Call our Daily Help Line 9113 9500 Monday to Friday 9-5pm
Call our Help Line . One of our volunteers will take your call & either directly put you on to the rostered lawyer or if they are busy pass on your query . The lawyer will get back usually within 2 days and a maximum of 5.
Or you can send your query to legal@youthlaw.asn.au
The information you provide will be treated confidentially.
You can contact us for help about most legal problems.
Common issues we provide advice on:
- Fines: Train/tram fines or other fines particularly where stuff going on such as mental heath, homelessness etc.
- Criminal charges : Police interviews & criminal charges
- Driving : Fines & charges
- Becoming independent: Leaving home, living with others. Who do I get to sign forms if I don’t leave at home?
- Complaints: Who do I contact to complain about being treated unfairly at work, school, accommodation etc
- Car accidents: I wasn’t insured – do I have to pay?
- Debts: I’ve got debts. I’m in a bad mobile phone contract. What are my options?
- Discrimination: I’m being sexually harassed at work. I got knocked back on a rental . What can I do about it?
- Family: What are my rights when my parents separate?
- Police issues: Experienced mistreatment ? Need to know your rights ?
- Relationships: Sex and when it is ok , relationships issues including violence, your rights as a young parent
- Security guards: What can and can’t they do?
- Tenancy: Ending a lease, getting repairs done
- Ticket inspectors: What are my rights? Can I complain?
- School: Suspension, expulsion and bullying – where do I stand legally?
- Victim of crime: Applying for crimes compensation?
- Violence and abuse: Physical , emotional or verbal violence. Sexual abuse. Intervention orders. Have an intervention against you?
Lots of information on these and other issues is available in our learn about the law section.
What we can’t help with
We can’t help with these issues, but if you call us, we can tell you who to talk to:
- Migration
- Divorce
- Child protection
- Personal injury
- Wills/estates
- Powers of Attorney
- Commercial matters
- Taxation
Family Violence
We have a family violence service ( lawyer & social worker) . They have lots of experience and are great to talk to .
Call if you are feeling unsafe at home or in your relationship . We can give assist you to work out what to do & how to stay safe.
Family violence includes
- Someone physically hurting you in any way ;
- Putting you down, blaming you for things, controlling or frightening you;
- Stopping you from seeing people such as a doctor ;
- Restricting your movements
- Monitoring your mobile and/or email.
If you are in immediate danger, please call 000.
If you are not in danger right now, but would like to talk to a lawyer or a youth worker about family violence, you can speak to our family violence program by calling our main phone line on 9113 9500, or emailing us at legal@youthlaw.asn.au.
Please note: We are not a crisis service.
- If you feel unsafe or threatened or fearful for yourself, a child or family member, please call 000.
- If you are in a crisis, call Safe Steps, Victoria’s 24/7 family violence response line on 1800 015 188.
- If you need an interpreter, call the Telephone Interpreter Service (24 hours) on 131 450. They will connect you with the service you want.
Who we can help:
Youthlaw is statewide and for anyone under 25
We also provide legal information to adults assisting/working with young people (such as siblings, parents and youth workers).
- Phone: (03) 9113 9500 (daily 9-5 pm , Monday to Friday).
- OR email: legal@youthlaw.asn.au
- OR via a drop down form on our website ask a lawyer online form (2-5 days turnaround )
- If we are busy an alternative is Victoria Legal Aid Help Line : 1300 792 387
- If you are in Ballarat contact our Ballarat youth lawyer on 0407 854 223 or katrinaf@youthlaw.asn.au
Will we take your case on & go to court?
- See our service guidelines.
- When we give advice we’ll let you know if we can take it further ( letters, court etc) . If you are eligible for legal aid we will usually refer you to them.
- We prioritise court representation for young people who are most in need (eg. have mental health issues, at risk of homelessness or not able to represent yourself)
If you’re in immediate danger
It might take a few days to hear back from us, so if you are at risk of harm call 000.
If you need to talk to someone or get support in the meantime, call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for under 18s) or Lifeline on 13 11 14 (for over 18s). You can also drop into Frontyard Youth services at 19 King St any day . Youth workers will help you work out what you need . There are health , housing and lots of other services in the building.
For Mental health worries look up Headspace centres across Victoria
If you’ve got substance abuse problems check out the Youth Advocacy Support Service
Feedback or concerns
If you have any feedback or concerns about the service you receive from Youthlaw, please see this brochure on how to make a complaint.