Disclaimer: The material in this print-out relates to the law as it applies in the state of Victoria. It is intended as a general guide only. Readers should not act on the basis of any material in this print-out without getting legal advice about their own particular situations. Victoria Legal Aid disclaims any liability howsoever caused to any person in respect of any action taken in reliance on the contents of the publication.

We help Victorians with their legal problems and represent those who need it most. Find legal answers, chat with us online, or call us. You can speak to us in English or ask for an interpreter. You can also find more legal information at www.legalaid.vic.gov.au

Our Geelong office is closed to the public from 22 May until 8 August due to renovations. You can call the office on (03) 5226 5666 or search our
online legal information.

Legal needs research

Read about our key research projects on legal need in Australia and Victoria.

We have supported the following key research projects on legal need in Australia and Victoria:

  • Legal Australia-Wide (LAW) Survey – 2012
  • Indigenous Legal Needs Project – 2013.

Legal Australia-Wide (LAW) Survey – 2012

The Law and Justice Foundation of NSW conducted the largest survey of legal needs ever undertaken. They interviewed over 20,000 people across all states and territories, including over 4000 in Victoria.

The survey provides insight into the legal problems people face, the actions they take, where they go for advice, and the outcomes they achieve. It also examines the demographic groups that are particularly vulnerable to legal problems.

The Foundation was commissioned by the eight state and territory legal aid commissions to conduct the research. An in-depth analysis of legal needs at the state, territory and national level was published in October 2012.

More information

You can read the complete national report and Victorian state report at the Law and Justice Foundation website.

The Foundation has also published:

Indigenous Legal Needs Project – 2013

We partnered with the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service and James Cook University in a research project investigating the civil and family law needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Victorians.

The research is based on focus groups with Indigenous participants and interviews with legal and related stakeholders. The eight communities selected to reflect urban, regional and rural communities were Bairnsdale, Bendigo, Fitzroy, Framlingham, Heidelberg, Robinvale, Shepparton and Swan Hill.

Over 70 stakeholder organisations servicing or working within the nominated Victorian communities were interviewed to explore the experiences, perspectives and understandings of those providing legal or related services.

Read the full Victorian report (pdf, 3.04 MB).

More information

The Indigenous Legal Needs Project website has information about the project undertaken in Australia.

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