There are pro bono referral schemes and organisations (PBROs) in every state and territory in Australia. PBROs can assist individuals and not-for-profit organisations by referring legal matters to solicitors, law firms or barristers who are willing to take on matters pro bono (i.e. free of charge, or for a substantially reduced rate).
To obtain pro bono assistance from a PBRO, you should first contact them by phone or visit their website. They will then assess whether they can accept your matter, based on:
- the merit of the matter (whether it is likely to succeed)
- your means (your income and assets)
- the area of law (whether they have lawyers available who have expertise in your matter)
- the availability of other assistance (pro bono is a last resort so in most cases you should first apply for assistance from Legal Aid and/or a community legal centre)
- the public interest (some pro bono referral organisations can only take on matters that they judge to be in the public interest).
If your matter meets the criteria above, they may ask you to complete an application form. Once you have completed the form and they have accepted your application, the organisation will then attempt to refer you to a solicitor, law firm or barrister with the right expertise.
The following is a list of key pro bono referral schemes and organisations:
LawHelp
Phone: 1800 622 431
Email: LawHelp@oric.gov.au
Website: www.oric.gov.au/free-services-through-oric/lawhelp
LawHelp is a service that provides access to legal help for not-for-profit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006. It is not available for individuals.
Cancer Council Pro Bono Program
Phone: 13 11 20
Website: https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/get-support/pro-bono-program/
Cancer Council operates a pro bono legal referral service in relation to legal matters faced by those living with cancer. Lawyers may be able to help with wills and powers of attorney, access to superannuation, Centrelink disputes, credit and debt problems, insurance disputes, employment law, and other matters. The referral service is means tested (looks at your income and assets).
ACT Pro Bono Clearing House
Phone: (02) 6247 0300
Email: pbch@actlawsociety.asn.au
Website: https://www.actlawsociety.asn.au/for-the-public/legal-help/clearing-house
The Clearing House is run by the ACT Law Society and the ACT Bar Association and deals with public and private interest matters. The Clearing House does not deal with family law matters.
The Law Society of the ACT also operates the Legal Advice Bureau that offers free lunch time legal advice from solicitors who volunteer their time on a roster basis from 12.30–2pm, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Wednesday is family law only. By appointment only.
Justice Connect
Website: www.justiceconnect.org.au
Contact: https://justiceconnect.org.au/work-with-us/become-a-member/
Justice Connect helps close the justice gap by connecting people and community groups with free legal help.
Member firms benefit from Justice Connect’s innovative approach to improving access to justice. Different members can access to Justice Connect’s Pro Bono Portal, generalist legal clinics and specialist referral services. You can read about membership options on the membership page of its website.
Law Society of NSW Pro Bono Scheme
Phone: (02) 9926 0364
Website: https://www.lawsociety.com.au/for-the-public/pro-bono-scheme
The Law Society of NSW operates a Pro Bono Scheme that can put you in contact with law firms. It covers a wide range of matters including criminal law, employment law, family law matters related to children, and wills and estates. However, some types of matters are not covered by the Scheme (such as child support disputes, commercial disputes, and personal injury claims). A full list is available on their website. Means and merits tests apply.
The NSW Bar Association
Phone: (02) 9232 4055
Email: legalassist@nswbar.asn.au
Website: https://nswbar.asn.au/using-barristers/get-legal-assistance/legal-assistance-referral-scheme
The NSW Bar Association runs a Legal Assistance Referral Scheme that can connect you to a barrister or mediator who can provide you with advice and/or appear in court for you. The Scheme does not assist with matters such as personal injury, medical negligence, neighbourhood disputes or apprehended violence. Means and merits tests apply.
Justice Connect
Website: www.justiceconnect.org.au
Contact: https://justiceconnect.org.au/work-with-us/become-a-member/
Justice Connect helps close the justice gap by connecting people and community groups with free legal help.
Member firms benefit from Justice Connect’s innovative approach to improving access to justice. Different members can access to Justice Connect’s Pro Bono Portal, generalist legal clinics and specialist referral services. You can read about membership options on the membership page of its website.
Homeless Persons’ Legal Service (HPLS)
Phone: (02) 8898 6545
Email: homelessproject@piac.asn.au
Website: https://piac.asn.au/projects/homelessness/#read_more
HPLS provides free legal assistance to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Law Society Northern Territory
Phone: (08) 8981 5104
Email: lawsoc@lawsocietynt.asn.au
Website: https://lawsocietynt.asn.au/community/fis-3.html
Currently the Law Society operates a ‘First Interview Scheme’ whereby participating law firms agree to provide a first half-hour consultation for $99. Contact the Law Society for a list of firms or visit their website for further information.
LawRight (formerly QPILCH)
Phone: (07) 3248 1165
Email: probonoconnect@lawright.org.au
Website: https://www.lawright.org.au/find-legal-help/pro-bono-connect/
LawRight connects people with lawyers for free legal help in civil matters. LawRight does not assist with family law, criminal law, native title, building and construction or complex commercial disputes. LawRight also runs other services that help people involved in court or tribunal matters, and people experiencing homelessness or disadvantage.
JusticeNet SA
Phone: (08) 8313 5005
Email: admin@justicenet.org.au
Website: https://www.justicenet.org.au/what-we-do/pro-bono-connect
JusticeNet SA provides free legal help to low-income and disadvantaged individuals and the community organisations that support them. JusticeNet operates a referral service, and a Self-Representation Service for matters in the Federal Court and Federal Circuit Court in SA and the NT.
To qualify for assistance from JusticeNet, applicants must satisfy a means and merits test and be ineligible for Legal Aid or help from community legal centres.
The Law Society of South Australia (LSSA)
Phone: (08) 8229 0200
Email: email@lawsocietysa.asn.au
Website: https://www.lawsocietysa.asn.au/Public/Community/Advisory_Service.aspx?WebsiteKey=f282a980-3d01-4268-abde-25da9e81104d (Legal Advisory Service)
The Law Society of South Australia does not have a pro bono referral scheme, but does coordinate the low-cost Legal Advisory Service – 5.30 to 7pm, Monday and Wednesday. A 20 minute appointment costs $35 (or $25 for pension and concession card holders). Bookings are essential.
Adelaide Legal Outreach Service (ALOS)
Phone: 0480 296 556
Email: alos@adelaide.edu.au
Website: law.adelaide.edu.au/free-legal-clinics/adelaide-legal-outreach-service/
ALOS is a referral and legal advice service for people who are homeless or disadvantaged, operating on Fridays. Run by the University of Adelaide Law School, advice and assistance is provided by law students under the supervision of volunteer lawyers. You can book a face-to-face or an online Zoom appointment on their website.
Law Society of Tasmania’s Pro Bono Clearing House
Phone: (03) 6234 4133
Email: info@lst.org.au
Website: https://lst.org.au/public-info/pro-bono/
The Law Society of Tasmania runs a Pro Bono Referral Service. The Service is available for those who cannot receive Legal Aid and who meet a means and merits test. They will help applicants in cases which raise a matter of broad public concern, or matters that have a reasonable prospect of success.
Justice Connect
Website: www.justiceconnect.org.au
Contact: https://justiceconnect.org.au/work-with-us/become-a-member/
Justice Connect helps close the justice gap by connecting people and community groups with free legal help.
Member firms benefit from Justice Connect’s innovative approach to improving access to justice. Different members can access to Justice Connect’s Pro Bono Portal, generalist legal clinics and specialist referral services. You can read about membership options on the membership page of its website.
Justice Connect
Website: www.justiceconnect.org.au
Contact: https://justiceconnect.org.au/work-with-us/become-a-member/
Justice Connect helps close the justice gap by connecting people and community groups with free legal help.
Member firms benefit from Justice Connect’s innovative approach to improving access to justice. Different members can access to Justice Connect’s Pro Bono Portal, generalist legal clinics and specialist referral services. You can read about membership options on the membership page of its website.
Law Access
Phone: (08) 6488 6813
Email: lawaccess@lawaccess.org.au
Website: https://lawaccess.org.au/find-legal-help/
Law Access refers applicants to pro bono assistance and assists individuals, not-for-profit organisations and community legal centres. They assist in family, criminal and civil law matters. Means and merits tests apply.
The Western Australian Bar Association
Phone: (08) 9220 0477
Email: info@wabar.asn.au
Website: https://www.wabar.asn.au/pro-bono/information-for-the-public/
The WA Bar does not operate a formal pro bono referral scheme; however, members of the WA Bar provide advice and representation for free or at reduced rates in Western Australian matters subject to a means and merits test. The WA Bar does not accept instructions directly from a client. You should contact Law Access WA (above) who may liaise with the WA Bar to assist you.
Last updated 2021.