Australian Capital Territory

A Guide to Internet Legal Resources in Australian Capital Territory

• Arts Law
• Community Legal Centres — General
• Consumer Debt/Credit
• Court Matters
• Disability
• Discrimination
• Domestic Violence
• Employment
• Environment
• Family Law
• Freedom of Information
• Gay and Lesbian Legal Issues
• General Legal Information
• Government (complaints about)
• Guardianship
• HIV/AIDS
• Immigration
• Indigenous Australians
• Legal Aid
• Legislation and Cases
• Media/Communications
• Privacy
• Property
• Social Security
• Tenancy
• Translators/Interpreters
• Women
• Young People

Arts Law Centre of Australia

Community legal centre offering a specialised legal and business advice and referral service. Professional development resources and advocacy for artists and arts organisations.

http://www.artslaw.com.au

• Information sheets
• Publications
• Services

IP Australia

• Grant and maintain Patents, Designs and Trademarks.

http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au

• Patent and Trademark forms
• Database of registrations  

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National Association of Community Legal Centres (NACLC)

Association of state community legal centre organisations in Australia.

http://www.naclc.org.au/

• Contact details for community legal centres throughout Australia
• Reports and submissions

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Office of Regulatory Services

The ORS undertakes licensing, registration and accreditation, dispute resolution and consumer and trader assistance, compliance and enforcement/litigation, and education.

http://www.ors.act.gov.au/FairTrading/index.html

• Application forms for licences and registrations
• Information on a range of consumer issues
• Codes of practice
• FIDO Australian Securities and Investments Commission

http://fido.asic.gov.au

• 'How to complain' guide (including links to relevant sites)
• Online complaint form
• Online Financial Information Directory

Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman

Free independent resolution of complaints and disputes regarding telecommunications services.

http://www.tio.com.au

• Online complaint form
• Search list of TIO member organisations
• Fact sheets

Financial Ombudsman Service

The Financial Ombudsman Service provides accessible, fair and independent dispute resolution for consumers and financial services providers.  The Mutuals Division of the Financial Ombudsman Service deals with disputes about credit unions and other mutual financial services providers and will consider disputes that were previously dealt with by the Credit Union Dispute Resolution Centre 

http://www.fos.org.au/centric/home_page.jsp

Policies and procedures

• Terms of reference
• Jurisdiction checker
• Banking code of practice plus other publications

Mortgage Industry Ombudsman Scheme

Independent dispute resolution process free of charge to customers of the Mortgage Industry Association of Australasia (MIAA), which is now called the Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia (MFAA).

www.mfaa.com.au/default.asp?menuid=176

• Guide to resolving a dispute
• Search for whether dispute is with a member of the MIAA or the complaint should go through the Australian Banking Industry Ombudsman

Consumer Credit Code Website

Details of the code governing all credit transactions in Australia.

http://www.creditcode.gov.au

• Detailed information on what is covered by the code
• Downloadable documents

Financial Industry Complaints Service (FICS)

Provide free advice and assistance in relation to complaints with the financial services industry.

http://www.fics.asn.au

• Lodge a complaint online
• Determinations and adjudications
• FICS rules

Insolvency Trustee Service Australia

Government agency responsible for the administration and regulation of the personal insolvency system.

http://www.itsa.gov.au

• Statutory forms for bankruptcy
• Debt agreement information
• Legislation

See also:

• National Children's and Youth Law Centre for information on mobile phones. See Young People for contact details
• Court Matters for details of the Credit Tribunal

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ACT Courts and Tribunals

http://www.courts.act.gov.au/

• Links to ACT Courts and Tribunals

Federal Magistrates Service

Independent federal court.

http://www.fmc.gov.au

• Judgments
• Procedures
• Forms

Commonwealth Courts

http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawlink.nsf/pages/goingtocourt#HeadingA

• Links to Commonwealth Courts and Tribunals

See also:

• Family Law for Family Court details
• Immigration for Tribunal information
• Legal Aid for information on going to court and entering a plea
• Social Security for Tribunal information

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ACT Health Services Commissioner

Handles complaints about the provision of health services and services for older people, and complaints about contraventions of the privacy principles or of a consumer's right of access to his or her health records under the Health Records (Privacy and Access) Act 1997. 

http://www.hrc.act.gov.au/health/?PHPSESSID=01908143517de7f14647503a30357197

• Complaint forms

See also:

• Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission: Disability Rights Unit. See Discrimination for contact details
• Guardianship for Office of the Community Advocate ACT

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Australian Human Rights Commission

National independent statutory government body. AHRC investigate alleged anti-discrimination law infringements, undertake human rights education and conduct public inquiries.

http://www.humanrights.gov.au/index.htm

• Anti-discrimination legislation
• Publications on human rights and discrimination issues
• Online complaint form and guidelines
• Election of jurisdictions information

ACT Human Rights Commission

The Commission handles discrimination complaints, promotes equality of opportunity, and provides community education and information about rights under discrimination law, such as freedom from sexual harassment.

http://www.hrc.act.gov.au/

• Links to ACT Discrimination Act
• Guidelines for making a complaint
• Download complaint form

See also:

• Disability for disability discrimination issues
• Employment for employment related discrimination issues
• Indigenous Australians for race discrimination information

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Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse

National resource on issues of domestic and family violence.

http://www.austdvclearinghouse.unsw.edu.au/

• Publications
• Resource database
• Links

Australian Institute of Criminology

National focus for the study of crime and criminal justice in Australia and for the dissemination of criminal justice information.

http://www.aic.gov.au

• Statistics and reports regarding the incidence of domestic violence

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Australian Industrial Relations Commission

Facilitate agreement between employers and employees, conciliate and work within industrial disputes.

http://www.airc.gov.au

• Details of the law relating to employment
• Procedures involved in making a claim

Workplace Authority

The Workplace Authority accepts lodgement of workplace agreements and assesses them against the no-disadvantage test (NDT).

http://www.workplaceauthority.gov.au

• Australian Workplace Agreements (AWA) complaint form
• AWA no-disadvantage test
• Bargaining Agents Referral List

Comcare

Responsible for workplace safety, rehabilitation and compensation in the Commonwealth jurisdiction.

http://www.comcare.gov.au

• Forms
• Processes
• Legislation
• Incident notification information

Working Women's Centres

Information and advice to working women on a range of employment issues.

http://www.wwc.org.au

• Awards and employment agreements
• Information on sexual harassment, discrimination, unfair dismissal, workers compensation and workplace bullying

ACT WorkCover

Government agency working primarily to eliminate death, disease and injury in the workplace.

http://www.workcover.act.gov.au

• Workers compensation claims information
• Online forms

Australian Workplace

Commonwealth government website with information on employment, workplace relations, government assistance, jobs, careers, training and wages.

http://www.workplace.gov.au

• Employment legislation and policy information
• Details of available schemes

See also:

• Young People for employment information for young people

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Environmental Defenders Office

Community legal centre providing free legal advice, representation and community legal education on environmental matters.

http://www.edo.org.au/edoact/

• Fact sheets
• Advice
• Submissions

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Family Court of Australia

http://www.familycourt.gov.au

• Step-by-step guide to proceedings in the family court
• Online court forms and brochures
• Family law legislation and cases
• Information specifically for young people

Family Law Online

Attorney-General's Department initiative.

http://www.ag.gov.au/www/agd/agd.nsf/Page/Families_Families?Open

• Information sorted by topic
• Links

Child Support Agency

http://www.csa.gov.au

• Legislative information
• Forms
• Links to organisations

Registrar General's Office — Births Deaths and Marriages

https://www.rgoonline.act.gov.au/

• Certificate and change of name application forms
• Application for parentage information forms

See also:

• Young People for relevant information and links

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Chief Minister's Department

• http://www.cmd.act.gov.au/publications 
• Freedom of Information Act 1989 guidelines

ACT Urban Services

http://www.tams.act.gov.au/live/about_our_department/freedom_of_information

• FOI application form
• Information on making an application

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GayLawNet

http://www.gaylawnet.com/

• Links to resources (web sites and contact details) categorised under Business, Discrimination, HIV/AIDS, Immigration, Law, Legal & Miscellaneous, Privacy, Social Security and Women

Good Process

Community group website with current information on the ACT law reform process as it relates to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex people.

http://lists.nwjc.org.au/good_process_act/

• Legislation
• Current law reform activities

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Department of the Parliamentary Library

http://www.aph.gov.au/library/intguide/law/index.htm

• Search for legislation and links to relevant sites

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ACT Ombudsman

Assisting the ACT community by resolving complaints and improving government administration.

http://act.ombudsman.gov.au/

• Online complaints form
• Legislation

Commonwealth Ombudsman

http://www.ombudsman.gov.au/

• Online complaint form
• Legislation
• Freedom of Information guide

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Public Advocate of the ACT

Responsible for matters related to guardianship and substitute decision making, and responsible for advocacy on behalf of adults and children and young people, outside the guardianship and substitute decision making arena.
 

http://www.publicadvocate.act.gov.au

• Downloadable forms
• Information on services available to children and adults

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Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations

Leadership, information, advocacy and policy. AFAO is the peak non-government organisation representing Australia's community-based response to HIV/AIDS.

http://www.afao.org.au/

• Information on a range of issues affecting people living with HIV/AIDS

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Immigration Advice and Rights Centre

NSW community legal centre providing free legal advice and assistance in relation to immigration law matters.

http://www.iarc.asn.au/

• Fact sheets
• Information on steps to take in relation to applying for various visas and how to appeal a decision at the Migration Review Tribunal

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights

Network of Australian lawyers active in practising and promoting awareness of international human rights standards in Australia.

http://www.alhr.asn.au

• Asylum seeker legal resources
• Refugee kit

Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs

Federal government department responsible for immigration.

http://www.immi.gov.au/

• Frequently asked questions and migration fact sheets
• Visa information and online application facility

Refugee Review Tribunal

Independent merits review tribunal which reviews decisions made by the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs to refuse or cancel protection visas to non-citizens in Australia.

http://www.rrt.gov.au

• Forms
• Decisions
• Handbook

Migration Review Tribunal

Independent merits review body which reviews certain decisions made by the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs.

http://www.mrt.gov.au

• Forms
• Decisions
• Interpreter information

Administrative Appeals Tribunal

Independent review of administrative decisions made by the Commonwealth government and come non-government agencies.

http://www.aat.gov.au

• Forms
• Fees
• Legislation and jurisdiction

See also:

• Social Security for National Welfare Rights Network information for residents and newly arrived migrants

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Social Justice Commissioner

Office established within the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission to deal with discrimination and disadvantage affecting Indigenous Australians.

http://www.hreoc.gov.au/social_justice/

• Statistics
• Information

National Womens Justice Coalition

The NWJC is a coalition of organisations and individuals which aims to promote women's equality before the law in Australia.

http://www.nwjc.org.au/

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Legal Aid Office ACT

Inform people of their legal rights and obligations and aim to improve their access to the justice system.

http://www.legalaid.canberra.net.au

• Guidelines to Legal Aid
• Application form for legal representation
• Number of information pamphlets to download

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Austlii

Australasian Legal Information Institute.

http://www.austlii.edu.au

• Full text legislation in all Australian jurisdictions
• Full text case law in most Australian Courts and Tribunals
• Full text international instruments

ComLaw

http://www.comlaw.gov.au/

• Full text legislation of the Commonwealth and non self-governing territories
• Functional index of law and law-related functions of the Commonwealth government

ACT Legislation Register

http://www.legislation.act.gov.au

• Acts, Subordinate Laws, Bills

Parliamentary website

http://www.aph.gov.au

• Full text legislation
• Full text bills
• Hansard

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Communications Law Centre

Independent, non-profit, public interest organisation specialising in media, communications and online law and policy.

http://www.comslaw.org.au

• Information on defamation, media ownership and media ethics
• Legal Advice via Oz NetLaw (http://www.oznetlaw.net/home.asp)

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The Office of the Federal Privacy Commissioner

Promote privacy in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988.

http://www.privacy.gov.au

• Legislation
• Complaint form

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Registrar General's Office — Land Titles

Receive, register and provide access to titles for land and transactions with land under legislation as well as providing a land titles searching facility.

http://www.ors.act.gov.au/LandTitles/index.html

• Information on search facility
• Transfer forms

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National Welfare Rights Network

Advice and assistance to individuals relating to their rights and entitlements under the Australian social security system.

http://www.welfarerights.org.au

• Types of social security payments available and a guide to who is eligible
• Fact sheets and information kits
• Information for migrants and residents
• How to complain or lodge an appeal
• Social Security handbook
• Policy papers

Social Security Appeals Tribunal

Review decisions made in relation to social security, education or training payments.

http://www.ssat.gov.au

• Forms
• Guides
• Checklists

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Tenants' Union ACT Inc

Information, advice and legal assistance on tenants' rights and responsibilities and conduct community education.

http://www.tenantsact.org.au/

• Advice pages and tip sheets on a range of issues
• Frequently Asked Questions page

Residential Tenancies Tribunal

http://www.courts.act.gov.au/magistrates/tribunals/rtt/rtt.html

• Case Management Guidelines
• Application forms
• Legislation

Registrar General's Office ú Rental Bonds

http://www.ors.act.gov.au/RentalBonds/index.html

• Information sheets
• Online forms

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National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI)

National standards body.

http://www.naati.com.au

• Directory of practitioners in Australia

Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS)

Australian government service.

http://www.immi.gov.au/tis/index.htm

• Guidelines
• Information on services

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Women's Information and Referral Centre

Provide a free and confidential information referral and support service to all women and their families on any issue.

http://www.wirc.act.gov.au 

• Information sheets on issues such as Domestic Violence and separation
• Links to services available throughout ACT

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National Children's and Youth Law Centre

Community legal centre providing legal advice, advocacy and education in respect of legal issues as they impact on children and young people.

http://www.lawstuff.org.au

• Online advice service for young people via Lawstuff
• Legal and rights information, e.g. school issues, bullying, age of consent to sex and being charged with a crime.

See also:

• Legal Aid for downloadable booklet "When Can I?" on rights of young people in ACT

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