Information and Education is delivered in many different ways at Legal Aid ACT such as through brochures, factsheets and presentations delivered to the community.
To find out more phone our Helpline on 1300 654 314 and they will connect you to our Community Education and Information Officer.
Community Legal Education (CLE)
Legal Aid ACT runs free information sessions to help you better understand your legal rights and how the legal system works. We cover a range of legal issues.
We deliver talks and information sessions tailored for schools and community groups. We also run information sessions specifically for workers within community organisations such and hospitals and aged-care facilities, so they can better assist clients identify and address legal problems.
- About Legal Aid
- Cybersafety
- Dealing with the police
- Drinking and Drugs law
- Elder abuse
- Employment law
- Family Violence Orders and Personal Protection Orders
- Free legal services in the ACT
- Going to court
- Migration Law
- Neighbourhood disputes
- Separation, divorce and contact with children
- Wills, powers of attorney, and guardianship orders
- Young people and the law
Phone our Helpline on 1300 654 314 to talk about booking us in.
Building Bridges
Legal Aid ACT is facilitating a range of cultural training's in the first half of 2019. The aim of these sessions is to improve cross-cultural awareness and effective communication among lawyers and community workers. For more information on these sessions and to RSVP, visit Eventbrite.
To download the poster, click here.
Free Information Sessions
Legal Aid ACT hold free information sessions on a range of topics:
- Family Law: Divorce
- Family Law: Property
- Family Law: Children
- Driving under the influence and licensing problems
- Neighbourhood Disputes (New)
Click here for the dates and times of these free information sessions.
Law for Non-Lawyers
Each semester we run a number of training sessions on a range topics aimed at workers in the community sector. For the latest session information click here.
Migration Matters
This year Legal Aid ACT is partnering with a number of agencies to bring you a range of training opportunities covering migration matters.
For more information on these sessions including how to RSVP, download the poster here.
Factsheets and Resources
If you need help in understanding legal words, please see our Legal Words dictionary. For a guide to the free or low-cost legal services in Canberra, see the Free Law Directory.
If you would like to view the resources we have available in video format, visit our Video Channel.
We have a number of publications on a variety of legal problems, available online or you can phone us on the Helpline on 1300 654 314 and we will send them to you.
All of our factsheets are intended to be used as a guide only and not as legal advice. Please contact the Legal Aid Helpline if you need legal advice. For information on the types of legal problems Legal Aid ACT can provide advice on, visit Legal Advice.
The factsheets are presented in Portable Document Format, or PDF. If you are having trouble viewing them, please download a free copy of Adobe Reader by clicking the below image or call our Helpline on 1300 654 314 between 9.00am and 5.00pm weekdays and we will send to you.
About Legal Aid ACT
For further information about Legal Aid ACT, return to the homepage of this website.
Applying for a grant of legal aid?
If you need more than one-off legal advice, you will need to apply for a grant of legal assistance. Visit Applying for Legal Aid for information provided on our website.
- Are you applying for a grant of assistance?
- Filling out the Form - Applying for a Grant of Assistance Guide
Please note that the Application for Legal Assistance form is not available online. The above factsheets are to help you better understand the process and to complete the application form on your own. If you need a copy of the application form, contact Legal Aid ACT.
Are you separating or getting a divorced?
Family law is the area of law that deals with family matters such as divorce, property and children. The Family Advocacy Support Service can also provide legal and non-legal assistance if you or a family member have experienced, used or alleged to have used family violence in your relationship and need help with a family law, child protection or family violence order.
- Family Advocacy and Support Services
- Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) Conferences
- Our Family Law Practice
- Are you separated? Do you need to make parenting arrangements?
- Are you separated? Are you in the process of a property settlement?
- Are you getting divorced?
- Are you a grandparent who is raising a grandchild?
- Free Law Directory - free or low-cost legal services in Canberra
Family Violence, Family Violence Orders and Personal Protection Orders
Legal Aid ACT provides a range of legal and non-legal support services for people experiencing or at risk of family violence. Family Violence Orders and Personal Protection Orders are made by the court to protect a person from future assaults, threats of violence, property damage, stalking acts and acts of indecency, harassment and offensive conduct by another person.
The Family Advocacy Support Service can provide legal and non-legal assistance if you or a family member have experienced, used or alleged to have used family violence in your relationship and need help with a family law, child protection or family violence order.
Police, Crime and Court
If you have been charged with a crime phone our Helpline for a free appointment the lawyer will be able to give you some initial advice and talk to you about what will happen.
Resources for Older People
Legal Aid does not provide assistance in writing wills or administering a deceased estate. However we can give you advice and help you identify issues related to wills and the procedures for the administration of an estate. For specialist legal advice for older people, Legal Aid ACT now has the Older Persons ACT Legal Service.
- Older Persons ACT Legal Service
- Are you a grandparent who is raising a grandchild?
- Adult children at home
- Care for your assets
- Concerned about someone?
- Decision making and your rights
- Do you have a will?
- Gifts, loans and debts
- Plan for your safety
- What is a guardian? What is a guardianship order?
- Working with older people at risk of abuse
Resources for Younger People
The Youth Law Centre is the best place to get information if you are between the ages of 12 and 25. The number to contact the Youth law Centre is (02) 6173 5410.
Resources for Migrants and Refugees
The Community Liaison Unit helps people in the community access the legal services provided by Legal Aid ACT, other legal services in the ACT and non-legal support services.
Overview
If you came by boat:
How to Lodge a TPV/SHEV application
- Temporary Protection Visas (TPV)and Safe Haven Enterprise Visas(SHEV)
- How to complete and lodge an application for a protection visa
- How to write a Statement PV
- Attending an interview with Asylum Seekers
- Helping with forms if you are not a Registered Migration Agent
How to lodge a protection visa application
- How to complete and lodge an application for a protection visa
- Completing Form 866 and 1505
- How to write a Statement PV
What to expect at an interview
Refused by the Department
Work Problems
Legal Aid ACT operates an employment law clinic. The clinic runs each Friday. If you have been dismissed from work phone our Helpline on 1300 654 314 as soon as you can as short time frames can apply.
Neighbourhood Disputes
Legal Aid ACT can give legal advice on Neighbourhood disputes. Make a free 30 minute appointment by calling the Helpline on 1300 654 314.
NDIS
Legal Aid ACT can give legal advice and assistance for both NDIA Reviews and AAT Applications. Call the Helpline on 1300 654 314 to get help.
Cars and Driving
Other Legal Issues
Outreach Locations
Do you have a legal problem? Or an issue that could become a legal problem? Come and have a free chat with Legal Aid and find out how to fix it.
ACT Libraries
Ask Legal Aid sessions
Tuesdays 1-2pm
Civic Library
- First Tuesday of every month
Woden Library
- Second Tuesday of every month
Dickson Library
- Third Tuesday of every month
Kippax and Gungahlin Library
- Alternating on the fourth Tuesday of every month
Make an appointment via the ACT Library website or just drop in.
The Canberra Hospital
Every Wednesday 11am-1pm in the Main Entrance Foyer.
No appointment needed.
Tuggeranong Locations
Salvation Army Mission Day
Tuesdays 11.30am-12.30pm
- Last Tuesday of every month
- Referrals can be made through the Salvation Army
- Cnr Anketell Street and Reed Street North, Tuggeranong ACT
No appointment needed.
Tuggeranong Community CentreTuesdays 1.30pm - 2.30pm
- Last Tuesday of every month
- 245 Cowlishaw St, Greenway ACT
Make an appointment via our Helpline.