Referral tool - Justice Connect

Refer someone to Justice Connect

Welcome to our referral tool.
If you already know the service that you want to refer someone to, you can select the service on the next screen.
If you do not know which part of Justice Connect to refer someone to, this tool will help you quickly and easily refer someone in need of legal assistance to Justice Connect, with confidence that your referral is a good match for our services.
Generally, eligibility for a legal service depends on location, type of problem, and passing an income and assets test.
How we use and what we do with you and your client's information

The personal information that you provide to us on behalf of you and your client in this application, is used to make an assessment about whether we are able to provide your client with a service or refer your client to another service provider.

We respect your client’s privacy and confidential information, and have designed robust systems to protect both of your information.

Some of our services are delivered by our lawyers in our pro bono network. We may share your information with these lawyers for the purposes of finding your client legal assistance.

We collect, use, disclose and store both you and your client’s personal information in accordance with our privacy policy, which you can view here.

We will not share you or your client’s information with other service providers (other than lawyers that we are trying to recruit to provide you or your client with legal assistance) without first seeking you or your client’s consent.

View our privacy policy and disclaimer.

Please choose from*
- I already know which service I want to refer to
- Help me find the service that is the best fit for the person I want to refer to Justice Connect
Where does the help-seeker need assistance?*
Please select the location of the person's problem - the jurisdiction where they need legal assistance

Any of these direct services apply checkboxes section : START
Select the service you would like to refer to*
Homeless Law
- Homeless Law
  
  Justice Connect's Homeless Law service provides provides ongoing legal support on some areas of law to people experiencing or are at risk of homelessness in Melbourne and Geelong. We may be able to assist them by providing free legal advice and representation.
  The Homeless Law service is for people in Victoria experiencing or at risk of homelessness, with the following types of legal issues:
  ●  credit and debt
  ●  tenancy and housing problems
  ●  infringements where these are connected to homelessness
  ●  some criminal law matters
  ●  guardianship and administration
  Visit www.justiceconnect.org.au/how-we-help/homeless-law/ for more information.
  Homeless Law
Public Interest Law
- Public Interest Law
  
  The Public Interest Law service focuses on assisting Australians with public interest legal issues who cannot afford the legal assistance that they need.
  ‘Public interest' can mean that a legal issue involves an important point of law that is uncertain and requires clarification or the case could relates to an important right affecting a sector of the community.
  
  Visit https://justiceconnect.org.au/how-we-help/public-interest/ for more information.
  
  Public Interest Law
Self Representation Service
- Self Representation Service
  
  Justice Connect's Self Representation Service provides legal help across some matters in NSW, ACT, Victoria and Tasmania. It is for people who have a case at Federal Court or Federal Circuit Court, or are considering starting or defending a case in these courts, where their legal issue is one of:
  ●  employment law (assistance available for employees, not employers)
  ●  bankruptcy (assistance available for those who have had bankruptcy proceedings started against them, or are considering voluntary bankruptcy)
  ●  federal discrimination law, and
  ●  some types of judicial review hearings.
  The service usually provides single pieces of advice via appointments, as well as legal information. In some circumstances the service may recommend and facilitate full representation.
  Visit https://justiceconnect.org.au/how-we-help/self-rep-service/ for more information.
  Self Representation Service
Seniors Law
- Seniors Law
  
  Justice Connect's Seniors Law team integrates lawyers in the services older Australians use to identify legal need and provide older Australians who cannot afford to pay for a lawyer with free legal help.
  We focus on helping people experiencing elder abuse or are otherwise vulnerable and have legal issues associated with aging.
  All applications are initially processed by our Public Interest Law Service, however sometimes our specialist seniors team will take on the matter. Clients can also receive assistance through our Public Interest Law Service and our network of pro bono lawyers.
  When clients are receiving health treatment at one of our partner health organisations, we can sometimes provide assistance in the healthcare setting through our Seniors Law Service.
  Visit https://justiceconnect.org.au/how-we-help/seniors-law/ for more information.
  
  Seniors Law
Domestic Building Legal Service
- Domestic Building Legal Service
  
  Justice Connect's Domestic Building Legal Service assists clients in a dispute with their builder in Victoria, where the VCAT process can be burdensome and costly. For those who can’t afford the legal help they need, our Domestic Building Legal Service may be able to help.
  
  Homeowners need to meet eligibility criteria to access one-on-one legal assistance, however the service can provide information and resources to most homeowners with domestic building disputes.
  Visit https://justiceconnect.org.au/how-we-help/domestic-building-legal-service/ for more information.
  
  Domestic Building Legal Service
Any of these direct services apply checkboxes section : END

Unable to make a referral.
Based on your answers, the help-seeker is not eligible. As a charity, we prioritise helping people who are most in need. To be eligible, the legal problem needs to be something that we can help with. For many of our programs the help-seeker will need to meet other eligibility criteria, like income, for example.
Please see https://justiceconnect.org.au/who-we-cant-help/ for more information on where you can look for help.

Based on your answers, the following services may be able to assist. Please select which services you would like to continue with and refer the help-seeker to:
Section Break : required
Homeless Law
If you are assisting someone experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Victoria, our Homeless Law service may be able to assist them by providing free legal advice and representation on matter types including tenancy, credit and debt, infringements related to homelessness and criminal issues related to homelessness. Visit our Homeless Law website for more information.
- Refer to Homeless Law
Public Interest Law
Our public interest law team provides assistance on the broadest range of issues at Justice Connect. The key criteria for the service are whether there is particular public interest or special circumstances as well as merit that support the application of limited pro bono resources to the matter. The service works by matching people with unmet legal need with pro bono lawyers. Visit our Public Interest Law website for more information.
- Refer to Public Interest Law
Self Representation Service
If the help-seeker is representing themselves in the Federal Court or Federal Circuit Court, a little legal help can go a long way. Our Self Representation Service provides legal help through unbundled advice in NSW, ACT, Victoria and Tasmania. The service focuses on employment law (Fair Work), bankruptcy and federal discrimination matters. Visit our Self Representation Service website for more information.
- Refer to Self Representation Service
Seniors Law
Our Seniors Law service is focused on assisting vulnerable older people in Victoria and NSW. We particularly assist with guardianships matters, powers of attorney, property law issues, and family law concerns where issues are impacting on an elder person's wellbeing. The service is particularly interested to receive requests for assistance where someone is experiencing or at risk of elder abuse. Visit our Seniors Law website for more information.
- Refer to Seniors Law
Domestic Building Legal Service
If the help-seeker is in a dispute with their builder in Victoria, the VCAT process can be burdensome and costly. For those who can’t afford the legal help they need, our Domestic Building Legal Service may be able to help through a model providing limited scope assistance to self represented litigants. Visit our Domestic Building Legal Service website for more information.
- Refer to Domestic Building Legal Service
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Based on your answers the help-seeker is not eligible for a Homeless Law referral because they are over our income threshold.
You can contact our team to speak to them directly if you have further questions.
For further information about our services, please visit https://justiceconnect.org.au/how-we-help/
Please continue to check other services eligibility.

Based on your answers the help-seeker is not eligible for a Public Interest Law referral because they are over our income threshold.
You can contact our team to speak to them directly if you have further questions.
For further information about our services, please visit https://justiceconnect.org.au/how-we-help/
Please continue to check other services eligibility.

Based on your answers your the help-seeker is not eligible for a Self Representation Service referral because they are over our income threshold.
You can contact our team to speak to them directly if you have further questions.
For further information about our services, please visit https://justiceconnect.org.au/how-we-help/
Please continue to check other services eligibility.

Based on your answers the help-seeker is not eligible for a Seniors Law referral because they are over our income threshold.
You can contact our team to speak to them directly if you have further questions.
For further information about our services, please visit https://justiceconnect.org.au/how-we-help/
Please continue to check other services eligibility.

Homeless Law
Is the help-seeker homeless or at risk of homelessness?*
Eg. sleeping rough, couch surfing, or living in temporary transitional housing.
- Yes
- No
Does your the help-seeker own a home?*
- Yes
- No
What is your the help-seeker's housing situation?*
Select the option that best describes your client's situation
Is eligible - Homeless Direct - income and questions?
👉Please add new conditions here 👈
- Yes

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Based on your answers the help-seeker is not eligible for a Homeless Law referral.
Our Homeless Law service cannot provide legal help to people who live in homes that they own or are not homeless or at risk of homelessness.
You can contact our team to speak to them directly if you have further questions.
Please continue to check other services eligibility.
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What is your the help-seeker's legal problem?*
Please select any of the following categories that apply.
- Tenancy & eviction
- Fines & infringements
- Credit & debt
- Criminal law
This service can only assist with the legal matters listed. You can return to the start and find the service that is the best fit. If none of these legal problems apply, you can visit our page for more information about who we can't help and where you can look for further assistance.
Is eligible - Homeless Direct - legal problem
👉Please add new conditions here 👈
- Yes

Self Representation Service
Is help-seeker's problem a federal court matter or could potentially be a federal court matter?*
- Yes
- No
Is eligible - Direct SRS - income and question?
👉Please add new conditions here 👈
- Yes
Based on your answers the help-seeker is not eligible for a referral to our Self Representation Service.
Our Self Representation Service can only provide assistance to people who have a matter in the Federal Court or could potentially be in the Federal Court.
You can contact our team to speak to them directly if you have further questions.
Please continue to check other services eligibility.
What is the help-seeker's legal problem?
Please select any of the following categories that apply.
- Fair work & employment
- Bankruptcy
- Judicial review or administrative law
- Federal Discrimination Law (age, sex, race or disability)
This service can only assist with the legal matters listed. You can return to the start and find the service that is the best fit. If none of these legal problems apply, you can visit our page for more information about who we can't help and where you can look for further assistance.
Is eligible - Direct SRS - legal matter?
👉Please add new conditions here 👈
- Yes

Seniors Law
Is the help-seeker over the age of 55?*
- Yes
- No
Is eligible - Seniors?
- Yes
Based on your answers the help-seeker is not eligible for a referral to our Seniors Law Service.
Our Seniors Law Service can only assist clients if they meet the age requirements of the service.
You can contact our team to speak to them directly if you have further questions.
Please continue to check other services eligibility.
What is the help-seeker's legal problem?
Please select any of the following categories that apply.
- Domestic and family violence
- Elder abuse
- Guardianship and administration
- Power of Attorney
This service can only assist with the legal matters listed. You can return to the start and find the service that is the best fit. If none of these legal problems apply, you can visit our page for more information about who we can't help and where you can look for further assistance.

Domestic Building Legal Service
Is the help-seeker a homeowner in a dispute with a builder who carried out works at their home?*
- Yes
- No
Has the help-seeker already tried to resolve the domestic building dispute through Domestic Building Dispute Resolution Victoria (DBDRV)?*
This means they have either received a dispute resolution order, or a certificate of conciliation.
- Yes
- No
Is direct DBLS eligible?
- Yes
Is Domestic building dispute matter (in relation to)
👉Please add new conditions here 👈
- Domestic building dispute
Based on your answers the help-seeker is not eligible for a referral to our Domestic Building Law Service.
Our Domestic Building Law Service can only assist homeowners who have received a Domestic Building Dispute Resolution Victoria (DBDRV) certificate of conciliation.
DBDRV is an independent government agency designed to help resolve domestic building disputes. You can contact them online at www.dbdrv.vic.gov.au
Want to know more about what to expect – download a fact sheet.
You can contact our team to speak to them directly if you have further questions.
Please continue to check other services eligibility.
What is the estimated annual household income of the help-seeker?*
What is the help-seeker's equity in the property in dispute?*

Unfortunately your client is not eligible for a referral to Justice Connect.
For more information about who we can't help or where you can look for help, please visit this page.

Public Interest Law
Please briefly describe why providing pro bono representation to the help-seeker is in the public interest?*
Does the help-seeker have any special circumstances we should know about?
What kind of referral are you hoping to make?
- Referral for full pro bono advice or representation
- Request for merits assessment (advice on whether a claim has prospects of success)
- Request for barrister where solicitor has already been assigned (usually requested by community legal centres or law firms that are already assisting a help-seeker and require extra support from a barrister)
- Other
Other assistance required:
Will you be instructing in this matter?*

Will you be instructing in this matter?

To instruct in this context is to provide the facts of a case given by a client to their solicitor, or by a solicitor to a barrister with directions to conduct the case.
- Yes
- No
If you are another legal service, please explain why you could not assist this person

Domestic Building Legal Service
What is the estimated annual household income of the help-seeker?*

What is the estimated annual household income of the help-seeker?

We provide legal services if clients meet our means test.The household income includes the income of a partner.
However, Special circumstances are also considered at the eligibility phase. The Service will consider any particular disadvantage or vulnerabilities of a person that may make it difficult for them to access appropriate legal assistance or representation. It remains at the Service’s discretion to balance the enquirer’s means and special circumstances in considering whether an appointment can be made for a client. In such circumstances, the Service may assist such a person if they are unrepresented but do not meet the Service means tests.
Examples: mental illness, disability, cultural and linguistic diversity, literacy issues, geographic remoteness etc.
Please contact our office if you wish to discuss this with a member of our team.
What is the help-seeker's equity in the property in dispute?*

Consent for referral
Do you have consent from the help-seeker to make this referral and share their personal information?*
- Yes
- No
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We can only accept referrals with consent from the help-seeker.
You can contact our team to speak to them directly if you have further questions.
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Details about help-seeker matter/s
Help-seeker name*
First Name Last Name
Help-seeker's Phone
Help-seeker's Email

Key upcoming dates (e.g. hearing or eviction dates)

Date	Please describe what will happen on this date
		Edit Delete
There are no dates.

Details of other parties to the legal dispute.

By other parties we mean the people on the other side of the legal issue (eg. a person, a business).

Organisation / Individual Name	Party's Email
		Edit Delete
There are no parties.

Please describe the help-seeker's legal matter/s and the assistance that they need*
Please upload any relevant documents
Drop files here or

Accepted file types: jpg, gif, png, pdf, jpeg.

Your contact details
Please provide your details for this referral. We may request further information about this referral to assist the help-seeker.
Your Name
Referrer First Name Referrer Last Name
Referrer role
Referrer organisation or agency
Referrer contact phone
Referrer email
Follow-up and progress
Would you like to be kept informed about the progress of this referral and have you asked for help-seeker consent for this?*
- Yes
- No
Would you like us to contact you before we follow-up with the help-seeker?*
- Yes
- No
I am happy to be contacted for feedback on my experience of referring a client to Justice Connect
- I am happy to be contacted for feedback on my experience of referring a client to Justice Connect
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Phone
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Refer someone to Justice Connect

Any of these direct services apply checkboxes section : START

Select the service you would like to refer to*

Any of these direct services apply checkboxes section : END

Any of these legal problems apply checkboxes section : START

What is the help-seeker's legal problem?*

Please select any of the following categories that apply.Multiple selections can be made.

Housing and homelessness﻿

Financial Issues

Work matter

Personal rights and safety

Reviewing Government decisions

Guardianship and Power of Attorney

Other

Referrals are only available for legal problems in the list above.

For further information about our services, please visit https://justiceconnect.org.au/how-we-help/

Any of these legal problems apply checkboxes section : END

Hidden Value Fields - Sorter

Do any of the following apply?

Unable to make a referral.

Based on your answers, the following services may be able to assist. Please select which services you would like to continue with and refer the help-seeker to:

Section Break : required

Section Break:end required

Based on your answers the help-seeker is not eligible for a Homeless Law referral because they are over our income threshold.

Based on your answers the help-seeker is not eligible for a Public Interest Law referral because they are over our income threshold.

Based on your answers your the help-seeker is not eligible for a Self Representation Service referral because they are over our income threshold.

Based on your answers the help-seeker is not eligible for a Seniors Law referral because they are over our income threshold.

Homeless Law

Section Break

Based on your answers the help-seeker is not eligible for a Homeless Law referral.

Section Break - Direct Homeless - Legal Problem

Public Interest Law

Based on your answers your client is not eligible for a referral to the Public Interest Law service.

Self Representation Service

Based on your answers the help-seeker is not eligible for a referral to our Self Representation Service.

Seniors Law

Based on your answers the help-seeker is not eligible for a referral to our Seniors Law Service.

Domestic Building Legal Service

Based on your answers the help-seeker is not eligible for a referral to our Domestic Building Law Service.

Unfortunately your client is not eligible for a referral to Justice Connect.

Public Interest Law

Domestic Building Legal Service

Consent for referral

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We can only accept referrals with consent from the help-seeker.

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Details about help-seeker matter/s

Your contact details

Follow-up and progress

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Please provide details of other parties to the legal dispute.

Please select any of the following categories that apply.

Multiple selections can be made.

Housing and homelessness