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Community Legal Centres (CLCs)

What are CLCs?

Community Legal Centres (CLCs) are independent, not-for-profit organisations that provide free legal help to people across NSW, especially those facing financial hardship or other disadvantages.

These centres play a vital role in ensuring access to justice for vulnerable communities. They complement services offered by Legal Aid Commissions, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services, and Family Violence Prevention Legal Services.

Community Legal Centres Program (CLCP)

The Community Legal Centres Program (CLCP) funds community legal organisations to deliver legal assistance to everyday people, with a strong focus on those experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage.

Types of funded services

The CLCP supports a range of organisations, including:

Help with a broad range of legal issues in local communities.

Focus on specific areas of law (e.g. tenancy, immigration, social security) or particular groups (e.g. people with disability, older people, refugees).

Legal advice and support for women across NSW, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.

Information and referrals for people attending certain Local Courts in NSW.

State peak body providing advocacy, accreditation, and sector development services for member centres.

CLCP goals

The program aims to deliver free, high-quality legal assistance that is:

  • accessible and effective for people experiencing disadvantage
  • responsive to legal need, community demand, and changing demographics
  • place-based, holistic, and client-focused
  • designed to improve access to justice for vulnerable communities, and
  • aligned with the objectives of the NAJP.

Downloads

CLCP Program Manual

PDF | English | August 2025 | 374 kb
Download

CLCP Interpreter Policy

PDF | English | August 2024 | 259 kb
Download

CLCP Managing Unreasonable Conduct Policy

PDF | English | June 2025 | 166 kb
Download

Learn more

For details on services and support, visit Community Legal Centre NSW (CLCNSW).

For funding information (January to June 2023), check the CLC Program funding application process (PDF, 147KB).

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