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This factsheet provides information on Women's Legal Aid. Women’s Legal Aid offers a free legal service just for women. If you’re a woman with a legal problem, we may be able to help you. Print version: |
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We will explain your legal rights, your options and the legal process. Our information and advice services are free. How does Women’s Legal Aid work?
Women’s Legal Aid is part of Legal Aid Queensland. We are a team of lawyers and social workers who are dedicated to helping women with their legal problems. We provide free legal information and advice and, depending on your legal problem, we may also be able to represent you in court. We are based in Brisbane but can give you legal information and advice no matter where you live in Queensland.
Why do you have both lawyers and social workers?
Our lawyers and social workers work together to help women with their legal problems and related social problems. We know people who have legal problems often have other social problems as well, like finding accommodation or income support.
Our social workers can also support women who are going to court to apply for a domestic violence protection order. They can help fill out paperwork, go with them to court to provide support and explain the court process.
How can I access your services?
Call Legal Aid Queensland on 1300 65 11 88 and ask to make an appointment to talk to a Women’s Legal Aid lawyer. We offer face-to-face advice sessions at our Woodridge office each Thursday or you can make an appointment to see us at the Brisbane office. We also provide legal advice over the phone and by videoconference for women in remote or rural areas.
Can a Women’s Legal Aid lawyer represent me in court?
Women’s Legal Aid may be able to organise for a lawyer to represent you. This service is means and merit tested — we will look at what you earn, what you own and if your case has a good chance of success to decide if you are eligible for legal aid. This way we can make sure we are using our funding to help those who are least able to afford a lawyer.
Applicants who rely on Centrelink payments for their income are usually eligible for aid, as long as what they own is within the assets test guidelines. Young people aged 17 and under don’t have to meet the means test to be eligible for aid, but may have to meet other guidelines.
What legal problems can you help with?
We can help with family, civil and criminal law problems including:
- sorting out where your children will live if you’ve separated or divorced
- applying for a protection order if you’re experiencing violence in a relationship
- explaining your rights if you or your children are involved in child protection proceedings
- applying for criminal injuries compensation if you’ve suffered a physical or psychological injury because of a crime
- explaining your rights if someone has discriminated against you because of your age, sex, race or religion
- explaining your rights if you’ve been charged with a crime.
Is your help confidential?
Yes, our services are confidential and we are committed to protecting our clients’ privacy. We will not provide your personal information or details about your legal problem to anyone, unless we are legally required to.
How do I apply for legal aid?
You need to complete an application form, which you can get from our offices throughout Queensland or from our website www.legalaid.qld.gov.au. Your application is more likely to succeed if you get legal advice before you apply.
Can you organise an interpreter?
Yes. We can organise for an accredited interpreter to help you. We are committed to making our services accessible to people from non-English-speaking backgrounds and people with disabilities.
If you would like this factsheet explained in your language, please phone the Translating and Interpreting Service on 13 1450 to speak to an interpreter. Ask them to connect you to Legal Aid Queensland. If you have a hearing impairment, please call TTY on (07) 3238 3023. These are free services.
How do I provide feedback or make a complaint?
Your feedback – complaints, compliments and suggestions – is welcome and we take it seriously.
To make a comment about the service you received from Legal Aid Queensland, you can complete our client feedback form. The form is available from your local Legal Aid office and our website.
You can also give us feedback by:
writing to us at
GPO Box 2449, Brisbane, Qld, 4001
calling 1300 65 11 88 and talking to our staff
emailing feedback@legalaid.qld.gov.au