Programs

The Housing Legal Clinic (HLC) provides free legal advice to people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness and low income earners.

Providing free general advice about: Fines, Infringement notices, Debts, Tenancy and Housing, Personal Injury, Discrimination, Social Security Law, Family Law, Criminal Law and other general areas of law.

Clients are able to make an appointment at the various host services listed below.

Appointments are usually 15-30 minutes and the advice is given by lawyers from various firms in Adelaide. Advice sessions can be conducted face to face or over the phone. The HLC currently operates seven legal clinics in the city and suburbs and in rural South Australia in partnership with other organisations.

After making an appointment by phone, lawyers will talk with clients about their legal queries, and if appropriate provide advice or refer to an appropriate resource.

Clients living in rural or remote South Australia should contact the local UnitingCare Wesley Country SA office or contact Welfare Rights Centre on 1800 246 287 or 08 8223 1338 to make an appointment.

(HLC is part of the Welfare Rights Centre group of services)

Provides free legal advice for individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Helping people to resolve consumer credit problems including debt, hardship, credit law issues involving disputes with creditors, bankruptcy, mortgage stress, inability to negotiate payment plans and conduct by creditors.

It is a free service and provides access to specialist legal advice, financial counselling and legal representation in areas of credit, banking and finance. The website has listings for specific areas of help such as Motor Vehicle, Telcos, Utilities and home repossessions, going to court as well as issues related to Bad Credit History, Consumer Leases, Credit Card problems and Hardship issues.

Locations:

Adelaide, Medindie Gardens, Smithfield and Christies Beach

Open Monday – Friday, 9am- 5pm.

The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) provides a free and independent dispute service for small business and residential consumers who have an unresolved complaint about their telephone or internet service in Australia.

The TIO is able to handle complaints about telephone and internet services, including by collecting any documents or information relevant to the complaint. They have the authority to decide the resolution of a complaint (the telecommunications company is legally obliged to implement) up to $50,000, and make recommendations up to $100,000.

Handling complaints about:

- billing

- contracts

- disability issues

- faults

- numbering

- privacy

- connections

- credit management

- disconnections

- land access

- priority service

- transfers

The website has facts, information and examples of complaints. Its worthwhile taking a look at some of the complaint examples to see if your complaint is similar to others listed.

The Welfare Rights Centre is a community legal centre providing free duty solicitor services at the South Australian Civil and Administrative Appeals Tribunal for people with residential tenancy matters and the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for people who have Centrelink matters before the Tribunal.

The Centre also runs the Housing Legal Clinic providing pro-bono legal advice for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Level 5, 97 Pirie Street, Adelaide SA 5000

Postal address:

PO Box 3609, Rundle Mall SA 5000

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Can't afford to pay your fines?

Are you in financial hardship?

You can pay off part or all of your fines debt participating in community service projects. Community service can make a difference in the community and you could gain some useful skills.

There are many community service opportunities available. Activities may include, but are not limited to:

Maintaining and enhancing parks and gardens

Cleaning and repairing community assets

Providing a pair of hands to paint, build or construct public facilities

and much more

Community service makes it easier to address fines debt. Act early to avoid additional fees and penalties.