Civil Law Service for Aboriginal Communities
Acknowledgement
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the various lands we live and work on within New South Wales.
We recognise continuing connection to land, water and community and the right of Aboriginal people and communities to self-determination.
We pay our respects to Elders both past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
What does CLSAC do?
We are the Civil Law Service for Aboriginal Communities or ‘CLSAC’. We are a service of Legal Aid NSW.
CLSAC goes to communities in NSW and visits Aboriginal women in custody. The majority of CLSAC staff are Aboriginal people.
We give Aboriginal people advice on civil law issues, like:
- money problems (like loans, debts, fines, funeral insurance and scams)
- housing problems (like if you need housing, need repairs, are behind in rent or are being evicted, or you have been blacklisted from housing)
- Centrelink problems
- police complaints
- Stolen Generations Reparation Scheme applications and reviews
- Working with Children checks
An Aboriginal financial counsellor works in our team to help with money problems.
We help people connect to other services they need.
We do legal education work on topics the communities we visit are interested in.
We provide respectful, warm and compassionate services.
Where we go
Aboriginal clients can see any lawyer at Legal Aid NSW. Look for your closest Legal Aid office.
If you’re an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person in NSW with a civil law issue you can call CLSAC’s free telephone advice service on 1800 793 017.
CLSAC goes to these communities:
| Baryulgil | Maclean |
| Batemans Bay | Malabugilmah |
| Bodalla | Mogo |
| Boggabilla | Moree |
| Bourke | Moruya |
| Brewarrina | Mt Druitt |
| Condobolin | Tabulam |
| Coraki | Toomelah |
| Dareton | Wallaga Lake |
| East Dubbo | Yamba |
| Lake Cargelligo |
We work with organisations like the Aboriginal Legal Service, Local Aboriginal Land Councils, Community Legal Centres and other community organisations.
Due to COVID-19, CLSAC has suspended its outreach advice clinics - we are providing advice by phone.
Visit the CLSAC MAP to find out when we will be in your community.
What did the evaluation of CLSAC say?
A 2019 evaluation of CLSAC said:
- CLSAC is a warm, compassionate and respectful legal service
- Aboriginal people trust CLSAC and tell family and friends about it
- CLSAC has deep respect for our clients, culture and community
- We collaborate with other services in and outside of Legal Aid NSW
- We approach problems from many levels – individual, community and systemic
Contact us
If you have questions about the Civil Law Service for Aboriginal Communities, contact us on freecall 1800 793 017 or (02) 9219 5057 or email clsac@legalaid.nsw.gov.au.
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