Book an appointment
Talk to a lawyer by video or phone. Tell us about your problem and when you are free.
Online appointment
Not-for-profit community legal service
Legal help for people who cannot afford a lawyer
We give advice by video and phone, so we can help people anywhere in Australia with national laws such as family law. For state laws, we help people in Victoria.
- Not-for-profitAll our income is used for our purpose.
- Australia-wideAdvice by video or phone, wherever you live.
- First appointment freeIf you are eligible.
- Safety firstQuick exit on every page. You choose how we contact you.
Where to start
Read free guides
Plain English guides on family law, family violence, work, visas, renting, fines and more.
What we help withFind other help
If we cannot help, we will tell you who can. Some services can help you today.
Other helpWho we help
We help people across Australia who face a serious legal problem and cannot afford a lawyer. Most of the people we help are dealing with one of these:
- a family breakdown, including parents separated from their children
- family violence, or an intervention order
- child protection, including parents responding to allegations
- unfair treatment by police, a government agency or another public body
- other serious hardship, such as losing a home, debt or a fine you cannot pay
We give extra attention to people who find it hardest to get help, including people on low incomes, migrants and refugees, people with limited English, people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, older people, and people in regional areas.
Where we can help
Anywhere in Australia
Family law and parenting, divorce and property, child support, work and pay under the Fair Work Act, the NDIS, consumer rights, Commonwealth government decisions, immigration and visas, and discrimination complaints.
What we help withIn Victoria
Family violence intervention orders, child protection, police and criminal law, Victorian government decisions, renting and fines. These are state laws.
What we help withIn another state?
For problems under your own state or territory law, we will point you to legal aid and community legal centres near you.
Help in other statesHelp without the trip
Many people cannot get to a legal centre. They live far away, work long hours, care for children, or it is not safe to be seen going in. We give advice by video or phone, so you do not need to travel or take time off.
You can have an interpreter or a support person with you.
How it works
Tell us about your problem
Fill in our online booking form, or call us. It takes about 10 minutes.
We check if we can help
We look at your income, how urgent it is, and whether we act for the other person. We tell you within 5 working days.
Talk to a lawyer
By video or phone, at a time that is safe for you. If we cannot help, we connect you with a service that can.
We are not an emergency service. If you are in danger now, call 000. If you are worried someone checks your phone or computer, read Your safety first. Use the Quick exit button at the top of the page to leave fast.
Help in your language
We can arrange an interpreter for you. Tell us your language when you book, or call TIS National on 131 450 and ask them to call us.
Help us open the door
Your support helps people talk to a lawyer when they could not otherwise afford one. Give money, give your time, or work with us.