You may require legal representation, however may not be able to afford it. There are a number of services available to the public to assist you in getting legal advice and representation.

• Legal Aid is Western Australia’s public legal service. If you meet their specifications, they can provide you with a lawyer to assist in your family or criminal law matter. Legal Aid has offices in the Perth metropolitan area, as well as regional centres throughout Western Australia. Contact Legal Aid on 1300 650 579.
• Law Access is a pro bono referral service managed by the Law Society of WA. They deal with public interest and non-public interest matters, across a wide range of practise areas. For further information, contact the Law Society on (08) 9324 8600 or visit www.lawaccess.net.au.
• The Community Legal Centres Association can put you in touch with a local Community Legal Centre. Community Legal Centres can provide you with legal advice and, in certain circumstances, legal representation at Court as well. Contact the Community Legal Centres Association on (08) 9221 9322 or visit www.communitylaw.net.
• The Sussex Street Community Law Service can provide short advice sessions for your family law matter. Contact the Sussex Street Community Law Service on (08) 6253 9500 or visit www.sscls.asn.au.
• For women, the Women’s Law Centre can assist in a range of family law matters, including property matters, children’s matters, divorce and family violence. Contact the Women’s Law Centre on 1800 625 122 or visit www.wlcwa.org.au.
• For those in the Aboriginal community, you can contact the Aboriginal Family Law Service on 1800 469 246 or visit their website at www.afls.org.au.
• For those in the Northern Suburbs, you can contact the Northern Suburbs Community Legal Centre on (08) 9301 4413 (Joondalup) or (08) 9440 1663 (Mirrabooka), or visit www.nsclegal.org.au.
• For those in the South-Eastern Suburbs, you can contact the Gosnells Community Legal Centre. They can assist with family law, mediation and financial counselling. You can also utilise their services through the Armadale Community Legal Service. Contact (08) 9398 1455 or visit www.gosclc.com.au.
• For those in the Peel region, contact the SCALES Community Legal Clinic in Rockingham. SCALES is a community legal centre, run in association with Murdoch University. They can assist in a range of legal matters, including family law. Contact SCALES on (08) 9550 0400.

You may also require assistance for mediation and Family Dispute Resolution. To utilise a public service, contact the following:

• The Gosnells Community Legal Centre on (08) 9398 1455.
• Relationships Australia has a number of locations throughout the Perth metropolitan area and can assist with mediation as well as counselling for parties and children of a separation. Contact Relationships Australia on 1300 364 277 or visit www.relationshipswa.org.au.
• Anglicare provides mediation and counselling services for parties and children of separation. Contact Anglicare on (08) 9263 2050 or visit anglicarewa.org.au.

• Centrecare provides support services and counselling for parents and families to a separation. You can contact Centrecare on (08) 9325 6644 or visit their website at www.centrecare.com.au.

• Family Relationship Centres provide family law, counselling and mediation services funded and provided by the federal government. To contact the Family Relationship Centres, visit their website at www.familyrelationships.gov.au.

The Family Court of Western Australia also has further information about legal and mediation services. You can visit their information page here.