Money & Debt

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. 
 

New Year. No Debt: Budgeting, Debt and Credit Reports

The Financial Counsellor role sits within the Consumer Law Team, and the Financial Counsellor is available to receive referrals from the Civil Law division
A Financial Counsellor can:
Assess a client’s financial situation and advise on possible solutions.
Make financial hardship applications, including requesting debt waivers.
Provide advice for clients who are struggling to pay bills, meet basic financial needs and prioritise creditors.
Help clients to negotiate with creditors, such as banks, water and energy suppliers, telco’s, government agencies, landlords, debt collectors and others.
Refer clients to other services they may need such as legal, accommodation, or crisis services.
Provide training to solicitors and community on financial hardship issues and how to complete a statement of financial position.
Our Financial Counsellors cannot give grants or arrange relief.
All Financial Counsellors at Legal Aid work within our Allied Professional Framework that states that “all Allied Professional Services are tied to the legal matter in which LA NSW is engaged”. Lawyers working with allied professionals result in an improved experience and better outcomes for our clients. Only in exceptional circumstances will the Financial Counsellor be able to work with clients who do not have an ongoing legal matter.
All referrals to the Financial Counsellor will be triaged. We encourage maintenance of relationships with local Financial Counselling services. To find your local financial counsellor, please see - Financial counselling - Moneysmart.gov.au
Budgeting tools and websites
Budget planner - Moneysmart.gov.au
budget-planner_moneysmart.xls (live.com)
Some Legal Aid resources
Credit Law Toolkit - https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/for-lawyers/resources-and-tools/civil-law/credit-law-toolkit **Please note: This resource is aimed at Financial Counsellors and other professionals**
Better way than Payday Loans - http://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/publications/factsheets-and-resources/theres-a-better-way-than-payday-loans
Being Squeezed for a Debt - http://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/publications/factsheets-and-resources/are-you-being-squeezed-for-a-debt
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.
Link to Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/cpkW2NUBXhp_WRUYSWnwRq9QIvY?utm_source=copy_url
 
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: Gig Work Justice Support Centre SWSLS

Justice Support Centre is a community organisation that provides free services to the community. We support people in South West Sydney with legal issues, as well as women and children affected by domestic and family violence in South West Sydney, City of Sydney, Inner West and Waverley.
We offer free legal advice over the phone for broad range of legal problems for people living in South West Sydney.
For people with significant need, we may also offer free or reduced-cost legal representation and assistance. Not everyone qualifies for this kind of support. We may be able to resolve your issue with quick advice and then we can discuss if you need further assistance.
Our solicitors can support you to navigate the legal system, understand your rights and make informed choices to improve your situation.
Website: Justice Support Centre
Email: info@justicesupportcentre.org.au
Telephone: (02) 9601 7777
LinkdIn: Justice Support Centre | LinkedIn
FaceBook: Facebook
Twitter: Profile / Twitter
Subscribe to Newsletter: https://drct-swslc.prod.supporterhub.net/pages/newsletter-sign-up
 
Link to Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/nkiJ-MpNhP698S4UrmRTyLO63Nk
 
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. 
 
 

Jingle Bills: Addressing Christmas Debt

 
Overspending at Christmas can be the worst start to new year for a lot of people. In this episode we speak with two of Legal Aid’s Financial Counselors about some of the spending traps people can fall into at Christmas and give some information about tools and services available for people to gain control over their spending.
Jeanine is from the Civil Law Service for Aboriginal Communities or ‘CLSAC’. We are a service of Legal Aid NSW. CLSAC goes to communities in NSW and visits Aboriginal women in custody. The majority of CLSAC staff are Aboriginal people.
Baryulgil
Maclean
Brewarrina
Mt Druitt
Lake Cargelligo
Batemans Bay
Malabugilmah
Condobolin
Tabulam
 
Bodalla
Mogo
Coraki
Toomelah
 
Boggabilla
Moree
Dareton
Wallaga Lake
 
Bourke
Moruya
East Dubbo
Yamba
 
CLSAC goes to these communities:
 
Sharon is a member of the Consumer team in our Civil Law division.
Both CLSAC and the Consumer team are a part of the Civil Law division of Legal Aid NSW.
The civil law practice helps resolve legal issues that impact on people's everyday lives such as debts, unpaid fines, discrimination, tenancy issues, Centrelink disputes and more. Our focus is on helping people to resolve legal issues as early as possible.
Budgeting tools: https://moneysmart.gov.au/
Law Access: 1300 888 529 debt and credit (nsw.gov.au)
CLSAC (Jeanine): 1800 793 017 and 02 9219 5057
Consumer Team (Sharon): consumer@legalaid.nsw.gov.au
Link to Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/0STHGy05vH5NluI_poQok_x3VfE
Financial Rights Legal Centre: Financial Rights Legal Centre - Advice and advocacy for consumers in financial stress.
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. 

Got a Centrelink debt you don‘t understand? The Welfare Rights Centre can help.

In this episode we talk to Katherine Boyle. Katherine is the Executive Director of the Welfare Rights Centre. The Welfare Rights Centre is a specialist legal service helping people across NSW with Centrelink problems including debts.
Katherine talks about her burning issues around Centrelink debts, the help provided by the Welfare Rights Centre lawyers and different ways that community workers can support their clients when they get a Centrelink debt they don't understand.
The links below are for the services and resources discussed in the episode.
You can contact the Welfare Rights Centre by phone on 1800 226 028 during one of their advice intake times. This number is toll free if you are calling from outside the Sydney metro area.
The advice intake times are:
Monday – 9.:30am to 12.30pm
Wednesday – 9.30am to 12.30pm
Thursday – 1.30pm to 4.30pm
If your matter is urgent, such as if you have lost your payment and have no other source of income, you can call on the office number – 02 9211 5300 - to speak to a lawyer straight away.
You also have the option to make an online enquiry through the website – https://welfarerightscentre.org.au/need-help. Scroll down on the home page and click on the link to making an online enquiry.
There are also factsheets on the website that you can download about a range of Centrelink legal problems.
If you live in the Illawarra, Shoalhaven or South Coast you can contact the Illawarra Legal Centre Welfare Rights Service
You can also contact the Legal Aid NSW Government law team to talk about Centrelink problems. Call LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529 to be referred to this team.
Call the National Debt Helpline if you need help with any money problems on 1800 007 007. The NDH also has a Centrelink Debts step by step guide that you can download.
Economic Justice Australia is the peak body for Welfare Rights Centres across Australia. See their Economic Australia Centrelink Debts Factsheet – last updated April 2020.
 
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. 

Insurance basics - following a disaster

Have you or your clients been affected by recent floods and storms?
In this episode Ma’ata Solofoni from the Disaster Response Legal Service NSW talks about insurance basics following a disaster and how the DRLS can help.
The types of legal issues we can help with include insurance claims, tenancy, financial hardship, credit and debt, Centrelink and issues with employment. If you need more information, call the Disaster Response Legal Service NSW on 1800 801 529.
Referrals and more information
For information, advice, referrals and where to find your closest Legal Aid NSW office call the Disaster Response Legal Service NSW on 1800 801 529.
Legal Aid NSW webpage – Legal Help for victims of natural disasters has information and links to useful publications.
Read our comprehensive fact sheet What to do after a natural disaster and Order FREE factsheets for your service
Call LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529
SES NSW 132 500
Financial Rights Legal Service Flood factsheets
Look after yourself
We want this to be a safe space for listeners. If you need support there are services that can help:
Beyond Blue -1300 224 636
Lifeline -13 11 14
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. 

Extra help with your fines - Revenue NSW Hardship program for young people and First Nations people

In this episode we speak with Isabella Wallington and Bud Crawford from the Revenue NSW Hardship Program. This Program commenced in 2020 and aims to implement a range of strategies to reduce the negative impact of fines debt on vulnerable young people and First Nations people. You will hear about a range of initiatives underway and what is planned for 2021 and beyond. We also talk about how you can help your vulnerable clients speak to Revenue NSW to take advantage of these initiatives and break the cycle of disadvantage associated with fines debt.
To get in touch with Revenue NSW and for help with fines - referrals and more information
To contact us on behalf of your customers about managing a debt and to access the Advocacy Hotline, you and any individual employees who may deal with us will need to  register with us. During registration, you will need to acknowledge that you’ve read and agreed to the Advocacy  Charter https://www.revenue.nsw.gov.au/help-centre/resources-library/advocate-charter . The Charter ensures advocates understand where they stand with us. It establishes a common understanding of the obligations and standards of conduct and behaviour expected of our advocates.  Information on how to register etc. is available from the following RNSW website link https://www.revenue.nsw.gov.au/fines-and-fees/advocates For more information, visit advocates and sponsors. 
The Revenue NSW Advocacy Hotline provides advocacy groups a priority service and it is supported Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5pm. The hotline number is 1300 135 627
Revenue NSW WDO and First Nations Hotline – 1300 478 879
Revenue NSW brochure – help with your fines = getting back on track brochure for young people - https://www.revenue.nsw.gov.au/help-centre/resources-library/fines-getting-back-on-track-youth.pdf
Revenue NSW brochure – help with your fines = getting back on track brochure for First Nations people - https://www.revenue.nsw.gov.au/help-centre/resources-library/fines-getting-back-on-track-aboriginal-peoples.pdf
For free legal help call LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529
For information about work and development orders (WDOs) to clear NSW fines – go to the Legal Aid NSW WDO service web page - https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/what-we-do/civil-law/work-and-development-order-service
For information about the Cooperative Legal Service Delivery (CLSD) program, regions and contact in your local area – go to https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/what-we-do/community-partnerships/cooperative-legal-services-delivery-clsd-program
Edited by Bernadette Nguyen from Audiocraft.
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. 

Robodebt Part 2

In Robodebt Part 2 Legal Aid NSW civil lawyer, Nicola Cannon gives you an update on the latest developments on robodebt.
Find out about:
what the Government’s announcement that it will refund robodebts means for your clients
Who will and won’t receive a refund
How to make sure clients who are eligible for refunds receive them
The Gordon Legal Class Action on Robodebt
Where clients can go for help
Referrals
To speak with Centrelink about a robodebt:
Centrelink compliance division — call: 1800 086 400 Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm
Centrelink repayments division — call: 1800 076 072 Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm
To get legal advice:
Visit the Legal Aid NSW website to find a local civil law advice service.
Legal Aid NSW social security service
Welfare Rights Centre
Call LawAccess NSW 1300 888 529
To register your interest for the class action:
Gordon Legal — Register your interest for the class action: https://register.robodebtclassaction.com.au/registration/
 
More information
Services Australia website - Information about refunds for the income compliance program: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/subjects/information-about-refunds-income-compliance-program
Victoria Legal Aid robodebt page: https://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/find-legal-answers/centrelink/robodebts ‘
Economic Justice Australia – robodebt fact sheet: http://ejaustralia.org.au/wp/wp-content/uploads/Robodebts.pdf
Gordon Legal FAQ’s: https://gordonlegal.com.au/robodebt-class-action/robodebt-faqs/
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. 

Taking a toll – dealing with toll road debt

Do you have clients who have debts from travelling on toll roads? Listen to this podcast to find out about programs that can help and how Legal Aid NSW lawyers have helped turn people’s lives around by helping them with their tolls debt.
COVID-19 update. If you are supporting clients whose employment or financial situation has been impacted by COVID-19, listen to the podcast to find out how you can get up to 3 months toll credit.
 Referrals and more information
Help with tolls during COVID-19
Transurban Linkt Assist information for community workers helping clients with tolling debt
Contact the Linkt Assist dedicated line for the community sector 1300 110 129
Video for community workers on helping clients with tolling debt
https://tollingombudsman.com.au/
Linkt Assist help for bushfire victims
The Financial Rights Legal
Latest Alert for community workers
Call LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529
Visit the Legal Aid NSW website
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. 

Robodebt - the full story

Tell us what you really think of our podcasts - help us keep this resource going!
Legal Aid NSW civil lawyer, Nicola Cannon gives you a quick overview of the recent ‘robo-debt’ test case and what it may mean for your clients?
Find out about:
The recent robo-debt test case run by our colleagues at Victoria Legal Aid
What this means for your clients who may have a robo-debt or have already paid off a robo-debt
When clients should contact Legal Aid NSW about their robo-debt
And where can people go for help for other Centrelink debt help
Referrals
Centrelink — How to deal with debt information
Centrelink compliance division — call: 1800 086 400 Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm
Centrelink repayments division — call: 1800 076 072 Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm
Gordon Legal — Register your interest
 Visit the Legal Aid NSW website to find a local civil law advice service.
Legal Aid NSW social security service
Welfare Rights Centre
Call LawAccess NSW 1300 888 529
 More information
Centrelink debt review
Explainer-Deanna Amato’s case, from Victoria Legal Aid
Gordon Legal — Class action info
‘The Guardian’ article — Robodebt: the federal court ruling and what it means for targeted welfare recipients
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. 

shortcut - Robodebt

Tell us what you really think of our podcasts - help us keep this resource going!
What is it and where to go for help?
 Referrals
Centrelink — How to deal with debt information
Centrelink compliance division — call: 1800 086 400 Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm
Centrelink repayments division — call: 1800 076 072 Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm
Gordon Legal — Register your interest
Visit the Legal Aid NSW website to find a local civil law advice service.
Legal Aid NSW social security service
Welfare Rights Centre
Call LawAccess NSW 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. 

Credit history and credit reports — what are they and why do they matter?

Call to action!
 
Tell us what you really think of 'Law for Community Workers on the go' - help this resource grow and improve.
 
For Privacy Awareness Week (12-18 May), Josh from Legal Aid NSW puts the spotlight on credit reporting in an interview with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner’s Sophie Higgins, Director of the Dispute Resolution Branch and Justin Lodge, Assistant Director of the Dispute Resolutions Branch. You can look at their website here: https://www.oaic.gov.au/
In this podcast, Sophie and Justin aim to simplify credit reporting by helping community workers understand more about credit reporting processes, a client’s rights when it comes to credit reporting and steps individuals can take to maintain a healthy credit report or improve credit health.
 
Referrals and more information
Get a FREE credit report — ASIC Money Smart
OAIC website
IDCARE—National identity and cyber support service
Legal Aid NSW might be able to assist you recover you credit reputation
LawAccess NSW 1300 888 529
Learn how to use the Law Check-Up tool
OAIC facebook
OAIC Twitter
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.