The Consumer Credit Law Centre is a free legal service specifically for people with consumer credit issues and disputes.
The service provides specialist legal advice regarding repossession, mortgage foreclosure, debtors court, and other issues within the areas of credit, banking, and personal finance.
Appointments can be made by calling (08) 8202 5960; Country Callers please call 1300 886 220.
The Consumer Credit Law Centre is a service of Uniting Communities and is located in Uniting Communities offices in Adelaide, Smithfield and Christies Beach (Open Monday – Friday, 9am- 5pm) all services run by appointment only.
The Family Advocacy and Support Service (FASS) provides duty lawyer and social support services to people with family law matters who have been affected by family violence. The Legal Services Commission of SA also has duty lawyers at the Family Law Courts able to assist in matters where the person is not affected by family violence.
Duty lawyers can:
- Provide family law advice about your Court hearing and/or legal problem
- Help with adjournments – generally limited to adjournments of the first court appearance
- Help with Legal Aid applications
- Provide referrals to private practitioners and other services
Duty lawyers cannot:
- Prepare complex court documents, e.g. applications/responses and affidavits
- Represent you for interim hearings, contravention applications and final hearings (trials)
- Provide specific legal advice or representation in Court if there is a conflict of interest (for example, if the other party or a child is represented, or has previously been represented, by a Legal Services Commission lawyer). In such cases the duty lawyer will provide general information only.
- Provide specific legal advice regarding property settlements (only general information and advice)
- Assist with Youth Court (care and protection) matters
A Social Worker, located at the Family Law Courts, can help you engage with the family law processes safely and help you with safety planning.
The social worker can connect with all the relevant services that you need, such as accommodation, financial counselling, and other social support.
Community Legal Centre members provide Free Legal Advice, assistance and referrals to community members who might otherwise not get the help they deserve.
At each centre qualified solicitors, advisors and support staff will take the time to explain your legal obligations, your rights and your options.
Whether it's family law, minor criminal, civil matters, credit, social security and Women's only legal Services. All calls are confidential...we have you covered across the State
Phone: 1300 860 529
Face to face outreach: Click here
Website and online chat: www.clcsa.org.au/
ARAS has been supporting older people in South Australia to uphold their aged care and human rights since 1990.
ARAS offers a free, confidential, and state-wide service to older people (or their representatives) who are:
· living in residential aged care or retirement villages
· receiving or seeking to receive Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) or Home Care Package (HCP) services
· at risk of, or experiencing abuse from family or friends
In addition, ARAS delivers the Home Care Check-In project where it provides in home safety checks for older persons deemed to be vulnerable due to social isolation, and at risk of harm or neglect.
ARAS also has specialist Aboriginal Advocates who provide culturally safe support and host an annual Intergenerational Elders and Youth Gathering in regional South Australia.
ARAS is funded by the Australian Government.
Outlets (by appointment only)
Victor Harbor: 9/46-52 Ocean Street Victor Harbor (access from Coral Street)
Nuriootpa: 1 First Street, Nuriootpa
Berri: 21 Denny Street, Berri
The Accessible Justice Project has been set up for Australians who do not qualify for legal aid but cannot afford a private lawyer.
They assist with disputes you may encounter with other people, companies or government authorities. These disputes arise from everyday life and may involve recovering money owed to you, issues related to your home or property, contested wills and estates, breach of legal agreements, or loss caused to you by someone’s negligence or wrongdoing.
They do not advise on criminal, personal injury or family law matters.
To determine your eligibility, refer to their website.
Berrill & Watson is a leading plaintiff superannuation and insurance law firm.
They have knowledge, experience and expertise in superannuation and insurance, and help everyday people to understand and get through complex legal issues and to get the best possible outcomes.
Their Expertise Include:
Total and Permanent Disability (TDP) Claims
- TPD benefits are usually lump sums paid to you when you lodge a TPD claim due to not being able to ever go back to your normal job, or any other suitable work because of your injuries or illnesses.
Income Protection Claims
- Income protection payments are usually monthly benefits paid to you if you can’t do your normal job because of injury or illness.
Death and Terminal Illness Claims
- A death benefit is an insurance benefit payable to an individual’s dependents if they pass away.
- A terminal illness insurance benefit is a death benefit paid to an individual prior to death if they are certified by doctors as having less than 12 or 24 months to live.
Superannuation & Insurance
- If you are forced to stop work because of any injury or illness, you might have a claim for TPD & Income Protection benefits under your superannuation fund, or any insurance policy.
- These benefits are separate to any WorkCover or motor vehicle insurance claim, or any benefits available to you from Centrelink and it doesn’t matter what caused you to cease work.
Chronic Illness InfoHub
Provides information and links to assist people that suffer from chronic illnesses and those that care for them.
Their resources will assist with:
- TPD, Income Protection, Trauma and other insurance claims;
- Travel and travel insurance issues
- Disability Support Pension (DSP) applications and other Centrelink/Services Australia issues.
General Insurance
Insurers often deny or reject your claim for insurance or try to reduce the amount they have to pay. If your insurance company is giving you grief about your insurance claim, you can seek advice and assistance from one of the Berrill & Watson team.
There are a number of other services they assist their clients with, from financial advice disputes to Centrelink and pension issues and problems with NDIS.
Disability Rights Advocacy Service (DRAS): Support for People with Disabilities in South Australia
If you have a disability and need support, the Disability Rights Advocacy Service (DRAS) is here to help. DRAS provides free services to protect your rights, help with problems, and support you in getting the services you need.
How Can DRAS Help You?
1. Advocacy (Speaking Up for You)
DRAS can help you if you are having problems with:
- Education or housing.
- Support services and equipment.
- Centrelink payments.
- Unfair treatment by businesses or government services.
2. NDIS Appeals
If you disagree with an NDIS decision, DRAS can help you understand your options and challenge the decision.
3. Learning to Speak Up for Yourself
DRAS offers programs to help you learn how to stand up for your rights and make your own choices.
4. Legal Support
Through DRAS Legal, you can get advice about your rights and help with legal problems.
Where is DRAS Located?
DRAS has offices across South Australia:
- Adelaide (Torrensville) – Serving the metro area and Adelaide Hills.
- Mount Gambier – Supporting people in the Limestone Coast and Coorong.
- Berri – Helping those in the Riverland and Murraylands.
- Port Augusta – Serving the Far North region.
How to Contact DRAS
- Phone: 08 8351 9500
- Email: administration@dras.com.au
- Text Message: 0488 805 972
DRAS services are free and confidential. You don’t have to face problems alone—help is available.
For more information, visit dras.com.au.
The Fair Work Ombudsman is there to support everybody in the workplace with workplace relation matters.
The aim of this free and confidential service is:
- to provide education, assistance, advice and guidance to employers, employees, outworkers, outworker entities and organisations
- to promote and monitor compliance with workplace laws
- to inquire into and investigate breaches of the Fair Work Act
- to take appropriate enforcement action
- to perform our statutory functions efficiently, effectively, economically and ethically.
This service is available via telephone and online.
A national telephone service established to assist families affected by relationship or separation issues. The Advice Line provides information on family relationship issues and advice on parenting arrangements after separation. The advice line is for anyone affected by the issue. This includes parents, grand parents, children, young people, step-parents or friends. It can also refer callers to local services that can provide assistance. The Family Relationship Advice Line (1800 050 321) is available from 8 am to 8 pm, Monday to Friday, and 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday (local time), except national public holidays. Special arrangements are indicated on the linked website for callers who are deaf or have hearing difficulties.