Discrimination Law Practice

SERVICES & PROGRAMS

We believe all women have the right to live a life free of discrimination.

We provide free legal assistance to women who have been treated unfairly at work, at school, or by a service provider because of a characteristic they have, or that someone thinks they have.

HOW WE HELP

We can provide legal advice if to women who think they have been treated unfairly because of their:

Sex
Race
Disability
Age
Pregnancy
Breastfeeding
Parent, family, carer or kinship responsibilities
Experience of domestic and family violence
Sexual orientation
Gender Identity
Political and/or religious beliefs
Visa status
Irrelevant criminal record

We can also assist women whose matters progress to conciliation with the ACT Human Rights Commission and the Australian Human Rights Commission. This can include assisting women to draft court or tribunal documents, and representing women in negotiations with the other party to resolve the dispute, including in the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal and the ACT Supreme Court.

We aim to improve public life for women and intervene as early as possible to offer practical solutions to resolve the dispute. We also prioritise assistance to women with discrimination matters that may also lead to policy and law reform to improve the lives of women through systems change more broadly.

GET HELP

If you need legal advice or information about your circumstances please contact the Centre. Our Intake and Advice Line is open 9-5, Monday to Friday. You can call us on 02 6257 4377/1800 634 669. One of our Client Services team will go through your situation and see how we can help.

You can also request assistance online using our Request for Assistance form (click below). One of our Client Services team will be in touch to see how we can help.

Our services are free

Multi-disciplinary and trauma-informed services

We understand that women may need more than legal advice to take the next step, stay safe through a legal process and to address other issues that affect their safety, financial security and well-being. We have a team of Social Workers and an Aboriginal Case Manager that can provide support to Centre clients, including safety planning, advocacy and case management. We can also refer clients to complementary services including financial counsellors, specialist counselling, and other financial and parenting supports.

EMERGENCY SERVICES

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call for police and ambulance help.

Ph: 000

If you require police assistance but it is not an emergency, phone 131 444 or visit the ACT Police website.

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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CRISIS SERVICE

The Domestic Violence Crisis Service can provide emergency support to people affected by domestic and family violence.

Ph: 24/7 Crisis Line 02 6280 0900

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CANBERRA COMMUNITY LAW
CCL provides free legal assistance in the areas of public housing, Centrelink, disability discrimination and some civil law matters. It also runs specialist programs to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with Centrelink, housing and race discrimination legal issues and people experiencing homelessness with civil law issues.

Ph: 02 6218 7900

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CONSUMER LAW CENTRE ACT
CLC provides free legal advice and representation in the areas of consumer credit (mortgages, credit cards and personal loans), debt recovery, financial abuse, bankruptcy, insurance, simple contracts, and general fair trading and consumer protection.

Ph: 02 6143 0044

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ABORIGINAL LEGAL SERVICE
ALS provides free legal advice and representation in the areas of criminal law, family law, Care and Protection and Tenancy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Ph: 1800 765 767 (Criminal matters) 1800 733 233 (Care & protection and family matters)

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LEGAL AID ACT
LA provides free legal advice and representation in the areas of criminal law, family law and some civil law matters, including migration and private tenancy issues.

Ph: 1300 654 314 (Helpline)

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LEGAL AID DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND PERSONAL PROTECTION ORDER UNIT

This Unit provides free assistance to people applying for Family Violence Orders and help to understand and respond to orders. The Unit is located at the ACT Magistrates Court.

Ph: 02 6207 1874 or 1300 654 314

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