Legal Resources Guide

Arts Law Centre of Australia

National 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

Arts Law Centre of Queensland

Community legal centre providing legal and accounting advice for artists.

http://www.artslawqld.org.au

• Information sheets and links on key issues
• Service information

IP Australia

Grant and maintain Patents, Designs and Trademarks.

http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au

• Patent and Trademark forms
• Database of registrations

« Back to index

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

« Back to index

Office of Fair Trading (Qld)

http://www.consumer.qld.gov.au

• Publications
• Legislation
• Forms
• Links to departments, tribunals and registries

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 Consumer Protection Office

Primary dispute resolution service for Queensland energy customers.

http://www.ecpo.qld.gov.au

• How to make a complaint
• Guide to mediation

Australian Banking Industry Ombudsman

Dispute resolution service dealing with disputes that individuals and small business have with their financial providers.

http://www.abio.org.au

• Policies and procedures including Jurisdiction Checker
• Terms of reference
• 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).

http://www.miaa.com.au/ombudsman.html

• 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

Credit Union Dispute Resolution Centre

Free independent resolution service for participating credit union members.

http://www.cudrc.com.au

• How to make a complaint
• Jurisdiction guidelines
• List of participating credit unions

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

Health Rights Commission

Deal with complaints about health care providers and services.

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

• Information on how to make a complaint
• Guide to the conduct of investigations

See also:

• Court Matters for Commercial & Consumer Tribunal information
• National Children's and Youth Law Centre for information on mobile phones. See Young People for contact details

« Back to index

Queensland Courts

Supreme, District, Magistrates, Children's, Planning & Environment and Mental Health.

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

• Judgments
• Information
• Practice & Procedure

Department of Justice and Attorney-General

http://www.justice.qld.gov.au

• Court information
• Information ranging from fines to domestic violence

Federal Magistrates Service

Independent federal court.

http://www.fms.gov.au

• Judgments
• Procedures
• Forms

Commonwealth Courts

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

• Links to Commonwealth Courts and Tribunals

Commercial and Consumer Tribunal Registry

Consumer Commercial Tribunal and the Racing Appeals Tribunal.

http://www.tribunals.qld.gov.au

• Tribunal contact details
• Application forms
• Legislation

See also:

• Family Law for Family Court details
• Guardianship for Tribunal contact details
• Immigration for Tribunal contact details
• Social Security for Tribunal information

« Back to index

Queensland Advocacy Incorporated

Independent, community-based systems and legal advocacy organisation for people with a disability in Queensland.

http://www.qai.org.au

• Links
• "Learning online" section with information on community living, rights and ethics issues

Mental Health Association

Provides information about mental health issues and mental health services.

http://www.mentalhealth.org.au

• Fact sheets on mental illness

See also:

• Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission: Disability Rights Unit. See Discrimination for contact details
• Guardianship for Guardianship and Administration Tribunal

« Back to index

Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission

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

http://www.hreoc.gov.au

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

Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland

Independent statutory authority which administers the Anti-Discrimination Act.

http://www.adcq.qld.gov.au

• Multilingual information
• Forms
• Practice Directions
• Training programs

« Back to index

Department of Justice and Attorney-General

http://www.justice.qld.gov.au/courts/dv.htm

• Information on applying for orders
• Domestic violence legislation and court protocols
• Domestic violence support organisations

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

See also:

• Legal Aid for Best Practice Guidelines in relation to domestic violence clients

« Back to index

Queensland Department of Industrial Relations

http://www.dir.qld.gov.au

• Links to related organisations
• Legislation
• Entitlements and conditions

Queensland Industrial Relations Commission

http://www.qirc.qld.gov.au

• Decisions
• Wages and Awards
• Acts, rules and regulations

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

Office of the Employment Advocate

Provide assistance and advice to employers and employees on the Workplace Relations Act 1996, particularly regarding Australian Workplace Agreements and freedom of association.

http://www.oea.gov.au

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

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

Queensland Working Women's Service

Advisory servicer for women on all employment-related matters.

http://www.qwws.org.au

• Information sheets

Young Workers Advisory Service

Queensland Government initiative

http://www.ywas.org

• Information sheets

WorkCover Queensland

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

• Claims information
• Legislative amendments
• Processes

Q-COMP

Workers Compensation Regulatory Service of Queensland.

http://www.qcomp.com.au

• Forms
• Reviews and appeals information
• Rehabilitation information

Comcare

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

http://www.comcare.gov.au

• Forms
• Processes
• Legislation
• Incident notification information

Australian Workplace

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

http://www.workplace.gov.au

• Wages and conditions
• Employment legislation and policy information
• Details of available schemes

« Back to index

Environmental Defenders Office

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

http://www.edo.org.au/edoqld/index.html and http://www.edo.org.au/edonq.html for North Queensland

• Fact sheets
• Advice
• Campaign information

« Back to index

Family Court of Australia

http://www.familycourt.gov.au

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

Family Law Online

Attorney-General's Department initiative.

http://www.familylaw.gov.au

• Information sorted by topic
• Links

Child Support Agency

http://www.csa.gov.au

• Legislative information
• Forms
• Links to organisations

Queensland Births Deaths and Marriages

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

• Certificate application forms

See also:

• Young People for relevant information and links

« Back to index

Office of the Information Commissioner Qld

Resolve disputes about decisions by Queensland government agencies concerning access to documents or amendment of documents, and some other issues, under the Freedom of Information Act 1992 Qld.

http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/infocomm

• Review forms
• Practitioner guidelines
• Information sheets

Department of Justice and Attorney-General - Freedom of Information

http://www.justice.qld.gov.au/dept/foi.htm

• Information on obtaining documents
• Links to legislation

« Back to index

Gay and Lesbian Rights Welfare Association

Non-profit organisation concerned for the welfare of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities.

http://www.glwa.org.au/index.html

• Information resources
• Links

« Back to index

Queensland Law Society

http://www.qls.com.au

• Information brochures
• Support resources
• Search for a solicitor

Law for You

Plain English legal information - Australia.

http://www.law4u.com.au

• Search by State and Territory
• Information and links listed by topic

« Back to index

Queensland Ombudsman

Investigate complaints about the actions and decisions of Queensland's state and local government agencies or their staff.

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

• Complaint forms and guidelines
• Legislation

Commonwealth Ombudsman

http://www.ombudsman.gov.au

• Online complaint form
• Legislation
• Freedom of Information guide

« Back to index

Department of Justice and Attorney-General

http://www.justice.qld.gov.au/guardian

• Roles of guardian
• Complaints process
• Planning information

Guardianship and Administration Tribunal

http://www.justice.qld.gov.au/guardian/gaat.htm

• Application forms
• Practice directions
• Supporting materials

« Back to index

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

« Back to index

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 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

« Back to index

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 Network of Indigenous Women's Legal Services

All members of the network provide legal advice and assistance to Indigenous women and children.

http://www.nwjc.org.au/awlsn/index.htm

• Contact details for member services

« Back to index

Queensland Legal Aid

Provide legal assistance to financially and socially disadvantaged people in Queensland.

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

• The type of matters legal aid undertakes
• Publications including self-help kits
• Legal information
• Links

« Back to index

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

http://scaleplus.law.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

Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Council

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

• State legislation and legislative data
• Bills

Parliamentary website

http://www.aph.gov.au

• Full text bills
• Hansard
• Parliamentary committees

« Back to index

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)

« Back to index

Motor Accidents Insurance Commission

Responsible for regulating and managing Queensland's compulsory third party scheme.

http://www.maic.qld.gov.au

• Claims information
• Forms and information for legal practitioners

See also:

• Young People for information on motor vehicle issues - National Children's and Youth Law Centre

« Back to index

Prisoners Legal Service Inc

Community legal service providing advice and assistance to prisoners.

http://www.angelfire.com/space/pls/

• Legal information pamphlets
• Submissions

« Back to index

Department of Justice and Attorney-General

Privacy scheme implemented by administrative rather than legislative means.

http://www.justice.qld.gov.au/dept/privacy.htm

• Principles and standards
• Guide for government departments

The Office of the Federal Privacy Commissioner

Promote privacy in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988.

http://www.privacy.gov.au

• Legislation
• Complaint form

« Back to index

Queensland Land Registry

http://www.nrm.qld.gov.au/property/titles/

• Search forms online

« Back to index

Queensland Public Interest Law Clearing House (QPILCH)

Assessment, research and referral service.

http://www.qpilch.org.au

• Criteria and procedures
• Resources
• Links

« Back to index

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 eligibility
• 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

« Back to index

Tenants' Union Queensland

Statewide, community-based advice and advocacy organisation for tenants.

http://www.tuq.org.au/

• Links to other tenancy and housing services
• Facts sheets
• Multilingual information

« Back to index

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

« Back to index

Victims of Crime Association of Queensland

Provide information, practical and emotional support to victims of crime and their families.

http://www.vocaq.asn.au

• Information on advocacy and support services available

« Back to index

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 Community legal centre providing legal advice, advocacy and education in respect of legal issues as they impact on children and young people. of consent to sex and being charged with a crime.

Commission for Children and Young People

Promotes and protects the rights, interests and well-being of all children and young people in Queensland.

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

• Online enquiry/complaint facility
• UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

Logan Youth Legal Service

Provide advice and assistance to young people in Logan city area.

http://www.yfs.org.au/legal

• Links to human rights conventions

Department of Families

http://www.families.qld.gov.au

• Guide to juvenile justice and community conferences

See also:

• Employment for the Young Worker's Advisory Service

« Back to index