Make a referral - Justice Connect

Refer someone to Justice Connect

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.
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Apply straight to a program service or we can help you find a suitable service
Click here to see a summary of Justice Connect Services

Justice Connect services

Homeless Law
The Homeless Law service may be able to provide free legal advice and representation 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

Public Interest Law
Focuses on assisting Australians with public interest legal issues who cannot afford the legal assistance that they need.
‘Public interest' usually refers to:
● a legal issue involving an important point of law that is uncertain and requires clarification, or
● a specific case relating to an important right affecting a sector of the community.
Our key focus areas of law are employment law (employees only, not employers), refugee rights, elder law and disability law, however we may also assist with other public interest issues.
If you are unsure, please submit an application and we will let you know if we are able to assist.

Federal Self Representation
Provides legal help across some matters in NSW, ACT, Victoria and Tasmania who have a case at Federal Court or Federal Circuit Court, or are considering starting or defending a case in these courts. We are currently only able to assist where their legal issue is one of the following:
● 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.

Seniors Law
Focuses on helping people experiencing elder abuse or are otherwise vulnerable and have legal issues associated with aging.
We provide older Australians who cannot afford to pay for a lawyer with free legal help, and we integrate lawyers within certain services they use in order to identify legal needs. For example, we send lawyers to health services to help identify whether older clients may be experiencing a legal issue as well as their health issue.
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.

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/ for more information.
Apply straight to a program service or we can help you find a suitable service*
- 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?
Location of help-seeker's legal problem?*
Please select the location of where the help-seeker needs legal assistance (jurisdiction of the matter)
Is this referral urgent?
Are there any impending deadlines or urgency in timing related to the helpseeker's legal issue (e.g. declining health of older person, eviction or court date)
Is this referral urgent?*
- Yes
- No
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Justice Connect usually attends to all submissions within 2 business days, we often cannot assist in highly urgent matters. If you wish to proceed, click next.

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 assist family law

You selected that you have a family law legal problem. Unfortunately Justice Connect is not able to help with this type of legal issue. We know that finding assistance can be difficult. We recommend that you contact the Legal Aid Commission in your state or territory, and also visit your local community legal centre. Alternatively, for guidance on other legal services please go here.

Please click next to continue with finding the right service for your other selections.

Unable to assist family law
- You selected that you have a family law legal problem. Unfortunately Justice Connect is not able to help with this type of legal issue. We know that finding assistance can be difficult. We recommend that you contact the Legal Aid Commission in your state or territory, and also visit your local community legal centre. Alternatively, for guidance on other legal services please go here.

Ineligible income (sorter) - Homeless law :651 logic
Income too high - Homeless Law
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 on 1800 606 313 to speak to them directly if you have further questions.
Ineligible income (sorter) - SRS
Income too high - Self Representation Service
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 on 1800 727 550 to speak to them directly if you have further questions.
Ineligible income (sorter) - Seniors
Income too high - Seniors Law
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 on 1300 044 332 to speak to them directly if you have further questions.
Ineligible income (sorter) - PIL
Income too high - Public Interest Law
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 on 1300 044 332 to speak to them directly if you have further questions.
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For further information about our services, please visit https://justiceconnect.org.au/how-we-help/
Please continue to check other services eligibility.

Unable to make a referral.
Based on the location and income, the help-seeker is not eligible for the legal problem they have. 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.

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 any (multiple can be selected) of the available services you would like to refer the help-seeker to. Our services usually respond within 2 business days.
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Homeless Law
Based on your selection of: {:137:decode} {:140:decode} {:186:decode} {:139:decode} {:187:decode}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 these matter types.
Visit our Homeless Law website for more information.
Homeless Law checkbox
- Refer to Homeless Law
Public Interest Law
Based on your selection of: {:139:decode} {:491:decode} {:143:decode} {:151:decode} {:152:decode} {:153:decode} {:158:decode} {:148:decode} {:146:decode} {:156:decode} {:149:decode} {:147:decode}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 checkbox
- Refer to Public Interest Law
Self Representation Service
Based on your selection of: {:146:decode} {:147:decode} {:148:decode} {:149:decode}If the help-seeker is representing themselves in the Federal Court or Federal Circuit Court, our Self Representation Service can provide legal help through unbundled advice in Victoria, NSW, ACT and Tasmania.
Visit our Self Representation Service website for more information.
Refer to SRS checkbox
- Refer to Self Representation Service
Seniors Law
Based on your selection of: {:139:decode} {:142:decode} {:143:decode} {:144:decode}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 checkbox
- Refer to Seniors Law
Domestic Building Legal Service
Based on your selection of: {:157:decode}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 DBLS checkbox
- Refer to Domestic Building Legal Service
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Income too high - Homeless Law
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 on 1800 606 313 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.

Income too high - Public Interest Law
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 on 1300 044 332 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.

Income too high - Self Representation Service
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 on 1800 727 550 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.

Income too high - Seniors Law
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 on 1300 044 332 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.

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.

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Based on your answers the help-seeker is not eligible for a Homeless Law referral.
Our Homeless Law service provides legal help to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
You can contact our team to speak to them directly on 1800 606 313 if you have further questions.
Please continue to check other services eligibility.
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Homeless Law
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.

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 on 1300 044 332 to speak to them directly if you have further questions.
Please continue to check other services eligibility.
Self Representation Service
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.

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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 on 1300 044 332 to speak to them directly if you have further questions.
Please continue to check other services eligibility.
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Seniors Law
What is the help-seeker's legal problem?
Please select any of the following categories that apply.
- 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.

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 on 1800 727 550 to speak to them directly if you have further questions.
Please continue to check other services eligibility.
Domestic Building Legal Service
What is the estimated annual household income of the help-seeker?*
What is the help-seeker's equity in the property in dispute?*
Why are we asking for this information?

Why we are asking

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.
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(Direct) - Are any programs eligible for both additional and income questions :585
👉Please add new conditions here 👈
- Yes

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
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 will be instructing (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:
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?*
Why are we asking for this information?

Why we are asking

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.

Consent for referral
Do you have consent from the help-seeker to make this referral and share their personal information?*

Do you have consent from the help-seeker to make this referral and share their personal information?

By consent, we mean that the help-seeker should have provided you with an affirmative answer to providing their personal information to our service for the purposes of a referral to be made.
We usually respond to referral applications via this tool within 2-3 business days.
If you need more information about Justice Connect and what services we offer, please visit our website on this page: https://justiceconnect.org.au/refer/
- Yes
- No

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 about consent.
Domestic Building Legal Service: 1800 727 550
Homeless Law: 8636 4408
Public Interest Law: 1300 044 332
Self Representation Service: 1800 727 550
Seniors Law: 1300 044 332

Details about help-seeker matter/s
Please advise if providing pro bono representation to the help-seeker is in the public interest*

Please advise if providing pro bono representation to the help-seeker is in the public interest

Our Public Interest Law Service only provides assistance to clients with a matter that is in the public interest.

‘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.

You can contact our team on 1300 044 332 to speak to them directly if you have further questions.
Please describe the help-seeker's legal matter/s and the assistance that they need*
Does the help-seeker have any special circumstances we should know about?

Key upcoming dates

Are there any key upcoming dates you are aware of (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 upload any relevant documents
Include any documents that will help Justice Connect assess whether we can assist. (e.g. past proceedings for Appeals, letter of demand)
Drop files here or

Accepted file types: doc, docx, jpg, gif, png, pdf, jpeg.
Follow-up and progress
Would you like us to contact you before we follow-up with the help-seeker?*
- Yes
- No
Would you like to be advised about the outcome of this referral?*
- Yes
- No
Would you like to be kept informed about the progress of the help-seeker's matter?*
- Yes
- No

Help-seeker name*
First Name Last Name
Help-seeker's Phone
Help-seeker's Email
Please provide any notes on method of contact or safety for the help-seeker
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
Please provide any information that Justice Connect staff should be aware of (e.g. any warnings on help-seeker behaviour)
Where did you hear about Justice Connect referrals?
Please describe
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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Email
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Refer someone to Justice Connect

Apply straight to a program service or we can help you find a suitable service

Where does the help-seeker need assistance?

Is this referral urgent?

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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 can be selected)

Housing and homelessness﻿

Financial Issues

Work matter

Personal rights and safety

Reviewing Government decisions

Guardianship and Power of Attorney

Other

Unable to assist family law

Unable to assist family law

Any of these legal problems apply checkboxes section : END

Hidden Value Fields - Sorter

Ineligible income (sorter) - Homeless law :651 logic

Income too high - Homeless Law

Ineligible income (sorter) - SRS

Income too high - Self Representation Service

Ineligible income (sorter) - Seniors

Income too high - Seniors Law

Ineligible income (sorter) - PIL

Income too high - Public Interest Law

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Unable to make a referral.

Do any of the following apply?

Section Break - HL (sorter) additional questions

Section Break - Seniors (sorter) additional questions

Section Break - SRS (sorter) additional questions

Section Break - DBLS (sorter) addditional questions

Section Break - Additional questions (sorter) conditions

Unable to make a referral.

Based on your answers, the following services may be able to assist:

Please select any (multiple can be selected) of the available services you would like to refer the help-seeker to. Our services usually respond within 2 business days.

Section Break : required

Homeless Law

Public Interest Law

Self Representation Service

Seniors Law

Domestic Building Legal Service

Section Break:end required

Income too high - Homeless Law

Income too high - Public Interest Law

Income too high - Self Representation Service

Income too high - Seniors Law

Unable to make a referral.

Do any of these apply?

Section Break - Homeless law direct additional questions

Section Break - SRS direct additional questions

Section Break - Seniors law direct additional questions

Section Break - DBLS direct additional questions

Additional questions logic check

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

Section Break - Direct Homeless - Legal Problem

Homeless Law

Public Interest Law

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

Self Representation Service

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

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Seniors Law

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

Domestic Building Legal Service

Section Break

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

Public Interest Law

Domestic Building Legal Service

Consent for referral

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

Details about help-seeker matter/s

Follow-up and progress

Please select any of the following categories that apply.
(Multiple can be selected)

Housing and homelessness