If you need to go to court or you have questions about a general legal matter, it is important that you receive professional legal advice.
When getting legal advice, find out what your solicitor must tell you and disclose about costs.
If you cannot afford a lawyer when you go to court, there are lawyers who give free legal advice and other help (duty lawyers) who may be available to assist you. A free duty lawyer service is provided at large courts and tribunals across NSW.
Most lawyers would usually try and resolve general matters before they got to court. However, there are some more serious legal matters that must go through the courts
Some examples of general issues you might need help with are:
Some examples of court matters you might need help with are:
There are lots of places that can help you with a legal issue. Access advice on your specific legal problem through one of the organisations included below. We've listed specialist legal services as well local Community Legal Services near our campuses and other legal aid options too to get you started.
LawAccess NSW is a free NSW wide telephone information, referral and advice service open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. All calls are answered by information officers who can explain:
LawAccess also gives referrals to other services and will answer simple legal questions.
Family and civil law advice is available from LawAccess lawyers if a caller can't get into a legal aid office because of the following reasons:
LawAccess Legal Help Line
Phone: 1300 888 529
Get advice on housing problems, fines, debts, car accidents, employment, discrimination, family law, domestic violence, and complaints about the university. Redfern Legal Centre can also advise international students on how these problems affect student visas.
Redfern Legal Centre offers free legal advice to International students anywhere in NSW.
Women's Legal Service NSW Women's Legal Services (WLS) NSW is a community legal centre providing women with a range of free community legal services, including legal advice and information, education, training and resources across metropolitan and regional areas of New South Wales.
Advice Line: (02) 9749 5533 within Sydney
Rural Free Call Line: 1800 801 501 outside Sydney
TTY for deaf and hearing impaired women: 1800 674 333
General Advice Lines are open:
Our Advice Lines do not operate on a Wednesday.
This toll-free line is staffed by Aboriginal women, and is open
Our Advice Lines do not operate on a Wednesday.
Advice Line: (02) 8745 6999 within Sydney
Rural Free Call Line: 1800 810 784 outside Sydney
TTY Line: 1800 626 267
Domestic Violence Advice Lines are open
Our Advice Lines do not operate on a Wednesday.
Women needing an interpreter can contact the Telephone Interpreter Service on 131 450 and ask the interpreter to contact us on (02) 9749 7700. We will connect you to a solicitor for free legal advice.
Tel: (02) 9219 5000
TTY: (02) 9219 5126
Ground Floor
323 Castlereagh Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000
(02) 6243 3411
legalaid@legalaidact.org.au
2 Allsop Street
Canberra City, ACT 2601
1800 677 402
Monday - Friday, 8.45am - 5.15pm
Telephone advice, face to face clinics, and rural outreach
1800 918 377 or 02 6057 5000
cls@umfc.com.au
Suite 5, 91 Hume Street
Wodonga, VIC 3690
Free criminal, family and civil advice provided by private practitioners and Community Legal Centre solicitors on behalf of Legal Aid NSW.
Every Thursday, 10am to 12:30pm (Appointment required)
(02) 6352 1266
Bathurst Information and Neighbourhood Centre
96 Russell Street
Bathurst, NSW 2795
An independent community organisation that provides free legal advice and other legal services to the people of the Blue Mountains, Lithgow, Oberon and Bathurst regions. This service provides free legal advice over the telephone. EECLC's solicitors provide free legal services, including advice and some casework, in Family law, Domestic violence, Victims compensation, Credit and debt, Age and disability (Wills advice, Powers of Attorney and Guardianship), Tenancy (Blue Mountains only), Discrimination, Welfare rights Solicitors do not do conveyancing or give legal advice in relation to commercial, taxation, criminal or immigration matters.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday between 10am – 12pm. Otherwise, you can call and make an appointment.
(02) 4782 4155 or 1300 363 967
(02) 6331 1255
282 Howick Street
Bathurst, NSW 2795
Saturday morning from 9 am -11am (except long weekends, Christmas and Easter)
Level 1, Royal Hotel Building
108 William Street
Bathurst, NSW 2795
Free, confidential telephone advice
Monday to Friday 9.30am to 12.00 noon
(02) 6257 4499 or 1800 634 669 (TTY: 1800 555 677)
coordinator@womenslegalact.org
Canberra ACT 2601
(02) 6243 3411
legalaid@legalaidact.org.au
2 Allsop Street
Canberra City, ACT 2601
Every 2nd Wednesday of the month, 12pm - 4:30pm
1800 551 589
Queanbeyan Local Court
Rural Women's Outreach Program, financial counselling and employment advice
(02) 6884 9422 or 1800 655 927
western_nsw@clc.net.au
51 Bultje Street
Dubbo, NSW 2830
23-25 Carrington Ave
Dubbo, NSW 2830
64 Talbragar Street
Dubbo, NSW 2830
Sorry we don't have any legal firms secured for Goulburn, please refer to the specialist legal services above.
Free civil law advice provided every Tuesday from 10am to 1pm
121 Byng Street
Orange, NSW 2800
Monday: 9:00am - 12:30pm, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Tuesday: 9:00am to 12:30pm, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 9:00 am - 12:30pm
Friday: 9:00 am - 12:30pm
02 6580 2111
info@mncclc.org.au
Suite 2, 52 Lord St Port Macquarie NSW 2444
Legal Aid Family Law & Child Support Service A free service offering advice in Family Law & Child Support issues
Cnr Muston & Dodds Sts Port Macquarie NSW 2444
1800 451 784, 02 6583 8044 or 02 6584 1914
pmncinfo@midcoast.com.au
19 Trail Street
Wagga Wagga NSW 2650
Ground floor
Suite F, Best Place
Morrow Street, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650
Telephone advice, face to face clinics, and rural outreach
1800 918 377 or (02) 6057 5000
cls@umfc.com.au
Suite 5, 91 Hume Street
Wodonga VIC 3690
1800 677 402
Monday - Friday, 8.45am - 5.15pm