There are pro bono referral schemes and organisations (PBROs) in every state and territory in Australia. PBROs can assist individuals and not-for-profit organisations by referring legal matters to solicitors, law firms or barristers who are willing to take on matters pro bono (i.e. free of charge, or for a substantially reduced rate).
In most cases, to obtain pro bono assistance from a PBRO you should first contact them by phone. They will then assess whether they can accept your matter, based on:
- the merit of the matter (whether it is likely to succeed)
- your means (your income and assets)
- the area of law (whether they have lawyers available who have expertise in your matter)
- the availability of other assistance (as pro bono is a last resort, you should first apply for assistance from Legal Aid and/or a community legal centre)
- the public interest (some pro bono referral organisations can only take on matters that they judge to be in the public interest).
If your matter meets the criteria above, they may then send you an application form for completion. Once you have returned the form and they have accepted your application, the organisation will then attempt to refer you to a solicitor, law firm or barrister with the right expertise.
The following is a list of key pro bono referral schemes and organisations:
LawHelp
Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC)
PO Box 29, Woden ACT 2606
Tel: 1800 622 431
Email: LawHelp@oric.gov.au
Web: www.oric.gov.au/free-services-through-oric/lawhelp
LawHelp is a service that was started by ORIC and volunteer lawyers. It gives not-for-profit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 access to legal help. It is not available for individuals.
Cancer Council Pro Bono Program
Tel: 13 11 20
Website: http://www.cancercouncil.com.au/get-support/pro-bono-program/
Cancer Council operates a pro bono legal referral service in relation to legal matters faced by those living with cancer. Lawyers may be able to help with wills and powers of attorney, access to superannuation, Centrelink disputes, credit and debt problems, insurance disputes, employment law, and other matters. The referral service is means tested.
ACT Pro Bono Clearing House
c/- ACT Law Society
GPO Box 1562, Canberra ACT 2601
Tel: (02) 6247 0300
Email: mail@actlawsociety.asn.au
Web: http://www.actlawsociety.asn.au/for-the-public/legal-help/clearing-house
Run by the ACT Law Society and the ACT Bar Association, the Clearing House deals with public and private interest matters, subject to guidelines. The Clearing House does not deal with family law matters.
The Law Society of the ACT also operates the Legal Advice Bureau that offers free lunch time legal advice from solicitors who volunteer their time on a roster basis from 12.30–2pm, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Wednesday is family law only. By appointment only to the Law Society (02) 6274 0300.
Justice Connect
PO Box 16013 Melbourne VIC 8007
Website: www.justiceconnect.org.au
Contact: http://justiceconnect.org.au/work-with-us/become-a-member/
Justice Connect helps close the justice gap by connecting people and community groups with free legal help.
Member firms benefit from Justice Connect’s innovative approach to improving access to justice. Different members can access to Justice Connect’s Pro Bono Portal, generalist legal clinics and specialist referral services. You can read about membership options on the membership page of its website.
Law Society of NSW
The Pro Bono Scheme
Law Society of New South Wales
Lower Ground Floor
170 Phillip Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Ph: 02 9926 0364
Fax: 02 9231 5809
Website: http://www.lawsociety.com.au/for-the-public/pro-bono-scheme
Means and merits tests applied. Application form and supporting documents required.
The NSW Bar Association
Legal Assistance Referral Scheme
Selborne Chambers
174 Phillip St, Sydney NSW 2000
Ph: 02 9232 4055
Fax: 02 9221 1149
Email: legalassist@nswbar.asn.au
Website: http://nswbar.asn.au/using-barristers/get-legal-assistance/legal-assistance-referral-scheme
Means and merits tests applied. Application form and supporting documents required.
Justice Connect
PO Box 16013 Melbourne VIC 8007
Website: www.justiceconnect.org.au
Contact: http://justiceconnect.org.au/work-with-us/become-a-member/
Justice Connect helps close the justice gap by connecting people and community groups with free legal help.
Member firms benefit from Justice Connect’s innovative approach to improving access to justice. Different members can access to Justice Connect’s Pro Bono Portal, generalist legal clinics and specialist referral services. You can read about membership options on the membership page of its website.
Homeless Persons’ Legal Service (HPLS)
Level 7, 175 Phillip St, Sydney NSW 2000
Ph: (02) 8898 6545
Fax: (02) 8898 6555
Email: homelessproject@piac.asn.au
Website: http://piac.asn.au/projects/homelessness/#read_more
HPLS provides free legal assistance to, and advocacy on behalf of, people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Legal services are provided by pro bono lawyers at crisis accommodation centres and welfare agencies.
Northern Territory Pro Bono Clearing House
C/- The Law Society Northern Territory
GPO Box 2388, Darwin NT 0801
Tel: (08) 8981 5104
Fax: (08) 8941 1623
Email: probono@lawsocietynt.asn.au
Web: lawsocietynt.asn.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=28&Itemid=119
The Northern Territory Pro Bono Clearing House (PBCH) was established in November 2008. It is operated by the Access to Justice Committee of the Law Society Northern Territory. The PBCH does not accept criminal, family, immigration, defamation, native title of land rights matters. Contact the Clearing House coordinator at the Law Society for further information.
Law Society Northern Territory
GPO Box 2388, Darwin NT 0801
Tel: (08) 8981 5104
Fax: (08) 8941 1623
Email: lawsoc@lawsocietynt.asn.au
Web: www.lawsocietynt.asn.au/for-the-community/first-interview-scheme-3.html
Currently the Law Society operates a ‘First Interview Scheme’ whereby participating law firms agree to provide a first half-hour consultation for $99. Contact the Law Society for a list of firms or visit their website for further information.
LawRight (formerly QPILCH)
PO Box 12217, George Street QLD 4003
Ph: (07) 3846 6317
Fax: (07) 3846 6311
Email: admin@lawright.org.au
Website: www.lawright.org.au
LawRight is a research, assessment and referral service, referring civil law cases with legal merit to member barristers and law firms for pro bono assistance. LawRight also conducts direct services through its Homeless Persons’ Legal Clinic, Administrative Law Clinic, Mental Health Law Practice, Refugee Civil Law Clinic and Self-Representation Services (District and Supreme Court and QCAT).
JusticeNet SA
Ligertwood Building, North Terrace, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide SA 5005
Tel: (08) 8313 5005
Fax (08) 8313 0223
Email: admin@justicenet.org.au
Web: www.justicenet.org.au
JusticeNet SA provides free legal help to low-income and disadvantaged individuals and the community organisations that support them. JusticeNet operates a referral service, and a Self-Representation Service for matters in the Federal Court and Federal Circuit Court in SA and the NT.
To qualify for assistance from JusticeNet, applicants must satisfy its eligibility criteria, including that:
- the case has legal merit
- the client must be ineligible for assistance from existing legal services (such as legal aid and community legal centres); and
- the client must be unable to afford a private solicitor or barrister
The Law Society of South Australia (LSSA)
Level 10, 178 North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000
GPO Box 2066, Adelaide SA 5001
Tel: (08) 8229 0200
Email: email@lawsocietysa.asn.au
Website: http://www.lawsocietysa.asn.au/Public/Community/Advisory_Service.aspx?WebsiteKey=f282a980-3d01-4268-abde-25da9e81104d (Legal Advisory Service)
The Law Society of South Australia does not have a pro bono referral scheme but does coordinate the low-cost Legal Advisory Scheme – 5.30 to 7pm, Monday and Wednesday. 20 minutes costs $35 ($25 pension and concession).
Adelaide Legal Outreach Service (ALOS)
11-19 Millers Court, Adelaide SA 5001
Tel: (08) 8118 5200
Email: alos@adelaide.edu.au
Web: law.adelaide.edu.au/free-legal-clinics/adelaide-legal-outreach-service/
ALOS is a referral and legal advice service for people who are homeless or disadvantaged. Operates on Fridays. Run by the University of Adelaide Law School, advice and assistance is provided by law students under the supervision of volunteer lawyers.
Law Society of Tasmania’s Pro Bono Clearing House
28 Murray Street, Hobart TAS 7000
GPO Box 1133, Hobart TAS 7001
Tel: (03) 6234 4133
Fax: (03) 6223 8240
Email: info@lst.org.au
Web: http://lst.org.au/public-info/pro-bono/
The Law Society of Tasmania’s Pro Bono Clearing House was launched in May 2010. The Clearing House won’t accept cases where advice could be provided through the Legal Aid Commission. They will help applicants in cases which either raise a matter of broad public concern, or alternatively matters that have a reasonable prospect of success.
Justice Connect
PO Box 16013 Melbourne VIC 8007
Website: www.justiceconnect.org.au
Contact: http://justiceconnect.org.au/work-with-us/become-a-member/
Justice Connect helps close the justice gap by connecting people and community groups with free legal help.
Member firms benefit from Justice Connect’s innovative approach to improving access to justice. Different members can access to Justice Connect’s Pro Bono Portal, generalist legal clinics and specialist referral services. You can read about membership options on the membership page of its website.
Justice Connect
PO Box 16013 Melbourne VIC 8007
Website: www.justiceconnect.org.au
Contact: http://justiceconnect.org.au/work-with-us/become-a-member/
Justice Connect helps close the justice gap by connecting people and community groups with free legal help.
Member firms benefit from Justice Connect’s innovative approach to improving access to justice. Different members can access to Justice Connect’s Pro Bono Portal, generalist legal clinics and specialist referral services. You can read about membership options on the membership page of its website.
Law Access
PO Box Z5345, Perth WA 6831
Fax: (08) 9324 8699
Email: lawaccess@lawaccess.net.au
Web: www.lawaccess.net.au
The website includes more information, including the eligibility criteria for access to the service. Means and merits tested. Please complete the online application form. The service does not provide any face to face advice or accept applications in person. Email is the fastest and best method of contact.
The Western Australian Bar Association (Inc)
Level 25, Allendale Square, 77 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000
GPO Box C122, Perth, WA 6839
Tel: (08) 9220 0477
Email: info@wabar.asn.au
Web: http://www.wabar.asn.au/pro-bono/information-for-the-public/
The WA Bar does not operate a formal pro bono referral scheme; however, members of the WA Bar provide advice and representation for free or at reduced rates in Western Australian matters subject to a means and merits test. Consistent with barristers’ usual practice, it is extremely unusual for members of the WA Bar to agree to act without a solicitor instructing, particularly when the matter is in court. Applications for pro bono assistance are to be made in writing – by letter or email – for the attention of the President.