Justice Project: Pro Bono Tool
Older Persons
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]:
- Relax the legal aid means and assets tests and expand grants of aid in civil law matters to more appropriately meet the needs of older persons.
- Legal assistance services should be properly resourced to provide specialist advice and support for older persons, including tailored support for sub-groups of older persons, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, CALD groups, LGBTI+ and older women experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
- Specialist legal assistance services for older persons urgently need to be expanded in regional, rural and remote areas.
- Greater development and dissemination of curriculum, professional development and community legal education resources that focus on elder law issues, particularly elder abuse, with the aim of enhancing community understanding and expertise of elder law issues across the public and private profession. Community Legal Education should include strategies to empower older people to identify and prevent elder abuse.
- The Commonwealth Government should establish a well-coordinated, sufficiently resourced central referral service that older people can access to obtain basic information about their legal rights, where to obtain legal assistance and other support services, and available mechanisms to uphold their rights.
- The services to which older people are being referred must similarly be adequately resourced to ensure that they can effectively respond to the anticipated increase in demand for services resulting from referrals.
- Governments should develop appropriate and tailored measures to support older persons’ effective participation in alternative dispute resolution proceedings, such as discrimination complaint proceedings, elder mediation and conciliation.
- This should include robust safeguards to address significant power imbalances between parties and/or other barriers which inhibit older persons’ willingness or ability to participate in proceedings, such as a reluctance to self-advocate.
Justice Project: Pro Bono Tool Summaries
Directory of Organisations
Quick links to tables by location:
National
Organisations for older persons
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers (where available) | Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|
| OPAN (Older Persons Advocacy Network) – OPAN provides help to older persons who are experiencing abuse by offering support to connect with the right services, help to resolve a situation, information and access to appropriate resources. | Legal Referrals | ✔ | |
| COTA (Council on the Ageing) – COTA Australia is the peak policy development, advocacy and representation organisation for older Australians, representing COTAs in every State and Territory and through them over 500,000 older Australians. | Legal Referrals | ✔ |
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Organisations for older persons
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers (where available) | Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|
| COTA Australian Capital Territory – COTA ACT is an independent, non-political, and non-religious organisation working to protect and promote the well-being, rights, and interests of all older people in the ACT irrespective of socio-economic, ethnic, religious, or cultural background. COTA runs a range of free services to advise people on various topics including elder abuse and assistance accessing financial and legal advice among other things. | Legal Referrals | ✔ |
Organisations with initiatives for older persons
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers (where available) | Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Aid ACT – Older Persons ACT Legal Service (OPALS) is a specialist service within Legal Aid ACT which provides legal help to older people in Canberra. They assist with legal issues involving elder abuse, enduring powers of attorney, guardianship, and financial arrangements with family members. | For volunteer opportunities, see here. | Direct Legal Services | ✔ |
| ADACAS Advocacy – ADACAS Older Persons Advocacy team provide free advocacy for older persons residing in the ACT and Queanbeyan. They provide information about Enduring Powers of Attorney and Elder Abuse and refer matters to particular agencies as required. | Legal Referrals | ✔ |
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 older persons
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers (where available) | Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|
| COTA NSW – COTA NSW is the leading not-for-profit organisation representing the rights and interests of people over 50 in NSW. Their Legal Pathways service provides a free consultation with a private solicitor in relation to wills, enduring powers of attorney and enduring guardianship orders. | Direct Legal Services + Legal Referrals | ✔ | |
| Seniors Rights Service – Senior Rights Service offers free legal advice on many legal issues to older people in NSW, as well as a comprehensive referral service. They offer general legal advice (including consumer issues, human rights matters and alternative decision-making), as well as advice on retirement villages and strata living. | Direct Legal Services + Legal Referrals | ✔ |
Organisations with initiatives for older persons
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers (where available) | Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Aid New South Wales – Legal Aid NSW has a specialist Elder Abuse Service (EAS) at the Gosford office. The service is focused on supporting older people at risk of or experiencing elder abuse. They assist with housing and granny flats, Centrelink debts, family breakdown, informal loans, AVOs, guardianship and powers of attorney, physical and sexual abuse, financial abuse, and psychological abuse (bullying, harassment, isolation and neglect). | For partnership opportunities see here. | Direct Legal Services | ✔ |
Referral organisations
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers (where available) | Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Justice Connect – JusticeConnect has a Seniors Law team that integrates lawyers in the services used by older Australians so that legal need can be identified, and free legal help provided. | See here for law firms wanting to become a member. See here for individuals who want to volunteer. | Direct Legal Services + Legal Referrals | ✔ |
Northern Territory (NT)
Organisations for older persons
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers (where available) | Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|
| See COTA Northern Territory – COTA NT is the peak body for seniors in the Northern Territory and is dedicated to promoting the well-being of senior Territorians aged 50 years and over. | Legal Referrals | ✔ |
Organisations with initiatives for older persons
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers (where available) | Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Darwin Community Legal Service – Darwin Community Legal Service operates the Elder Abuse Information Line to assist elderly people suffering from abuse, making referrals to support organisations, and providing legal information to people wanting to make informed choices about their situation. | See here for volunteer opportunities. | Direct Legal Services |
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 older persons
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers (where available) | Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADA Australia – ADA Law is a Community Legal Service that provides a human rights law and advocacy service to support adults whose capacity is in question. They provide legal advice, representation and non-legal advocacy with guardianship and administration matters, including support before the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT); and enduring powers of attorney and advance health directives. | Direct Legal Services | ✔ | |
| COTA Queensland – COTA Queensland is a for purpose registered charity committed to advancing the rights, needs, interests and futures of people as we age. | Legal Referrals | ✔ |
Organisations with initiatives for older persons
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers (where available) | Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|
| COTA Queensland – COTA Queensland is a for purpose registered charity committed to advancing the rights, needs, interests and futures of people as we age. | Legal Referrals | ✔ | |
| Caxton Legal Centre Inc – The Caxton Legal Centre Inc runs a Seniors Legal and Support Service (SLASS) which provides free legal and social work support for older persons experiencing elder abuse, mistreatment, neglect, or financial exploitation. The team of lawyers and social workers talk with their clients about what steps can be taken to prevent elder abuse, including steps to stay safe, short-term counselling, how to keep money and assets safe, or recover money or assets, legal rights and options, and in certain circumstances, representing a client in court or before a Tribunal. | For volunteer opportunities see here. For volunteer law student opportunities see here. | Direct Legal Services | ✔ |
| Cairns Community Legal Centre Inc – Cairns Community Legal Centre operates the Seniors Legal and Support Service to provide accessible legal and support services for the benefit of seniors affected by elder abuse or financial exploitation. | For volunteering and work experience see here. | Legal Referrals |
CLC organisations for older persons
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers (where available) | Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wide Bay Burnett Community Legal Service – The Wide Bay Burnett Community Legal Service runs a Senior Legal Service which provides free and confidential legal advice and counselling support for seniors 60 years and over in the Fraser Coast who are experiencing or are at risk of, elder abuse, mistreatment or financial exploitation. Services include legal advice, representation and information, short term counselling, advocacy, referral and community education. | Direct Legal Services | ||
| tasc Legal and Social Justice Services – TASC’s Social Justice Team includes advocates, social workers and solicitors who help people with Seniors legal advice and support. | For volunteer opportunities, see here. | Direct Legal Services | |
| Townsville Community Law – Townsville Community Law runs a Seniors Legal and Support Service which provides free legal and support services for seniors who are experiencing, witnessing or concerned about elder abuse, mistreatment or financial exploitation. | See here | Direct Legal Services | |
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 older persons
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers (where available) | Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|
| COTA South Australia – COTA SA is an inclusive older people’s movement and the peak body representing the rights, interests and futures of and engaging with diverse South Australians aged 50 +. COTA SA members have access to a range of benefits, including free advice on general legal matters from a solicitor who can also take instructions for basic wills, enduring powers of attorney and advanced care directives. | Legal Referrals | ✔ | |
| ARAS – Aged Rights Advocacy Service provides advocacy support to people who are the victims of elder abuse. It can also make a referral to professional legal advice and information. | See here to become a member. | Legal Referrals | |
| Legal Services Commission South Australia – The Legal Services Commission provide free legal information, legal advice and legal education. They provide free and confidential legal advice on the matters relating to elder abuse and documents such as Power of Attorney, Advance Care Directives and Wills. | See here to become a member. | Legal Referrals |
Organisations with initiatives for older persons
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers (where available) | Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uniting Communities – Uniting Communities provides information, support, legal advice, legal representation and referrals to older people who are experiencing elder abuse. | For volunteering opportunities, see here. | Direct Legal Services |
Tasmania (TAS)
Organisations for older persons
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers (where available) | Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|
| COTA Tasmania – COTA Tasmania is the voice of older Tasmanians. In partnership with Legal Aid, they provide free, private and confidential legal advice, representation or referrals once a month at various COTA offices around Tasmania. | For volunteering opportunities, see here. | Legal Referrals | ✔ |
| Advocacy Tasmania – Advocacy Tasmania runs a Tasmanian Elder Abuse Hotline to provide information and advice on elder abuse. | Legal Referrals | ✔ |
Organisations with initiatives for older persons
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers (where available) | Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Aid For Tasmanians – Provide free legal advice, assistance and support to seniors who are experiencing elder abuse. They publish a booklet named “Everyone deserves respect” with the aim to provide help to seniors with information and planning to prevent elder abuse, retirement and financial planning including Enduring Powers of Attorney, wills and “voluntary assisted dying”. | Direct Legal Services |
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 older persons
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers (where available) | Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|
| COTA Victoria – COTA Victoria is the leading not-for-profit organisation representing the interests and rights of people aged 50+ in Victoria. | For volunteering, see here. | Legal Referrals | ✔ |
| Seniors Rights Victoria – Seniors Rights Victoria advances the rights of older people and works to prevent elder abuse. They also provide free information and referrals, legal advice and legal casework on matters specifically related to elder abuse. | Direct Legal Services | ✔ |
Referral Organisations
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers (where available) | Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Justice Connect – JusticeConnect has a Seniors Law team that integrates lawyers in the services used by older Australians so that legal need can be identified and free legal help provided. | For law firms who want to become members, see here. For individuals who want to volunteer, see here. | Direct Legal Services + Legal Referrals | ✔ |
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 older persons
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers (where available) | Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advocare – Advocare is an independent, community-based, not-for-profit organisation supporting and protecting the rights of older people in Western Australia through advocacy and information. They refer elder abuse matters to free legal services and supports. | Legal Referrals | ✔ | |
| COTA Western Australia – COTA Western Australia is the peak body for older people in Western Australia. | Legal referrals | ✔ |
Organisations with initiatives for older persons
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers (where available) | Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Suburb Community Legal Centre – Northern Suburb Community Legal Centre aims to provide support in legal, social and financial matters. The Older Peoples Rights Service (OPRS) provide legal advice, information and support to older adults who are at risks of, or experiencing elder abuse in the Perth Metropolitan and city of Mandurah area. | See here. | Direct Legal Services | |
| Legal Aid Western Australia – The Senior Rights and Advocacy Service (SRAS) is a specialist legal advice and assistance service located within the Civil Law Division at Legal Aid WA. It provides legal advice and assistance to older persons experiencing any form of elder abuse, and also safeguards and advocates for the rights of older people in Western Australia. | Direct Legal Services |