Great Southern Community Legal Services

What is Great Southern Community Legal Services?

Great Southern Community Legal Services is a nonprofit, community-based legal service established in 1995 in Albany, Western Australia. The firm is dedicated to providing accessible legal assistance, tenant advocacy, and disability advocacy to people throughout the Great Southern region, particularly focusing on individuals who are ineligible for legal aid or unable to afford private legal services. With a mission to break down barriers to justice, Great Southern Community Legal Services has been recognized for its commitment to outreach and social impact, including the notable "Breaking Barriers to Justice" initiative that extends services to rural communities like Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun.

What services does Great Southern Community Legal Services offer?

• Legal Assistance: Comprehensive support in areas such as child protection, civil disputes, credit and debt problems, criminal injuries compensation, court processes, estates matters, family law, family violence, restraining orders, tenancy issues, cars & driving, managing your affairs, money matters, neighbourhood disputes, and general legal matters.
• Disability Advocacy: Guidance and advocacy for access to services and supports, disability support pension, education, employment & training, financial matters, health, housing, neglect & abuse, sport & recreation, and transport.
• Tenant Advocacy: Assistance with bond disputes, break lease matters, court applications, eviction & termination, maintenance & repairs, privacy, safety & security, property condition reports, rent reductions & increases, and tenancy agreements.

Why choose Great Southern Community Legal Services as your lawyer?

• Community-Focused Mission: Dedicated to supporting individuals who typically face barriers in accessing legal and advocacy services, regardless of income or eligibility for legal aid.
• Regional Expertise: Deep knowledge of the Great Southern region’s needs, serving diverse communities including rural and remote areas.
• Holistic Support: Offers integrated services spanning legal, tenancy, and disability advocacy for a truly client-centered approach.
• Strong Partnerships: Collaborates with organizations like Anglicare WA, Albany Women’s Centre, and local youth and community groups to maximize impact.
• Proven Initiatives: Successfully launched outreach strategies such as "Breaking Barriers to Justice," increasing legal access in underserved areas.
• No-Cost Services: Removes financial barriers by providing services without charge, requesting only voluntary contributions where appropriate.

Who are the attorneys at Great Southern Community Legal Services?

• Brodie Lewis: Community Services Leadership Professional, guiding the organization’s mission and outreach.
• Carol Duncan: Corporate Services, ensuring the smooth operation and management of legal programs.
• Alice Wood: Quality and Compliance Manager, overseeing service standards and compliance with legal requirements.
• Andrea Anderson: Tenancy Advocate, specializing in tenant rights and housing disputes.
• Family/FDV Lawyer: Actively recruiting for a Family or Family Domestic Violence Lawyer to further enhance the firm’s family law expertise.

How much does Great Southern Community Legal Services cost?

• No Associated Costs: Services are provided free of charge, ensuring everyone can access justice regardless of financial means.
• Voluntary Contributions: Clients are invited to make voluntary contributions depending on the type of service received, supporting the sustainability of the nonprofit’s mission.

Where is Great Southern Community Legal Services located?

• Head Office: 4/15 Peels Place, Albany, WA, 6330, Australia
• Phone Numbers: (08) 9842 8566 | +61 8 9842 8566 | 1800 606 060 (toll-free)
• Website: gscls.com.au
• Service Delivery: In-person, video conference, and telephone consultations are available in Albany, Katanning, and Narrogin. Outreach services extend to Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun via partnerships with Community Resource Centres. The firm also serves the broader Great Southern region, including towns such as Broomehill-Tambellup, Cranbrook, Denmark, Gnowangerup, Jerramungup, Kent, Kojonup, Plantagenet, and Woodanilling.
• Social Media: LinkedIn | Facebook
• Operational Hours: Monday–Thursday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Friday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM; Closed on weekends.