Legal advice
Tasmania Legal Aid provides legal advice, representation, family dispute resolution services and legal education to the Tasmanian community. Their focus is on economically and socially disadvantaged Tasmanians.
Call them on 1300 366 611 Monday to Friday between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm to speak to a lawyer. During busy times you may need to leave your name and number for a lawyer to return your call within one business day. Calls will be returned Monday to Friday between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. Everyone can receive free legal advice from Tasmania Legal Aid through their telephone advice service.
Community legal centres
Community legal centres are independent community organisations providing free legal advice, information and representation to the public. Their focus is on providing legal services to people who are socially and financially disadvantaged who may not be able to access other legal services.
Tasmania’s community legal centres are listed below. If you’re not sure which community legal centre may be able to help you, Community Legal Centres Tasmania (CLC Tas) can refer you to an appropriate legal service provider. However, CLC Tas itself does not provide legal advice to members of the public. Contact details for CLC Tas are on their website.
Community legal centres in Tasmania
- Environmental Defenders Office (EDO Tasmania) – a non-profit community legal centre advising on environmental and planning law. Their aim is to increase public awareness of environmental laws and remedies, and help the community to secure a healthy, sustainable Tasmania. They can be contacted on (03) 6223 2770 or by email edotas@edotas.org.au.
- Hobart Community Legal Service – provides free legal information, advice and referrals to people in southern Tasmania. They have offices in Hobart and Bridgewater and can be contacted by email info@hobartlegal.org.au, or on (03) 6223 2500 (Hobart office) or (03) 6263 4755 (Bridgewater office).
- Launceston Community Legal Centre – provides free legal information, advice and referrals to people in northern Tasmania. They can be contacted on 1800 066 019 or by email admin@lclc.net.au.
- Tasmanian Aboriginal Legal Service – has offices in Hobart, Launceston and Burnie and provides legal services, advice and representation across the state. They specialise in criminal, civil and family law matters, and their team is made up of experienced lawyers, client service officers from community and dedicated administrative staff. They can be contacted on 1800 595 162 or by email tals@tals.net.au.
- North West Community Legal Centre – is a free one-off advice and referral legal service to residents on the North-West Coast of Tasmania. They can be contacted on (03) 6424 8720 or by email info@nwclc.org.au.
- Tenants’ Union of Tasmania – a specialist community legal centre for residential tenants. Their aim is to secure the rights of all tenants by providing free legal advice, representation and education, as well as advocating for the improvement of tenants’ rights. They can be contacted for advice on (03) 6223 2641 or 1300 652 641.
- Women’s Legal Service – operates a free statewide service, with offices in Hobart, Burnie and Launceston. You can contact the Women's Legal Service on 1800 682 468.
- Hobart office – provides confidential and free legal advice and referral to women across Tasmania through their telephone advice line. Legal staff provide advice and referral on all legal matters, including family law, family violence, civil and criminal law, as well as estate and property law.
- Burnie office – provides legal information, advice and support on any legal matter to those clients in the north-west of the state who are experiencing, or who have experienced, family violence.
- Launceston office – provides advice and support to women in the north-east of the state who are experiencing, or who have experienced, family violence. Women from north-eastern Tasmania are able to contact their service through a dedicated telephone line, and are able to make a face-to-face appointment with a solicitor for two days each week.
- Worker Assist Tasmania – provides free, independent and confidential advice for injured workers. If you’ve been injured at work, Worker Assist Tasmania Inc. can help by providing free and independent advice about workers compensation, rehabilitation and return-to-work. Call Worker Assist Tasmania Inc. on 1300 027 747 or request a call by leaving your details.
Tasmanian Refugee Legal Service
The Tasmanian Refugee Legal Service has a team of volunteer lawyers, migration agents and community-based volunteers to assist refugees, asylum seekers and humanitarian entrants with all aspects of migration law. They provide fortnightly face-to-face advice sessions for refugees in Tasmania. They can be contacted on (03) 6169 9473 or by email info@trls.org.au.
Complaints about legal practitioners
The Legal Profession Board of Tasmania is responsible for receiving and investigating complaints about the conduct of lawyers.
Find out more about making a complaint on their website, or call them on (03) 6226 3000.