Legal Assistance for Communities of Burma

WEstjustice's Communities of Burma Refugee Legal Clinic is a generalist service that provides legal information, advice, advocacy and referral to people from Burma from a refugee or asylum seeker background.

The Clinic helps with a wide range of legal issues including:

• Car accidents
• Consumer complaints
• Debt
• Fines
• Some discrimination matters
• Some family law matters
• Some criminal matters

We do not assist with immigration matters.

The Communities of Burma Refugee Legal Clinic is available to people from Burma from a refugee or asylum seeker background who live, work or study in the Western suburbs of Melbourne. It is offered from our Footscray Branch. Please call us on (03) 9749 7720 to make an appointment.

Financial Counselling for Communities of Burma

WEstjustice’s Communities of Burma Financial Counselling Service provides information, support, referral options and advocacy for people from Burma from a refugee background who are experiencing financial difficulty related to credit cards, loans, utility and telecommunications bills and disputes with credit providers such as banks.

Our financial counsellors help people by:

• Ensuring their debt is valid
• Providing information about the options available in relation to debts including bankruptcy
• Ascertaining their eligibility for government schemes or other forms of financial assistance
• Providing advocacy in relation to debts and debt-related disputes
• Providing information about the legislative protections available including the prohibitions on harassment by debt collectors and the requirement that creditors consider variations to contracts
• Providing referrals to other specialist services such as the Tax Help program, to microfinance providers for interest free or low interest loans, or to therapeutic counsellors

We do not assist with mortgage cases, preparation of tax returns or those seeking help with budgeting.

Community workers are available to offer on-site interpreting.

Financial Counselling is available to people from Burma from a refugee background who live in the Western suburbs of Melbourne.   It is offered from our Footscray Branch. Please call us on (03) 9749 7720 to make an appointment.

If you require urgent financial counselling, please contact MoneyHelp financial counselling telephone line on 1800 007 007 between 9.30am and 5.00pm on weekdays.

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Newly Arrived and Refugee Consumer Law Service

WEstjustice helps financially disadvantaged and vulnerable consumers from a refugee, asylum seeker or newly arrived background through advice, negotiation to prevent the need for litigation, preparation for Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) hearings and representation at VCAT for consumers who are unable to represent themselves.

We can help with consumer problems such as motor vehicle purchases and repairs, claims of odometer tampering, small appliance purchases, gym memberships, rent to buy contracts, credit wash agreements, education fees, insurance claims, retirement villages and services including solar panels and heating.

We also raise complaints with regulators and identifies and works to address systemic issues.

The Newly Arrived and Refugee Consumer Law Service is offered from our Werribee Branch. Please call us on (03) 9749 7720 to make an appointment.

This program is funded by Consumer Affairs Victoria.

• Law reform submissions
• Policy reports

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The Westjustice Employment and Equality Law Program provides free and confidential legal help to clients with a problem at work for those in Melbourne's Western suburbs (see eligibility criteria below).

What can I get help with?

We can provide you information about legal advice about:

• Unfair and disrespectful treatment at work: including bullying, sexual harassment, victimisation and discrimination
• Termination of employment: Dismissal, redundancy or being fired from work (note you may only have 21 days to make a claim so get in touch with us quickly if you think this)
• Pay and entitlements: Underpayment, wage theft, unlawful deductions and unpaid trial shifts
• Exercising workplace rights for people experiencing family violence, those with a disability or injury, or those with caring responsibilities
• Independent Contracting: Sham contracting and non-payment of invoices
• Employee-like regulated work: gig-economy disputes with a platform provider, including deactivation or non-payment of invoices

We can also help you understand:

• Your employment contact, what kind of employee you are (e.g. casual or permanent), which award might apply to your job, and how to know what you should be paid
• Your rights at work, including your right to a safe workplace, flexible work arrangements, and reasonable adjustments if you have an injury or disability 
• Your pay and entitlements such as being paid the right rate and taking leave
• Your right to make a complaint about unlawful workplace conduct, and the protections against adverse action and victimisation.

We cannot assist with immigration, tax, personal injury or workers compensation advice. 

Who can we help?

Currently our services are available to:

• 1. all international students in Victoria through the International Students Employment and Accommodation Service at Study Melbourne Student Centre;
• 2. young people (25 and under) who live, work or study in the Western suburbs of Melbourne;
• 3. people experiencing discrimination or sexual harassment, and who live, work or study in the Western suburbs of Melbourne;
• 4. people experiencing family violence and receiving help from McAuley Community Services for Women or The Orange Door Western Metropolitan Region (Werribee); and
• 5. newly arrived migrants working with MiCare or Wyndham Community and Education Centre (WCEC) (or former clients of MiCare or WCEC).

As of 1 August 2024, we are offering Working Women's Centre Victoria (WWC Vic) Employment law services to women and non-binary people in the Western regions of Victoria. Call 1800 WWC VIC (1800 992 842) for more information or to book an appointment. The phone line is open Monday through to Friday between 9am-3pm. More information here.

Our services are delivered on the telephone and in person at our offices in Sunshine and Werribee, and at partner sites such as WCEC, McAuley and The Orange Door (Werribee).

How do we help?

If you are eligible for our services, there are two steps after you have been booked for an appointment.

• 1.  Our legal administrator will call you to collect your personal and demographic information required for our service. They will ask you about your workplace problem and might ask you to send us some documents. This will help us prepare for your appointment.
• 2. You will meet with your employment lawyer, either in person or on the phone. They will provide you with legal advice about your situation and if possible, the merits of your claim. 

Your lawyer will then decide what other steps are required, if any, and will discuss with the employment law team about whether we are able to continue to assist.

We may be able to help you by providing further advice, writing you a letter or email, helping you with speaking notes, taking you on as a client, representing you at court or offering a referral to a lawyer or other organisation best placed to help with your problem. We cannot guarantee ongoing assistance.

Please note we only provide legal advice and assistance to workers (including independent contractors) – not employers, business owners or principal contractors.

Legal education and information

The Employment and Equality Law Program also delivers community legal education and has educational resources available online.

We have developed plain English explanations of key legal issues, such as underpayments, sexual harassment, discrimination, sham contracting and termination. You can access these here.

We have an Instagram focusing on all issues relating to youth law, including employment law. Find us @westjusticeCLC.

We can deliver training on all areas of work rights for young people and newly arrived migrants, and we can train professional staff on work rights issue spotting. We can also provide community legal education on sexual harassment and discrimination to all audiences. Please contact us on elp@westjustice.org.au if you would like to request a training session.

You can also view our 2023 Victorian Law Week Presentation on “Your Rights At Work” on YouTube.

 For more information see:

• Community development and law reform project: Youth Employment Project
• Legal education resources: Migrant and Refugee Employment Law Project

Community developement and advocacy

A core feature of our work is engaging with our community and advocating to improve workplace laws, systems and processes. For more information see:

• Community legal education: Youth Employment Law Project
• Community development and law reform project: Employment Equality Law Service
• Law reform submissions: Employment Law

You can learn more about our past projects and programs here:

• Community development and law reform project: Migrant and Refugee Employment Law Project
• Community Legal Education: Migrant and Refugee Employment Law Project

 Watch this space for information about the Working Women's Centre Victoria's education, community development and advocacy work. 

Family Law and Family Violence Legal Clinics

WEstjustice’s Family Law and Family Violence Legal Clinics focus on improving the safety of women and children in Melbourne’s West.

We provide family law services to ensure safe parenting arrangements are made for children where families have separated and, in some cases, we may be able to assist with negotiating and documenting the division of your property after the breakdown of a relationship.

We also provide duty lawyer services at the Sunshine and Werribee Magistrates’ Courts, as well as follow up assistance in more complex matters to ensure that victims of family violence are able to obtain final intervention orders with the conditions required to protect them.

We prioritise our services to victims of family violence, culturally and linguistically diverse people who experience language barriers, people who are newly arrived or from a refugee background and low income earners.

Currently our services are conducted primarily by phone or online due to the COVID19 pandemic. Please call us on (03) 9749 7720 to enquire about your eligibility for an appointment.

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Help for international students

The International Students Employment and Accommodation Legal Service delivers free and confidential advice, casework and representation to international students in Victoria who are having problems with the place where they work or the place they are renting.

The International Students Employment and Accommodation Legal Service can help with work-related issues such as:

• Underpayments and unpaid wages
• Bullying, discrimination and sexual harassment
• Sham contracting
• Workplace injury and workplace safety issues
• Unfair dismissal
• And other problems you may be having

The International Students Employment and Accommodation Legal Service can help with issues related to your living situation, such as:

• Disputes over bond
• Issues with repairs to rental properties
• Feeling unsafe in the place where you are staying
• Evictions
• Understanding tenancy and accommodation contracts
• And other problems you may be having

We can provide an interpreter if you need one.

The International Students Employment and Accommodation Legal Service is offered via Study Melbourne Student Centre in the Melbourne CBD, with virtual and phone-based assistance available. Please call 1800 056 449 to make an appointment.

Eligibility: All international students in Victoria. This service is available to all international students - you are eligible for help even if you are paid cash in hand or have a concern about how your situation may impact your visa.

This service is funded by the Victorian Government, and delivered collaboratively by Study Melbourne, Victoria Legal Aid, Springvale Monash Legal Service, JobWatch and WEstjustice.

For more information on your legal rights and where to go for help as an international student in Victoria, click here.

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WEstjustice’s Motor Vehicle Accident Legal Clinic provides specialist legal advice in relation to a range of issues that can arise following a car accident including:

• Disputes with insurance companies about liability, accepting claims and the payment of excesses
• Negotiations with the other driver or their insurance company in circumstances where our client is uninsured and has no capacity to pay for the damage caused

The Clinic also provides referrals where a client has been injured in a car accident, raises complaints with regulators and identifies and works to address systemic issues.

The Motor Vehicle Accident Legal Clinic is available to people who live, work or study in the Cities of Maribyrnong, Hobsons Bay and Wyndham. The majority of our clients are uninsured drivers with no capacity to pay damage bills. It is offered from our Werribee Branch. Please call us on (03) 9749 7720 to make an appointment.

• Legal education resources 

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The Grange P-12 College

WEstjustice provides a School Lawyer on-site one day a week to help students of the Grange P-12 College, located at Deloraine Drive, Hoppers Crossing with a range of legal problems. We do not make appointments for this service but can connect students to the School Lawyer. Contact can be made directly to the school lawyer or through Wellbeing.

Parkville College (Parkville Youth Justice Centre)

WEstjustice provides a School Lawyer on-site two days a week to help students of Parkville College who are within the Youth Justice Centre, located in Parkville with a range of legal problems. We do not make appointments for this service, contact can be made directly to the School Lawyer or through Department of Justice and Community Safety staff or Parkville College staff.

Wyndham Central College

WEstjustice provides a School Lawyer on-site two days a week to help students and parents of Wyndham Central College, located at Shaws Road, Werribee with a range of legal problems. We do not make appointments for this service but can connect students to the School Lawyer. Contact can be made directly to the school lawyer or through Wellbeing.

Hester Hornbrook Academy Sunshine

WEstjustice provides a School Lawyer on-site one day a week to help students of Hester Hornbrook Academy Sunshine, located at Harvester Rd, Sunshine with a range of legal problems. We do not make appointments for this service but can connect students to the School Lawyer. Contact can be made directly to the school lawyer or through Wellbeing.

• Community development projects

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WEstjustice’s Tenancy Advice and Advocacy Program (TAAP) provides specialist advice, casework and representation to vulnerable and disadvantaged Victorians who are having residential tenancy issues.

 TAAP may help with:

• Information and referral
• Negotiation to prevent matters going to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT)
• Preparation for a VCAT hearing
• Representation at a VCAT hearing 

We do not assist with residents of retirement and rental villages or tenants with tenant-to-tenant disputes and do not assist with housing applications or securing accommodation, or provide emergency funds.

TAAP is available to all WEstjustice clients and other tenants who are financially disadvantaged or are experiencing family violence and are within the following Local Government areas:-

• Hobson Bay (Altona Meadows, Altona North and Brooklyn, Altona - Seaholme, Laverton, Newport West, South Kingsville and Spotswood, Williamstown)
• Maribyrnong (Braybrook, Footscray, Kingsville, Maidstone, Maribyrnong, Seddon, Tottenham, West Footscray, Yarraville)
• Wyndham (Point Cook, Werribee, Hoppers Crossing, Tarneit, Truganina, Wyndham Vale, Mt Cottrell – Quandong, Little River, Mambourin, Werribee South, Williams Landing – Laverton North, Manor Lakes)
• Melbourne (Carlton, Docklands, East Melbourne, Kensington and Flemington, North Melbourne, Parkville, Port Melbourne, Southbank, South Yarra – West, West Melbourne, Melbourne)
• Moonee Valley (Aberfeldie, Airport West, Ascot Vale, Avondale Heights, Essendon, Essendon Fields, Essendon North, Essendon West, Flemington (part), Keilor East (part), Kensington (part), Moonee Ponds, Niddrie, North Melbourne (part), Strathmore, Strathmore Heights, Travancore)

The program has a particular focus on working with people who are vulnerable, including those with a mental illness, disability or addiction, experiencing family violence and from refugee and non-English speaking backgrounds. It primarily helps renters in tenancies covered by the renting laws in Victoria including private tenancies, rooming house residents, residents of caravan parks or residents in Part 4A parks. TAAP appointments are offered from our Footscray and Werribee Branches, and Study Melbourne (international students only).

The Tenancy Advice and Advocacy Program is offered from our Footscray and Werribee Branches, and from the Docklands Library. Please call us on (03) 9749 7720 to make an appointment.

The Tenancy Advice and Advocacy Program is generously funded by Consumer Affairs Victoria.

• Law reform submissions
• Policy reports

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The Tenancy Stress Victoria service provides flood-affected renters in Melbourne's West who are facing hardship with free and confidential wrap-around legal, financial counselling and social work support depending on their particular needs.

The service is open to:

• Renters still living in flood-affected properties (for example, in the Maribyrnong or Werribee areas);
• Renters who have had to move to different properties as a result of the 2022 floods and are still experiencing hardship;
• Renters who have relocated to Melbourne's West from Northern Victoria as a result of the 2022 flooding and are still experiencing hardship.
  
  The Tenancy Stress Victoria program is funded through Consumer Affairs Victoria, with financial counselling services delivered in conjunction with Anglicare.
  
  To make an appointment with this program, please call us on (03) 9749 7720 to make an appointment or email admin@westjustice.org.au

WEstjustice’s Youth Law Clinic provides free legal advice and assistance to people 25 years and younger who live in Melbourne’s West.

We may be able to help you by providing advice, taking you on as a client, representing you at court or offering a referral to a lawyer or other organisation best placed to help with your problem.

We can help with a broad range of everyday legal problems including consumer disputes, credit and debt, employment, family law and family violence, fines, motor vehicle accidents, tenancy, youth criminal law and more.

Because we have limited resources we cannot help everyone. We do not assist with:

• Complex family law matters
• Conveyancing
• Immigration
• Personal injury
• Wills and estates

The Youth Law Clinic is a holistic service which also provides referrals to drug and alcohol, homelessness and mental health providers. We can also provide an interpreter on request.

The Youth Law Clinic is offered from our Sunshine Youth Office at the Visy Cares Hub. We are open 9:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday. Please call ahead to book an appointment, or you can come to our drop in clinic on Wednesdays and we will see you on the day depending on availability. We can also see you at the Wyndham Youth Resource Centre. Please call us on (03) 9749 7720 to make an appointment.

• Policy reports
• Community development and law reform project: Youth Employment Project
• Community development and law reform project: Schools Couch-Surfing Myki Project
• Community development and law reform project: Youth Couch Surfing

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