The role of the Centre
The Australian Pro Bono Centre is Australia’s national centre of leadership driving participation and excellence in pro bono legal work and empowering legal professionals across the country to use their skills for the public good.
Staff and governance
The Australian Pro Bono Centre is a company limited by guarantee, and a registered charity. It has a Board of Directors. It has five permanent staff, including its CEO, Gabriela Christian-Hare. If you are interested in working or volunteering with us please see Positions available.
Strategic Plan
As Australia’s national centre of leadership for pro bono legal work, our purpose is clear: to drive participation and excellence in pro bono practice and to empower legal professionals across the country to use their skills for the public good. The legal profession’s deeply rooted culture of giving is unique, and this Strategic Plan reflects our commitment to honouring that legacy while shaping a future defined by quality, impact and evidence.
Learn more and read the full Strategic Plan here.
Contact us
Postal Address:
Australian Pro Bono Centre
The Law Building
UNSW Sydney NSW 2052
Australia
Street Address:
Australian Pro Bono Centre
Law Centres Precinct
Level 1
The Law Building
University of New South Wales
For deliveries: enter via Gate 2 on High Street
Our office hours are 9.30am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.
Annual Impact Reports
Our Annual Impact Reports are found here.
Establishment of the Centre
In June 2001 the National Pro Bono Task Force, established by the Attorney-General of Australia, the Hon Daryl Williams AM QC MP, provided its Report.
The Task Force, headed by Prof David Weisbrot, then President of the Australian Law Reform Commission, strongly recommended the establishment of:
… an ongoing body such as a secretariat or centre that would stimulate and encourage the development, expansion and co-ordination of pro bono services, as well as offering practical assistance for pro bono service providers (and potential providers). The Centre would play the key roles of facilitating pro bono practice and enabling the collection and exchange of information.
The Centre opened its doors at the University of New South Wales in August 2002, where it is still located today.
In June 2015 the Centre changed its name from the National Pro Bono Resource Centre to the Australian Pro Bono Centre to better reflect its role in an increasingly global pro bono context. More information on this change can be found here.
The Centre does not provide legal advice or legal assistance, or refer individuals to pro bono lawyers. Individual case referrals are directed to appropriate legal services, including pro bono referral schemes & organisations which exist in all states and territories of Australia.
If you need information, advice or assistance in setting up a pro bono program or on any other issue related to pro bono legal assistance in Australia please contact us or refer to our publications and resources.
Funding and support
The Australian Pro Bono Centre is grateful for the funding support it receives from the governments of the Commonwealth and all states and territories, and the in-kind support it receives from private firms, volunteers and the Faculty of Law at UNSW Sydney, which includes the use of the Faculty’s premises and facilities and support from student interns.
Centre Policies
First Nations Strategy – Looking Back, Moving Forward
View the Centre’s First Nations Strategy here.
Whistleblower Protection Policy
View the Centre’s Whistleblower Protection Policy here.
Overseas Activity (External Conduct Standards) Policy
View the Centre’s Overseas Activity (External Conduct Standards) Policy here.