Get legal help and advice
There are a wide range of services in NSW that can help you with free or low-cost legal information, advice and assistance.
Government agencies
Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC)
ASIC is Australia's corporate regulator. They provide general information and advice for companies, businesses and consumers. Search the ASIC Registers for current information on companies and business names.
Community Justice Centres
Community Justice Centres provide free mediation services to help people reach an agreement on a wide range of disputes.
Housing Appeals Committee
The Housing Appeals Committee is an independent agency that reviews certain decisions made by NSW social housing providers.
LawAccess NSW
LawAccess NSW provides legal information, referrals and in some cases, advice for people who have a legal problem in NSW.
Legal Aid NSW
Legal Aid NSW provides legal services to disadvantaged clients across NSW in most areas of criminal, family and civil law.
Find Legal Answers
Find Legal Answers is a free online legal information resource for people living in NSW. This service is co-ordinated by the NSW State Library's Legal Information Access Centre (LIAC).
NSW Fair Trading
NSW Fair Trading provides information and assistance to consumers and people with disputes about home building, renting, strata living, retirement villages and residential communities.
NSW Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC)
The Health Care Complaints Commission acts to protect public health and safety by dealing with complaints about health service providers in NSW.
NSW Ombudsman
The NSW Ombudsman investigates complaints relating to the public sector and the provision of community services in NSW.
NSW Small Business Commissioner
The NSW Small Business Commissioner provides advice for small business owners and dispute resolution services for retail tenancy matters.
NSW Trustee and Guardian
The NSW Trustee and Guardian provides professional and independent trustee services such as writing wills, acting as Executor in deceased estates, administering trusts and Powers of Attorney, and delivering financial management services.
NSW Public Guardian
NCAT may appoint the Public Guardian as the guardian of a person with a decision making disability. They also provide information and support to private guardians.
Victims Services
Victims Services is part of the NSW Department of Justice and Communities and provides support services including free counselling and financial assistance to victims of crime in NSW.
Community organisations
Aboriginal Tenants Advice and Advocacy Services
NSW Aboriginal Tenants Advice Services provide free advice and advocacy for Aboriginal tenants living in NSW.
Community Legal Centres
Visit the Community Legal Centres NSW website to find your nearest community legal centre for information, advice and referrals on legal matters, and representation in targeted areas of law.
Home Building Advocacy Service
The Home Building Advocacy Service is run by Western Sydney Community Legal Centre for home owners who have already attempted to resolve their home building dispute through NSW Fair Trading.
Seniors Rights Service
The Seniors Rights Service is a community legal centre that provides advocacy, advice and education to older people in NSW.
Tenants Advice and Advocacy Services
Visit the Tenants NSW website to find your local Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service for free information and advice to tenants, boarders and lodgers and residential community residents. View the Tenants Advice and Information Useful Contacts sheet [PDF 1MB].
Finding a lawyer to represent you
Law Society of NSW
The Law Society of NSW provides an online search to help you find a qualified lawyer suitable for your needs. You will need to pay fees for the lawyer.
Law Society of NSW Pro Bono Scheme
The Law Society's Pro Bono Scheme refers eligible people to law firms willing to provide their legal services for free or at reduced costs. To be eligible you must have been turned down by Legal Aid and cannot afford legal fees. The scheme covers only certain types of matters.
Legal Assistance Referral Scheme (LARS)
The Legal Assistance Referral Scheme (LARS) is run by the NSW Bar Association. It refers eligible people on low incomes to barristers or mediators who may be able to give advice, appear for you or settle your matter.
Legal Aid NSW Duty Service
The Legal Aid NSW Duty Service provides legal assistance to people with discrimination disputes listed for case conference or hearing before NCAT.
