Do you have a legal issue or need free legal information? You can:
- message our online Legal Help Chat
- call our Legal Help phoneline
- search I need legal information about ... for basic legal information.
You can contact Legal Help 8.30 am to 5.30 pm, Monday to Friday. These services are closed on public holidays.
We also offer referrals and free legal advice for those who are eligible.
Get help quickly
Our online chat is a good way to get help from us. We can:
- answer legal questions
- give general legal information
- connect you with other organisations that can help.
We cannot arrange appointments or give specific legal advice through Legal Help Chat.
How Legal Help Chat works
Our qualified staff run Legal Help Chat between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm, Monday to Friday. Our chat is closed on public holidays.
When you send us a message to start a chat, we will ask for details about you and your legal question.
Our chat staff can give you general information to help with your question. We can also refer you to other organisations that may be able to help.
If you need help with a specific issue, you may need more tailored advice from a lawyer. We will tell you if you should call our free Legal Help phone line, or we will arrange for someone to contact you.
How to start a chat
- Visit any page on our website between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm, Monday to Friday. A Legal Help Chat window will appear at the bottom of the page.
- Type your legal question and details into the chat window. Our expert Legal Help staff will respond as soon as possible.
If the chat isn’t available, try our I need legal information about ... section. We have lots of information, free resources and publications to help answer common legal questions.
Legal issues we can't help with
There are some legal issues we don’t give advice on. If you contact us about one of these issues, we will send you some general information or refer you to another organisation that can help.
How to get help over the phone
You can phone our Legal Help on 1300 792 387 between 8 am and 6 pm, Monday to Friday. We only give legal advice to those who are eligible.
Our phone line is in high demand. We appreciate your patience if you are put on hold. It is best to call early in the day.
Get help in your language
Our staff speak many languages. If we do not speak your language, we will organise a free interpreter when you call.
We also have information about our legal services and how to use them in many languages. See our available languages and interpreters.
How to contact us if you are deaf or find it hard to hear or speak on the phone
If you are deaf or you find it hard to hear or speak on the phone, you can contact us 8 am to 6 pm, Monday to Friday, via:
- the free National Relay Service: request Victoria Legal Aid on 1300 792 387
- TTY: phone 133 677 and then ask for 1300 792 387
- Speak and Listen: phone 1300 555 727 and then ask for 1300 792 387
- our Legal Help Chat.
See also Support if you are deaf or find it hard to hear or speak on the phone.
How to contact us on behalf of someone else
You can call our Legal Help phone line if you are:
- trying to help a child under 18
- a worker calling for a client
- another third party trying to help someone find legal information and advice.
We prefer that the person or child with the legal issue is present, so we can give accurate and targeted advice. If the person with the issue is not present, we can only provide limited information.
How else we can help
Our free legal services include:
- Help before court – for criminal charges: if your court date is in 14 days or more, you may be able to get free legal advice.
- Help at court: our lawyers are on ‘duty’ to help at many courts and tribunals. This service is free, but we cannot help everyone – it is best to call us before going to court.
- Advice at our offices and other locations across Victoria.
- Providing you with a lawyer to help you run your case.
Updated