Useful legal resources
Following is a list of useful websites collated as an easy-to-access resource. The Law Handbook Online also contains a large database of addresses and links to useful websites that are related to specific topics. To access these links, either go to the topic of your choice and see the "Contacts" section, or click on the "Links" or "Services" tabs above.
For free access to legislation, case judgments and law updates:
Australasian Legal Information Institute (Austlii): www.austlii.edu.au
The ALII provides an online database of Commonwealth and state legislation and cases. It also includes provides tribunal judgments.
ComLaw: www.comlaw.gov.au
ComLaw is an integral part of the Australian Law Online initiative to bring law or no cost access to the law for the community. The website provides access to a database of Acts, bills, legislative instruments and new and future law.
Victorian legislation and parliamentary documents: www.legislation.vic.gov.au
This online service lists all bills currently under consideration by the Victorian Parliament and also provides access to the Victorian Statutory Book and Victorian Law Today, which provide a comprehensive listing of Victorian Acts and Statutory Rules.
Australian Government Attorney-General's Department: www.ag.gov.au
The Attorney-General’s Department provides information about Commonwealth law. There is also access to information about the Australian legal and justice system and related websites.
Victorian Government Solicitors Office: www.vgso.vic.gov.au
The VGSO is the primary source of legal services to the State Government and provides online information about laws and legal cases which affect the government and statutory authorities.
Judicial College of Victoria: www.judicialcollege.vic.edu.au
The Judicial College of Victoria provides a number of resources, including publications discussing current laws and recent legislative changes, free online.
For questions about or assistance with legal issues:
Victoria Legal Aid (VLA): www.legalaid.vic.gov.au
Victoria Legal Aid helps people with their legal problems. The website details the various ways the VLA can assist and provides access to publications and legal updates and other legal aid resources.
Law Institute of Victoria (LIV): www.liv.asn.au
The Law Institute of Victoria represents the members of Victoria’s legal profession. It provides online information to the public on a variety of legal topics as well as an online referral service and directories.
Public Interest Law Clearing House (PILCH): www.pilch.org.au
The Public Interest Law Clearing House (Vic) Inc is an independent, not-for-profit organisation which is committed to furthering the public interest, improving access to justice and protecting human rights. PILCH facilitates the provision of pro bono legal services and advocates for law reform. A range of manuals, guides, fact sheets and reports are available free online.
Human Rights Law Resource Centre: www.hrlrc.org.au
Australia’s first human rights legal service provides access to relevant publications and resources including the Guide to the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities and the HRLRC Manual.
Youth Law: www.youthlaw.asn.au
Youthlaw is a specialist statewide community legal centre for young people. It provides free and confidential legal advice. It also provides a number of publications and resources online about relevant youth issues and laws.
For assistance with consumer or financial issues:
Consumer Affairs Victoria Resource Centre: www.consumer.vic.gov.au
Consumer Affairs Victoria assists consumers and provides information and resources for a wide range of consumer issues as well as relevant legal changes. Information regarding consumer complaints and assistance is also available.
Financial and Consumer Rights Council Inc. (FCRC): www.fcrc.org.au
The FCRC is the peak body for financial counsellors, consumer rights workers, and other advocates of vulnerable consumers in Victoria.
Financial Counselling (Vic) (FCV): www.financial-counselling.org.au
The FCV endeavours through its casework and community contact to achieve a more just and equitable society. It will provide financial counselling to low income families and individuals.
The Consumer Credit Code: www.creditcode.gov.au
The website provides information for consumers and businesses in relation to the national initiative to standardise credit practice in Australia. It includes information about the new and national regulation of consumer credit that is continuing to be developed.
Assistance for not-for-profit groups:
PilchConnect: www.pilchconnect.org.au
PILCH provides assistance to not-for-profit organisations and has recently established a specialist service, PilchConnect, to provide free or low cost legal information, advice and training. The portal provides legal resources for not-for-profits, including plain English resources such as fact sheets and checklists.
Some useful online publications:
Environmental Law Online: www.envirolaw.org.au/doku.php
The Environment Defender's Office (Vic) provides the Environmental Law Online as a free resource, offering people a broad range of information on environmental law in Victoria in a single website.
Rural Law Online: www.rurallaw.org.au
Rural Law Online is designed to give rural Victorians access to plain language information on areas of law which affect you. The national online forums run by Rural Law Online, provide all Australians with an opportunity to ask legal questions and get a response from a lawyer in your state or territory
Federal Discrimination Law Online: www.hreoc.gov.au/legal/FDL/index.html
FDL Online is the online version of Federal Discrimination Law produced by the Australian Human Rights Commission (formerly the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission). FDL Online is updated to reflect the latest developments in federal discrimination law and you can register to receive updates to the site as they happen.
Victorian Government Gazette: www.gazette.vic.gov.au
The Victorian Government Gazette provides official notification of decisions or actions taken by, or information from the Governor of Victoria, government authorities, government departments, local councils, companies and individuals.
Lawyers Weekly: www.lawyersweekly.com.au
This service provides access to free legal websites, legal updates and articles about new cases and legislation.
Other useful sites:
Victoria Online: www.vic.gov.au
This is an online service that provides information about local, state and federal government services. It is an entry point to other websites for matters as diverse as business, health, law and the environment, to name just a few.