National Pro Bono Day 2025
The Centre is proud to celebrate National Pro Bono Day 2025 on Tuesday 20 May.
On National Pro Bono Day we reflect on the role and contribution of pro bono legal work in Australia. A highlight of the day are the Walks for Justice in South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia and New South Wales. The Walks for Justice involve members of the legal profession and other supporters of access to justice coming together for sponsored walks to raise funds for local pro bono referral organisations (clearinghouses) and community organisations.
So far this year, the Walks in 11 locations across the four states have raised almost $500,000 (without counting funds raised for RACS) and counted over 2,780 walkers.
South Australia
The Walk for Justice 2025 in SA is organised by JusticeNet SA and had 600 walkers joining this year. In 2025, JusticeNet SA raised over $202,160.
There is a lot more that the South Australian legal profession can do to assist with access to justice in our jurisdiction. I am walking today to draw attention to the role of every legal practitioner in increasing the pro bono contribution in South Australia.
Jemma Holt
Legal Practitioner / PhD Candidate
William and I have been doing WFJ together since he was 4…he gets so excited about this day now! I love having the opportunity to immediately work towards access to justice for all, and I really value the opportunity to help William to understand how wonderful it is to help others.
Melissa Bruce
Solicitor at Dentons
About JusticeNet SA
JusticeNet SA is an independent, not-for-profit legal service for South Australians who cannot afford a lawyer or get the legal help they need elsewhere.
JusticeNet SA’s legal ‘safety net’ is powered by a network of hundreds of lawyers from South Australia and interstate who volunteer their time pro bono. With their support, the organisation helps vulnerable South Australians with civil law problems to obtain access to justice. JusticeNet SA also helps community and charitable organisations, as well as Northern Territory residents via its Federal Courts Self-Representation Service.
JusticeNet SA provides three services for South Australians who have run out of options:
- Pro Bono Connect is a referral service connecting individuals and charitable organisations with lawyers who can help them resolve their civil law problems.
- The Self-Representation Service provides legal advice and assistance to people representing themselves in the general federal law jurisdiction of the Federal Courts.
- Homeless Legal is an outreach legal service helping people who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness.
Find out more about JusticeNet SA here.
Queensland
The Walk for Justice 2025 in QLD is organised by LawRight. Walks took place in Brisbane, Townsville, Toowoomba, Tamborine Mountain, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Cairns – with 1,100 walkers joining. In 2025, $124,447 have been raised with $10,000 being donated to Townsville Community Law to help it respond to devastating floods that took place in March 2025.
It’s such a great way to spend the morning – networking over 5km!
Queensland walker
About LawRight
LawRight improves the lives of vulnerable people by increasing access to justice through strategic partnerships with pro bono lawyers. 30,000 pro bono hours are donated annually by over 800 lawyers from 65 law firms, 170 barristers and 140 law students. The organisation operates a civil law referral service and undertakes law reform, policy work and legal education. It also provides direct pro bono representation, advice and assistance through specialist legal clinics for particular disadvantaged client groups. By connecting to clients at community, health, and civic organisations, LawRight increases their access to housing, income and legal rights and improves their health and well-being.
LawRight provides the following services:
- Pro Bono Connect – connecting people with complex or public interest matters who can’t get help elsewhere with a lawyer willing to help for free
- Court and Tribunal Services – for people involved in a court or tribunal civil law matter in Queensland
- Community & Health Justice Partnerships – Homelessness Law and Multicultural Law free specialist legal services
Find out more about LawRight here.
Western Australia
The Walk for Justice 2025 in WA is organised by Law Access. In 2025, $169,614 has been raised.
We encourage members of the legal profession to take part in the Walk each year but also to participate in pro bono work for vulnerable members of our community. The event is a chance for the profession to come together to financially support Law Access and raise awareness of the ways in which they give back.
Alana Dowley
Law Access CEO
About Law Access
Law Access is a not-for-profit organisation that facilitates the giving of pro bono (free or low fee) legal assistance by the Western Australian legal profession to those who cannot afford a lawyer.
Law Access is a service of last resort for those who cannot get legal assistance from legal aid, a community legal centre or other legal services. The organisation considers applications from not-for-profits and individuals in genuine need of legal assistance. Law Access also refers matters of public interest with potential flow-on benefits for disadvantaged and marginalised Australians. It receives applications in all areas of the law, from all over the State.
Find out more about Law Access here.
New South Wales
The Walk for Justice 2025 in NSW is organised by the Refugee Advice and Casework Service (RACS). Almost 200 walkers from a range of different organisations joined this year.
Donate to RACS here.
Pro bono is something we should rightly be proud of… [For refugees] legal help is often the difference between permanent protection in Australia and being sent back into danger. And such is the case for legal work across many areas of need. It is the secret to a better future for many that find themselves vulnerable and marginalised across society.
Sarah Dale
RACS Centre Director and Principal Solicitor
About the Refugee Advice and Casework Service
RACS is a non-profit organisation providing essential legal support and advocacy to help people who have fled persecution find safety and protection in Australia. It is an independent public voice for the rights of stateless and displaced people, refugees, and people seeking asylum.
RACS provides free legal advice and representation to people of all nationalities, religions, and sexual and gender identities seeking safety in Australia. RACS’ services support:
- People seeking asylum and those who are displaced;
- Women who have experienced or fear experiencing domestic, family, gender-based or sexual violence;
- Members of the LGBTQI+ community;
- Stateless people; Children who have been separated from their parents;
- Refugees hoping to reunite with loved ones in Australia;
- People in detention.
Find out more about RACS here.