The legal assistance and pro bono sectors are providing legal services to those affected by natural disasters across Australia.
We expect to see an increase in insurance claims, tenancy disputes, employment related issues and small business issues, amongst other matters.
Please see below for either:
- How to seek immediate legal assistance, or
- How to register your offer of pro bono legal support
New South Wales
For those who need a lawyer
Legal Aid
- Contact the Disaster Response Legal Service hotline on 1800 801 529, open 9am-5pm Monday-Friday.
- Law Access NSW: LawAccess NSW provides legal information and identifies services that can help through webchat or their hotline on 1300 888 529.
- Service NSW’s Disaster Assistance Finder Questionnaire: provides a personalised list of available programs and services.
- Disaster Recovery Centre: use this website to see if there is a recovery centre open near you.
Community legal centres
- Community Legal Centres NSW: Legal help for disaster affected communities
- CLC NSW Find legal help: Online questionnaire to identify legal support
Justice Connect
- Information for small businesses, farms and primary producers
- Online application for
- Online application for small businesses, farms and primary producers
For pro bono lawyers offering support
Justice Connect
- (Justice Connect members only) Online form for law firms in New South Wales to express interest in assisting with disaster response.
Law Society of NSW’s Pro Bono Scheme
- Information to be provided.
NSW Bar Association
- Any solicitor or referral provider (eg a social worker in a hub) is welcome to apply for assistance by a NSW barrister via this form. It should ideally be used for matters requiring counsel, eg complex legal issues or if litigation is afoot.
Queensland
For those who need a lawyer
Legal Aid
- Legal Aid Queensland has a dedicated natural disaster helpline on 1300 527 700. More details can be found here.
For pro bono lawyers offering support
Firms are invited to join a “flood panel” to receive specific referrals from LawRight’s Pro Bono Connect team. Enquirers are encouraged to email LawRight at probonoconnect@lawright.org.au.
Last updated February 2022.