What we do

Free legal help

We provide free help for LGBTIQ+ people in Victoria.

We can help if you have:

  • Experienced discrimination, harassment and/or violence on the basis of your LGBTIQ+ identity
  • Been impacted by family violence.
  • Are trans and gender diverse and have a legal issue related to your gender identity.

You can also find out more information about our practice areas:

If you live in Victoria and have a legal issue set out above, then please get in touch to make an appointment.

Ongoing legal representation (casework) is decided on a case-by-case basis. We are unable to take on all matters.

Translators and interpreters

We are able to provide phone translation services for languages other than English. Please call TIS National on 131 450 and ask them to call us.

Alternatively, please email us at [email protected] with the language you speak and the number you would like us to call you on, and we will call you with an interpreter during business hours.

What we can and can’t help with

We can only see you if you have made an appointment. If you need immediate legal help, contact  Victoria Legal Aid on 1300 792 387.

We have guidelines on what kinds of legal problems we can help with. We are able to provide referrals for matters we cannot assist with.

For some areas of law, we can give legal advice at a first appointment but we cannot provide ongoing legal assistance through casework.

Below is a list of the areas of law we can help with and how we can help.

Note: TGD refers to trans and gender diverse.

Area of Law

Advice

Casework

BankruptcyNoNo
Change of ID YesYes
Change or suppression practicesYesYes
Child ProtectionNoNo
Child SupportNoNo
Commercial Matters (eg. small business, commercial leases, business contracts) NoNo
Community Organisations/ClubsNoNo
Consumer LawNoNo
ConveyancingNoNo
Criminal Law – Magistrates’ CourtYes (if the matter relates to family violence or TGD identity)Maybe (if the matter relates to family violence or TGD identity)
Criminal Law – County, Supreme or High CourtsNoNo
Corrections complaintsYes (if the matter relates to TGD identity)Maybe (if the matter relates to TGD identity)
Debts and FinesYes (if the matter relates to family violence)Maybe (if the matter relates to family violence)
DefamationNoNo
DiscriminationYes (on basis of LGBTIQ+ identity)Yes (on basis of LGBTIQ+ identity)
EmploymentYes (where LGBTIQ+ identity relevant to employment issue)Maybe (where LGBTIQ+ identity relevant to employment issue)
Expungement of historic homosexual convictionsYesYes
Family Law – parentingYes (if the matter relates to family violence)No
Family law – change of ID for childrenYes (if the matter relates to TGD identity)No
Family Law – propertyNoNo
Family Law – divorceYes (if the matter relates to family violence)Maybe (if the matter relates to family violence)
Family violenceYesYes
Freedom of InformationMaybe (where LGBTIQ+ identity relevant to FOI)No
Guardianship / AdministrationNoNo
Health care complaintsYes (if the matter relates to TGD identity)Maybe (if the matter relates to TGD identity)
ImmigrationNoNo
Infringements (fines)Yes (if the matter relates to family violence or TGD identity)Maybe (if the matter relates to family violence or TGD identity)
Motor Vehicle AccidentsNoNo
NDISNoNo
Neighbourhood disputesMaybe (if the matter relates to LGBTIQ+ status)No
Personal InjuryNoNo
Personal Safety Intervention OrdersYes (if the matter relates to LGBTIQ+ identity)Maybe (if the matter relates to LGBTIQ+ identity)
Police complaintsYes (if the matter relates to family violence or TGD identity)Maybe (if the matter relates to family violence or TGD identity)
Powers of AttorneyNoNo
Privacy complaintsYes (if the matter relates to TGD identity)Maybe (if the matter relates to TGD identity)
Property Law (not family, eg adverse possession, boundary/fence disputes, easements, covenants and planning)NoNo
Social SecurityNoNo
Tenancy – for tenantYes (if the matter relates to family violence)Maybe (if the matter relates to family violence)
Tenancy – for landlordNoNo
Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT)YesYes
WillsNoNo
Working with Children ChecksNoNo

 

Referrals

The LGBTIQ Legal Service can also provide referrals to other community legal centres, private law firms, health services and housing organisations that have expressed a desire to offer safe and inclusive services to the LGBTIQ+ community.

Justice Connect

Justice Connect can help connect people experiencing disadvantage with private lawyers, and can also provide assistance in not-for-profit law for small community groups. Get help here.

Private Lawyers

If you need a referral to a private lawyer, please contact the Law Institute of Victoria on (03) 9607 9550.

Other service providers

Depending on your needs, there are lots of other service providers who might be able to help you, many of which are also free.

Visit our page of recommendations here.