Law for Community Workers

Share a story, stop a scam

This week marks Scams Awareness Week. The theme is 'Share a story, stop a scam', to encourage Australians to speak up and report scams. 
Learn more about Scams Awareness Week: www.scamwatch.gov.au
Read Legal Aid NSW's information about cyber safety
Watch Legal Aid NSW's webinar about scams
Report a scam via Scamwatch
Contact IDCARE to create a free plan if you've been scammed: 1800 595 160 www.idcare.org
Speak to a financial counsellor: 1800 007 007 or chat online
24/7 crisis support: Beyond Blue or Lifeline 
Subscribe to our Law for Community Workers Alert
The stories shared in this episode are provided by IDcare: www.idcare.org
Listen to Dr. Kate Gould and more stories by the ACCC on YouTube
 
Disclaimer: This podcast is a general guide to the law. You should not rely on it as legal advice. We recommend that you talk to a lawyer about any particular situation. The information is correct at the time of publishing but it may change. For more information, start with our team at LawAccess NSW via webchat at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529. 
 
 

Visa cancellation - what it means for people in prison

This episode was originally recorded for our Law Matters podcast for people in prison. 
If you work with people in prison or other people who are on a visa, this episode may be relevant to you. We've included tips for community and support workers. 
Legal Aid NSW has an Immigration Service which is a specialist service of Legal Aid NSW. They can provide free legal advice, assistance and representation about refugee law and other immigration matters. If you have an immigration or citizenship question, start with our team at LawAccess NSW. They can give you legal information and connect you with services that can help you, including the Legal Aid NSW Immigration Service. Click on the ‘Chat with us’ button at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au or call 1300 888 529.
 
Disclaimer: This podcast is a general guide to the law. You should not rely on it as legal advice. We recommend that you talk to a lawyer about any particular situation. The information is correct at the time of publishing but it may change. For more information, start with our team at LawAccess NSW via webchat at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529. 

Coercive control - what you need to know

In this short episode, we give a rundown of the new coercive control criminal offence and why it's important for all community workers to understand this new law. Subscribe to our Law for Community Workers Alert and follow this podcast to be the first to know about upcoming training and information on coercive control. 
How can I find out more about coercive control?
Sign up to our Law for Community Workers webinar on Coercive Control, September 17 1pm
Visit the NSW Government website: www.nsw.gov.au/coercivecontrol 
Watch this webinar for domestic and family violence specialist workers: Webinar - Coercive control: what do domestic and family violence specialist workers need to know?
Complete Legal Aid NSW's eLearning course on the fundamentals of coercive control and the new legislation. It has been developed for lawyers and domestic and family violence specialist workers. You may find some parts of the course more relevant to your work than others, and you can complete whichever parts of the course you choose. To access and register for the course through our Learning Management System (LMS) visit 2024 eLearning - Introduction to coercive control. If you do not have a log in, please register for our Learning Management System.
Read Legal Aid NSW's information page about coercive control
Listen to Legal Aid NSW Criminal Law Division's podcast about coercive control
Check out our tip sheets:
CDPVA amendments tip sheet for DFV specialist workers (PDF, 156 kb)
The new coercive control offence tip sheet for DFV specialist workers (PDF, 191 kb)
Other references
What is coercive control?
Criminalisation of Coercive Control (Issues paper, Australian Women Against Violence Alliance)
View the transcript for this episode.If you are affected by the themes in this episode, help is available. Contact 1800 Respect on 1800 737 732 or via 1800respect.org.au 
 
Disclaimer: This podcast is a general guide to the law. You should not rely on it as legal advice. We recommend that you talk to a lawyer about any particular situation. The information is correct at the time of publishing but it may change. For more information, start with our team at LawAccess NSW via webchat at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529. 

Workplace sexual harassment and discrimination

What is sexual harassment at work? What is discrimination? How can community workers help clients who have experienced sexual harassment and/or discrimination at work?
 
In this episode, Yasmine from the Community Legal Education team joins Katja from the Respect at Work Legal Service for a run down of this legal issue and tips for community workers. 
 
Find out more about Respect at Work Legal Service: https://bit.ly/4bo8ybz 
Contact our team at LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529 or via webchat at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/contact-us
Transcript: https://adobe.ly/3znEAXT
 
Disclaimer: This podcast is a general guide to the law. You should not rely on it as legal advice. We recommend that you talk to a lawyer about any particular situation. The information is correct at the time of publishing but it may change. For more information, start with our team at LawAccess NSW via webchat at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529. 

A Place to Call Home: Episode 2 - North Coast Community Housing – Together Homes

This is Part 2 in our podcast series exploring homelessness in Australia and the legal issues people experience when they are homeless or at risk of homelessness.  During this series we will be speaking to people from different services providing support and legal advice to those experiencing homelessness.  
In this 2nd episode, Bridget from the Community Legal Education Branch speaks to Damian Bozanic from North Coast Community Housing about the Together Homes programme that supports people who are rough sleeping transition into housing. 
There is useful information in this episode about how community workers working with rough sleepers can support these clients. 
 
Use the links below to find out more information about what we talked about in this episode. 
Together Home is a key initiative to support the Premier’s Priority to halve street homelessness by 2025. 
https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/help/ways/are-you-homeless/together-home 
Together Home program guidelines: https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/download?file=812695  
Fact sheet for service providers: https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/download?file=812803  
Fact sheet for participants: https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/download?file=812804  
Together Home FAQs https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/download?file=812805  
 
North Coast Community Housing 
https://www.ncch.org.au/  
Ph. 02 66275300 
Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/S4kDf5fNKnub-_CRb-5303CcdQE?
Editing by Yasmine Lewis from Legal Aid NSW 
Please send questions, comments and feedback to cle@legalaid.nsw.gov.au 
Disclaimer: This podcast is a general guide to the law. You should not rely on it as legal advice. We recommend that you talk to a lawyer about any particular situation. The information is correct at the time of publishing but it may change. For more information, start with our team at LawAccess NSW via webchat at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529. 

What is elder abuse?

June 15 marked World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. In this short episode, we highlight what elder abuse is and give a preview of a special episode on the topic that we have coming up. 
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this episode, contact 1800RESPECT. Call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732, chat online or video call via 1800respect.org.au.
For more information about World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, visit the website - www.elderabuseawarenessday.org.au
Find out about the Elder Abuse Service: Elder Abuse Service (nsw.gov.au)
Contact Legal Aid NSW: 1300 888 529 or via webchat at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au 
Sign up to our Law for Community Workers Alert: Legal Aid NSW - Subscribe
Listen to our podcast series about Elder Abuse, Hard Conversations: https://lawforcommunityworkers.podbean.com/category/hard-conversations-series Transcript: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:AP:fa0e9811-7be4-49ae-b685-d8cd2f1f85eb 
 
Disclaimer: This podcast is a general guide to the law. You should not rely on it as legal advice. We recommend that you talk to a lawyer about any particular situation. The information is correct at the time of publishing but it may change. For more information, start with our team at LawAccess NSW via webchat at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529. 

A Place to Call Home: Episode 7 - Aboriginal Women Leaving Custody Project

This is Part 7 in our podcast series exploring homelessness in Australia and the legal issues people experience when they are homeless or at risk of homelessness.  During this series we will be speaking to people from different services providing support and legal advice to those experiencing homelessness and to people with lived experience of homelessness.
We acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which this episode was made and pay our respects to Elders past and present.
In this 7th episode, Bridget from the Community Legal Education Branch speaks with Denise and Lowanna who work in Legal Aid NSW’s Aboriginal Women Leaving Custody project.  Denise and Lowanna work with women in correctional centres who are at risk of homelessness when they are in custody or preparing to leave custody. 
There is useful information in this episode about how community workers can support people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Use the links below to find out more information about what we talked about in this episode.
The Legal Aid NSW contact number in prison is #2 on the prisoner CADL phone.
Department of Communities and Justice housing policies:
https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/help/eligibility/social-housing
https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/help
https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/help/applying-assistance/applying
https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/policies/social-housing-eligibility-allocations-policy-supplement/chapters/urgent-housing-needs
https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/policies/social-housing-eligibility-allocations-policy-supplement/chapters/housing-evidence
https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/community-housing-policies/transitional-plus
https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/aboriginal-housing/overview
https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/help/ways/are-you-homeless/together-home
https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/help/applying-assistance/waiting-times
https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/help/ways/domestic-family-violence
 
Download transcript
Music: Warm Romance Sunset by Bobby Cole
Please send questions, comments and feedback to cle@legalaid.nsw.gov.au

A Place to Call Home: Episode 6 - Prisoners Entering or Leaving Custody

This is Part 6 in our podcast series exploring homelessness in Australia and the legal issues people experience when they are homeless or at risk of homelessness.  During this series we will be speaking to people from different services providing support and legal advice to those experiencing homelessness and to people with lived experience of homelessness.
We acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which this episode was made and pay our respects to Elders past and present.
In this 6th episode, Bridget from the Community Legal Education Branch speaks to Olivia who works in Legal Aid NSW’s homeless outreach service.  Olivia works with many clients who are at risk of homelessness when they are going into custody or when leaving custody.
There is useful information in this episode about how community workers can support people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Use the links below to find out more information about what we talked about in this episode.
Department of Communities and Justice housing policies:
https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/help/eligibility/social-housing
https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/help
https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/help/applying-assistance/applying
https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/policies/social-housing-eligibility-allocations-policy-supplement/chapters/urgent-housing-needs
https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/policies/social-housing-eligibility-allocations-policy-supplement/chapters/housing-evidence
https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/community-housing-policies/transitional-plus
https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/aboriginal-housing/overview
https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/help/ways/are-you-homeless/together-home
https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/help/applying-assistance/waiting-times
https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/help/ways/domestic-family-violence
 Transcript: Download transcript
Music: Warm Romance Sunset by Bobby Cole
Please send questions, comments and feedback to cle@legalaid.nsw.gov.au
 
Disclaimer: This podcast is a general guide to the law. You should not rely on it as legal advice. We recommend that you talk to a lawyer about any particular situation. The information is correct at the time of publishing but it may change. For more information, start with our team at LawAccess NSW via webchat at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529. 

Care and protection in NSW – what’s new?

In this episode, Legal Aid NSW family lawyers Sarah and Claudia will explain what’s new in Care and Protection in NSW including:
Reforms that started on 15 November 2023 around ‘active efforts’ that need to be made by DCJ
Changes that started in November 2022 around presumptions to remove children
Changes to early intervention and early referral to legal advice through the Legal Assistance for Families Partnership Agreement (LAFPA)
The Families is Culture report that led to the reforms.
Here are the links mentioned in the podcast:
Care and protection (nsw.gov.au)
LAFPA (nsw.gov.au)
Publications and resources (nsw.gov.au)
 
For legal help, please contact:
Legal Aid NSW | Home
Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited (alsnswact.org.au)Transcript:
Download transcript
 
Disclaimer: This podcast is a general guide to the law. You should not rely on it as legal advice. We recommend that you talk to a lawyer about any particular situation. The information is correct at the time of publishing but it may change. For more information, start with our team at LawAccess NSW via webchat at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529. 

A Place to Call Home: Episode 5 - Rachel’s Story

This is Part 5 in our podcast series exploring homelessness in Australia and the legal issues people experience when they are homeless or at risk of homelessness.  During this series we will be speaking to people from different services providing support and legal advice to those experiencing homelessness and to people with lived experience of homelessness.
We acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which this episode was made, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation and pay our respects to Elders past and present.
In this 5th episode, Bridget from the Community Legal Education Branch speaks to Rachel, a person with lived experience of homelessness. 
We wish to acknowledge and thank Rachel, David and Rebecca who all shared their experiences of homelessness with us.  We also thank the Homeless Persons Legal Service, part of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre for putting us in touch with the StreetCare team.
There is useful information in this episode about how community workers can support people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
 
Use the links below to find out more information about what we talked about in this episode.
Homeless Persons’ Legal ServicePh. 61 2 8898 6545Fx. 61 2 8898 6555hpls@piac.asn.au
https://piac.asn.au/projects/homelessness/
The Big Issue
https://thebigissue.org.au/
Music: Warm Romance Sunset by Bobby Cole
Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/JGulZMp80-HsLCSH5GOpqYBB9xQ?utm_source=copy_url
Please send questions, comments and feedback to cle@legalaid.nsw.gov.au
 
Disclaimer: This podcast is a general guide to the law. You should not rely on it as legal advice. We recommend that you talk to a lawyer about any particular situation. The information is correct at the time of publishing but it may change. For more information, start with our team at LawAccess NSW via webchat at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529. 

Rostered On: Employment Rights Legal Service

In this episode, Stephanie Hawes from Legal Aid NSW chats to Madeleine Causbrook from the Employment Rights Legal Service about their service and a case study on sexual harassment in the workplace.
Legal services:Employment Rights Legal Service: www.erls.org.au and 02 8004 3270
Kingsford Legal Centre website: www.klc.unsw.edu.au  and 02 9385 9566
Legal Aid NSW's Respect At Work Legal Service: 02 9072 2333LawAccess: 1300 888 529 Support services:Lifeline: 13 11 14
Bravehearts: 1800 272 83111800 RESPECT: 1800 737 7320
 
Transcript
 
Disclaimer: This podcast is a general guide to the law. You should not rely on it as legal advice. We recommend that you talk to a lawyer about any particular situation. The information is correct at the time of publishing but it may change. For more information, start with our team at LawAccess NSW via webchat at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529. 
 

A Place to Call Home: Episode 4 - Homelessness in veterans

This is Part 4 in our podcast series exploring homelessness in Australia and the legal issues people experience when they are homeless or at risk of homelessness.  During this series we will be speaking to people from different services providing support and legal advice to those experiencing homelessness.
We acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which this episode was made, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation and pay our respects to Elders past and present.
In this 4th episode, Bridget from the Community Legal Education Branch speaks to Esther and Danu, solicitors from the Veterans’ Advocacy Service.  The Veterans’ Advocacy Service is a specialised service within the Government Law Service in the Civil Division of Legal Aid NSW.
There is useful information in this episode about how community workers working with veterans can help them identify themselves and refer them for legal help .
 
Use the links below to find out more information about what we talked about in this episode.
Veterans Advocacy Service (VAS) can be contacted by:
Telephone: 9219 5148
Email: veterans@legalaid.nsw.gov.au
The website: Veteran (nsw.gov.au)
Writing to them at PO Box K847, Haymarket NSW 1240
Sending a fax to: (02) 9219 5145;
Attending 323 Castlereagh Street (cnr Hay St) Haymarket between 9am – 5pm. 
See reception on the ground floor.
If you live in a regional area, you can also contact the VAS through your local Legal Aid office or ex-service organisation.
For publications to display in your workplace, go to:
Veteran (nsw.gov.au), Scroll down the page to “Resources” – Have you served in the military?
Or go to: Publications and resources (nsw.gov.au) and type “Veterans” or “Military” into the Keyword to see our range of posters, fact sheets and wallet cards you can order or print.
For other supports go to:
Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling
Legacy – Supporting our veterans' families since 1923.
Other relevant links:
Homepage | Department of Veterans' Affairs (dva.gov.au)
Aged care resources | Department of Veterans' Affairs (dva.gov.au)
Compensation claims | Department of Veterans' Affairs (dva.gov.au)
Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/JyomD9olPvU2569tCkV1A6ZfiRI?utm_source=copy_url
Please send questions, comments and feedback to cle@legalaid.nsw.gov.au
 
Disclaimer: This podcast is a general guide to the law. You should not rely on it as legal advice. We recommend that you talk to a lawyer about any particular situation. The information is correct at the time of publishing but it may change. For more information, start with our team at LawAccess NSW via webchat at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529. 

Pay increases on 1 July 2023 – are you affected?

On 1 July 2023 a number of employment law changes commenced, including an increase to the National Minimum Wage.
 
In this episode, Giles from Legal Aid NSW’s employment law team, describes:
some of the most significant changes,
how to check if you’re getting paid the correct amount (use this tool from the Fair Work Ombudsman: A.C.T Pay Calculator - Find your award (fairwork.gov.au)),
how to have a conversation with your employer if you’re not getting paid the correct amount,
what steps you can take if your employer refuses to pay you what you’re entitled to, and
where you can go for legal help - Contact us (nsw.gov.au).
 
Giles also highlights the work of Legal Aid NSW’s Respect at Work Legal Service who provide trauma-informed legal services to people who have experienced sexual harassment and/or discrimination in the workplace.
 
View a transcript of this podcast here. 
 
Disclaimer: This podcast is a general guide to the law. You should not rely on it as legal advice. We recommend that you talk to a lawyer about any particular situation. The information is correct at the time of publishing but it may change. For more information, start with our team at LawAccess NSW via webchat at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529. 

The Whys and Woes of Making a Will - NSW Trustee and Guardian June 2023

Your Will is an important legal document outlining your wishes for when you pass away. It details: 
who you want to receive your assets 
who you want to receive specific personal and heirloom items 
any religious or cultural arrangements for your funeral 
who you want as a legal guardian for any children under 18 years 
who you choose to be your executor when you pass away. 
As an Aboriginal person, you may have culturally sensitive requirements to document in your Will. These may include how to provide for:  
kinship 
burial 
secret knowledge.
Fees: Fees | NSW Trustee and Guardian 
 
NSW Trustee and Guardian website: www.tag.nsw.gov.au  
Contact TaG: 1300 109 290 Locked Bag 5115 PARRAMATTA 2124 
Wills: Wills | NSW Trustee and Guardian 
Appointments: Wills and estate planning appointments | NSW Trustee and Guardian 
Subscribe to the newsletter: Stay up to date | NSW Trustee and Guardian 
 
 
Link to Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/280gIKn5gyJvZZx9D6Zd0syqMLU?utm_source=copy_url 
 
Acknowledgments
The music in our Law for Community Workers on the go podcasts is Blue Highway by Podington Bear licensed under Creative Commons: Attribution Non-Commercial 3.0 Licence
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/
Legal Aid NSW has met all our legal copyright and intellectual property obligations in the preparation of these podcasts.
 
Disclaimer: This podcast is a general guide to the law. You should not rely on it as legal advice. We recommend that you talk to a lawyer about any particular situation. The information is correct at the time of publishing but it may change. For more information, start with our team at LawAccess NSW via webchat at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529. 
 

A Place to Call Home: Episode 3 - Homelessness in older women

This is Part 3 in our podcast series exploring homelessness in Australia and the legal issues people experience when they are homeless or at risk of homelessness.  During this series we will be speaking to people from different services providing support and legal advice to those experiencing homelessness.
In this 3rd episode, Bridget from the Community Legal Education Branch speaks to Beverly Baker, Chair of the NSW Older Women’s Network and President of the National Older Women’s Network.
There is useful information in this episode about how community workers working with older women can support these clients.
 
Use the links below to find out more information about what we talked about in this episode.
The Older Women’s Network NSW promotes the rights ,dignity and wellbeing of older women.
Address: 8-10 Victoria Street Newtown NSW 2042
Ph. 61 2 9519 8044, Email: info@ownnsw.org.au, Web: https://ownnsw.org.au/
 
National Older Women’s Network, PO Box 3082 Redfern NSW 2016
Ph. 61 4 3379 2582, Email: admin@nown.org.au, Web: https://ownaustralia.org.au/
 
Women’s Housing Company provides affordable housing to women:
Suite 901, Level 9, 318A Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Ph. 02 9281 1764 or 1300 942 111, Email: contact@womenshousingcompany.org,
Web: https://www.womenshousingcompany.org.au/  Open weekdays 9am – 4.30pm
Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/v1UZkjaQPCIcCUZ1ux9Nll4hoX4?
 
Please send questions, comments and feedback to cle@legalaid.nsw.gov.au
 
Disclaimer: This podcast is a general guide to the law. You should not rely on it as legal advice. We recommend that you talk to a lawyer about any particular situation. The information is correct at the time of publishing but it may change. For more information, start with our team at LawAccess NSW via webchat at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529. 

Strata for Starters - Marrickville LC Strata Collective Sales and Advocacy Service

Strata Collective Sales and Advocacy Service
This episode talks about being a tenant in a strata managed property and being an owner living in a strata managed property.
Marrickville Legal Centre offers free legal advice and assistance to the community of the inner-west, south-west, southern suburbs of Sydney, and beyond. There are 1.5 million people living in our key catchment: that’s 30 per cent of Sydney’s total population.
They acknowledge the Gadigal, Wangal, Guringal, Wallumedegai and Cammeraygal people of the Eora Nation as the first peoples of our region.
In 1979, a group of law students identified a gap in accessible legal services in the inner west of Sydney. Together they established a free legal advice service in a small office in Marrickville Town Hall. The service was staffed on a voluntary basis and specifically targeted the local migrant community. The community response was overwhelming and so marked the creation of NSW’s second community legal centre, two years after Redfern Legal Centre.
Office:  338 Illawarra Road Marrickville NSW 2204
Website: Home - Marrickville Legal Centre (mlc.org.au)
Contact Us: Contact - Marrickville Legal Centre (mlc.org.au)
Phone: (02) 9559 2899
Strata Service: Strata - Marrickville Legal Centre (mlc.org.au)
Factsheets: Factsheets - Marrickville Legal Centre (mlc.org.au)
Newsletter: Get involved - Marrickville Legal Centre (mlc.org.au)  (bottom of the page)
Today, Marrickville Legal Centre has grown its reach to extend legal and related services to over 7000 New South Wales residents each year. Our holistic approach continues to pair direct legal guidance with a broader range of social services, helping people to move forward into a secure future, and we strive to drive policy advocacy in our legal system that instigates meaningful social change.
Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/MS3f6d5bai5NgNlx2KS1FMsE1gI?utm_source=copy_url
 
Acknowledgments
The music in our Law for Community Workers on the go podcasts is Blue Highway by Podington Bear licensed under Creative Commons: Attribution Non-Commercial 3.0 Licence https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/
Legal Aid NSW has met all our legal copyright and intellectual property obligations in the preparation of these podcasts.
 
Disclaimer: This podcast is a general guide to the law. You should not rely on it as legal advice. We recommend that you talk to a lawyer about any particular situation. The information is correct at the time of publishing but it may change. For more information, start with our team at LawAccess NSW via webchat at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529. 
 

Spotlight On Australia’s Animal Defenders Office

The Animal Defenders Office (ADO) is a national non-profit community legal centre that specialises in animal law.
The ADO was incorporated in the Australian Capital Territory in late 2013. In 2017 we were formally recognised and accredited by the Australian National Association of Community Legal Centres as part of the National Accreditation Scheme ("NAS") Phase 2. On 11 May 2022 we were formally accredited by CLCs Australia Inc under NAS Phase 3.
As a community legal centre that focuses on helping animals and animal advocates, the ADO:
Offers free advice and representation for individuals and groups that want to take action for animals; and
Produces information to raise community awareness about animal protection; and
Works to advance animal interests through law reform.
We are a national community legal centre in that we aim to assist individuals and groups from around Australia with matters affecting animals and their (human) defenders.
We are run by volunteers and receive no ongoing government funding.
 
Contact Us
Phone:  0428 416 857
Email: contact@ado.org.au
Website: Animal Defenders Office | Community Legal Centre (ado.org.au)
Factsheets:  Animal Defenders Office | Fact Sheets (ado.org.au)
 
Link to Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/ZjFyyFfpY-gwBKyjFLad9Itw8BM?utm_source=copy_url
 
Acknowledgments
The music in our Law for Community Workers on the go podcasts is Blue Highway by Podington Bear licensed under Creative Commons: Attribution Non-Commercial 3.0 Licence
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/
Legal Aid NSW has met all our legal copyright and intellectual property obligations in the preparation of these podcasts.
 
Disclaimer: This podcast is a general guide to the law. You should not rely on it as legal advice. We recommend that you talk to a lawyer about any particular situation. The information is correct at the time of publishing but it may change. For more information, start with our team at LawAccess NSW via webchat at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529. 
 

On the ground at South West Sydney Legal Fair

In this episode, we visit the South West Sydney Legal fair and chat to different organisations about the things you should know about their service and the ways that community workers can make referrals. 
The South West Sydney Legal Fair is a free legal information event hosted by Legal Aid NSW and the Vietnamese Australian Lawyers Association.  
The groups interviewed in this episode are: 
Vietnamese Australian Lawyers Association (VALA) - info@vala-au.org 
Energy and Water Ombudsman NSW - www.ewon.com.au 
Settlement Services Internation (SSI) - www.ssi.org.au 
Legal Aid NSW – www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au 
Catholic Care Sydney - www.catholiccare.org 
Want to know when the next South West Sydney Legal Fair will be? Email us at cle@legalaid.nsw.gov.au
 
Episode Transcript: https://shorturl.at/aqrPZ
Music: Blue Highway - Poddington Bear
 
Disclaimer: This podcast is a general guide to the law. You should not rely on it as legal advice. We recommend that you talk to a lawyer about any particular situation. The information is correct at the time of publishing but it may change. For more information, start with our team at LawAccess NSW via webchat at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529. 
 

Spotlight On The Environmental Defenders Office

What they do:
Protect Country and culture
Protect habitats and wildlife
Tackle climate change
Sustainable water sharing
Promote healthy communities
Defending the defenders
They run bold and ground-breaking environmental cases to protect our natural world. They can help you and your community use the law to protect the environment. Their team of dedicated and expert lawyers, scientists, communicators and support staff are their most valuable resource in the critical fight to defend the environment. EDO people work in every state and territory of Australia. They provide a supportive and inclusive work environment underpinned by the values of Commitment, Diversity, Integrity and Vision.
 
Website: https://www.edo.org.au/
Legal Resources: Legal resources - Environmental Defenders Office (edo.org.au)
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Link to Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/4b7ul8MeWZ6Y_1jpZxxDPo3DOUE?utm_source=copy_url
 
Acknowledgments
The music in our Law for Community Workers on the go podcasts is Blue Highway by Podington Bear licensed under Creative Commons: Attribution Non-Commercial 3.0 Licence
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ 
Legal Aid NSW has met all our legal copyright and intellectual property obligations in the preparation of these podcasts.
 
Disclaimer: This podcast is a general guide to the law. You should not rely on it as legal advice. We recommend that you talk to a lawyer about any particular situation. The information is correct at the time of publishing but it may change. For more information, start with our team at LawAccess NSW via webchat at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529. 

Spotlight On The Welfare Rights Centre

The Welfare Rights Centre opened its doors in 1983 as part of the community legal centre movement in Australia that began in response to scarcity of affordable legal assistance available to marginalised members of society. Originally co-located with Redfern Legal Centre, the Centre opened its own premises in 1985. Since then it has experienced changes in location, staff, funding sources, law and policy. Throughout these changes, the Welfare Rights Centre has remained the lead service agency in NSW for social security law and policy.
The Welfare Rights Centre is a community legal centre specialising in social security law and family assistance law and its administration by Centrelink.
They provide free legal information, advice and representation to thousands of NSW residents every year who are adversely affected by Centrelink decisions. The Centre also provides education to improve knowledge and understanding about social security law in the community. They use the knowledge and experience they gain through their casework to advocate for reforms to the law and policy that would make the Australian social security system fairer for everyone.
They can advise people about their social security rights, entitlements and obligations and assist people through the social security review and appeals system, including Centrelink internal review and the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. They provide all initial advice by phone.
Contact Information
Phone: 02 9211 5300 OR 1800 226 028 (toll-free from outside Sydney metro area)
Advice intake times
Monday: 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Wednesday: 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Website: https://welfarerightscentre.org.au/
Online Enquiries: https://welfarerightscentre.org.au/need-help
Community Legal Education: https://welfarerightscentre.org.au/community-legal-education
Facebook: Welfare Rights Centre NSW | Sydney NSW | Facebook
Twitter: Welfare Rights (@welfare_rights) / Twitter
 
Link to Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/DQPnNtnHXQJOSeT9oSQuifIj69Y?utm_source=copy_url 
 
Acknowledgments
The music in our Law for Community Workers on the go podcasts is Blue Highway by Podington Bear licensed under Creative Commons: Attribution Non-Commercial 3.0 Licence
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ 
Legal Aid NSW has met all our legal copyright and intellectual property obligations in the preparation of these podcasts.
 
Disclaimer: This podcast is a general guide to the law. You should not rely on it as legal advice. We recommend that you talk to a lawyer about any particular situation. The information is correct at the time of publishing but it may change. For more information, start with our team at LawAccess NSW via webchat at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529.