Justice Project: Pro Bono Tool
LGBTI+ People

This project has been endorsed by the Law Council of Australia.

More information about this project can be found here. 

Priorities identified in the Justice Project Final Report


Priorities Identified in the Justice Project Final Report[i]:

  1. Commonwealth, state and territory governments should create a dedicated LGBTI+ position at Commonwealth, state and territory levels to address the absence of LGBTI+ concerns from policy initiatives.
  2. Invest in building an evidence base regarding LGBTI+ engagement with the justice system and legal need, having regard to the research needs set out in this chapter.
  3. Recognise distinct groups represented by the LGBTI+ acronym, and craft tailored legal and policy responses, including through genuine consultation with multiple diverse participants.
  4. Commonwealth, state and territory governments should engage in law reform to address existing inequalities and create consistency, with reference to human rights frameworks, including by working towards:
    • Consistent anti-discrimination protections across jurisdictions.
    • Uniform and consistent recognition of parenting rights across jurisdictions.
  5. Consistent approaches should apply to identity documents across government agencies and jurisdictions. Legislation should uniformly ensure that surgery is not required in order for an individual to change their gender on their Birth Certificate.
  6. Commonwealth, state and territory governments should consult with LGBTI+ people when developing family violence policy and implementing family violence responses. Responses, including public awareness strategies, should recognise different experiences and types of family violence. Specialist family violence services, including inclusive accommodation services, should be expanded.
  7. Commonwealth, state and territory governments and the Law Council should continue to support the legal and broader justice system to continue the development of policies and processes to ensure they are inclusive, welcoming and sensitive towards the needs of LGBTI+ people. This could include:
    • encouraging services to obtain Rainbow Tick Accreditation;
    • implementing ongoing training programs to build cultural competence, as well as LGBTI+ specific protocols and guidelines; and
    • implementing diversity and engagement measures, including through increasing the number of LGBTI+ police liaison officers.
  8. State and territory governments should support, fund and expand specialist LGBTI+ legal services. Funding for these services should recognise the importance of supporting services to engage in both advocacy and CLEI efforts, as both are essential to achieving access to justice for this group. Commonwealth, state and territory governments should invest in public awareness campaigns as an important means of overcoming discrimination and marginalisation of this group within the broader community

Justice Project: Pro Bono Tool Summaries

Directory of Organisations

Quick links to organisations by location


Quick links to tables by location:

National

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. 

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. 

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. 

[i] The Justice Project Final Report published by the Law Council of Australia (Aug 2018) can be found here.