Free Legal support for low income, vulnerable and disadvantaged South Australians.
People in conflict, unsure of how to handle legal issues, worried about debt, worried about homelessness, at risk of violence at home, worried about their elderly family members, have disagreements within their own community or their neighbour can all severely impact employees ability to function in the community and even ability to come to work.
South Australian Community Legal Service has a network of State and Federally funded Community Legal Centres across South Australia that can offer free, professional advice.
The Consumer Credit Law Centre is a free legal service specifically for people with consumer credit issues and disputes.
The service provides specialist legal advice regarding repossession, mortgage foreclosure, debtors court, and other issues within the areas of credit, banking, and personal finance.
Appointments can be made by calling (08) 8202 5960; Country Callers please call 1300 886 220.
The Consumer Credit Law Centre is a service of Uniting Communities and is located in Uniting Communities offices in Adelaide, Smithfield and Christies Beach (Open Monday – Friday, 9am- 5pm) all services run by appointment only.
The Family Advocacy and Support Service (FASS) provides duty lawyer and social support services to people with family law matters who have been affected by family violence. The Legal Services Commission of SA also has duty lawyers at the Family Law Courts able to assist in matters where the person is not affected by family violence.
Duty lawyers can:
- Provide family law advice about your Court hearing and/or legal problem
- Help with adjournments – generally limited to adjournments of the first court appearance
- Help with Legal Aid applications
- Provide referrals to private practitioners and other services
Duty lawyers cannot:
- Prepare complex court documents, e.g. applications/responses and affidavits
- Represent you for interim hearings, contravention applications and final hearings (trials)
- Provide specific legal advice or representation in Court if there is a conflict of interest (for example, if the other party or a child is represented, or has previously been represented, by a Legal Services Commission lawyer). In such cases the duty lawyer will provide general information only.
- Provide specific legal advice regarding property settlements (only general information and advice)
- Assist with Youth Court (care and protection) matters
A Social Worker, located at the Family Law Courts, can help you engage with the family law processes safely and help you with safety planning.
The social worker can connect with all the relevant services that you need, such as accommodation, financial counselling, and other social support.
ARAS has been supporting older people in South Australia to uphold their aged care and human rights since 1990.
ARAS offers a free, confidential, and state-wide service to older people (or their representatives) who are:
· living in residential aged care or retirement villages
· receiving or seeking to receive Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) or Home Care Package (HCP) services
· at risk of, or experiencing abuse from family or friends
In addition, ARAS delivers the Home Care Check-In project where it provides in home safety checks for older persons deemed to be vulnerable due to social isolation, and at risk of harm or neglect.
ARAS also has specialist Aboriginal Advocates who provide culturally safe support and host an annual Intergenerational Elders and Youth Gathering in regional South Australia.
ARAS is funded by the Australian Government.
Outlets (by appointment only)
Victor Harbor: 9/46-52 Ocean Street Victor Harbor (access from Coral Street)
Nuriootpa: 1 First Street, Nuriootpa
Berri: 21 Denny Street, Berri
A website providing policy, legislation, advice and programs related to alternative dispute resolution, legal assistance, family law and federal courts and tribunals.
The Accessible Justice Project is a not-for-profit law firm for Australians who do not qualify for free legal help and cannot afford a private lawyer.
The first meeting costs $88 (including GST) which needs to be paid prior to the meeting. Any costs charged by the Accessible Justice Project reflect operating costs only, as this practice does not generate profit.
Eligibility is determined through answering their questions found on their website.
For more information or to access the questionnaire, visit the website or call the number below.
ALOS is a free service set up to provide legal advice and support to homeless and disadvantaged persons who need help with legal issues, and who cannot afford a lawyer. The service is free, and anyone with a legal problem is welcome to make an appointment. We offer a confidential, respectful, and supportive service that aims to help our clients to deal with legal problems, small or large. We will take time to listen to what our clients say, explain the law, and help clients to find workable options. Run by the University of Adelaide Law School. The office is staffed by final year law students from the University of Adelaide, and managed by fully qualified supervising solicitors. They also assist clients with managing their own cases, or can refer them to other agencies who have the capacity to handle more complex matters. Such agencies include the Legal Services Commission or JusticeNet SA.
Make an appointment
Operating hours: 9:00am - 5:00pm Tuesdays
Location: Adelaide Law School, Ligertwood Building, University of Adelaide, North Terrace
Disability Rights Advocacy Service Inc safeguards and promotes the rights and interests of people with a disability, their families and carers. Their advocates listen to people with a disability and learn from them, so that they can work alongside them to promote and defend their human rights.
Services offered include:
- General Advocacy
- Centrelink Appeals
- NDIS Appeals
- Royal Commission Support
- Building Individual Capacity
Eligibility for each service differs - visit the website to confirm eligibility or call the number below.
The Fair Work Ombudsman is there to support everybody in the workplace with workplace relation matters.
The aim of this free and confidential service is:
- to provide education, assistance, advice and guidance to employers, employees, outworkers, outworker entities and organisations
- to promote and monitor compliance with workplace laws
- to inquire into and investigate breaches of the Fair Work Act
- to take appropriate enforcement action
- to perform our statutory functions efficiently, effectively, economically and ethically.
This service is available via telephone and online.