Useful Links
Courts and Tribunals | Government Services | Legal Advice | Legal Information | Mediation Services
Reaching Agreement
The DSCV's Reaching Agreement website offers practical advice on resolving common disputes. The site features conflict-coaching videos in English, Australian sign language and seven other community languages. Guides to dispute resolution in Victoria are available in English and 10 other languages.
www.disputes.vic.gov.au/reachingagreement
Courts and Tribunals
Magistrates Court of Victoria
For explanations on the role of the Magistrates Court, and for contact details of your local Magistrates Court visit www.magistratescourt.vic.gov.au.
Neighbourhood Justice Centre
The Neighbourhood Justice Centre in Collingwood is Australia's first community justice centre. It operates as a multi-jurisdictional court, including the Magistrates' Court, Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) and Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT).
241 Wellington Street
Collingwood Victoria 3066
Call (03) 9948 8777
www.neighbourhoodjustice.vic.gov.au
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT)
VCAT deals with disputes about goods and services, discrimination, domestic building works, disability services, residential and commercial tenancies and other civil matters.
Government Services
Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV)
Consumer Affairs Victoria protects and promotes the interests of consumers.
Call toll free 1300 55 81 81
www.consumer.vic.gov.au
Environmental Protection Authority of Victoria (EPA)
For guidance on how to deal with noisy neighbours and information about residential noise legislation and residential construction noise.
Call (03) 9695 2722
www.epa.vic.gov.au
Local Government Victoria
Help Victorians understand more about local councils and their role, as well as links to your local council website.
Call (03) 9651 7026
www.localgovernment.vic.gov.au
The Ombudsman Victoria
The Victorian Ombudsman can investigate complaints concerning administrative actions taken in Victorian Government departments, public statutory authorities and by officers of municipal councils.
Call (03) 9613 6222; toll free 1800 806 314
www.ombudsman.vic.gov.au
Victims Support Agency
The Victims Support Agency within the Department of Justice represents victims of crime and coordinates a whole-of-government approach to services for victims. It funds statewide services to provide counselling and practical assistance to help victims of violent crime recover from the effects of crime.
Call 1800 819 817
www.justice.vic.gov.au/victimsofcrime
Victoria Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC)
The Commission helps people resolve complaints of discrimination, sexual harassment and religious vilification by offering a confidential, free and impartial complaint resolution service.
Call 1300 891 848
www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au
Legal Advice
Federation of Community Legal Centres
The Federation is the peak body for over 50 Victorian community legal centres (CLCs). CLCs are independent community organisations that provide free legal services to the public.
Call (03) 9652 1500
www.communitylaw.org.au
Victoria Legal Aid (VLA)
Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) is a state-wide organisation that helps people with their legal problems.
Metropolitan callers: (03) 9269 0120
Country callers: 1800 677 402
www.legalaid.vic.gov.au
Tenants Union of Victoria (TUV)
The Tenants Union of Victoria aims to inform and educate tenants about their rights, to improve the status and conditions of tenants and to represent and speak for the collective interests of tenants in law and policy making. The Tenants Union of Victoria provides advice, assistance and advocacy for tenants of private and public residential properties and residents of rooming houses and caravan parks in Victoria, Australia.
55 Johnston Street
Fitzroy 3065
Call (03) 9416 2577 (advice)
www.tuv.org.au
Legal Information
Law Handbook Online
The Victorian Law Handbook is a practical online guide to the law in Victoria.
Victoria Law Foundation
Victoria Law Foundation is a not-for-profit, independent statutory body that helps Victorians understand the legal system and the law. The Foundation publishes a variety of free publications to help you resolve common disputes, including Neighbours, the law and you and Working it out.
Call: (03) 9604 8100
www.victorialawfoundation.org.au
Mediation Services
Institute of Arbitrators and Mediators Australia (IAMA)
The Institute of Arbitrators and Mediators Australia is the nation's largest, independent arbitration and mediation service.
Call (03) 9607 6908
www.iama.org.au
LEADR - Association of Dispute Resolvers
LEADR is an Australasian, not-for-profit organisation that promotes and facilitates the use of dispute resolution processes including mediation.
Call (02) 9251 3366 or 1800 651 650
www.leadr.com.au
Victorian Bar
The Victorian Bar is a private, voluntary, self-funded, non-profit professional association of barristers who practise in Victoria. The Victorian Bar is responsible for making the legal profession rules that govern barristers, processing applications for practising certificates and investigating complaints against barristers. The Victorian Bar also runs a mediation service.
Call: (03) 9225 7111
www.vicbar.com.au
