Law for Community Workers

Anyone who has had a Centrelink debt since 2003 can now claim money back from Centrelink under a new Scheme - but they need to act fast.
In this episode, Yolanda speaks with Dom Brown, a social security lawyer, about three major legal updates: the validation of income apportionment debts, the introduction of a new resolution scheme offering compensation payments, and expanded pathways for debt waivers, especially for people experiencing vulnerability.If you're supporting someone with a Centrelink debt, or think they may have been affected, this episode offers practical guidance on navigating the system, protecting their rights, and accessing available support.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Factsheet: Debt waivers and benefit restriction notices
Factsheet: Income apportionment validation and resolution scheme
Download the transcript.
Sign up to our Law for Community Workers newsletter. 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 legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529. 

What happens when a child stops attending or is excluded from school - and what are the legal consequences for families and schools?
In this episode, Yolanda takes a deep dive into school law in New South Wales, joined by legal experts Carey and Brodie. Together, they unpack how schools manage attendance and discipline, the legal obligations of parents, and what compulsory schooling orders actually mean in practice.
The conversation explores school exclusion in detail, including suspensions and expulsions, and the rights students have when these decisions are made. You’ll also hear about the complex social factors that sit behind non‑attendance, the respective roles of schools, Legal Aid NSW and community workers, and why early, supportive intervention can be critical in changing a young person’s life course.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Suspension and expulsion procedures | NSW Department of Education
Disability Standards for Education | Australian Government Department of Education
Youth Law Australia | Legal Services for Young People
Shopfront Youth Legal Centre
Marrickville Legal Centre
Community Legal Centres NSW
Chapter markers:
00:03:18 - School attendance rules
00:05:17 - School refusal
00:09:18 - Compulsory schooling orders
00:24:57 - Carey's tips for community workers
00:27:40 - School discipline rules
00:29:49 - Bullying
00:31:37 - Suspension and expulsion legal issues
00:43:30 - Disability and discrimination
00:47:22 - Case studies
00:52:45 - Brodie's tips for community workers
Download the 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 legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529. 
 
 

Hard Conversations is a 6-part podcast series exploring the complexity of elder abuse. It is produced by the Community Legal Education Branch of Legal Aid NSW.
The series was originally recorded several years ago. We have refreshed it because we thought that the conversations are still relevant and will assist anyone who wants to understand more about elder abuse. 
The people we talk with in this series generously shared their understanding of elder abuse, how they think about it in their communities, and ideas about how we can address it together. Many of them no longer work in the same roles and have moved on to other things. However, we think that their expertise, experience and insights remain relevant and valuable.
This first episode was recorded from conversations with social workers, community workers and lawyers from Legal Aid NSW Edler Abuse Service, and the Central Coast Community Legal Centre. Most of the people you will hear in this episode no longer work with these services. The Legal Aid NSW Elder Abuse Service and the Central Coast Community Legal Centre continue to provide services for older people.
You will hear from:
Tracy Jackson- then a social worker at the Central Coast Elder Abuse Service
Bobbi Murray – then an Aboriginal access worker at the Central Coast Community Legal Centre
Barry (BJ ) Duncan- then an Aboriginal access worker at the Central Coast Community Legal Centre/ member Darkinjung Aboriginal Land Council
Mary Lovelock - Solicitor in charge at the Central Coast Elder Abuse Service
Tanya Chapman – then a lawyer at the Central Coast Elder Abuse Service
Download the transcript for this episode.
Other episodes of Hard Conversations:
Ep2: Talking about elder abuse and First Nations communities
Ep3: Talking about elder abuse and culturally diverse communities
Ep4: Talking about engaging with diverse communities
Ep5: Talking about elder abuse and rural and regional communities
Ep6: Dr Kay Patterson - former federal Age Discrimination Commissioner talks about elder abuse
 
More information
Central Coast Community Legal Centre 02 4353 4988
Legal Aid NSW 1300 888 529
Legal Aid NSW Elder Abuse Service (Central Coast and Hunter) - 02 4324 5611
1800 ELDERHelp: National elder abuse phone line- 1800 353 374
NSW Ageing and Disability Commission and Abuse Helpline - 1800 628 221
Seniors Rights Service NSW - 1800 424 079
OPAN (Older Persons Advocacy Network) – 1800 700 600
NSW Aboriginal Land Councils – 02 9689 4444 and Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council – 02 4351 2930
National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations -NACCHO
Relationships Australia Elder Support and Mediation service -1300 364 277
1800 Respect: National Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Counselling  - 1800 737 732
Compass- Guiding action on elder abuse -resources and support directory
Music by Gambirra 
Edited by Jessica Sullivan and Yasmine Lewis: Legal Aid NSW
 
Subscribe to the Legal Aid NSW Elder Abuse Service e-newsletter
This series was made in partnership with the Legal Aid NSW Central Coast Elder Abuse Service, and the Central Coast Community Legal Centre. 
 
Please send your 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 legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529. 
 

Hard Conversations is a 6-part podcast series exploring the complexity of elder abuse. It is produced by the Community Legal Education Branch of Legal Aid NSW.
The series was originally recorded several years ago. We have refreshed it because we thought that the conversations are still relevant and will assist anyone who wants to understand more about elder abuse. 
The people we talk with in this series generously shared their understanding of elder abuse, how they think about it in their communities, and ideas about how we can address it together. Many of them no longer work in the same roles and have moved on to other things. However, we think that their expertise, experience and insights remain relevant and valuable.
 
Download the transcript for this episode.
 
In this second episode we will hear from:
Scott Hawkins – then the manager of the Aboriginal Service Unit at Legal Aid NSW
Barry Duncan (BJ) - previously working as the Aboriginal Access Worker with the Central Coast Community Legal Centre NSW, and was a member of the Darkinjung Aboriginal Land Council
Other episodes of Hard Conversations:
Ep1: Talking about elder abuse
Ep3: Talking about elder abuse and culturally diverse communities
Ep4: Talking about engaging with diverse communities
Ep5: Talking about elder abuse and rural and regional communities
Ep6: Dr Kay Patterson - former federal Age Discrimination Commissioner talks about elder abuse
 
More information
Legal Aid NSW 1300 888 529
Legal Aid NSW Elder Abuse Service (Central Coast and Hunter) - 02 4324 5611
Central Coast Community Legal Centre 02 4353 4988
1800 ELDERHelp: National elder abuse phone line- 1800 353 374
 NSW Ageing and Disability Commission and Abuse Helpline - 1800 628 221
Seniors Rights Service NSW - 1800 424 079
OPAN (Older Persons Advocacy Network) – 1800 700 600
NSW Aboriginal Land Councils – 02 9689 4444
Central Coast Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations include:  Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council: Barang Regional Alliance: Bungree Aboriginal Association: Home - Mingaletta: Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Services
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged care | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations -NACCHO
Relationships Australia Elder Support and Mediation service -1300 364 277
Compass- Guiding action on elder abuse -resources and support directory
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
13YARN - Call 13 92 76 | 24 /7 Crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
Lifeline 131114 
 
Music by Gambirra 
Edited by Jessica Sullivan and Yasmine Lewis: Legal Aid NSW
 
This series was made in partnership with the Legal Aid NSW Central Coast Elder Abuse Service, and the Central Coast Community Legal Centre. 
 
Please send your 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 legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529.

Hard conversations is a 6-part podcast series exploring the complexity of elder abuse. It is produced by the Community Legal Education Branch of Legal Aid NSW.
The series was originally recorded several years ago. We have refreshed it because we thought that the conversations are still relevant and will assist anyone who wants to understand more about elder abuse. 
The people we talk with in this series generously shared their understanding of elder abuse, how they think about it in their communities, and ideas about how we can address it together. Many of them no longer work in the same roles and have moved on to other things. However, we think that their expertise, experience and insights remain relevant and valuable.
In this 3rd episode we talk with Jenelyn Terkildsen about elder abuse in culturally and linguistically diverse communities. This episode was recorded when Jenelyn was working as a Multicultural Access Project Officer at ConnectAbility on the Central Coast NSW. This role no longer exists.
 
Download the transcript for this episode.
 
Other episodes of 'Hard conversations':
Ep1: Talking about elder abuse
Ep2: Talking about elder abuse and First Nations communities
Ep4: Talking about engaging with diverse communities
Ep5: Talking about elder abuse and rural and regional communities
Ep6: Dr Kay Patterson - former federal Age Discrimination Commissioner talks about elder abuse
 
 More information
Legal Aid NSW Elder Abuse Service 02 4324 5611
Legal Aid NSW  1300 888 529
Central Coast Community Legal Centre 02 4353 4988
1800 ELDERHelp: National elder abuse phone line- 1800 353 374
NSW Ageing and Disability Commission and Abuse Helpline - 1800 628 221
Seniors Rights Service NSW 1800 424 079
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission 1800 951 822
Statement of Rights | Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
OPAN (Older Persons Advocacy Network) – 1800 237 981
1800 Respect: National Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Counselling  - 1800 737 732
Carers NSW - 1800 242 636
Speak My Language | Podcasts from CALD and indigenous communities
Compass- Guiding action on elder abuse -resources and support directory
Partners in Culturally Appropriate Aged Care
Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing
Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) 131450
Lifeline   131114  
Beyond Blue  1300 22 4636
Music by Gambirra 
Edited by Jessica Sullivan and Yasmine Lewis: Legal Aid NSW
This series was made in partnership with the Legal Aid NSW Central Coast Elder Abuse Service, and the Central Coast Community Legal Centre. 
Please send your 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 legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529
 

Hard Conversations is a 6-part podcast series exploring the complexity of elder abuse. It is produced by the Community Legal Education Branch of Legal Aid NSW.
The series was originally recorded several years ago. We have refreshed it because we thought that the conversations are still relevant and will assist anyone who wants to understand more about elder abuse. 
The people we talk with in this series generously shared their understanding of elder abuse, how they think about it in their communities, and ideas about how we can address it together. Many of them no longer work in the same roles and have moved on to other things. However, we think that their expertise, experience and insights remain relevant and valuable.
In this 4th episode we talk with Diana Bernard. Diana is the former manager of education and special projects at the Seniors Rights Service.  The Seniors Rights Service continues to provide valuable services in the area of elder abuse.
Download the transcript for this episode.
Other episodes of Hard Conversations: 
Ep1: Talking about elder abuse
Ep2: Talking about elder abuse and First Nations communities
Ep3: Talking about elder abuse and culturally diverse communities
Ep5: Talking about elder abuse and rural and regional communities
Ep6: Dr Kay Patterson - former federal Age Discrimination Commissioner talks about elder abuse
 
 More information
Seniors Rights Service NSW 1800 424 079
Legal Aid NSW Elder Abuse Service 02 4324 5611
Legal Aid NSW  1300 888 529
1800 ELDERHelp: National elder abuse phone line- 1800 353 374
NSW Ageing and Disability Commission and Abuse Helpline - 1800 628 221
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission 1800 951 822
OPAN (Older Persons Advocacy Network) – 1800 237 981
NSW Aboriginal Land Councils – 02 9689 4444
Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations -NACCHO
1800 Respect: National Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Counselling  - 1800 737 732
Speak My Language | Podcasts from CALD and indigenous communities
Compass- Guiding action on elder abuse -resources and support directory
Partners in Culturally Appropriate Aged Care
Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing
Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) 131450
Lifeline   131114  
Beyond Blue  1300 22 4636
 
Music by Gambirra 
Edited by Jessica Sullivan and Yasmine Lewis from Legal Aid NSW and Bernadette Nguyen from Audiocraft.
 
This series was made in partnership with the Legal Aid NSW Central Coast Elder Abuse Service, and the Central Coast Community Legal Centre. 
 
Please send your 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 legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529
 

Hard Conversations is a 6-part podcast series exploring the complexity of elder abuse. It is produced by the Community Legal Education Branch of Legal Aid NSW.
The series was originally recorded several years ago. We have refreshed it because we thought that the conversations are still relevant and will assist anyone who wants to understand more about elder abuse. 
The people we talk with in this series generously shared their understanding of elder abuse, how they think about it in their communities, and ideas about how we can address it together. Many of them no longer work in the same roles and have moved on to other things. However, we think that their expertise, experience and insights remain relevant and valuable.
In this 5th episode we talk with Maria Berry about elder abuse in rural and regional communities. This episode was recorded when Maria was previously a community development officer with the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN).
 
Download the transcript for this episode. 
 
Other episodes of Hard Conversations: 
Ep1: Talking about elder abuse
Ep2: Talking about elder abuse and First Nations communities
Ep3: Talking about elder abuse and culturally diverse communities
Ep4: Talking about engaging with diverse communities
Ep6: Dr Kay Patterson - former federal Age Discrimination Commissioner talks about elder abuse
 
 More information
Legal Aid NSW Elder Abuse Service 02 4324 5611
Legal Aid NSW  1300 888 529
OPAN (Older Persons Advocacy Network) – 1800 237 981
1800 ELDERHelp: National elder abuse phone line- 1800 353 374
NSW Ageing and Disability Commission and Abuse Helpline - 1800 628 221
Seniors Rights Service NSW 1800 424 079
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission 1800 951 822
Statement of Rights | Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
1800 Respect: National Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Counselling  - 1800 737 732
Carers NSW - 1800 242 636
Compass- Guiding action on elder abuse -resources and support directory
Lifeline   131114  
Beyond Blue  1300 22 4636
 
Music by Gambirra 
Edited by Jessica Sullivan and Yasmine Lewis: Legal Aid NSW
 
Subscribe to the Legal Aid NSW Elder Abuse Service e-newsletter
 
This series was made in partnership with the Legal Aid NSW Central Coast Elder Abuse Service, and the Central Coast Community Legal Centre. 
Please send your 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 legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529

Hard Conversations is a 6-part podcast series exploring the complexity of elder abuse. It is produced by the Community Legal Education Branch of Legal Aid NSW.
The series was originally recorded several years ago. We have refreshed it because we thought that the conversations are still relevant and will assist anyone who wants to understand more about elder abuse. 
The people we talk with in this series generously shared their understanding of elder abuse, how they think about it in their communities, and ideas about how we can address it together. Many of them no longer work in the same roles and have moved on to other things. However, we think that their expertise, experience and insights remain relevant and valuable.
This final episode features Dr Kay Patterson AO – federal age discrimination commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) from 2016 to 2023.  In this informative and engaging interview, Dr Patterson talks with Mary Lovelock - solicitor in charge of the Legal Aid NSW Central Coast Elder Abuse Service. 
This series has been made in partnership with the Legal Aid NSW Central Coast Elder Abuse Service, and the Central Coast Community Legal Centre. 
Download the transcript for this episode. 
Previous episodes of Hard Conversations:
Ep1: Talking about elder abuse
Ep2: Talking about elder abuse and First Nations communities
Ep3: Talking about elder abuse and culturally diverse communities
Ep4: Talking about engaging with diverse communities
Ep5: Talking about elder abuse and rural and regional communities
More information
Legal Aid NSW Elder Abuse Service (Central Coast and Hunter) - 02 4324 5611
Legal Aid NSW 1300 888 529
1800 ELDERHelp: National elder abuse phone line -1800 353 374
 NSW Ageing and Disability Commission and Abuse Helpline -1800 628 221
NSW Ageing and Disability Commission training resources
Video - Margarita - OPAL Institute
Australian Human Rights Commission - Age Discrimination
Elder abuse | Australian Human Rights Commission
Elder abuse awareness video campaigns | Australian Human Rights Commission
You decide Who decides – Guide to making an enduring power for financial decisions
Empowering Futures: A national survey on the understanding and use of financial enduring powers of attorney.
Shaping Perceptions: How Australian Media Reports on Ageing (2024) | Australian Human Rights Commission
Australian Institute of Family Studies Elder Abuse reports - Elder abuse research | Australian Institute of Family Studies
gov.au/projects/national-elder-abuse-prevalence-study
Australian Law Reform Commission: Elder Abuse — A National Legal Response
Council of Attorney General: National Plan to Respond to the Abuse of Older Australians
Federal Attorney General-Protecting the Rights of Older Australians
National Australian Research Institute elder abuse resources and research
Compass- Guiding action on elder abuse -resources and support
OPAN (Older Persons Advocacy Network) – 1800 700 600
E safety Commissioner
Elder abuse support and mediation service - Relationships Australia 1300 364 277
Lifeline   131114  
Beyond Blue  1300 22 4636
Music by Gambirra 
Editing by Tiffany Dimmack - Audiocraft and Yasmin Lewis - Legal Aid NSW
 
Subscribe to the Legal Aid NSW Elder Abuse Service e-newsletter
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 legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529. 

Originally recorded for NSW Law Week, the Tenants' Union of NSW breaks down the latest changes to rental laws in New South Wales. 
Community Education Coordinator, Charlie Wilde chats to Principal Solicitor, Grant Arbuthnot about key reforms including changes to evictions, rent increases, pets, water efficiency requirements and more. 
Find out more about the Tenants' Union of NSW and the new laws at tenants.org.au 
 
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Tenancy law changes - Tenants' Union of NSW webpage and factsheet
Changes to rental laws - NSW Fair Trading
NCAT tribunal factsheets
Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) website
Austlii
 
Watch the webinar of this episode.
Download the transcript. 
Want to provide feedback or collaborate on a podcast? Email us at cle@legalaid.nsw.gov.au
Disclaimer:
Disclaimer: This podcast is general information only and cannot be relied on as legal advice. The information is accurate at the time of posting but may have changed. If you need assistance about a particular situation, contact our team at LawAccess NSW via webchat at legalaid.nsw.gov.au or call 1300 888 529. 
 

In this episode, we introduce Do Your Own Divorce - a free, step-by-step online resource to help people in Australia apply for divorce through the Federal Circuit and Family Court. Designed to simplify the process, this tool is a valuable asset for community workers supporting clients through a divorce. We break down how it works, who it’s best for and how you can use it to provide clear, practical guidance—without the need for a lawyer. Useful resources mentioned in this podcast:
Do Your Own Divorce: legalaid.nsw.gov.au/divorceguide  
Community worker toolkit for using Do Your Own Divorce: bit.ly/dyodtips
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia website: fcfcoa.gov.au
Divorce court filing fee information: fcfcoa.gov.au/fl/divorce/apply 
Information about separation including arrangements for children: bit.ly/4owb5bL
Amica (parenting and property arrangements): amica.gov.au
Order free Do Your Own Divorce posters and postcards by emailing cle@legalaid.nsw.gov.au
 
Episode transcript: bit.ly/418RB2K
Subscribe to our Law for Community Workers Alerts: bit.ly/lcwalert
Please send questions, comments and feedback to cle@legalaid.nsw.gov.au 
Disclaimer: This podcast is general information only and cannot be relied on as legal advice. The information is accurate at the time of posting but may have changed. If you need assistance about a particular situation, contact our team at LawAccess NSW via webchat at legalaid.nsw.gov.au or call 1300 888 529.