Justice Project: Pro Bono Tool
Rural, Regional and Remote (RRR) Australians
More information about this project can be found here. 
This project has been endorsed by the Law Council of Australia.
Priorities identified in the Justice Project Final Report
Priorities Identified in the Justice Project Final Report[i]:
- Ensure effective access to justice where there is market failure in RRR areas.
- Develop strategies to overcome conflict of interest issues precluding vulnerable people from accessing justice in RRR areas and ensure appropriate and tailored mix of services provided.
- Develop analysis and policy responses regarding shortage of solicitors in RRR areas.
- Expand the adoption of RRR-focused curriculums in undergraduate law training.
- Support specialist legal assistance services to expand their reach to overcome geographic and jurisdictional barriers.
- Pursue technological innovation in the delivery of legal services in a nuanced, evidence-based and people-centred way that avoids leaving digitally excluded groups behind.
- Increase funding to maintain and expand RRR circuit courts.
- Consider the need to ensure that courts adopting specialist and/or problem-solving approaches are more readily available to RRR residents.
- Policy and research development towards online courts, tribunals and dispute resolution forums should focus on:
- the forums in which online courts or tribunals are most appropriate;
- availability of sufficient technology to support their effective update, particularly in RRR areas;
- advantages and disadvantages of online courts and tribunals;
- their likely impact upon disadvantaged online court and tribunal users, having regard to their technology and legal capability; and
- the necessary safeguards needed to support disadvantaged users.
- Expand community-based sentencing options in RRR areas, including through the availability of accessible and appropriate critical support services and diversionary programs.
- Research and review the extent to which alternative dispute resolution is available and taken up in RRR communities, and how this might be increased in the future.
- Expand support services which are lacking in many RRR communities, including interpreters, access to stable, secure housing options, bail accommodation and support, alcohol and rehabilitation services, counselling and mental health services and family violence support services.
- Adopt law and policy reform processes which better ensure that the social impact of laws and policies on RRR populations are better measured, evaluated and anticipated.
- Resource bodies which conduct research and/or advocate on RRR law and policy issues commensurate with other sectors.
- Develop and promote strategies to build awareness of RRR legal needs and issues.
Justice Project: Pro Bono Tool Summaries
Directory of Organisations
Quick links to organisations by location
Quick links to tables by location:
National
Organisations with RRR Pro Bono initiatives
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arts Law – Is Australia’s national community legal centre for arts, a not-for-profit organisation. Provides free or low cost legal advice, education and resources to Australian artists and arts organisations, document review and referrals. The centre also undertakes community legal education and law reform activities. Its representatives travel to art centres in regional and remote communities to deliver legal advice and education. | See here. | 1, 13 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Environmental Defenders Office – An accredited community legal service and a non-government, not-for-profit organisation that uses the law to protect and defend Australia’s wildlife, people and places. Many of the services are targeted at rural and regional communities with eight offices around Australia. Provides free initial legal advice on planning and environmental law matters, runs landmark innovative litigation, deliver community workshops, law reforms and full range of legal services to Aboriginal peoples and communities. | See here. | 1, 13, 15 | ✔ | ✔ |
Campaigns
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RRR Law – Provides surveys, information and initiatives aiming to highlight the challenges of RRR areas and the exciting opportunities available to lawyers across Australia. | 13, 14, 15 | ✔ | ||
| The National Rural Law and Justice Alliance – Australia’s first peak national non-government organisation for rural and remote law and justice. The Alliance works with existing institutions to strengthen the focus on rural law and justice issues by supporting and helping align their work with this intent. | 13, 14, 15 | ✔ |
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Organisations with RRR Pro Bono initiatives
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disability Discrimination Law – A specialist legal service of Canberra Community Law. Provides free, independent and confidential legal assistance in disability discrimination law for people living in the ACT. | 1, 6, 12 | ✔ | ||
| The Women’s Legal Centre (ACT & Region) Inc – A community legal centre for women in Canberra and surrounding areas. The centre aims to improve women’s access to justice. Provide legal advice and information, produce information for women about their rights and the law, referrals and undertakes community legal education and law reform activities. | 1, 5, 12 | ✔ | ✔ |
New South Wales (NSW)
Pro bono providers are encouraged to contact the Pro Bono Referral Schemes and Organisations to source pro bono matters. In New South Wales, please contact Justice Connect.
Organisations for people who live in RRR areas
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Coast Community Legal Centre – A not-for-profit community legal centre aims to promote social justice for the people of the NSW Central Coast. The centre provides free legal advice, minor casework, information, referrals and community legal education. It also undertakes policy and law reform activities when and where it sees the need. | See here. | 2, 12 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Central Coast Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service (CCTAAS) – Provides a free legal service for tenants that includes telephone and face-to-face advice, advocacy, and community legal education. CCTAAS also engages in policy reform and advocacy regarding issues affecting tenants. | 1, 5, 6 | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Hume Riverina Community Legal Service – Provides free legal advice and legal assistance in various locations and on a range of legal issues which include family law, family violence, separation and divorce, youth law, motor vehicle accidents, credit and debt issues, discrimination, consumer complaints, traffic offences, fines, seniors’ issues and other everyday legal problems. The Hume Riverina CLC is a not-for-profit community legal centre established in 1999 to help people who are disadvantaged or vulnerable and would not otherwise be able to get legal assistance and living in North East Victoria and the Southern Riverina of NSW. | 1, 13, 14, 15 | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Far West Community Legal Centre – Provides free legal advice, representation and referral schemes. The Far West Community Legal Centre also provides community legal education and undertakes law reform. | 1, 5 | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Elizabeth Evatt Community Legal Centre – Provides free legal advice, assistance and representation service. The centre also provides community legal education, advocacy services and undertakes law and policy reform. | ||||
| Illawarra Legal Centre – Focuses on helping people living with disadvantage and people with special needs. The centre provides free legal services and community legal education. The centre also undertakes law and policy reform. | 1, 11, 12 | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Mid North Coast Community Legal Centre – Assists disadvantaged people in the Mid North Coast region of NSW. The Mid North Coast Community Legal Centre provides legal advice, information, referrals, advocacy and community legal education. It also undertakes policy and law reform | See here. | 1, 5, 12 | ✔ | ✔ |
| North & Northwest Community Legal Centre – Provides free legal advice, support, court liaison service and mediation. The centre also provides community legal education. | 1, 5 | ✔ | ||
| Northern Rivers Community Legal Centre – Provides quality legal services throughout the Northern Rivers region. The centre is committed to improving people’s access to justice and linking communities with other specialist services in the region. Provides free legal advice and assistance, referrals, community legal education and undertakes law reform, lobbying and advocacy. | See here. | 1, 5, 12 | ✔ | ✔ |
| ShoalCoast Community Legal Centre – Provides free legal advice and assistance. The centre also provides community legal education and undertakes law and policy reform. | 1, 13, 14 | ✔ | ✔ | |
| The Cooperative Legal Service Delivery (CLSD) – An initiative of Legal Aid NSW. The CLSD is a regionally based approach to legal service delivery in New South Wales that aims to improve outcomes for economically and socially disadvantaged people by building cooperative and strategic networks of key legal services and community organisations. Through this program law firms are partnered with regional areas in NSW with the aim being, inter alia, to promote greater access to pro bono assistance. | 1, 5, 12 | ✔ | ✔ | |
| The Regional Outreach Clinic Program (ROCP) – Provided by Legal Aid NSW. The objectives are to provide free legal advice and assistance to disadvantaged people in regional, rural and remote areas of NSW. Provides legal advice, legal assistance, family dispute resolutions, referrals and community legal education. | 1, 5, 11, 12 | ✔ | ✔ | |
| The Tenants’ Union of NSW – The main resourcing body for Tenants’ Advice and Advocacy Services (TAASs). It is also a community legal centre and an independent, secular not-for-profit membership-based co-operative. Provides free legal advice and community education. | The Tenants’ Union of NSW provides an advice line staffed by paid workers and volunteers which runs from 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm, Monday to Friday. Advisers engage in initial advice, general information and referrals. | 1, 5, 6, 12 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Western NSW Community Legal Centre – Provides free legal advice to the people of Western NSW and domestic violence support. The centre also provides community legal education and undertakes law reform. | 1, 5 | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Western Sydney Community Legal Centre – WSCLC’s work operates under two separate arms: a legal arm and a social justice arm. The legal arm incorporates the Community Legal Services Program (CLSP) team including an Aboriginal Legal Access Program (ALAP) team and the Home Building Advocacy Service (HOBAS) team. The social justice arm incorporates the Western Sydney Tenants’ Service (WESTS), the Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service (WDVCAS), the Children’s Court Assistance Scheme (CCAS) team, the Youth Education Program (YEP) and the Central West Child Contact Service (CWCS). | See here. | 1, 5 | ✔ |
Organisations with RRR Pro Bono initatives
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hunter Region Neighbourhood Centre Forum – Runs the Hunter Tenants’ Advice and Advocacy Service (HTAAS) which provides free tenancy advice and advocacy services to tenants. | 1, 5, 6, 12 | ✔ | ||
| Legal Aid NSW – An independent statutory body which provides legal aid and other legal services to disadvantaged people. The commission provides free legal advice and minor assistance in Criminal Law, Family Law and Civil Law matters at its central Sydney office as well as 25 regional offices. | 1, 14, 15 | ✔ | ✔ | |
| The Aboriginal Legal Access Program (ALAP) – A program run by Western Sydney Community Legal Centre Limited that assists the community of Western Sydney by supporting and linking clients to culturally-specific holistic social services relating to issues like housing, money, employment, relationships and health and wellbeing. | 1, 5 | ✔ | ||
| The Maranguka Justice Reinvestment Project – Emerged in Bourke, aims to empower Aboriginal community members and was concerned about the number of aboriginal families experiencing high levels of social disadvantage and rising crime. The initial part of the project focused on building trust between community groups and services providers and identified 11 key areas to be addressed through Circuit Breaker programs. | See here. | 1, 12 | ✔ | |
| Thiyama-li Family Violence Legal Service – A not for profit organisation which focuses on providing culturally appropriate assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are victims of family violence and sexual abuse. The organisation offers a wide range of legal services and support, referrals and community legal education. | 1, 5, 12 | ✔ | ||
| Warra Warra Legal Service – A free legal service that provides legal advice, assistance and representation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander survivors of family violence in the Far West of NSW. It also provides community legal education and undertakes law reforms. | 1, 13 | ✔ | ✔ |
Referral organisations
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justice Connect – Connects individuals and not-for-profit organisations (including Indigenous people and organisations who work with this population and who need legal assistance) with pro bono providers. Also works to change unfair laws through advocacy and national campaigns. | See here for law firms wanting to become a member. See here for individuals who want to volunteer. | 13, 14 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Farmers Legal Advice Service Hub – A free service provided by NSW Farmers. It provides a hub where farmers can connect with solicitors and law firm that provide initial free legal advice and assistance up to 20 minutes. | 1, 5, 12 | |||
| LawAccess NSW – A free service where people are provided with legal information from an experienced team of information officers, referrals to other legal assistance services. | 5, 12 | |||
| The NSW Domestic Violence Line – A service provided by the Communities 7 Justice department of the NSW government. Provides referrals and counselling to women experiencing domestic violence. The staff are trained and aware of the needs of Aboriginal women and women living in rural and remote areas. | 1, 6, 12 |
Campaigns
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooperative Legal Service Delivery (CLSD) – Provided by NSW Legal Assistance Forum and involves building cooperative and strategic networks of legal services and community organisations in regional, rural and remote NSW. | 13, 14, 15 | ✔ | ||
| Disability Advocacy NSW (DA) is a program of Advocacy Law Alliance Inc. – Helps people of all ages with any type of disability or mental illness get fair treatment in the Hunter, New England, Mid North Coast, Central West, West, Far West, Central Coast and Hawkesbury-Nepean regions of NSW, AUSTRALIA. An advocate can provide individual advocacy and help get fair treatment: from government departments, disability services, other services and businesses, at work, university, school or TAFE, with accommodation, transport and access, with legal, healthcare or money issues; and with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) We also assist with systemic advocacy issues and provide education sessions. | 13, 14, 15 | ✔ | ||
| RRR Roadshow Program – An event hosted every year by a community legal centre with the aim of connecting community legal centres in RRR areas and undertake advocacy and networking activities targeting RRR areas unmet legal needs. | 13, 14, 15 | ✔ |
Northern Territory (NT)
Organisations for people who live in RRR areas
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Unit (CAAFLU) – Provides legal advice and support services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have experienced or are experiencing family violence or sexual assault in Central Australia and the Barkly Region. CAAFLU provides legal advice and assistance, advocacy, information, referrals and support. CAAFLU also delivers and develops community legal education and contributes to policy and law reform initiatives. | 1, 12 | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Central Australian Women’s Legal Service – Delivers a holistic, culturally safe, trauma informed legal service for women, particularly for those affected by domestic violence. The Central Australian Women’s Legal Service can also help with information about legal issues, legal advice and representation, referral to support services, community legal education and law reform advocacy. | 2, 3, 5 | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Darwin Community Legal service (DCLS) – Provides legal services to disadvantaged people, delivers community legal education and undertakes policy and law reform projects. | See here. | 1, 5 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Katherine Women’s Legal Service (KWILS) – Is a non-for-profit community legal centre that provides free legal service and assistance to women in the Katherine region. The Katherine Women’s Legal Service also provides free legal advice, information, assistance and court representation. It also undertakes community legal education, advocacy, policy and law reform. | See here. | 1, 5, 12 | ✔ | ✔ |
Organisations with RRR Pro Bono initiatives
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS) Safety and Wellbeing Program run by the North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service – Provides culturally sensitive assistance to Indigenous victim-survivors of family violence in the Darwin region and Katherine region. It provides legal assistance and casework, referrals and client assistance and court support. It also undertakes community legal education and law reform activities. | See here. | 1, 12 | ✔ | ✔ |
| The North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) – Provides legal advice, legal assistance and legal aid assistance to Aboriginal people throughout the Northern territory. The agency also provides community legal education and justice related services to ensure that Aboriginal peoples have real access to justice. | 5, 12 | ✔ | ✔ |
Queensland (QLD)
Pro bono providers are encouraged to contact the Pro Bono Referral Schemes and Organisations to source pro bono matters. In Queensland, please contact LawRight.
Organisations for people who live in RRR areas
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cairns Community Legal Centre Inc – Provides accessible legal services for people in the community experiencing disadvantage. The Centre provides information and referrals, legal advice and in some circumstances, ongoing casework assistance. Their legal services include General Legal Service, Discrimination & Human Rights Legal Service, Cairns Mental Health Legal Service, Consumer Law Service, Family Law Service and Seniors Legal and Support Service. | For pro bono opportunities in Queensland, please contact LawRight. | 1, 2, 12 | ✔ | |
| Care Goondiwindi Association Inc – A not-for-profit community organisation specialising in supporting people with a disability in rural areas and predominately in South West Queensland. Care Goondiwindi Community Legal Services is a free legal service providing general legal advice, information, referrals and community legal education. It does not provide ongoing court representation, but assist with referrals and information on organisations that do. | For pro bono opportunities in Queensland, please contact LawRight. | 1, 5, | ✔ | |
| Caxton Legal Centre – Provides free legal and social work and community legal education. The centre also undertakes law reform. | For pro bono opportunities in Queensland, please contact LawRight. | 2, 6, 12 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Central Queensland Community Legal Centre – Provides general legal advice and community legal education for the vulnerable and disadvantaged in regional, rural and remote communities. | For pro bono opportunities in Queensland, please contact LawRight. | 1, 5, 6 | ✔ | |
| Mackay Community Legal Centre – Provides free and independent legal services and referrals for people who live in Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac Regional Council areas. | For pro bono opportunities in Queensland, please contact LawRight. | 1, 12 | ✔ | |
| Moreton Bay Regional Community Legal Service – A not-for-profit community organisation with a dedicated team of volunteer solicitors and support staff. Provides free legal advice, legal document assistance, referral and community legal education. | For pro bono opportunities in Queensland, please contact LawRight. | 1 | ✔ | |
| North Queensland Women’s Legal Service – A community legal centre based in Townsville and Cairns, in the North Queensland region. The North Queensland Women’s Legal Service provides free legal advice in the areas of family law, de facto matters, family/domestic violence, discrimination, sexual assault, child protection; and Victims Assist. The Centre can also help in all areas of law by providing information and referrals. | For pro bono opportunities in Queensland, please contact LawRight. | 1, 12 | ✔ | |
| Suncoast Community Legal Service Inc. – An organisation working collaboratively within the expanding Sunshine Coast community to provide accessible legal services to those in need. Provides legal advice, assistance, casework/legal tasks. It also offers legal education and law reform. | For pro bono opportunities in Queensland, please contact LawRight. | 1, 5 | ✔ | |
| TASC – Incorporates not-for-profit and fee-based legal assistance and services. TASC delivers legal, advocacy, psychology and counselling services across Toowoomba, Ipswich, Roma and parts of the Southern Downs and South West QLD. Provides free legal advice, referral, legal and advocacy support and engages in law reform activities. | For pro bono opportunities in Queensland, please contact LawRight. | 1, 13, 14, 15 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Taylor Street Community Legal Service – A community legal service managed by the Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre Inc. An independent non-profit community organisation which aims to address the unmet legal needs of disadvantaged community members across the Fraser Coast, Gympie, Bundaberg and North Burnett regions. Provides free legal advice, referrals and community legal education. | For pro bono opportunities in Queensland, please contact LawRight. | 1, 6 | ✔ | |
| The Granite Belt Neighbourhood Centre (GBNC) – A community-based, not-for-profit incorporated organisation run by a voluntary Management Committee assisting and empowering the growth of a resilient and caring Granite Belt community. The GBNC provides free advice, advocacy and referrals. | For pro bono opportunities in Queensland, please contact LawRight. | 1, 13, 14, 15 | ✔ | ✔ |
Organisations with RRR Pro Bono initiatives
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farm and Rural Legal Service – An initiative of Legal Aid Queensland that gives help and advice to Queensland rural producers and rural based businesses. The service is offered for free with no means or merit tests. The service can give advice on legal processes, documents and enforcement actions. It also provides legal assistance, attending mediation and bank meetings and referrals. In addition, the service undertakes advocacy and makes and reviews submissions on legal issues related to rural sectors. | For pro bono opportunities in Queensland, please contact LawRight. | 1, 13, 14, 15 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Gladstone’s Community Legal Advice Program – Managed by the Gladstone Community Advisory Service which provides free legal advice, assistance, referrals and community legal education. | For pro bono opportunities in Queensland, please contact LawRight. | 12 | ✔ |
Referral organisations
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Law Right – LawRight’s Pro Bono Connect Service operates the Public Interest Referral Service and manages the Queensland Law Society and Bar Association Pro Bono Services. Can assist individuals and not-for-profit community groups but cannot assist with Family Law, Criminal Law, Native title, building and construction disputes and complex commercial disputes. | See here for information on how to become a member. See here for students who want to volunteer, either individually or through university organised volunteer programs and internships at student clinics. See here for In-House and Government legal units who want to participate in pro bono work. See here for retired and career break practitioners who wish to volunteer. | 5, 12 |
South Australia (SA)
Pro bono providers are encouraged to contact the Pro Bono Referral Schemes and Organisations to source pro bono matters. In South Australia, please contact JusticeNet SA.
Organisations for people who live in RRR areas
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverland Community Legal Centre – Provides free legal advice, assistance, referral and community legal education. | For pro bono opportunities in South Australia, please contact JusticeNet SA. | 1, 6, 12 | ✔ |
Organisations with RRR Pro Bono initiatives
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community Justice Service South Australia – A not-for-profit organisation, committed to providing quality professional legal assistance to members of their community. Provides free legal advice, and free court representation in both the State and Federal courts. CJSSA also undertakes community legal education and law reform activities. The services are being delivered across SA at Southern Community Justice Centre, Limestone Coast Community Justice Centre and Riverland Community Justice Centre. | For pro bono opportunities in South Australia, please contact JusticeNet SA. | 13, 15 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Family Violence Legal Service Aboriginal Corporation (SA) – Is a free community legal service assisting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander victim/ survivors of family violence and/or sexual assault in South Australia. The service is provided from various location with offices in Port Augusta, Port Lincoln and Ceduna and the organisation provide services in the Spencer Gulf and West Coast Regions and to surrounding communities. Provides legal advice, support and referrals. It also provides community legal education. | For pro bono opportunities in South Australia, please contact JusticeNet SA. | 1, 5, 12 | ✔ | ✔ |
Referral organisations
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pro Bono Connect – Is a referral service operated by JusticeNet. It can connect vulnerable community members with lawyers to help on a pro bono basis. | See here. | 1, 5, 12 | ||
| Community Legal Centres South Australia – Is the peak body of all community legal centres in South Australia which are independent, not-for-profit organisations that provide legal advice, representation, referrals and casework. Community legal centres are located throughout Metropolitan and Rural South Australia. | For pro bono opportunities in South Australia, please contact JusticeNet SA. | 1, 13, 14 |
Tasmania (TAS)
Organisations for people who live in RRR areas
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston Community Legal Centre – Provides free legal advice and assistance and community legal education. | 1 | ✔ | ||
| North West Community Legal Centre – Provides free general legal services, community legal education and referral. | 1, 5 | ✔ | ||
| Tasmanian Aboriginal Legal Service – Specialist Aboriginal legal service with an office in Launceston. Services include providing tenancy information, referrals, advice and legal representation – no longer exists. | 5, 6, 12 | ✔ | ||
| Women’s Legal Service Tasmania – Its regional office in Burnie provides legal information, advice and support on legal matters to those who are located in North-west Tasmania and experiencing or have experienced family violence. | 1 | ✔ | ✔ |
Victoria (VIC)
Pro bono providers are encouraged to contact the Pro Bono Referral Schemes and Organisations to source pro bono matters. In Victoria, please contact Justice Connect.
Organisations for people who live in RRR areas
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ballarat & Grampians Community Legal Service (BGCLS) – A not-for-profit organisation which provides free legal advice, assistance, community legal education and information to people who live in the Central Highlands and Wimmera regions of Victoria. It also undertakes policy and law reform activities. | See here. | 1 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Barwon Community Legal Service – An independent community legal service which is funded by the State and Federal governments. It provides free legal information, advice and referrals for clients in relation to Family Violence, Centrelink matters, Family Law, Child Support and Debt matters to vulnerable members of the local community. | See here. | 1, 12 | ✔ | |
| Gippsland Community Legal Service – Provides free and confidential legal advice, legal assistance and community legal education to people who live in the Gippsland community. It also undertakes law reform and advocacy work. | 1, 13, 14, 15 | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Goulburn Valley Community Legal Centre – A non-profit community organisation which provides free legal information and advice to people who are living in the local government areas of Greater Shepparton, Strathbogie, Benalla, Mansfield, Moira and parts of Mitchell Shire. The centre also provide court assistance and information. | 1, 12 | ✔ | ||
| Hume Riverina Community Legal Service – A not-for-profit community legal centre established in 1999 to help people who are disadvantaged or vulnerable and would not otherwise be able to get legal assistance and living in North East Victoria and the Southern Riverina of NSW. Provides free legal advice and legal assistance in various locations and on a range of legal issues which include family law, family violence, separation and divorce, youth law, motor vehicle accidents, credit and debt issues, discrimination, consumer complaints, traffic offences, fines, seniors’ issues and other everyday legal problems. | See here. | 1, 13, 14, 15 | ✔ | |
| Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre – A non-profit community organisation dedicated to human rights and social justice. The centre assist people who are living in the local government areas of Bendigo, Loddon, Campaspe, Mt Alexander, Central Goldfields and parts of the Macedon Ranges. It provides free legal advice, community legal education and undertakes law reform activities. | 1, 13, 14, 15 | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Murray Mallee Community Legal Service – Provides free, confidential legal advice, information, referral and case work to people who live in the areas of Mildura, Swan Hill, Buloke, Gannawarra, Balranald, Wentworth, Hindmarsh, Yarriambiack, Hay and Loddon. It also provides community legal education and engage in law reforms. | 1, 13 | ✔ | ✔ |
Organisations with RRR Pro Bono initiatives
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Disability Discrimination Legal Service Inc (DDLS) – A statewide independent community legal centre that specialises in disability discrimination legal matters. Provides free legal services in several areas including information, referral, advice, casework assistance, community legal education, and policy and law reform. | See here. | 2, 5 | ✔ | ✔ |
Referral organisations
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justice Connect – Connects individuals and not-for-profit organisations (including Indigenous people and organisations who work with this population and who need legal assistance) with pro bono providers. Also works to change unfair laws through advocacy and national campaigns. | See here for law firms wanting to become a member. See here for individuals who want to volunteer. | 13, 14 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Find Your Lawyer Referral Service (Law Institute Victoria) – Acts as a facilitator for accessing legal services between the community and the private legal profession. Participating firms and practitioners commit to providing a 30-minute consultation free of charge. The consultation can be used to determine with the solicitor the nature of the legal issue, discuss the available options and request an estimate of costs to proceed with the matter. Practitioners on the service are required to be members of the Law Institute Victoria. | 13, 14 | |||
| Legal referral services offered by the Cancer Council Victoria – Aims to connect patients, as well as carers and bereaved carers, where the legal issues are related to the patient’s cancer to free legal advice and assistance on a range of legal matters. | 5, 6 |
Western Australia (WA)
Pro bono providers are encouraged to contact the Pro Bono Referral Schemes and Organisations to source pro bono matters. In Western Australia, please contact Law Access.
Organisations for people who live in RRR areas
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany Community Legal Centre (ACLC) – An independent not for profit community organisation providing legal and advocacy services to the Southern communities of Western Australia. Provides free legal advice to any person in the Great Southern region, independent disability advocacy service, community legal education and conduct workshops. | For pro bono opportunities in Western Australia, please contact Law Access. | 1, 5 | ✔ | |
| Gascoyne Community Legal Service – Run by Regional Alliance West a non-profit organisation providing services to disadvantaged people in the Mid West, Murchison and Gascoyne regions of WA. Provides free legal advice and information as well as a wide range of materials. | For pro bono opportunities in Western Australia, please contact Law Access. | 1, 5, 6 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Goldfields Community Legal Centre Inc. (GCLC) – A not for profit organisation that provides advice, casework, and information to low-income earners and other disadvantaged people in the Goldfields region, including but not limited to Kalgoorlie, Boulder, Coolgardie, Kambalda, Norseman, Salmon Gums, Gibson and Esperance areas. Provides services in areas of Family law, civil law and tenancy matters and migration settlement. | For pro bono opportunities in Western Australia, please contact Law Access. | 1, 5 | ✔ | |
| Kimberley Community Legal Services (KCLS) – An independent, not-for-profit community legal service. Provides free legal, financial counselling and tenancy services to financially disadvantaged people in the Kimberley. KCLS provides advice, referral, legal information and casework assistance, representation and community legal education. KCLS works in collaboration with pro-bono solicitors, organisations and other legal services to precipitate law reform and correct systemic injustices impacting our clients. | For pro bono opportunities in Western Australia, please contact Law Access. | 1, 13, 14, 15 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Pilbara Community Legal Service Inc (PCLS) – A well-established service which provides outreach services across the Pilbara region to isolated communities such as Marble Bar. Provides advice, information and casework services. It also provides community legal education, law reform and community capacity building projects. | For pro bono opportunities in Western Australia, please contact Law Access. | 1, 5, 12 | ✔ | ✔ |
| South West Community Legal Centre – Provides free legal advice, minor assistance and casework for disadvantaged people across the South West of Western Australia. The centre also provides referral and community legal education sessions. | For pro bono opportunities in Western Australia, please contact Law Access. | 1, 12 | ✔ | |
| Wheatbelt Community Legal Centre – Is a not-for-profit organisation that provides free legal services for vulnerable people in the Wheatbelt community. Provides free legal advice, information, support, referrals and casework. It also provides community legal education. | For pro bono opportunities in Western Australia, please contact Law Access. | 1, 5 | ✔ |
Organisations with RRR Pro Bono initiatives
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marnin Family Support & Legal Unit (MFSLU) – An initiative of Marninwarntikura Fitzroy Women’s Resource Centre (Aboriginal Corporation) which delivers legal representation and non-legal support services. It provides free legal advice, support and courts’ representation, referrals, advocacy and community legal education. | For pro bono opportunities in Western Australia, please contact Law Access. | 5, 12, 13 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Peel Community Legal Services Incorporated – An initiative of the State Government of a fully funded community legal service for the Peel region in Mandurah, WA. Provides free legal advice, community legal education and advocacy for law reform on behalf of the communities in the Peel region. | For pro bono opportunities in Western Australia, please contact Law Access. | 1, 13, 15 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Welfare Rights & Advocacy Service (WA) – A not-for-profit community legal centre which provides independent advice, information, representation, advocacy and referrals. The service is based in Perth and provides its services in a geographic catchment area within Western Australia in relation to Centrelink issues, Family Assistance Office issues, Residential Tenancy issues, and Social Security Prosecution issues. | For pro bono opportunities in Western Australia, please contact Law Access. | 1 | ✔ | |
| Western Australian Family Violence Prevention Legal Services, trading as Aboriginal Family Law Services (AFLS-WA) – A not-for-profit organisation that assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on family violence and sexual assault matters. The organisation incorporates the regionalisation model, with offices in Broome, Carnarvon, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Kununurra, and Port Hedland. It provides legal in areas of family law, child protection, criminal injury compensation and family violence restraining orders. It also provides non-legal services in the form of community education. | For pro bono opportunities in Western Australia, please contact Law Access. | 1, 5, 12 | ✔ |
Referral Organisations
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Law Access – Coordinates the giving of pro bono legal assistance by the Western Australian legal profession to not-for-profits and individuals. | See here – Opportunities are available to lawyers who register on the Law Access lawyer database. The database will send you information about your areas of interest. Law Access also welcomes secondees from private firms who second lawyers on a part-time basis to assist Law Access with triage and assessment of applications. | 5, 15 | ✔ |
Campaigns
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RRR Network – A rural, regional and remote women’s network of Western Australia. Advocates on issues that affect RRR women across WA. Works with governmental and industrial bodies and conducting research in areas that directly or indirectly impact women in RRR areas of WA and hosts regular networking events. | For pro bono opportunities in Western Australia, please contact Law Access. | 13, 14, 15 | ✔ |
[i] The Justice Project Final Report published by the Law Council of Australia (Aug 2018) can be found here.
Please note the Centre undertook the research to identify which priorities have been mapped to individual organisations. Not all organisations have confirmed yet whether the identified priorities are accurately mapped.