Get legal help

To speak to a duty lawyer, get to court early and ask court staff to direct to you the correct lawyer. Create complete legal documents to protect your rights in housing, family law, debt collection, and many other types of problems, for free. Civil legal aid does not handle cases for money damages such as medical malpractice, or car accident cases or traffic violation cases or criminal cases.
Research and reports aimed at enhancing legal aid funding and quantitatively assessing legal needs to improve access and outcomes across Australia. Integral to our policy and advocacy role is the constructive advice, guidance and direction we provide to government. If  you are calling the telephone referral line, you may need to provide some information about yourself and your problem to help direct you. If you are looking for legal help, you can call Citizen’s Advice Bureau WA (CABWA). Some centres are set up to meet the needs of specific groups of people – such as young lawyers near canterbury nsw people or women. We have a specialised service to help young people under 25 with legal problems.

See The Court Registry for information about what a registrar can and cannot do. There are pro bono referral schemes and organisations (PBROs) in every state and territory in Australia. There are a range of legal advice, information and court support services directed at Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders. New South WalesNSW is one the easiest Legal Aids in the country to see if you meet their means test because they provide a Means Test Indicator directly on their website. Although it is not a definitive decision, it does give a standard indication if you will meet their means test for legal aid in your situation.
Go to  for information about the rules for the legal aid offices in your area. Visit LawHelp's Immigration Legal Help portal for legal help resources available to all immigrants, regardless of your status. There are almost 200 CLCs across Australia that provide legal assistance to those who are not able to afford legal assistance but are unable to obtain assistance from Legal Aid.
You may want to try some of the following organisations in your state or territory. You do not have to have a lawyer when you appear in front of the Commission. Youthlaw is based in Carlton and works closely with Frontyard Youth Services. We pay respect to the Traditional Custodians and First Peoples of NSW, and acknowledge their continued connection to their country and culture.

NSW Fair Trading provides information and assistance to consumers and people with disputes about home building, renting, strata living, retirement villages and residential communities. Priority is often given to help people with the greatest needs. We  try to help as many people as possible, but do not give advice on every legal issue. If we cannot help with your specific problem, we will try to refer you to someone who can.
If the problem is too complex or too lengthy for a phone call, a client may be offered an appointment at a Legal Services office or referred to other sources of assistance. The Pro Bono Clearing House matches people and organisations in genuine need of pro bono legal assistance with a law firm or if applicable a Community Legal Centre to provide assistance. It’s hard to know where to begin when you’re looking for legal advice. Lawfully Explained describes common legal issues, what to expect in a courtroom, and provides guidance on how to find the best lawyer for you.
Plan for your safety and separation when experiencing domestic, family or sexual violence. Find out how our Help Before Court service can help you prepare if you have criminal charges and have been asked to appear at court. If you need assistance in locating us the Registry Staff, Sheriff’s Officers and Court Volunteers can direct you to  our services.

Community Legal Centres NSW acknowledges the Gadigal People as the Traditional Owners on whose Country we work. Community legal centres give free and confidential legal help to people in need. The Law Society of NSW may be able to do a pro bono referral to a solicitor if you have been turned down by Legal Aid and cannot afford legal fees.