Tasmania

A Guide to Internet Legal Resources in Tasmania

• 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
• Legal Practitioner Complaints
• Legislation and Cases
• Media/Communications
• Motor Vehicle Issues
• Privacy
• Property
• Social Security
• Tenancy
• Translators/Interpreters
• Victims of Crime
• 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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Magistrates Court of Tasmania - Small Claims Division

http://www.magistratescourt.tas.gov.au/

• Small claims form
• Relevant legislation
• 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

Energy Ombudsman of Tasmania

The Energy Ombudsman of Tasmania provides an independent, free complaint handling service between Tasmanian electricity and gas customers and their providers. 

http://www.energyombudsman.tas.gov.au/

• Online complaint form
• Guide to the complaint process

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).

http://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

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Magistrates Court of Tasmania

http://www.magistratescourt.tas.gov.au/

• Court lists
• General information
• Links to divisions of court
• Supreme Court of Tasmania

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

• Court lists
• Judgments
• Practice Directions

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:

• Consumer Debt/Credit for Small Claims Division of Magistrates Court
• Immigration for Tribunal information
• Family Law for Family Court details
• Social Security for Tribunal information

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Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission - Disability Rights

http://www.hreoc.gov.au/disability_rights/index.html

• Legislation
• Complaint guide and form

See also:

• Guardianship for the Guardianship and Administration Board

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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

Anti-Discrimination Commission Tasmania

Investigate claims and provide community education and training.

http://www.antidiscrimination.tas.gov.au/

• Link to legislation
• Complaint form

See also:

• Employment for employment related discrimination issues
• Gay and Lesbian Legal Issues for related discrimination
• Indigenous Australians for race discrimination information

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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

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

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Tasmanian Industrial Commission

Hear and determine industrial matters relating to public and private sector employment.

http://www.tic.tas.gov.au/

• Forms
• Awards
• Decisions
• Guidance notes

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 and discrimination, unfair dismissal, workers compensation and workplace bullying

WorkCover Tasmania

State government department.

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

• Claims information and forms
• Legislation

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/edotas/

• Submissions
• Service information

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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 specific to 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
• Births Deaths and Marriages Tasmania

http://www.justice.tas.gov.au/bdm/

• Application forms for certificates and changes
• Legislation
• Access policy

See also:

• Young People for relevant information and links

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Freedom of Information Tasmania

http://www.justice.tas.gov.au/justice/foi_at_justice

• FOI Review form
• Information
• Justice Tasmania - Freedom of Information User's Guide

http://www.justice.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/58676/FOI_Form.pdf

• Application form
• Fees and charges
• Information

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Tasmanian Gay & Lesbian Rights Group

Law reform lobbying and Community education.

http://www.tglrg.org/ 

(formerly http://www.tased.edu.au/tasonline/tasqueer/tasqueer.html)

• Support information and links

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Tasmanian government

http://www.tas.gov.au/Nav/Topic.asp?Topic=Law+and+public+safety

• Information links by subject

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Tasmanian Ombudsman

Inquire into and investigate complaints against Tasmanian State Government Departments, Councils and those public authorities listed in Schedule 1 of the Ombudsman Act 1978.

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

• Guidelines for making complaints
• Forms
• Commonwealth Ombudsman

http://www.ombudsman.gov.au

• Online complaint form
• Legislation
• Freedom of Information guide

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Guardianship and Administration Board

Consider applications for substitute decision makers for disabled adults who are unable to make lifestyle or financial decisions for themselves.

http://www.guardianship.tas.gov.au/

• Information on various forms of power of attorney
• Guide to medical consent
• Forms

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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

Indpendent review of administrative decisions made by the Commonwealth government and some 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 Commission of Tasmania

http://www.legalaid.tas.gov.au

• Eligibility information
• Guide to services available
• How to apply for legal aid

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Legal Ombudsman

Monitor and investigate complaints against legal practitioners.

http://www.legalombudsman.tas.gov.au/

• Information on making a complaint

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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
• ScalePlus

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

http://www.thelaw.tas.gov.au

• Legislation in force
• By-laws
• Bills
• Parliamentary website

http://www.aph.gov.au

• Full text legislation
• Full text bills
• Hansard
• Tasmanian Bar Association

http://www.tasmanianbar.com.au/

• Guidelines
• Filing fees

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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.au)

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Motor Accidents Insurance Board

Operates a combined common law/no fault motor accident scheme for Tasmanians.

http://www.maib.tas.gov.au/

• How to make a compensation claim

See also:

• Young People for information on motor vehicle issues - National Children's and Youth Law Centre
• Court Matters for Motor Accidents Compensation Tribunal details (Magistrates Court)

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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/law/states/tas

• Legislation
• Complaint form

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The LIST (Land Information System Tasmania)

A whole of government integrated land information infrastructure with a web-based delivery system.

http://www.thelist.tas.gov.au/

• Title, value and property sale information
• Facility for searches to be ordered online

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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 of Tasmania

Specialist community legal service providing advocacy, education and advice to tenants within Tasmania.

http://www.tutas.org.au/

• Fact sheets
• Information on services available

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Multicultural Tasmania

http://www.dpac.tas.gov.au/divisions/cdd/multitas

• Guide to obtaining a translator/interpreter
• Information on the Interpreter Card

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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Victim's Assistance Unit

A service of Justice Tasmania.

http://www.justice.tas.gov.au/victims

• Compensation application form
• Victims register application form
• Guidelines

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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 eg school issues, bullying, age of consent to sex and being charged with a crime.

Commissioner for Children, Tasmania

Aim to safeguard the rights of the children as set out in the Children Young Persons and their Families Act 1997 and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, insofar as they are expressed in various legislative provisions in Tasmania.

http://www.childcomm.tas.gov.au

• Online complaint/inquiry form
• Convention on the Rights of the Child and relevant legislation

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