We speak to Nicola Cannon a solicitor in the government law team — specialising in social security. She will be giving us an overview of recent changes to Centrelink payments and what those changes mean for our clients.

Referrals and more information

LawAccess NSW 1300 888 529

Contact Legal Aid NSW  to speak to a lawyer. Please check www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au for updates about availability of legal advice.

Centrelink’s dedicated COVID-19 page — this website is being regularly updated.

Appealing Centrelink decisions and advice Review of Decision Form

Welfare Rights Legal Centre

Financial counselling

Timeline of changes to JobSeeker Payments

Newly Arrived Resident’s Waiting Period

Special coronavirus security arrangements to end

Subscribe to our Alerts for community and health workers to stay up-to-date

 Look after yourself

We want this to be a safe space for listeners. If you need support, there are services that can help:

• Beyond Blue -1300 224 636

In this episode we talk to Katherine Boyle. Katherine is the Executive Director of the Welfare Rights Centre. The Welfare Rights Centre is a specialist legal service helping people across NSW with Centrelink problems including debts.

Katherine talks about her burning issues around Centrelink debts, the help provided by the Welfare Rights Centre lawyers and different ways that community workers can support their clients when they get a Centrelink debt they don't understand.

The links below are for the services and resources discussed in the episode.

You can contact the Welfare Rights Centre by phone on 1800 226 028 during one of their advice intake times. This number is toll free if you are calling from outside the Sydney metro area.

The advice intake times are:

• Monday – 9.:30am to 12.30pm

If your matter is urgent, such as if you have lost your payment and have no other source of income, you can call on the office number – 02 9211 5300 - to speak to a lawyer straight away.

You also have the option to make an online enquiry through the website – https://welfarerightscentre.org.au/need-help. Scroll down on the home page and click on the link to making an online enquiry.

There are also factsheets on the website that you can download about a range of Centrelink legal problems.

If you live in the Illawarra, Shoalhaven or South Coast you can contact the Illawarra Legal Centre Welfare Rights Service

You can also contact the Legal Aid NSW Government law team to talk about Centrelink problems. Call LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529 to be referred to this team.

Call the National Debt Helpline if you need help with any money problems on 1800 007 007. The NDH also has a Centrelink Debts step by step guide that you can download.

Economic Justice Australia is the peak body for Welfare Rights Centres across Australia. See their Economic Australia Centrelink Debts Factsheet – last updated April 2020.

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. 

Have you or your clients been affected by recent floods and storms?

In this episode Ma’ata Solofoni from the Disaster Response Legal Service NSW talks about insurance basics following a disaster and how the DRLS can help.

The types of legal issues we can help with include insurance claims, tenancy, financial hardship, credit and debt, Centrelink and issues with employment. If you need more information, call the Disaster Response Legal Service NSW on 1800 801 529.

Referrals and more information

• For information, advice, referrals and where to find your closest Legal Aid NSW office call the Disaster Response Legal Service NSW on 1800 801 529.

Look after yourself

We want this to be a safe space for listeners. If you need support there are services that can help:

• Beyond Blue -1300 224 636

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 we speak with Isabella Wallington and Bud Crawford from the Revenue NSW Hardship Program. This Program commenced in 2020 and aims to implement a range of strategies to reduce the negative impact of fines debt on vulnerable young people and First Nations people. You will hear about a range of initiatives underway and what is planned for 2021 and beyond. We also talk about how you can help your vulnerable clients speak to Revenue NSW to take advantage of these initiatives and break the cycle of disadvantage associated with fines debt.

To get in touch with Revenue NSW and for help with fines - referrals and more information

• To contact us on behalf of your customers about managing a debt and to access the Advocacy Hotline, you and any individual employees who may deal with us will need to  register with us. During registration, you will need to acknowledge that you’ve read and agreed to the Advocacy  Charter https://www.revenue.nsw.gov.au/help-centre/resources-library/advocate-charter . The Charter ensures advocates understand where they stand with us. It establishes a common understanding of the obligations and standards of conduct and behaviour expected of our advocates.  Information on how to register etc. is available from the following RNSW website link https://www.revenue.nsw.gov.au/fines-and-fees/advocates For more information, visit advocates and sponsors. 

Edited by Bernadette Nguyen from Audiocraft.

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. 

Are you new to "Law for Community Workers on the go"? Listen to this short taster to get the idea of what we do!

This podcast started in early 2018 to deliver legal education for an audience of community, social and health workers, especially workers in regional and remote areas. We interview lawyers and specialists about everyday legal problems, what’s new in the law and how people can get free legal help. Our aim is to improve access to justice for vulnerable people in the community by educating frontline workers. 

In this taster, you'll hear from:

1. Teela Reid and Merinda Dutton talking about The Stolen Generations Reparations Scheme (22 October 2019) 00.00-05.19

Have your say about the National Redress Scheme now until 30 September 2020. Find more information about the second anniversary review on the knowmore website here and in this podcast.

In this podcast, we talk to knowmore legal service about the National Redress Scheme for people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse.

The National Redress Scheme started on 1 July 2018 and runs for 10 years. knowmore is the legal service that is funded to help people through the scheme.

You’ll hear about emerging issues related to the National Redress Scheme, including:

• eligibility for the scheme including for priority clients

And what community workers and lawyers can do to help clients through this process.

The information is correct at the time of broadcast but can change. Please look at the websites below for the latest updates.

 Referrals and more information

To find more information about where your clients can get help contact:

• knowmore legal service 1800 605 762, Specific resources for service providers, including NRS manual, factsheets and videos

Look after yourself

Some of our topics may contain sensitive or confronting content. We want this to be a safe space for listeners. Please check the topic and description of the podcast before you tune in. If you need support there are services that can help:

• Beyond Blue -1300 224 636

Free legal help

If you have a legal problem you can call our helpline LawAccess NSW 1300 888 529 between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

Comments and feedback

Please send your questions, comments and feedback about this podcast to [email protected].

Interested in webinars or workshops?

To find out about Legal Aid NSW upcoming free workshops, webinars and podcasts for community workers, subscribe to our Law for Community Workers Alerts here: https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/about-us/media-and-newsletters/legal-aid-news/subscribe-to-legal-aid-news

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 podcast will give community and health workers information to help them support clients who are working in unsafe workplaces or being asked to perform unsafe work. You will hear from Safework NSW who will give you information to help you identify particular groups of workers who are at risk and how Safework NSW can assist them.  You will also hear from a lawyer from the Legal Aid NSW Employment law team who will talk about how employment and discrimination laws can be used to protect vulnerable workers and give you information to help you refer your clients for legal advice.

This episode was produced by Audiocraft's Nicole Curby

REFERRALS AND INFORMATION

Safework NSW

SafeWork NSW 13 10 50 

The Speak up App to report unsafe work- (confidentially if you wish)

Young worker etoolkit: a range of resources to support young workers’ safety.  There are 4 sections:  for young workers, employers, educators,  and parents and guardians

The getting support at work pocket guide     :  translated in Arabic, Chinese(simplified), Filipino, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Korean, Malay and Vietnamese.

The basics your rights at work   Other languages are on the webpage

At Risk worker strategy  Other languages are on the webpage

Translated Resources Hub available translated resources

Legal Aid NSW

LawAccess NSW 1300 888529

Legal Aid NSW website  for an advice service

Employment Problems? Spot the Signs fact sheet

Ripped off- Your Rights about unpaid wages and entitlements at work

Request a talk for your newly arrived client group: “My rights at work – Australian law and you”

Other

Fair Work Ombudsman: information and advice about workplace rights and obligations

Workers compensation Independent Review office helps injured workers deal with insurers

State Insurance Regulatory Authority - information about workplace injuries

Unions NSW  information about trade unions

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 Robodebt Part 2 Legal Aid NSW civil lawyer, Nicola Cannon gives you an update on the latest developments on robodebt.

Find out about:

• what the Government’s announcement that it will refund robodebts means for your clients

Referrals

To speak with Centrelink about a robodebt:

Centrelink compliance division — call: 1800 086 400 Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm

Centrelink repayments division — call: 1800 076 072 Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm

To get legal advice:

Visit the Legal Aid NSW website to find a local civil law advice service.

Legal Aid NSW social security service

Welfare Rights Centre

Call LawAccess NSW 1300 888 529

To register your interest for the class action:

Gordon Legal — Register your interest for the class action: https://register.robodebtclassaction.com.au/registration/

More information

• Services Australia website - Information about refunds for the income compliance program: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/subjects/information-about-refunds-income-compliance-program

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 shortcut episode we hear from Judith from the Legal Aid NSW Client Service Unit explaining the new Legal Aid NSW Grants Tracker.

Referrals and more information:

Legal Aid NSW news article about the Grants Tracker: https://news.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/legal-aid-news---august-2020

Apply for legal aid: https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/get-legal-help/applying-for-legal-aid

https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/41184/Legal-Aid-NSW-Application-Form_Fillable_Aug2020.pdf

https://publications.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/PublicationsResourcesService/PublicationImprints/Files/253.pdf

Legal aid Application forms and brochures can be order from Publications: https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/publications/order-a-publication

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. 

Helping your client tell their story to the court. The important role of support workers in the criminal justice system.

In this episode we speak to a Legal Aid NSW Criminal lawyer and 3 support workers helping women, young people and people with cognitive impairment in the criminal justice system. We learn about their tips about ways to provide support to achieve the best court outcome for clients.

Referrals and more information:

• Legal Aid NSW – Court, Police and Crime Publications

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.