and Refugees
- Refugee Legal: www.refugeelegal.org.au (Victoria)
- Refugee Advice & Casework Service: www.racs.org.au (NSW)
- Immigration Advice and Rights Centre: www.iarc.asn.au
Seniors and Elder Abuse
- Seniors Rights Service (NSW): www.seniorsrightsservice.org.au – 1800 424 079
- Seniors Rights Victoria: www.seniorsrights.org.au – 1300 368 821
- Elder Abuse Helpline: 1800 ELDERHelp (1800 353 374)
Law School Clinics
Many Australian law schools operate free legal clinics where students, supervised by qualified lawyers, provide legal services:
- Kingsford Legal Centre (UNSW) – One of Australia’s oldest clinical legal education programs
- Monash Law Clinics – Multiple specialized clinics
- Melbourne Law School clinics
- University of Queensland Pro Bono Centre
Search “[your city] university law clinic” to find local options.
Self-Help Resources
- Law Handbook (Victoria): www.lawhandbook.org.au – Comprehensive legal information
- LawAccess NSW: www.lawaccess.nsw.gov.au – 1300 888 529
- Legal Information Access Centre (NSW): liac.sl.nsw.gov.au
- AustLII: www.austlii.edu.au – Free access to Australian legal information
Tips for Getting Free Legal Help in Australia
- Start with Legal Aid or a CLC – They can assess your situation and refer you to the right service.
- Act quickly – Time limits are strict. Unfair dismissal claims: 21 days. Discrimination complaints: varies by jurisdiction but often 12 months.
- Use telephone services – LawAccess NSW, VLA Legal Help, and similar phone services can provide initial advice quickly.
- Check duty lawyer services – If you have a court date, duty lawyers are available at most courts to provide on-the-spot help.
- Try ombudsmen first for disputes – For complaints about financial services, utilities, or government, ombudsmen are often faster and easier than courts.
- Ask about pro bono – If you don’t qualify for legal aid, CLCs can sometimes refer complex cases to pro bono lawyers.
- Consider no win, no fee – For personal injury, employment, and some other matters, lawyers may work on contingency.
- Use self-help resources – Websites like the Law Handbook can help you understand your rights before seeking advice.
The Reality of Free Legal Help in Australia
Australia has a strong foundation of free legal services, but demand consistently exceeds supply. The Productivity Commission found that many Australians face “unmet legal need”—they have legal problems but can’t access help.
The system works best for:
- Criminal matters – Duty lawyers and legal aid are relatively accessible
- Family violence – Priority area for most services
- Employment disputes – Fair Work system is user-friendly
- Consumer complaints – Ombudsmen are effective
It’s more challenging for:
- Civil disputes – Limited legal aid coverage
- Family law (non-violence) – High demand, limited resources
- Complex litigation – Pro bono capacity is limited
Don’t give up. Even if one service can’t help, they may refer you to another. The network of legal aid commissions, CLCs, and pro bono services means there’s usually someone who can at least point you in the right direction.
Australia’s free legal services exist because access to justice matters. Use them.
Related Articles
Looking for free legal help in other countries? See our guides:
