Resources and information about organisations that provide free and low-cost legal help.
Finding a private lawyer
The Law Institute of Victoria
Offers a free Find Your Lawyer referral service. Complete the referral form on their website and receive a letter referring you for a free 30 minute consultation with a lawyer. You can use this consultation to determine the nature of your legal issue, discuss available options and request an estimate of costs to proceed with the matter.
Visit the Law Institute of Victoria's website
Free and low-cost legal services
Victoria Legal Aid
Victoria Legal Aid provides free legal information, education and advice for all Victorians, focusing on people with low incomes and those experiencing disadvantage. They can also provide advice and represent people based on their financial situation and other individual circumstances. Victoria Legal Aid have offices throughout Victoria, including in many courts, some hospitals, prisons and detention centres.
Visit the Victoria Legal Aid website
Community Legal Centres
These are independent community organisations that provide free legal services to people who face economic and social disadvantage and cannot afford a private lawyer. Each community legal centre has different eligibility guidelines for who they can help, what legal issues they can help with and how much help they can provide. The Federation of Community Legal Centres is the peak body for Victoria’s Community Legal Centres and Aboriginal Legal Services. To find your nearest centre visit the Federation of Community Legal Centres website.
Visit the Community Legal Centres website
Justice Connect
This organisation helps individuals to access free legal support and assistance to progress social justice. The Supreme Court is working with Justice Connect to deliver unbundled legal support for people seeking to bring a proceeding in the Court, provided they meet the eligibility requirements.
If you would like to enquire about whether you qualify for legal assistance, please contact Justice Connect on 1800 727 550 or via their website help.justiceconnect.org.au/vicsrs/ to apply.
Visit the Justice Connect website
The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS)
Provides legal aid services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Victoria. The service operates in Melbourne and regional locations. Contact VALS for information about the services offered and eligibility guidelines.
Visit the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service website
Djirra - legal service program
Djirra’s Aboriginal Family Violence Legal Service works with Aboriginal people who are experiencing, or have experienced, family violence.
Mortgage Stress Victoria
Provides free legal, financial counselling and social work support for any Victorian who has a mortgage and is in financial difficulty.
Visit Mortgage Stress Victoria
Disaster Legal Help Victoria
Support for Victorians affected by damaging weather events and recent bushfires, across regional and metropolitan communities.
Contact Disaster Legal Help Victoria
Victims Legal Service
In partnership with Victoria Legal Aid, community legal centres and Aboriginal legal services, this specialist advice helpline is available for victims of crime seeking compensation through Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal, or from the offender.
Visit the Victims Legal Service | Victoria
Q+ Law
Providing LGBTIQ+ Victorians with in-person and remote legal advice and services from trained legal professionals. Q+ Law is operated through the Victorian Pride Centre.
Support when attending Court
Attending court can be a daunting experience for anyone who is unfamiliar with how the legal system works, including victims of crime, people accused of crime, witnesses and families.
For details about what services are available to you, visit our Support Services page.