On this page, you can find out about legal assistance by state or territory for Centrelink decision reviews.
We've provided this information about other organisations that may be able to help you. While we make every effort to keep information current, we can't confirm the details have not changed. Please contact the relevant organisation to ask about their services if you have any questions.
We can help you understand the review process, but we cannot give you advice about your case.
There are professional people (for example, lawyers) and other organisations that can help you with your review.
Help from a lawyer
The following organisations may be able to provide you with legal assistance, or help you find a lawyer:
Community Legal Centres
Canberra Community Law has a specialist legal service that provides free legal assistance with Centrelink issues.
Phone: (02) 6218 7977 or 1800 445 665 (free call)
DSP Help by Social Security Rights Victoria is a free online resource for DSP applicants and their support workers.
ACT Law Society
The ACT Law Society can help you find a private lawyer.
The pro-bono clearing house is a service that may be able to help you find pro-bono (free or reduced fee) assistance.
Phone: (02) 6274 0300
Help from a disability advocate
The Disability Advocacy Finder (Ask Izzy) can help you find a disability advocate.
We can help you understand the review process, but we cannot give you advice about your case.
There are professional people (for example, lawyers) and other organisations that can help you with your review.
Help from a lawyer
The following organisations may be able to provide you with legal assistance, or help you find a lawyer:
Legal Aid NSW
Provides legal services, including legal help about social security, with a particular focus on the needs of people who are economically and/or socially disadvantaged.
Call LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529 to get started.
Law Society of NSW
The Law Society of NSW can help you find a private lawyer.
The Law Society's Pro Bono Scheme can put you in contact with law firms willing to provide their legal services for free or for reduced fees.
Phone: (02) 9926 0333
Community Legal Centres (CLCs)
An online CLC Recommendation Service is available. Answer some questions about your situation and you will be directed to a suitable CLC. Tip: select ‘I have a problem with Centrelink’ at question 1.
You can also call LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529 for help finding a CLC.
Key CLCs are:
Provides free legal advice on social security matters to all residents of NSW.
Phone: (02) 9211 5300
Provides information and advice to Illawarra and South Coast clients with appeals against Centrelink decisions.
Phone: (02) 4276 1939
DSP Help by Social Security Rights Victoria is a free online resource for DSP applicants and their support workers.
Help from a disability advocate
The Disability Advocacy Finder (Ask Izzy) can help you find a disability advocate.
We can help you understand the review process, but we cannot give you advice about your case.
There are professional people (for example, lawyers) and other organisations that can help you with your review.
Help from a lawyer
The following organisations may be able to provide you with legal assistance, or help you find a lawyer:
Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission
The Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission provides legal services, with a particular focus on the needs of people who are economically and/or socially disadvantaged.
Phone: 1800 019 343
Law Society NT
The Law Society NT can help you find a private lawyer.
Phone: (08) 8981 5104
Community Legal Centres (CLCs)
Darwin Community Legal Service provides free legal information, advice and representation on particular areas of law, including social security/Centrelink.
Phone: (08) 8982 1111 or freecall 1800 812 953
There are also women’s legal services that may be able to assist.
DSP Help by Social Security Rights Victoria is a free online resource for DSP applicants and their support workers.
Help from a disability advocate
The Disability Advocacy Finder (Ask Izzy) can help you find a disability advocate.
Help for Indigenous Australians
The North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency provides many legal services to Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory, including help with Centrelink issues.
Phone:
- Darwin: 1800 898 251
- Throughcare: 1800 321 201
- Katherine: 1800 897 728
- Alice Springs: 1800 636 079
We can help you understand the review process, but we cannot give you advice about your case.
There are professional people (for example, lawyers) and other organisations that can help you with your review.
Help from a lawyer
The following organisations may be able to provide you with legal assistance, or help you find a lawyer:
Legal Aid Queensland
Provides legal services, including legal help with Centrelink issues, with a particular focus on the needs of people who are economically and/or socially disadvantaged.
Phone: 1300 65 11 88
Indigenous information line: 1300 65 01 43
Queensland Law Society
The Queensland Law Society can help you find a private lawyer.
Phone: 1300 367 757
Community Legal Centres (CLCs)
Search the CLC directory to find a suitable CLC.
Tip: Select ‘Pensions and allowance/Social security’ from the first drop down list.
You can also call Community Legal Centres Queensland on (07) 3392 0092 for help finding a CLC.
Key CLCs are:
Operates a state-wide telephone advice service, which provides information and advice on Centrelink issues.
Phone: (07) 3847 5532 or 1800 358 511 (freecall)
Townsville Community Legal Service
Operates a Social Security Rights Service and offers free legal advice and assistance to residents of Townsville and surrounding communities.
Phone: (07) 4721 5511
DSP Help by Social Security Rights Victoria is a free online resource for DSP applicants and their support workers.
Help from a disability advocate
The Disability Advocacy Finder (Ask Izzy) can help you find a disability advocate.
Help for Indigenous Australians
The Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (Qld) provides many legal services to Indigenous Australians, including help with Centrelink issues.
Phone: (07) 3025 3888 or 1800 012 255 (24 hrs, 7 days)
We can help you understand the review process, but we cannot give you advice about your case.
There are professional people (for example, lawyers) and other organisations that can help you with your review.
Help from a lawyer
The following organisations may be able to provide you with legal assistance, or help you find a lawyer:
Legal Services Commission of South Australia
Provides legal services, including legal help with Centrelink issues, with a particular focus on the needs of people who are economically and/or socially disadvantaged.
Phone: 1300 366 424
The Law Society of South Australia
The Law Society of South Australia can help you find a private lawyer.
Phone: (08) 8229 0200
Community Legal Centres (CLCs)
Search the South Australian Council of Community Legal Centres website to find a suitable CLC.
Uniting Communities is a key CLC that provides many legal services including help with social security issues.
Phone: 1800 615 677
JusticeNet may be able to connect you with a lawyer who can help on a pro bono basis (free).
Phone: (08) 8410 2280
DSP Help by Social Security Rights Victoria is a free online resource for DSP applicants and their support workers.
Help from a disability advocate
The Disability Advocacy Finder (Ask Izzy) can help you find a disability advocate.
Help for Indigenous Australians
The Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement provides many legal services to Indigenous Australians, and may be able to help with Centrelink issues.
Phone: 1800 643 222 (free call)
We can help you understand the review process, but we cannot give you advice about your case.
There are professional people (for example, lawyers) and other organisations that can help you with your review.
Help from a lawyer
The following organisations may be able to provide you with legal assistance, or help you find a lawyer:
Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania
The Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania provides legal services, with a particular focus on the needs of people who are economically and/or socially disadvantaged.
Phone: 1300 366 611
The Law Society of Tasmania
The Law Society of Tasmania can help you find a private lawyer.
In addition, the Society runs a Pro Bono Referral Service.
Phone: (03) 6234 4133
Community Legal Centres (CLCs)
Search the Community Legal Centres Tasmania website to find a suitable CLC.
Key CLCs are:
Hobart Community Legal Service
Can help with many legal matters, including Centrelink issues.
Phone: (03) 6223 2500
Launceston Community Legal Centre
Operates a Welfare Rights Advocacy Service, which provides advice, information and representation in matters relating to Centrelink.
Phone: (03) 6334 1577 or 1800 066 019 (free call)
DSP Help by Social Security Rights Victoria is a free online resource for DSP applicants and their support workers.
Help from a disability advocate
The Disability Advocacy Finder (Ask Izzy) can help you find a disability advocate.
Help for Indigenous Australians
The Tasmanian Aboriginal Legal Service (TALS) provides assistance with many legal matters including Centrelink issues.
Phone: 1800 595 162
We can help you understand the review process, but we cannot give you advice about your case.
There are professional people (for example, lawyers) and other organisations that can help you with your review.
Help from a lawyer
The following organisations may be able to provide you with legal assistance, or help you find a lawyer:
Victoria Legal Aid
Provides legal services, including legal help with Centrelink issues, with a particular focus on the needs of people who are economically and/or socially disadvantaged.
Phone: 1300 792 387
Law Institute Victoria
The Law Institute Victoria can help you find a private lawyer.
Phone: (03) 9607 9550
Community Legal Centres (CLCs)
Search the CLC directory to find a suitable CLC.
Tips:
- Scroll up to enter your postcode to find a CLC near you.
- Search by keywords such as ‘Centrelink’.
You can also call the Federation of Community Legal Centres on (03) 9652 1501 for help finding a CLC.
Key CLCs are:
Social Security Rights Victoria
Provides legal assistance with Centrelink issues and has produced DSP Help which is a free online resource for DSP applicants and their support workers.
Phone: (03) 9481 0355 or 1800 094 164 (if calling from outside Melbourne)
Southport Community Legal Service
Provides legal advice on many issues including social security.
Phone: (03) 9646 6066
Help from a disability advocate
The Disability Advocacy Finder (Ask Izzy) can help you find a disability advocate.
We can help you understand the review process, but we cannot give you advice about your case.
There are professional people (for example, lawyers) and other organisations that can help you with your review.
Help from a lawyer
The following organisations may be able to provide you with legal assistance, or help you find a lawyer:
Legal Aid Western Australia
Provides legal services, including legal help with Centrelink issues, with a particular focus on the needs of people who are economically and/or socially disadvantaged.
Phone: 1300 650 579
The Law Society of Western Australia
The Law Society of Western Australia can help you find a private lawyer.
Phone: (08) 9324 8600
Law Access
Law Access is a not-for-profit organisation that may be able to help you find pro bono (free or reduced fee) legal assistance.
Phone: (08) 6488 8725
Community Legal Centres (CLCs)
Search the CLC directory to find a suitable CLC near you.
Key CLCs are:
Welfare Rights and Advocacy Service
Provides advice, information, referral and ongoing casework assistance including representation in relation to Centrelink matters.
Phone: (08) 9328 1751
Sussex Street Community Law Service
Operates a Welfare Rights Unit to assist with Centrelink matters.
Phone: (08) 6253 9500 or 1300 648 655 (if calling from outside Perth)
DSP Help by Social Security Rights Victoria is a free online resource for DSP applicants and their support workers.
Help from a disability advocate
The Disability Advocacy Finder (Ask Izzy) can help you find a disability advocate.
Help for Indigenous Australians
The Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia provides many legal services to Indigenous Australians, and may be able to help with Centrelink issues.
Phone: 1800 019 900 (free call)