Victoria Legal Aid helps people with their legal problems. Legal information and education
We have a telephone legal information service and a public law library. We also have free publications and workshops for the community. Free legal advice
We have lawyers who can talk to you about how the law applies to your legal problem. Lawyers at court
We have lawyers on duty at many courts and tribunals across Victoria. Funding cases
If you can’t afford a lawyer, you can apply for a grant of legal assistance to help you pay for a lawyer to run your case. Resolving family disputes
Roundtable Dispute Management is our service that helps parents who are going through a separation or divorce to resolve their family disputes. Languages
We have information about our services in many community languages. Frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions often asked about our services.
Three Facts About Legal Aid.
Legal Aid are working with the bushfire victims from the Kinglake and Marysville areas with their legal claims.
They focus on helping and protecting the rights of socially and economically disadvantaged Victorians.
They can provide you with legal advice over the phone.
Two Issues.
School
You must go to school until you are 16 unless you have a reasonable excuse, like:
you are being given proper and regular lessons at home
there is no state school within five kilometres and you are learning by correspondence
you are very ill or unable to get to school
the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, for some other reason, has exempted you – for example, you have to leave school to work because your parents are very ill or suffering severe hardship.
If you want to leave school before you turn 16 you need approval from the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (link below). Contact the department to find out the name of the regional director in your area.
Child abuse or neglect
If someone believes that you are being neglected or abused, including physical, sexual and emotional abuse, they can tell the Department of Human Services (DHS) (link below). Some people, like doctors, nurses, teachers, principals and police, must tell the DHS if they think a person under 17 is being sexually or physically abused, or is at risk of abuse.
The DHS may take action to try to protect you from neglect or abuse. DHS workers may work with you and your family to sort things out. You should be involved in making decisions. Sorting things out may mean going to the Children’s Court or coming to an agreement with the DHS.
Get urgent legal help if you or family members are being told to leave your home, or if you are unhappy with what the DHS is doing.
There are some decisions that the Children’s Court cannot make. These decisions are made by the DHS and are called case plans. For example, if you have a guardianship order, the DHS case plan says how much access you can have with a parent.
Children and young people have the right to have their wishes listened to. If you disagree with the DHS case plan, you should ask for a lawyer who is experienced in Children’s Court cases.
QUESTION.
How long would I have to wait to apply for a learners permit if it is suspended??
What They Do
Victoria Legal Aid helps people with their legal problems.Legal information and education
We have a telephone legal information service and a public law library. We also have free publications and workshops for the community.
Free legal advice
We have lawyers who can talk to you about how the law applies to your legal problem.
Lawyers at court
We have lawyers on duty at many courts and tribunals across Victoria.
Funding cases
If you can’t afford a lawyer, you can apply for a grant of legal assistance to help you pay for a lawyer to run your case.
Resolving family disputes
Roundtable Dispute Management is our service that helps parents who are going through a separation or divorce to resolve their family disputes.
Languages
We have information about our services in many community languages.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions often asked about our services.
Three Facts About Legal Aid.
Legal Aid are working with the bushfire victims from the Kinglake and Marysville areas with their legal claims.
They focus on helping and protecting the rights of socially and economically disadvantaged Victorians.
They can provide you with legal advice over the phone.
Two Issues.
School
You must go to school until you are 16 unless you have a reasonable excuse, like:- you are being given proper and regular lessons at home
- there is no state school within five kilometres and you are learning by correspondence
- you are very ill or unable to get to school
- the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, for some other reason, has exempted you – for example, you have to leave school to work because your parents are very ill or suffering severe hardship.
If you want to leave school before you turn 16 you need approval from the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (link below). Contact the department to find out the name of the regional director in your area.Child abuse or neglect
If someone believes that you are being neglected or abused, including physical, sexual and emotional abuse, they can tell the Department of Human Services (DHS) (link below). Some people, like doctors, nurses, teachers, principals and police, must tell the DHS if they think a person under 17 is being sexually or physically abused, or is at risk of abuse.The DHS may take action to try to protect you from neglect or abuse. DHS workers may work with you and your family to sort things out. You should be involved in making decisions. Sorting things out may mean going to the Children’s Court or coming to an agreement with the DHS.
Get urgent legal help if you or family members are being told to leave your home, or if you are unhappy with what the DHS is doing.
There are some decisions that the Children’s Court cannot make. These decisions are made by the DHS and are called case plans. For example, if you have a guardianship order, the DHS case plan says how much access you can have with a parent.
Children and young people have the right to have their wishes listened to. If you disagree with the DHS case plan, you should ask for a lawyer who is experienced in Children’s Court cases.
QUESTION.
How long would I have to wait to apply for a learners permit if it is suspended??