Albany Community Legal Centre Inc

Albany Community Legal Centre Inc has been a vital part of the Great Southern community in Western Australia since 1995, offering essential legal and advocacy services to those facing social and economic challenges. The centre is committed to supporting individuals who experience barriers to justice, particularly those on low incomes or facing complex personal circumstances.

Mission and Vision

The centre’s mission is to create a more just and equitable society by providing accessible, high-quality legal advice and advocacy to vulnerable and disadvantaged people. Its vision is to empower community members to understand and assert their rights, ensuring fair treatment within the legal system and broader society.

Main Objectives

• Deliver free and confidential legal assistance to people experiencing financial hardship or social disadvantage.
• Provide advocacy and support for people with disabilities and mental health conditions.
• Offer tenant advocacy services to renters, lodgers, and boarders in public, private, and community housing.
• Run educational programs and produce information resources to increase community legal literacy.
• Address systemic justice issues through community engagement and partnerships.

Benefiting Groups

• People on low or no income requiring legal advice.
• Individuals with disabilities and mental health conditions needing advocacy and support.
• Renters, lodgers, and boarders facing tenancy issues.
• Victims of family and domestic violence seeking specialist legal services.
• Youth experiencing legal or tenancy challenges through targeted programs.

Types of Services and Activities

• Legal Assistance: Advice and representation in areas such as family law, tenancy, child protection, credit and debt, and family violence.
• Disability Advocacy: Support for people with physical, intellectual, psychiatric, or chronic conditions to access services and assert rights.
• Tenant Advocacy: Assistance with bond disputes, eviction, rent negotiations, maintenance, and tenancy agreements.
• Family Safety Project: Specialist legal and support services for those affected by family violence, in partnership with local organisations.
• Youth Law Connect: Legal support tailored to young people’s needs in collaboration with youth services.
• Community Education: Workshops, training sessions, and information sheets to improve legal knowledge and empower the community.