Other organisations that may help

We can’t give you legal advice, but there are other organisations you can speak to about your dispute.

These organisations may be able to help. You can contact them before you come to VCAT, or after your case has started.

Other organisations that may help

Filter by case type

Residential tenancies

Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV)

Information and advice on renting and accommodation, estate agents, building, shopping and trading.

Tenants Victoria

Advice on renting and your rights. This service is available to tenants of all property types, including caravan parks.

Renting information at Consumer Affairs Victoria

Information and advice about your rights and responsibilities if you rent residential property.

How renting works in other languages

Get information on renting in Victoria in Arabic, Swahili, Karen and Dari. Learn about bonds, condition reports, repairs, and how to start and end a lease.

Court Network

Free, confidential support and information for court users, provided by volunteers. Call 1800 571 239.

Justice Connect

Free legal services for disadvantaged people and the community organisations that support them.

Federation of Community Legal Centres

Help for people facing economic, cultural or social disadvantage who have been impacted by legal issues.

Services Victoria - Homelessness and family violence

Help for people experiencing homelessness or family violence. Includes information on after-hours services, specialist services and homelessness support.

Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV)

Represents real estate professionals in Victoria in city, rural and regional areas.

Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA)

Search for, lodge and pay residential tenancy bonds.

National Tenancy Database

Search for, lodge and pay residential tenancy bonds.

Housing for the Aged Action Group

Support for people over 50 who are seeking housing or who have housing issues.

Victorian Bar

You can find a barrister yourself on the Victorian Bar website.

Anika Legal

Free online legal service helping residential tenants with repairs, including advice and help to prepare for VCAT.

Law Institute of Victoria (LIV)

Advice on the Victorian legal system and how to find a lawyer.

Tenancy Assistance and Advocacy Program providers

Helps renters experiencing financial disadvantage or family violence.

Victoria Legal Aid

Free legal information over the phone. Call 1300 792 387, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.

Justice Connect's Homeless Law Service

Offers free legal representation to renters at risk of eviction into homelessness and renters impacted by family violence.

Planning

Know Your Council

Find your local council and understand how councils make decisions on planning permits.

Victorian Bar

You can find a barrister yourself on the Victorian Bar website.

Department of Justice and Community Safety

Provides information about native title and the land use agreements under the Traditional Owners Settlement Act 2010.

Law Institute of Victoria (LIV)

Advice on the Victorian legal system and how to find a lawyer.

Victoria Legal Aid

Free legal information over the phone. Call 1300 792 387, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA)

Information on land planning, property and land titles and land administration.

Goods and services

Law Institute of Victoria (LIV)

Advice on the Victorian legal system and how to find a lawyer.

Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV)

Information and advice on renting and accommodation, estate agents, building, shopping and trading.

Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria

Free help with disputes about property, trees, fences, owners corporations and retirement villages.

Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC)

Australia’s corporate, markets and financial services regulator. Contact ASIC to get documents to confirm a company's status and registered address.

Business Victoria

Online resource designed to help Victorian businesses.

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)

Gives both consumers and businesses information to ensure fair trading and competition.

Consumer Action Law Centre

Free and independent legal help and financial counselling. Based in Melbourne.

Fair Work Ombudsman

Information and advice about rights, obligations and fair work practices. Employers and employees can also find out about pay rates.

Victorian Bar

You can find a barrister yourself on the Victorian Bar website.

Guardians and administrators

Law Institute of Victoria (LIV)

Advice on the Victorian legal system and how to find a lawyer.

Office of the Public Advocate

Advice on guardianship and advocacy matters for Victorians living with a disability. Also undertakes the role of guardian for some Victorians.

Victoria Legal Aid

Free legal information over the phone. Call 1300 792 387, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.

State Trustees

Support for Victorians who can't manage their own affairs due to mental illness, injury or disability.

Seniors Rights

Information, support, legal advice and education for seniors. Legal services and advocacy for individuals experiencing elder abuse.

Victorian Advocacy League for Individuals with a Disability (VALID)

Represents and supports adults with an intellectual disability.

Victorian Disability Services Commissioner

Improves services for people with a disability in Victoria. Resolves complaints raised by or on behalf of people who receive disability services.

Villamanta Disability Rights Legal Service

Free legal services for people with disability, their carers and advocates.

Australian Unity Trustee Services

Financial advice and trustee services for all Victorians. Can be appointed as administrator in some circumstances.

Equity Trustees

Financial administration services. May be appointed as an administrator by VCAT. They may also act as an executor.

Perpetual Trustees

Financial advice and trustee services. This includes help with estate administration, trusts and tax management.

Victorian Bar

You can find a barrister yourself on the Victorian Bar website.

Owners corporations

Federation of Community Legal Centres

Help for people facing economic, cultural or social disadvantage who have been impacted by legal issues.

Victorian Bar

You can find a barrister yourself on the Victorian Bar website.

Law Institute of Victoria (LIV)

Advice on the Victorian legal system and how to find a lawyer.

Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV)

Information and advice on renting and accommodation, estate agents, building, shopping and trading.

Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria

Free help with disputes about property, trees, fences, owners corporations and retirement villages.

Strata Community Association

Get news and information about issues affecting owners corporations.

Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC)

Australia’s corporate, markets and financial services regulator. Contact ASIC to get documents to confirm a company's status and registered address.

Building and construction

Domestic Building Dispute Resolution Victoria (DBDRV)

Advice on disputes about building and construction or property.

Victorian Building Authority

Regulates the building and plumbing industry in Victoria.

Law Institute of Victoria (LIV)

Advice on the Victorian legal system and how to find a lawyer.

Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV)

Information and advice on renting and accommodation, estate agents, building, shopping and trading.

Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria

Free help with disputes about property, trees, fences, owners corporations and retirement villages.

Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC)

Australia’s corporate, markets and financial services regulator. Contact ASIC to get documents to confirm a company's status and registered address.

Archicentre Australia

Property and building assessment experts and design architects.

Building Appeals Board

Hears appeals about building control matters. They can also tell you if a building complies with the Building Act 1993.

Energy and Water Ombudsman Victoria

Resolves customer complaints and disputes about electricity, gas and water service providers.

Victorian Bar

You can find a barrister yourself on the Victorian Bar website.

Justice Connect Domestic Building Legal service

Free legal services for building owners experiencing disadvantage.

Retail and commercial leases

Law Institute of Victoria (LIV)

Advice on the Victorian legal system and how to find a lawyer.

Business Victoria

Online resource designed to help Victorian businesses.

Victorian Small Business Commissioner

Helps to resolve small business and commercial tenancy disputes. Provides low-cost mediation for small business.

Victorian Bar

You can find a barrister yourself on the Victorian Bar website.

Review and regulation

Law Institute of Victoria (LIV)

Advice on the Victorian legal system and how to find a lawyer.

Office of the Health Complaints Commissioner

A free and confidential service if you have concerns about a health service provider or your health privacy.

Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner

Advice and guidance on freedom of information and privacy matters.

Victoria Legal Aid

Free legal information over the phone. Call 1300 792 387, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.

Worksafe Victoria

Enforces Victoria’s occupational health and safety and accident compensation laws.

Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency

Regulates health professionals as part of the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme. Often involved in VCAT cases.

Service Victoria

Provides online access to a range of Victorian government services and transactions from one place.

Transport Accident Commission (TAC)

Support for those who have been injured on the roads. Promotes and oversees road safety in Victoria. Often a party to VCAT proceedings.

Births, Deaths and Marriages Victoria

Records all births, adoptions, marriages and deaths in Victoria. Registers domestic and caring relationships, changes of name, and provides certificates of events.

Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal

Help and financial support for expenses that were a result of a crime, or that are likely to be a result of the crime.

Office of Racing Integrity Commissioner

Independent oversight of integrity matters across racing codes. Oversees Racing Victoria Ltd, Harness Racing Victoria and Greyhound Racing Victoria. Often involved in VCAT cases.

Victorian Bar

You can find a barrister yourself on the Victorian Bar website.

Victorian Disability Worker Commission

Regulation of registered and unregistered disability workers in Victoria and investigation of complaints.

Co-owned land and goods

Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC)

Australia’s corporate, markets and financial services regulator. Contact ASIC to get documents to confirm a company's status and registered address.

Victorian Bar

You can find a barrister yourself on the Victorian Bar website.

Law Institute of Victoria (LIV)

Advice on the Victorian legal system and how to find a lawyer.

Victoria Legal Aid

Free legal information over the phone. Call 1300 792 387, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.

Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria

Free help with disputes about property, trees, fences, owners corporations and retirement villages.

Environment and resources

Law Institute of Victoria (LIV)

Advice on the Victorian legal system and how to find a lawyer.

Victoria Legal Aid

Free legal information over the phone. Call 1300 792 387, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA)

Information on land planning, property and land titles and land administration.

Know Your Council

Find your local council and understand how councils make decisions on planning permits.

Environment Protection Authority Victoria

Prevents harm from pollution and waste in Victoria. Works with the community, industry and businesses.

Victorian Bar

You can find a barrister yourself on the Victorian Bar website.

Earth Resources

Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions' Earth Resources website shares legislation about Victoria's earth resources, including extractive industries, mining, oil and gas.

DEECA: Water and Catchments

DEECA manages groundwater, catchments and waterways, infrastructure, water saving and re-use projects, flood management, governance and water legislation.

Melbourne Strategic Assessment

The Melbourne Strategic Assessment program manages the impact of urban development on significant vegetation communities, plants and animals.

Department of Justice and Community Safety

Provides information about native title and the land use agreements under the Traditional Owners Settlement Act 2010.

Legal practice

Victorian Bar

You can find a barrister yourself on the Victorian Bar website.

Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner

An independent authority that regulates the legal profession in Victoria.

Law Institute of Victoria (LIV)

Advice on the Victorian legal system and how to find a lawyer.

Victoria Legal Aid

Free legal information over the phone. Call 1300 792 387, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.

Court Network

Free, confidential support and information for court users, provided by volunteers. Call 1800 571 239.

Justice Connect

Free legal services for disadvantaged people and the community organisations that support them.

Federation of Community Legal Centres

Help for people facing economic, cultural or social disadvantage who have been impacted by legal issues.

Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service

Access legal advice if you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. Call 1800 064 865.

Land valuation

Law Institute of Victoria (LIV)

Advice on the Victorian legal system and how to find a lawyer.

Victoria Legal Aid

Free legal information over the phone. Call 1300 792 387, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.

Valuer-General Victoria

Decides on council rating valuations and valuation for State Government property transactions.

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA)

Information on land planning, property and land titles and land administration.

Know Your Council

Find your local council and understand how councils make decisions on planning permits.

Victorian Bar

You can find a barrister yourself on the Victorian Bar website.

Powers of attorney

Perpetual Trustees

Financial advice and trustee services. This includes help with estate administration, trusts and tax management.

Victorian Bar

You can find a barrister yourself on the Victorian Bar website.

Law Institute of Victoria (LIV)

Advice on the Victorian legal system and how to find a lawyer.

Office of the Public Advocate

Advice on guardianship and advocacy matters for Victorians living with a disability. Also undertakes the role of guardian for some Victorians.

Victoria Legal Aid

Free legal information over the phone. Call 1300 792 387, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.

State Trustees

Support for Victorians who can't manage their own affairs due to mental illness, injury or disability.

Seniors Rights

Information, support, legal advice and education for seniors. Legal services and advocacy for individuals experiencing elder abuse.

Victorian Advocacy League for Individuals with a Disability (VALID)

Represents and supports adults with an intellectual disability.

Victorian Disability Services Commissioner

Improves services for people with a disability in Victoria. Resolves complaints raised by or on behalf of people who receive disability services.

Villamanta Disability Rights Legal Service

Free legal services for people with disability, their carers and advocates.

Australian Unity Trustee Services

Financial advice and trustee services for all Victorians. Can be appointed as administrator in some circumstances.

Equity Trustees

Financial administration services. May be appointed as an administrator by VCAT. They may also act as an executor.

Disability Act cases

Law Institute of Victoria (LIV)

Advice on the Victorian legal system and how to find a lawyer.

Victoria Legal Aid

Free legal information over the phone. Call 1300 792 387, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.

Victorian Disability Services Commissioner

Improves services for people with a disability in Victoria. Resolves complaints raised by or on behalf of people who receive disability services.

Victorian Bar

You can find a barrister yourself on the Victorian Bar website.

Equal Opportunity

Law Institute of Victoria (LIV)

Advice on the Victorian legal system and how to find a lawyer.

Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission

Information and education about equal opportunity and racial and religious vilification. They also provide a dispute resolution service and education, training and consultancy services.

Victoria Legal Aid

Free legal information over the phone. Call 1300 792 387, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.

Victorian Bar

You can find a barrister yourself on the Victorian Bar website.

Privacy and health records

Office of the Health Complaints Commissioner

A free and confidential service if you have concerns about a health service provider or your health privacy.

Centrelink

Government services and payments for eligible Australians.

Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner

Advice and guidance on freedom of information and privacy matters.

Victoria Legal Aid

Free legal information over the phone. Call 1300 792 387, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.

Victorian Disability Services Commissioner

Improves services for people with a disability in Victoria. Resolves complaints raised by or on behalf of people who receive disability services.

Victorian Bar

You can find a barrister yourself on the Victorian Bar website.

Law Institute of Victoria (LIV)

Advice on the Victorian legal system and how to find a lawyer.

Mental health

Law Institute of Victoria (LIV)

Advice on the Victorian legal system and how to find a lawyer.

Victoria Legal Aid

Free legal information over the phone. Call 1300 792 387, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.

Mental Health Tribunal

Makes decisions on whether patients need compulsory mental health treatment.

State Trustees

Support for Victorians who can't manage their own affairs due to mental illness, injury or disability.

Lifeline 13 11 14

Provides access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.

Suicide Line

24-hour telephone counselling for people at risk of suicide or people concerned about someone else’s risk of suicide.

Victorian Bar

You can find a barrister yourself on the Victorian Bar website.

Voluntary assisted dying

Law Institute of Victoria (LIV)

Advice on the Victorian legal system and how to find a lawyer.

Victoria Legal Aid

Free legal information over the phone. Call 1300 792 387, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.

Victorian Bar

You can find a barrister yourself on the Victorian Bar website.

Traditional owners and Aboriginal heritage

Victoria Legal Aid

Free legal information over the phone. Call 1300 792 387, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA)

Information on land planning, property and land titles and land administration.

Know Your Council

Find your local council and understand how councils make decisions on planning permits.

Aboriginal Victoria

Community strengthening and engagement, cultural heritage management and protection.

Heritage Victoria

Protects non-Aboriginal cultural heritage places and objects that are significant to the State of Victoria.

Victorian Bar

You can find a barrister yourself on the Victorian Bar website.

Department of Justice and Community Safety

Provides information about native title and the land use agreements under the Traditional Owners Settlement Act 2010.

Law Institute of Victoria (LIV)

Advice on the Victorian legal system and how to find a lawyer.

Unreasonable flow of water between properties

Law Institute of Victoria (LIV)

Advice on the Victorian legal system and how to find a lawyer.

Energy and Water Ombudsman Victoria

Resolves customer complaints and disputes about electricity, gas and water service providers.

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA)

Information on land planning, property and land titles and land administration.

Victorian Bar

You can find a barrister yourself on the Victorian Bar website.

Medical Treatment and Advance Care Directives

Law Institute of Victoria (LIV)

Advice on the Victorian legal system and how to find a lawyer.

Office of the Public Advocate

Advice on guardianship and advocacy matters for Victorians living with a disability. Also undertakes the role of guardian for some Victorians.

Victoria Legal Aid

Free legal information over the phone. Call 1300 792 387, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.

Victorian Bar

You can find a barrister yourself on the Victorian Bar website.

All

Law Institute of Victoria (LIV)

Advice on the Victorian legal system and how to find a lawyer.

Victoria Legal Aid

Free legal information over the phone. Call 1300 792 387, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.

Federation of Community Legal Centres

Help for people facing economic, cultural or social disadvantage who have been impacted by legal issues.

Victorian Bar

You can find a barrister yourself on the Victorian Bar website.