Indigenous and Community Legal Services Branch
The Indigenous and Community Legal Services Branch is responsible for program development and implementation of Indigenous legal aid and community legal services. The Branch is also responsible for the Family Violence Prevention Legal Services Program which aims to provide early intervention programs and culturally appropriate assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults and children who are victims of family violence, including sexual abuse.
Our areas of responsibility
Legal aid services for Indigenous Australians
This program funds a network of service providers around Australia who provide high quality, culturally sensitive legal aid services to Indigenous Australians. The services are provided at numerous permanent sites, court circuits and outreach locations in urban, rural and remote areas across Australia.
The range of services provided include:
1. information, initial legal advice, minor assistance and referral
2. duty lawyer assistance, and
3. legal casework services for criminal, civil and family law matters.
This program also provides funding for test cases that advance the rights of Indigenous Australians.
For further information see the Legal Aid for Indigenous Australians Program
Family violence prevention legal services
The Australian Government Attorney-General’s Department (AGD) provides funding for the Family Violence Prevention Legal Services (FVPLS) and the Early Intervention and Prevention Program (EIPP). The FVPLS assist Indigenous adults and children who are victims-survivors of family violence, including sexual assault/abuse, or who are at immediate risk of such violence. The EIPP seeks to prevent family violence and sexual assault/abuse from occurring.
FVPLS units are expected to ensure that the services offered are accessible and culturally appropriate to Indigenous adults and children, in the specified service region, regardless of gender, sexual preference, family relationship, location, disability, literacy or language. The program-specific terms, conditions and schedule requires compliance with the AGD Family Violence Prevention Legal Service Operational Framework, July 2006.
FVPLS delivers the following services in a safe and culturally sensitive environment:
- legal advice and casework assistance
- court support
- counselling to victims of family violence and sexual assault
- assistance and support to victims of sexual assault
- child protection and support
- information, support and referral services
- community promotion initiatives, and
- referrals.
To apply for funding under this program, organisations can lodge a submission through the annual Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination e-Sub process. Further information is available at the website of the Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination.
For further information see the Family Violence Prevention Legal Services Program
Community Legal Services
The Community Legal Services Section is responsible for administering the Australian Government’s Community Legal Services Program. The Community Legal Services Program aims to facilitate access to high quality community legal services for the disadvantaged in the Australian community. The Section is responsible for monitoring the performance and financial accountability of organisations funded under the program. In partnership with State Program Managers, the Section aims to foster continuous improvement in the program with a focus on client-centred outputs, quality services and timely and comprehensive reporting to ensure accountability to the Parliament, through the Attorney-General, and to the public.
For further information see the Community Legal Services Program.