Low Cost and Free Legal Advice

Please note, the quickest and easiest way to apply for free legal help from Justice Connect is by submitting a short application online or, to refer someone, by submitting a request. Pro bono is a Latin term meaning 'for the public good' and when it comes to the legal profession, it describes work undertaken voluntarily by lawyers in the interests of society. The Law Society provides an online search to help you find a qualified lawyer suitable for your needs.
Research and reports aimed at enhancing legal aid funding and quantitatively assessing legal needs to improve access and outcomes across Australia. Integral to our policy and advocacy role is the constructive advice, guidance and direction we provide to government. If  you are calling the telephone referral line, you may need to provide some information about yourself and your problem to help direct you. If you are looking for legal help, you can call Citizen’s Advice Bureau WA (CABWA). Some centres are set up to meet the needs of specific groups of people – such as young business legal services canterbury people or women. We have a specialised service to help young people under 25 with legal problems.

Each community legal centre may offer different services, depending on the needs of their community. Western AustraliaThe WA Legal Aid provides a full range of services for those seeking help in legal matters. There are dedicated teams to help with different aspects of legal needs. Basic information and advice offers the core of their services. Legal Aid NT offers a range of services including legal information, legal advice, representation, family dispute resolution, and education services.
Find private firms and practitioners that are registered to run cases using grants of legal assistance. If you are going through a separation or divorce that involves family dispute, you may be able to use our Family Dispute Resolution Service instead of going to court. You will only be able to take part if you or the other parent in the dispute is eligible to get a lawyer to run your case. If you need help with a different type of legal matter, you can get our help over the phone, or get our help in-person at our office or at an outreach location. Applications for legal aid can be submitted online by completing Legal Services Online Legal Aid Application.
Private lawyers can be expensive, so we’ve listed some free legal services. These services can be used if you’re facing legal action over a debt, potential eviction, or if you just need to speak to someone for legal advice. A women’s legal centre which provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, children and youth with legal representation, advocacy, advice and referrals. Legal Aid NSW also provides free legal advice and help in court. Legal Aid duty lawyers and are available at local courts and many other courts and tribunals. There are also three Family Violence Prevention Legal Services (FVPLS) which are specialist Aboriginal legal services supporting people with an experience of family violence.

In 2024–25, we administered $66,819,454 to these centres on behalf of the Victorian and Commonwealth governments, as well as Victoria Legal Aid’s own funding. This funding includes baseline funding and specific purpose funding attached to specific service delivery. They also visit the following locations across Victoria to provide free legal advice.  Find Legal Answers is a free online legal information resource for people living in NSW.
Our lawyers regularly visit the mental health inpatient units of hospitals in Melbourne, Bendigo, Dandenong and Geelong. The NSW Ombudsman receives and responds to complaints about NSW public authorities and community providers funded by the NSW Government. The Housing Appeals Committee is an independent agency that deals with appeals from people who are unhappy about a decision made by a NSW social housing provider. Justice Connect can provide task-orientated assistance in preparation for court such as assistance in preparing documents. Together with our members and communities, we campaign for social justice and a fair legal system.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their ongoing cultural and spiritual connection to this land. We acknowledge the Kaurna people's resilience in the face of historical injustice and their continuing contributions to the richness and diversity of this city. We commit to fostering genuine reconciliation between First Nations and non-Indigenous Australians. If you are an individual looking for legal help in Australia, the legal assistance services available to you depend on which state or territory you live in. In some cases, if you have a legal hearing or dispute in another state or territory, you may need to seek help there instead. Opinion piece discussing how the latest Djokovic case reveals flaws in the Federal Government's funding to the civil justice system and how this affects access to justice.

You can save your application at any stage and return to complete it later. Please note that saved applications must be completed within 14 days. If your case is serious and you can’t afford to pay your legal costs, legal aid might pay some or all of them. If you've been arrested and you’re going to be questioned at a police station, you can find out about your right to free legal advice on GOV.UK - it doesn't matter what your income is.