We are not taking bookings yet. Leave your email on the Contact page and we will tell you the day we open. If your problem cannot wait, go to Other help.
Can I get help?
We help people who cannot afford a private lawyer and cannot get help somewhere else, such as Victoria Legal Aid. When you contact us, we look at four things:
Money
Your income and what you own. For example, if you get a government income support payment, earn a low wage or have no work.
How serious and urgent it is
What the problem means for your safety, your home, your family or your income, and whether you have a court date.
Other help
Whether legal aid or another service is a better fit.
Conflict check
Whether we already help the other person in your matter. If we do, we cannot help you, and we will refer you elsewhere without telling you anything about them.
We see people first if they are at risk of family violence, or if they have a court date coming up.
As a guide, you may be eligible if you get a government income support payment, have a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, or your household income is low and you have little in savings, so that paying a private lawyer would cause you real hardship. We look at your whole situation, including your family, your debts and what the problem could cost you if it is not fixed.
You do not need to know what kind of legal problem you have, or be going to court. Not sure if you fit? Ask anyway. You do not need to be on a government payment to get help. If we cannot help, we will tell you who can.
Where you live
We work online, so where you live matters less than what your problem is about.
- Anywhere in Australia: family law, child support, work and pay under the Fair Work Act, the NDIS, consumer rights, Commonwealth government decisions, and immigration and visas.
- Australia and Victoria: discrimination and harassment, and going to court without a lawyer.
- Victoria only: intervention orders, child protection, police and criminal law, Victorian government decisions, renting and fines.
If your problem is under the law of another state or territory, we will tell you where to get help there. See Help in other states.
What it costs
Your first appointment is free if you are eligible.
We aim to keep all our help free. For some longer work, we may ask for a small payment based on what you can afford. We will always tell you in writing before we start, and you can say no. We never hold money for you.
How it works
Tell us what is happening
Fill in our online booking form, or call us. You choose how we contact you, and whether it is safe for us to email, text or leave a message.
We check if we can help
We read your form and check for conflicts. We contact you within 5 working days. If it is urgent, tell us in the form.
Your appointment
You talk to a lawyer by video or phone. Appointments are about 45 minutes. You can have a support person or interpreter with you.
What happens next
The lawyer explains your options. We may help with letters, forms or court documents. In some cases we can act for you or represent you in court. If we cannot do more, we refer you to someone who can.
Getting ready for your appointment
- Find a quiet, private place where no one can hear you.
- Have any papers ready: court documents, letters, orders, fines, your lease.
- Write down the key dates and what you want to happen.
- Charge your phone. If the video drops, we will call you.
- Tell us before the day if you need an interpreter, or any other support.
What you can expect from us
- We keep what you tell us private, unless the law says we must share it or someone is at serious risk of harm.
- We never act for both sides in a dispute.
- We treat you with respect, and we listen.
- A lawyer who is allowed to practise gives all advice, supervised by our Supervising Legal Practitioner.
- We do not sell you anything, and we take no money for referring you anywhere.
If you are representing yourself in court
If you have to go to court without a lawyer, we can help you understand the process, prepare your documents and know what to expect on the day. This is for people who cannot afford a lawyer and cannot get legal aid to represent them.
Book an appointment
Use our online booking form. Tell us about your problem, upload any documents, and choose times that suit you. It takes about 10 minutes.
If we cannot help
We will tell you why, and give you the name and number of a service that can. Many free legal services across Australia help with problems we do not. See Other help and Help in other states.