Legal Aid Nsw. Law For Community Workers On The Go

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

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

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

In this episode, Stephanie Hawes from Legal Aid NSW chats to Madeleine Causbrook from Kingsford Legal Centre about their service and a case study on sexual harassment in the workplace. Legal services: Kingsford Legal Centre website: www.klc.unsw.edu.au Kingsford Legal Centre phone: (02) 9385 9566 Legal Aid NSW's Respect At Work Legal Service: (02) 9072 2333 LawAccess: 1300 888 529  Support services: Lifeline: 13 11 14 Bravehearts: 1800 272 8311 1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 7320    

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 Advoc

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. 

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 i

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@no

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. Of

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.  

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  

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) **Scroll down the above page to subscribe to the Newsletter**   Link to Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/4b7ul8MeWZ6Y_1jpZxxDPo3DOUE?utm_source=copy_url   Acknowledgments The music in our Law for Community Workers on

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 t

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/downloa

Financial Rights Legal Centre is a specialist centre providing free financial counselling and legal advice to help people resolve financial difficulties and disputes with credit and debt, banking, bankruptcy, debt collection or insurance problems.   We offer our services through 4 telephone services available to the general public:   National Debt Helpline (we answer half of the calls in NSW) Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4.30pm: 1800 007 007   Credit & Debt Legal Advice line (NSW) Monday to Friday 10am to 1pm: 1800 844 949   Insurance Law Service (national) Monday to Friday 10am to 1pm: 1300 663 464   Mob Strong Debt Help (national) Monday to Friday 9.30am – 4.30pm: 1800 808 488   We have a dedicated Caseworker Hotline available for caseworkers and financial counsellors Monday to Friday 9.30am – 4.30pm: 1800 650 084   Financial Rights’ website has a new look: check the details below   Website: Home - Financial Rights Legal Centre   Caseworker Resources: Caseworker Resources - Financial Rights Legal Centre  

In this episode of our Law for Community Worker podcast series we talk with Madi from the Mid North Coast Legal Centre about the consequences of making a court election when you receive a fine. Madi also talks about other options available to people when they receive a fine and why court electing is not always the best choice.   Mid North Coast Legal Centre: https://mnclegal.org.au/ Phone: 02 6580 2111 Email: info@mnclegal.org.au   To find a community legal service near you www.clcnsw.org.au Revenue NSW: https://www.revenue.nsw.gov.au/ Factsheets about driving offences - www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au Driving laws in NSW - www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/demerits-penalties-and-offences Road User Handbook to download and also available in 8 community languages www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/roads-safety-and-rules/safety-updates-for-nsw-road-users/road-user-handbook  Law Access Guided Pathways about Traffic Offences and FineFixer can be found here: https://legalhelp.lawaccess.nsw.gov.au

In this episode, Stephanie Hawes explores a recent case run by Redfern Legal Centre where the validity of some COVID fines issued by New South Wales Police was examined. We hear from the senior lawyer Sam Lee about the legal aspects of the case as well as the outcome and its effect on the community. We then chat with Rohan Pank, the plaintiff in the case, about his experience and journey to the Supreme Court. Redfern Legal Centre: https://rlc.org.au/ Transcript: https://bit.ly/3VN6FiE Music: Wind Marching for Rain by Puddle of Infinity 

The Inner City Legal Centre (ICLC) is a non-profit community based legal centre located in Kings Cross, NSW. The centre has been providing FREE legal services to residents in the inner city, surrounding areas Northern Beaches, and LGBTIQ Communities since 1980. Areas Serviced: Areas Serviced - Inner City Legal Centre (iclc.org.au)   Website: Home - Inner City Legal Centre (iclc.org.au) **scroll down the above page to subscribe to their newsletter** SLS: https://www.iclc.org.au/our-services/sex-worker-legal-service/ Sex Workers Outreach Project (SWOP): Home - SWOP Sex Workers Outreach Project Email: iclc@iclc.org.au Phone: 02 9332 1966                     Toll Free: 1800 244 481                 SMS-only number: 0476 857 342 Location: Basement, Kings Cross Library, Neighbourhood Centre 50-52 Darlinghurst Road Kings Cross NSW 2011 Postal Address: PO Box 25, Potts Point NSW 1335   Link to Transcript: https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:10add599-f876-31c9-a427-e3e6141848e5     Acknowledgme

The Shopfront Youth Legal Centre provides free legal assistance for homeless and disadvantaged young people aged 25 and under. We are based in inner Sydney but can also help young people outside this area. The Shopfront was established in 1993 and is operated jointly by Herbert Smith Freehills, Mission Australia and The Salvation Army. The legal services are provided by Herbert Smith Freehills on a pro bono basis and our case work service is provided by Mission Australia. We provide legal representation and advice to homeless and disadvantaged young people aged 25 and under. We also have a case work service to provide social support and referrals to a range of other services. Website: The Shopfront | Darlinghurst | Shopfront Youth Legal Centre Factsheets: Legal information for youth workers | The Shopfront Youth Legal Centre Contact: Hours: 9.00am - 5.30pm Monday - Friday  (Arrangements can be made outside these hours if necessary) Address: 356 Victoria Street, DARLINGHURST  NSW  2010  (near corner of Liverpo

Be Open. Be Ready. Be Heard. Advance care planning involves planning for your future health care. It enables you to make some decisions now about the health care you would or would not like to receive if you were to become seriously ill and unable to communicate your preferences or make treatment decisions. Advance care planning gives you the opportunity to think about, discuss and record your preferences for the type of care you would like to receive and the outcomes you would consider acceptable. Advance care planning helps to ensure your loved ones and health providers know what matters most to you and respect your treatment preferences. Phone: 1300 208 582 Contact Us: Contact us - Advance Care Planning Australia Website: Advance Care Planning Australia Training and Education: Training and education - Advance Care Planning Australia Subscribe to the Newsletter: Advance Care Planning Australia (list-manage.com) Order Resources (plans, wallet cards, fact sheets etc): Order or print support materials - Advanc