In this episode, we speak to Christina Alkhamisi, Civil Solicitor, who answers some frequently asked questions from Community Worker who work with Refugee communities on the COVID-19 changes. She provides us with a clear summary of Public Health Order fines, Centrelink and Immigration changes, and information about where to get more information and help for your clients.

Referrals and more information

• LawAccess NSW 1300 888 529 or visit

In this episode, specifically targeted at refugees, we speak to Christina Alkhamisi, Civil Solicitor, who answers some frequently asked questions from people have contacted the Legal Aid Refugee Service on the COVID-19 changes. She provides us with a clear summary of Public Health Order fines, Centrelink and Immigration changes, and information about where to get help.

 Referrals and more information

• LawAccess NSW 1300 888 529 or visit

This is important information for people who are likely to be the victim of a public threat or witness a public threat. Listen and find out more about what we can all do to stop public threats.

In this episode we find out about the Stop Public Threats campaign launch by the NSW Attorney General on 25 May 2020. The campaign will educate the community about Section 93Z of the Crimes Act. This section makes it an offence to threaten or incite violence against another person or a group of persons because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, intersex status or HIV/AIDS status.

Referrals and more information

Report an incident:

• When it is happening: Call Triple Zero 000

• Visit the website: stoppublicthreats.legalaid.nsw.gov.au

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. 

Tell us what you really think of our podcasts - help us keep this resource going!

This episode was recorded in November and December 2019.  The statistics quoted by some of the people interviewed relate to that time.

In May 2020 there is approximately $850 million of fines debt in NSW and the WDO Program sponsors have assisted people to clear over $200 million of fines debt since it started in 2011.

 Links and referrals

• Legal Aid NSW – Work and Development Order Service web page

This episode was produced by Audiocraft's Nicole Curby

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. 

For Law Week 2020, Legal Aid NSW wants everyone in NSW to have access to the legal information they need in these challenging times. In this special Law Week episode, we talk to Kerry Wright about the best places to find legal information whether you have a COVID-19 related legal issue or a more general legal issue.

In this episode we discuss:

• Legal Aid NSW legal resources

Do you have clients who have debts from travelling on toll roads? Listen to this podcast to find out about programs that can help and how Legal Aid NSW lawyers have helped turn people’s lives around by helping them with their tolls debt.

COVID-19 update. If you are supporting clients whose employment or financial situation has been impacted by COVID-19, listen to the podcast to find out how you can get up to 3 months toll credit.

 Referrals and more information

• Help with tolls during COVID-19

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. 

We speak to Nicola Cannon senior solicitor, Social Security, about the COVID-19 measures that have been introduced by Centrelink.  She provides us with a clear summary of the changes, and information about where to get help.

As the situation evolves, we will be speaking to Nicola again, so please subscribe to Law for Community Workers on the go to stay informed.

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.

How to register your intention to claim a Centrelink payment - coronavirus (COVID-19)

 More information and a full list of eligible Centrelink payments

Guardian guide to applying for Jobseeker payment

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

Time stamps

02.30 —Summary of the changes — Coronavirus supplement payment

04.49 — Changes that are already active — asset testing, newly arrived resident waiting period, ordinary waiting periods, seasonal workers and additional documents

07.35 — Economic support payments

08.21 — date update regarding economic support payments

11.10 — Already receiving a payment?

11.40 — Jobseeker payment definition

16.30 — Other types of payments — carers, students and families

20.50 — Contacting Centrelink on behalf of your client

23.15 — Wanting to receive a Centrelink payment?

27.58 — Payment and service finder website — other immediate support

28.40— How Legal Aid NSW and other organisations can help

Trailer for the Legal Aid NSW Podcast series: What we stand for.

Over the past 40 years (1979 – 2019) Legal Aid and its staff have made an incredible contribution to the administration of justice and the lives of the most vulnerable people in NSW.

We are celebrating the diversity and depth of talent within our organisation through a series of staff video interview, podcasts and staff profiles.

Listen to What we stand for

Watch the videos

More information

Referrals and more information

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

To contact the CLE team with feedback or a topic suggestion please send us an email [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 first of our ‘COVID-19’ special episodes, we talk to Alex Yiannikas from Employment Law team about the rights for casual and permanent employees in these unprecedented times.

The podcast audio is taken from a live webinar we recorded on 18 March 2020 and answers questions from our Community Worker audience.

As the situation evolves, we will be talking to our employment lawyers again to keep you updated, so subscribe to Law for Community Workers on the go to stay informed.

Referrals and more information

Free legal help

LawAccess NSW 1300 888 529

Legal Aid NSW

Legal Aid NSW - 02 9219 5000 to check eligibility for free legal advice about rights at work. Please check www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au for updates about availability of legal advice.

Migrants and temporary visa holders in NSW can call the Migrant Employment Legal Service on 02 8002 1203 – www.mels.org.au

Publications

Your workplace rights during a disaster

Order FREE Publications

Fair Work Ombudsman 13 13 94

Information about workplace entitlements and obligations for people affected by the outbreak of coronavirus.

Further information

SafeWork NSW has information about Coronavirus and your workplace -

For enquiries about Workers Compensation, contact the Workers Compensation Independent Review Office on 13 9476

Unions NSW

ABC Radio National program — not enough sick leave?

Centrelink

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

Hear from the managers of Recovery Centres about how they can help you and your clients after a disaster. 

Referrals and more information

• For assistance please visit the Disaster Response Legal Service NSW website or call 1800 801 529.

• Are you in Victoria? Call Disaster Legal Help Victoria on 1800 133 432

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.