Other places to get help
Free and low-cost options across New South Wales, with what each one does.
Not every legal problem needs a private solicitor, and several of these will cost you nothing. Use whichever one fits your problem.
Start here
LawAccess NSW 1300 888 529Free legal information, referrals and in some cases advice, for anyone in NSW. Start here if you are not sure who to contact. Open weekdays.
Legal Aid NSW 1300 888 529Grants of aid for criminal, family and some civil matters. Means and merit tested. On the Productivity Commission's 2014 Access to Justice Arrangements figures, only about 8 per cent of households met the tests, so it is worth checking.
Community Legal Centres NSWFree advice from local centres, often specialising by problem type or community. On National Legal Aid and Community Legal Centres Australia reporting, centres nationally turn away in the order of a thousand people a day, so contact them early, well before any deadline.
Tribunals and complaint bodies — often free or low cost
NCAT 1300 006 228Tenancy, strata, consumer claims, home building work up to $500,000, and guardianship. It is designed to be used without engaging anyone: filing fees are modest, and you generally need the Tribunal's leave to be legally represented.
NSW Fair Trading 13 32 20Free dispute resolution for tenancy and consumer complaints before anyone goes to NCAT. Also holds rental bonds through Rental Bonds Online.
Building Commission NSW 13 27 00Building and renovation complaints, home building disputes, defective work, and combustible cladding. This moved across from Fair Trading, so a building complaint made to Fair Trading gets re-routed.
Fair Work Commission 1300 799 675Unfair dismissal and general protections applications. The limit is 21 days from the day the dismissal took effect and it is rarely extended.
Fair Work Ombudsman 13 13 94Underpayment, entitlements, award coverage and workplace rights. Free, and it can investigate on your behalf.
AFCA 1800 931 678Banking, insurance, superannuation and financial advice complaints. Free to consumers and small business, and binding on the firm if you accept the outcome.
Revenue NSWFines and penalty notices, including review and payment plans, before it becomes a court matter.
For business
NSW Small Business Commission 1300 795 534Free and low-cost mediation for retail lease disputes and small business disputes. Cheaper and faster than proceedings, and a mediation certificate is often required before a retail lease matter can be heard.
Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman 1300 650 460Assistance with disputes, including payment disputes, which are consistently among the largest categories of small business dispute the Ombudsman handles.
IP Australia 1300 651 010Trade mark and design searches and filing. You can search the Register and file an application yourself; the cost of doing it badly is that a specification cannot be broadened later.
ASIC 1300 300 630Company registration, director obligations, and the register of companies and their officeholders.
If someone is at risk
1800RESPECT 1800 737 732National domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, 24 hours. Not legal advice, but the right first call if safety is the immediate issue.
Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service 1800 938 227Free support and advocacy at court for women and children seeking an apprehended domestic violence order. Administered by Legal Aid NSW and available at every Local Court location. It does not act for defendants. A defendant should call LawAccess NSW or speak to the Legal Aid duty solicitor at court.
Check the number on the organisation's own site before you rely on it, and tell us if you find something out of date here.