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Services that can help – NSW

Legal Aid offices

Family law advice is free at all Legal Aid NSW offices.

See the Legal Aid NSW website (new window) for office locations and contact details.

The Legal Aid HotLine for Under 18s provides phone advice for young people detained in police custody, phone: 1800 101 810. Operates Monday to Friday, 9 am to midnight and 24 hours on weekends and public holidays.

Other agencies

LawAccess New South Wales
For information, referral or advice 9am-5pm Mon - Fri
Phone: 1300 888 529

Community Legal Centres
To find a centre in your area,  look in the White Pages under 'legal centres' or search the Combined Community Legal Centres Group website (new window).
Phone: (02) 9318 2355

Domestic Violence Advocacy Service
Phone: (02) 9637 3741 or 1800 810 784 (toll free)

Legal Aid Child Support Service
Phone: (02) 9744 3833 or 1800 451784 (country callers)

Women’s Legal Services
Phone: (02) 9749 5533 or 1800 801 501 (toll free)

Indigenous Women’s Program
Phone: 1800 639 784 (toll free)

Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women’s Legal Centre
Phone: (02) 9569 3847

Aboriginal Legal Service
Phone: (02) 8842 8000 (head office)
Call head office for location details.

Law Society of NSW Community Referral Service
For information and referral to private lawyers.
Phone: (02) 9926 0300 or 1300 888 529

Ombudsman’s Office (NSW)
To make a general complaint.
Phone: (02) 9286 1000 or 1800 451 524 (country callers)

Legal Services Commissioner
For complaints about lawyers.
Phone: (02) 9377 1888 or 1800 242 958 (country callers)

Courts

Family Court and Federal Magistrates Court
National Enquiry Centre: 1300 352 000
Commonwealth family courts website (new window)

Family Court of Australia (New South Wales)
Located in Albury, Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, Lismore, Newcastle, Parramatta, Sydney, Wollongong.

Local Courts

Local Courts also deal with some family law matters. In many cases you can file your matter at the Local Court and it may be transferred to the Family Court or the Federal Magistrates Court for a final decision.
Local Courts website (new window)

Family dispute resolution and counselling

Centacare: (02) 9725 7077
Community Justice Centres (dispute resolution only): (02) 9790 0656
Relationships Australia dispute resolution: (02) 9387 4211
Relationships Australia: (02) 9418 8800
Unifam: (02) 9261 4077
Interrelate: (02) 9840 8777

Family relationship centres

Blacktown: (02) 8811 0000
Campbelltown: (02) 4629 7000
Fairfield: (02) 9794 2000
Lismore: (02) 6622 7003
Newcastle: (02) 4016 0566
North Ryde: (02) 8874 8088
Nowra: (02) 4429 1400
Penrith: (02) 4720 4999
Sutherland: (02) 9525 6488
Wagga Wagga: (02) 6923 9100
Wollongong: (02) 4220 1100

Other services

Telephone Interpreter Service: 131 450
Community Relations Division: 1300 651 500

Men's referral services
MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978

Family violence services
Domestic Violence Advocacy Service: (02) 9637 3741 or 1800 810 784 (toll free)
Domestic Violence Line: 1800 656 463
Police: phone the domestic violence liaison officer at your local police station.

Migrant resource centres
See 'Migrant Resource Centres' in white pages of your phone book.

Financial counselling services
To contact your nearest financial counsellor and for advice on negotiating with creditors.
Credit Help Line: 1800 808 488

Victims Services
Victims Support Line: (02) 9374 3000 or 1800 633 063
Victims Services: (02) 9374 3111 or 1800 069 054

Other contact points
Australian Federal Police: (02) 6256 7777
Centrelink: 1800 050 004 (free call, customer relations)
Child Support Agency: 131 272 (free call)
NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages: 1300 655 236 (local call)