Law for Community Workers

This week marks Scams Awareness Week. The theme is 'Share a story, stop a scam', to encourage Australians to speak up and report scams. 

• Learn more about Scams Awareness Week: www.scamwatch.gov.au

Subscribe to our Law for Community Workers Alert

The stories shared in this episode are provided by IDcare: www.idcare.org

Listen to Dr. Kate Gould and more stories by the ACCC on YouTube

Disclaimer: This podcast is a general guide to the law. You should not rely on it as legal advice. We recommend that you talk to a lawyer about any particular situation. The information is correct at the time of publishing but it may change. For more information, start with our team at LawAccess NSW via webchat at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529. 

This episode was originally recorded for our Law Matters podcast for people in prison. 

If you work with people in prison or other people who are on a visa, this episode may be relevant to you. We've included tips for community and support workers. 

Legal Aid NSW has an Immigration Service which is a specialist service of Legal Aid NSW. They can provide free legal advice, assistance and representation about refugee law and other immigration matters. If you have an immigration or citizenship question, start with our team at LawAccess NSW. They can give you legal information and connect you with services that can help you, including the Legal Aid NSW Immigration Service. Click on the ‘Chat with us’ button at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au or call 1300 888 529.

Disclaimer: This podcast is a general guide to the law. You should not rely on it as legal advice. We recommend that you talk to a lawyer about any particular situation. The information is correct at the time of publishing but it may change. For more information, start with our team at LawAccess NSW via webchat at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529. 

In this short episode, we give a rundown of the new coercive control criminal offence and why it's important for all community workers to understand this new law. Subscribe to our Law for Community Workers Alert and follow this podcast to be the first to know about upcoming training and information on coercive control. 

• Sign up to our Law for Community Workers webinar on Coercive Control, September 17 1pm

• CDPVA amendments tip sheet for DFV specialist workers (PDF, 156 kb)

• What is coercive control?

View the transcript for this episode.

Disclaimer: This podcast is a general guide to the law. You should not rely on it as legal advice. We recommend that you talk to a lawyer about any particular situation. The information is correct at the time of publishing but it may change. For more information, start with our team at LawAccess NSW via webchat at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529. 

What is sexual harassment at work? What is discrimination? How can community workers help clients who have experienced sexual harassment and/or discrimination at work?

In this episode, Yasmine from the Community Legal Education team joins Katja from the Respect at Work Legal Service for a run down of this legal issue and tips for community workers. 

Find out more about Respect at Work Legal Service: https://bit.ly/4bo8ybz 

Contact our team at LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529 or via webchat at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/contact-us

Transcript: https://adobe.ly/3znEAXT

Disclaimer: This podcast is a general guide to the law. You should not rely on it as legal advice. We recommend that you talk to a lawyer about any particular situation. The information is correct at the time of publishing but it may change. For more information, start with our team at LawAccess NSW via webchat at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529. 

A podcast series by Paul Coady, Caitlin Akthar and Sophie Anderson with some special guests. Each episode will summarise 5 cases relevant to criminal lawyers in NSW.

In this episode, Sophie and Paul highlight the following cases:

R v Early (No 4) [2023] NSWSC 505

Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW) v Banks [2019] NSWSC 363

The King v Anna Rowan – A Pseudonym [2024] HCA 9

R v Bredal [2024] NSWCCA 75

McMillan v R [2024] NSWCCA 83

If you wish to reach out with comments or suggestions for future episodes, the hosts can be contacted on: [email protected]

This is Part 2 in our podcast series exploring homelessness in Australia and the legal issues people experience when they are homeless or at risk of homelessness.  During this series we will be speaking to people from different services providing support and legal advice to those experiencing homelessness.  

In this 2nd episode, Bridget from the Community Legal Education Branch speaks to Damian Bozanic from North Coast Community Housing about the Together Homes programme that supports people who are rough sleeping transition into housing. 

There is useful information in this episode about how community workers working with rough sleepers can support these clients. 

Use the links below to find out more information about what we talked about in this episode. 

Together Home is a key initiative to support the Premier’s Priority to halve street homelessness by 2025. 

https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/help/ways/are-you-homeless/together-home 

Together Home program guidelines: https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/download?file=812695  

Fact sheet for service providers: https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/download?file=812803  

Fact sheet for participants: https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/download?file=812804  

Together Home FAQs https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/download?file=812805  

North Coast Community Housing 

https://www.ncch.org.au/  

Ph. 02 66275300 

Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/S4kDf5fNKnub-_CRb-5303CcdQE?

Editing by Yasmine Lewis from Legal Aid NSW 

Please send questions, comments and feedback to [email protected] 

Disclaimer: This podcast is a general guide to the law. You should not rely on it as legal advice. We recommend that you talk to a lawyer about any particular situation. The information is correct at the time of publishing but it may change. For more information, start with our team at LawAccess NSW via webchat at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529. 

June 15 marked World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. In this short episode, we highlight what elder abuse is and give a preview of a special episode on the topic that we have coming up. 

If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this episode, contact 1800RESPECT. Call text 0458 737 732, chat online or video call via 1800respect.org.au.

For more information about World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, visit the website - www.elderabuseawarenessday.org.au

Find out about the Elder Abuse Service: Elder Abuse Service (nsw.gov.au)

Contact Legal Aid NSW: 1300 888 529 or via webchat at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au 

Sign up to our Law for Community Workers Alert: Legal Aid NSW - Subscribe

Listen to our podcast series about Elder Abuse, Hard Conversations: https://lawforcommunityworkers.podbean.com/category/hard-conversations-series 

Disclaimer: This podcast is a general guide to the law. You should not rely on it as legal advice. We recommend that you talk to a lawyer about any particular situation. The information is correct at the time of publishing but it may change. For more information, start with our team at LawAccess NSW via webchat at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529. 

This is Part 7 in our podcast series exploring homelessness in Australia and the legal issues people experience when they are homeless or at risk of homelessness.  During this series we will be speaking to people from different services providing support and legal advice to those experiencing homelessness and to people with lived experience of homelessness.

We acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which this episode was made and pay our respects to Elders past and present.

In this 7th episode, Bridget from the Community Legal Education Branch speaks with Denise and Lowanna who work in Legal Aid NSW’s Aboriginal Women Leaving Custody project.  Denise and Lowanna work with women in correctional centres who are at risk of homelessness when they are in custody or preparing to leave custody. 

There is useful information in this episode about how community workers can support people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Use the links below to find out more information about what we talked about in this episode.

The Legal Aid NSW contact number in prison is #2 on the prisoner CADL phone.

Department of Communities and Justice housing policies:

https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/help/eligibility/social-housing

https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/help

https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/help/applying-assistance/applying

https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/policies/social-housing-eligibility-allocations-policy-supplement/chapters/urgent-housing-needs

https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/policies/social-housing-eligibility-allocations-policy-supplement/chapters/housing-evidence

https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/community-housing-policies/transitional-plus

https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/aboriginal-housing/overview

https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/help/ways/are-you-homeless/together-home

https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/help/applying-assistance/waiting-times

https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/help/ways/domestic-family-violence

Download transcript

Music: Warm Romance Sunset by Bobby Cole

Please send questions, comments and feedback to [email protected]

This is Part 6 in our podcast series exploring homelessness in Australia and the legal issues people experience when they are homeless or at risk of homelessness.  During this series we will be speaking to people from different services providing support and legal advice to those experiencing homelessness and to people with lived experience of homelessness.

We acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which this episode was made and pay our respects to Elders past and present.

In this 6th episode, Bridget from the Community Legal Education Branch speaks to Olivia who works in Legal Aid NSW’s homeless outreach service.  Olivia works with many clients who are at risk of homelessness when they are going into custody or when leaving custody.

There is useful information in this episode about how community workers can support people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Use the links below to find out more information about what we talked about in this episode.

Department of Communities and Justice housing policies:

https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/help/eligibility/social-housing

https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/help

https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/help/applying-assistance/applying

https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/policies/social-housing-eligibility-allocations-policy-supplement/chapters/urgent-housing-needs

https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/policies/social-housing-eligibility-allocations-policy-supplement/chapters/housing-evidence

https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/community-housing-policies/transitional-plus

https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/aboriginal-housing/overview

https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/help/ways/are-you-homeless/together-home

https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/help/applying-assistance/waiting-times

https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/housing/help/ways/domestic-family-violence

Music: Warm Romance Sunset by Bobby Cole

Please send questions, comments and feedback to [email protected]

Disclaimer: This podcast is a general guide to the law. You should not rely on it as legal advice. We recommend that you talk to a lawyer about any particular situation. The information is correct at the time of publishing but it may change. For more information, start with our team at LawAccess NSW via webchat at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529. 

In this episode, Legal Aid NSW family lawyers Sarah and Claudia will explain what’s new in Care and Protection in NSW including:

• Reforms that started on 15 November 2023 around ‘active efforts’ that need to be made by DCJ

Here are the links mentioned in the podcast:

Care and protection (nsw.gov.au)

LAFPA (nsw.gov.au)

Publications and resources (nsw.gov.au)

For legal help, please contact:

Legal Aid NSW | Home

Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited (alsnswact.org.au)

Download transcript

Disclaimer: This podcast is a general guide to the law. You should not rely on it as legal advice. We recommend that you talk to a lawyer about any particular situation. The information is correct at the time of publishing but it may change. For more information, start with our team at LawAccess NSW via webchat at www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au or on 1300 888 529.