Help with your Legal Problem
Legal Aid and Assistance
What legal aid is available?
A list of organisations is available that may be able to help you with free or low costs legal advice or assistance.
Can the Court refer me for legal assistance?
The Court has the power in its absolute discretion to decide if a self-represented person should be referred for legal assistance (see Division 4.2 of the Rules). However, even if a judge does make a referral for legal assistance, it does not mean that legal assistance will be available.
The Court relies on the generosity of the legal profession, through various pro bono schemes, to provide their services and skills to assist self-represented litigants.
For further information on the Court's legal assistance scheme, refer to the Court referral for Legal Assistance on the Court's website.
Useful legal information
Where can I find legal information?
In addition to the Court's Practice Notes, guides and other information on the Court's website, there are many sources of legal resources that you can readily access. Some examples of these are:
Australian Capital Territory
- Common legal questions answered (ACT Law Society)
- Legal Aid ACT
New South Wales
- LawAccess online (NSW Government)
- Find Legal Answers (State Library of NSW)
- Legal Aid NSW
Northern Territory
- Northern Territory Law Handbook (NT Legal Aid Commission and Darwin Community Legal Service)
Queensland
- Legal information including fact sheets and guides (Legal Aid Queensland)
- Queensland Law Handbook (Caxton Legal Centre Inc)
- Legalpedia Queensland (LawRight)
South Australia
- Law Handbook (Legal Services Commission of South Australia)
Tasmania
- Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania
- Tasmanian Law Handbook (Hobart Community Legal Centre)
Victoria
Western Australia
- Information sheets (Legal Aid WA)
Does the Court have a library?
Yes, each Registry has a library. The library catalogue covers the holdings of the Federal Court library network which includes textbooks, law reports, journals, legislation and government publications.
While the Court's library does not lend library materials to individuals, you are able to search the library catalogue online and request a loan of items through your local library.
Go to Library Catalogue.
