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Legal Aid Queensland helps people who have a legal problem but can't afford to pay a lawyer. We have a range of specialist services to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Print version: |
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How can Legal Aid Queensland help me?
You can get free legal information to help you work out your legal problem by calling the Indigenous Hotline on 1300 650 143. The first person you talk to will be a client information officer (this person is not a solicitor). They will:
- listen to your problem and explain the legal issues involved
- tell you about the services we offer
- refer you to someone either at Legal Aid Queensland or in another organisation who can help.
If your problem is more serious and you need to talk with a solicitor, the client information officer will either:
- put your call through to a solicitor
- make a time when a solicitor will call you back, or
- tell you when you can go into your closest Legal Aid Queensland office to speak with a solicitor.
You can talk with a solicitor for up to one hour about each legal issue. This might be spread over a couple of appointments.
Legal advice and information is free.
Who can get help?
Anyone can contact Legal Aid to get help with a personal legal problem. Our legal information and advice services are free for all Queenslanders. If you need a lawyer to represent you, you will need to apply for legal aid.
Our Integrated Indigenous Strategy Unit helps Indigenous Queenslanders access our services, particularly Indigenous women living in remote and regional communities and their families. The unit helps by:
- talking to Indigenous people and community groups to understand their legal needs and the needs of their communities
- providing community legal education so people understand their legal rights
- telling people about the services Legal Aid Queensland and other organisations can offer
- working with staff at Legal Aid Queensland to make sure they have the information and training they need to help Indigenous clients with their legal problems in a culturally appropriate way.
Where are you located?
Our community liaison officers are located in our Townsville and Cairns offices. They help us deliver culturally appropriate services, and provide court support and community legal education for communities.
Our Indigenous liaison officers are located at or visit Thursday Island, Yarrabah, Injinoo, New Mapoon, Umagico, Bamaga, Sesia, Palm Island, Bowen and Ingham. They provide families with basic legal information and assistance and help their communities access our services.
Our Integrated Indigenous Strategy Unit is based in our Brisbane office.
What legal problems can you help me with?
We provide legal help for criminal, family and civil law problems. Some problems we can help with include:
- you've been the victim of a crime and suffered a physical or mental injury or emotional trauma
- you've separated or divorced and need help working out where the children will live, how to divide your assets or child support issues
- you've experienced violence in your relationships
- you're having trouble paying loans, been harrassed by debt collectors or ripped-off when you bought something
- you've been unfairly discriminated against because of your race, age, gender identity, sexuality or family responsibilities
- you've been accused of breaking the law or been charged with a crime
- you or your child need help with a child protection matter.
How do I apply for legal aid?
To apply for legal aid you'll need to fill out an application form and give us some financial information.
Contact us for more information about how to apply for aid.