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Victoria Legal Aid, Legal Help
Free legal information and referral for anyone in Victoria, business hours. Duty lawyers at Magistrates' Courts help many people on their first court date.
Find your local community legal centre
Federation of Community Legal Centres Victoria. Search by postcode.
fclc.org.au ↗Family, children and family violence
Women's Legal Service Victoria
Free legal help for women and non-binary people, including family law, intervention orders and Child Protection.
womenslegal.org.au ↗Djirra
Legal and other support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experiencing family violence, mostly women.
djirra.org.au ↗intouch Women's Legal Centre
For migrant and refugee women experiencing family violence.
intouch.org.au ↗International Social Service Australia
Free help for parents when a child has been taken or kept overseas. Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Police and public bodies
Victoria Police complaints
Complain online, by post, or at any police station. Call the Police Conduct Unit with questions before you complain, or about an existing complaint.
IBAC
Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission. Complaints about serious police misconduct and public sector corruption in Victoria.
Victorian Ombudsman
Complaints about Victorian government departments, councils and other public bodies.
Commonwealth Ombudsman
Complaints about Australian Government agencies, such as Services Australia. Complain to the agency first.
Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner
Freedom of information and privacy complaints about Victorian public bodies.
Police Accountability Project
Inner Melbourne Community Legal. Police complaints, civil claims and inquests.
policeaccountability.org.au ↗Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service, Wirraway
Police and prison accountability for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
vals.org.au ↗Money, housing and work
Other groups
Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service
Criminal, civil and family law for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
vals.org.au ↗If you are not eligible for free help
If we or another free service cannot help you, you may still be able to see a private lawyer. A first meeting can help you understand your options and what further help would cost.
Law Institute of Victoria: Find Your Lawyer
Fill in the referral form on their website. You get a letter referring you to a private lawyer for a free 30 minute first consultation. You can use it to talk about your options and ask for an estimate of costs.
liv.asn.au/find-a-lawyer ↗We may also be able to help with some ongoing work for a small payment based on what you can afford. We always agree any payment with you in writing before we start. See Get help.
In other states and territories, the law society can also refer you to a private lawyer. See Help in other states.
Help in other states
We can help people anywhere in Australia with national laws, such as family law, child support and work. For problems under your own state or territory law, these free services can help.
National help, wherever you live
Family Relationship Advice Line
Information on separation, parenting and family dispute resolution.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Pay, conditions and rights at work under the Fair Work Act.
1800RESPECT
Sexual assault and family violence counselling, 24 hours.
Community Legal Centres Australia
Find a community legal centre near you, in any state or territory.
clcs.org.au ↗Legal aid in each state and territory
Family violence orders have different names
Every state and territory has its own law for protection orders. The idea is similar, but the name, the court and the steps are different.
- Victoria: family violence intervention order
- New South Wales: apprehended domestic violence order (ADVO)
- Queensland: domestic violence order
- Western Australia: family violence restraining order
- South Australia: intervention order
- Tasmania: family violence order
- ACT: family violence order
- Northern Territory: domestic violence order
If you are in danger now, call 000.
Private lawyers in your state
If you are not eligible for free help, the law society in your state or territory can refer you to a private lawyer. The referral is free, but the lawyer will charge for their work. Ask about the cost of a first appointment before you book.
New South Wales: Law Society of NSW
Solicitor Referral Service. Request a referral online.
lawsociety.com.au/register-solicitors/register-solicitors/solicitor-referral-service ↗Queensland: Queensland Law Society
Find a Solicitor, on the You and the law page.
qls.com.au/For-the-community ↗South Australia: Law Society of SA
See a Lawyer referral service.
Northern Territory: Law Society NT
Legal Referral Service.
Family law in Western Australia
In Western Australia, family law cases go to the Family Court of Western Australia, and de facto property is dealt with under WA law. The main rules are similar, but the forms and some steps are different.
Work in Western Australia
In Western Australia, some employers are covered by the WA state system instead of the Fair Work Act. These include sole traders, partnerships and other businesses that are not companies. Check which system covers you before you apply anywhere.