Section 5: Useful contacts

Nationwide

Family and Mediation Counselling Services

Parents establishing private arrangements for the future care of a son or daughter with disability can be assisted through the provisions of family mediation and counselling.

Under the Family Relationship Services for Carers initiative, funding has been provided to deliver family counselling and mediation services to help parents and other family members reach agreements over the private provision arrangements, and assist families to resolve family conflict and negotiate a settlement in the best interest of the whole family.

The following organisations have been selected to deliver information, support, counselling and mediation services, and the services are provided under the Family Relationship Services Program (FRSP). They will provide support and expert advice to parents to help them develop a plan for the future care of the son or daughter, providing peace of mind to parents and continuity of care for the person with disability.

Australian Capital Territory

Centacare Canberra – Goulburn
Phone: 02 6162 6100

New South Wales

Interrelate Family Centres
Phone: 02 9745 5544

Queensland

Centacare Catholic Family and Community Services
Phone: 07 3252 4371

South Australia

Uniting Care Wesley Adelaide Inc
Phone: 08 8202 5111

Tasmania

Relationships Australia Tasmania
Phone: 03 6421 5800

Victoria

Eastern Access Community Health Inc
Phone: 03 9871 1800

Western Australia

Anglicare WA Inc
Phone: 08 9263 2050

Northern Territory

Centacare NT
Phone: 08 8944 2000

More information on the FRSP can be found on the FaHCSIA website.

Legal Advice

See legal centres and law societies in your state or territory in the list below.

Financial Advisers

Financial Planning Association of Australia – Find a Planner Service 1800 626 393

Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)
MoneySmart (financial tips and safety checks) is the consumer website of ASIC.
Contact their Infoline by email infoline@asic.gov.au or phone 1300 300 630

New South wales
Organisation	Contact Details	Comments
Law Society of NSW	170 Phillip Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 DX 362 Sydney Phone: (02) 9926 0333 Fax: (02) 9231 5809 Email: lawsociety@lawsocnsw.asn.au Website: www.lawsociety.com.au	The Solicitor Referral Service of the Law Society of New South Wales helps members of the public find a private firm of solicitors or accredited specialists in specific areas of law. You can contact the service on (02) 9926 0300 or access it online at: www.lawsociety.com.au/Search/Query.aspx Enquiries for legal information or legal advice are best directed to LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529 or visit the LawAccess website: www.lawaccess.nsw.gov.au (see ‘Wills and Estates’). Information there includes a Wills referral to NSW Legal Aid Services and fact sheets explaining Wills, Power of Attorney and Estate Planning.
Intellectual Disability Rights Service (IDRS)	2C/199 Regent Street REDFERN NSW 2016 Phone: (02) 9318 0144 Freecall: 1800 666 611 Website: www.idrs.org.au	IDRS is a specialist Community Legal Centre that provides legal help to people with an intellectual disability and to family members, carers, advocates and others who are seeking advice on behalf of a person with an intellectual disability. IDRS will refer people to lawyers specialised in this area.
Combined Community Legal Centres Group (NSW) Inc.	Suite 3B, Briad House 491 - 493 Elizabeth St SURRY HILLS NSW 2010 Phone: (02) 9318 2355 Fax: (02) 9318 2863 Website: www.nswclc.org.au	Community Legal Centres (CLC) are independent community organisations providing free legal advice and information as well as legal education for individuals and communities across NSW. There are 41 Community Legal Centres in NSW. Centres provide confidential legal advice and assistance on a range of issues including wills. Anyone needing advice or assistance that cannot afford the services of a private solicitor can contact a CLC. Interpreters can be arranged and all client information is strictly confidential. For a list of Community Legal Centres servicing NSW, go to Website: www.nswclc.org.au/CLCs.html
Public Trustee	19 O’Connell Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 Phone: 1300 364 103 Website: www.pt.nsw.gov.au Online enquiries: www.pt.nsw.gov.au/Enquiries/Default.aspx	The role of the Public Trustee is to act as an independent and impartial Executor, Administrator and Trustee for the people of NSW. With a network of 19 branches throughout metropolitan Sydney and regional areas across NSW, the Public Trustee provides services in will making, Trusts, Estate Administration and Power of Attorney.
Office of the Public Guardian	Level 15, 133 Castlereagh Street, Sydney Mail: PO Box A231 SYDNEY SOUTH NSW 1235 DX 1335 Sydney Phone: (02) 9265 3184 Fax: (02) 9283 2645 Freecall & after hours: 1800 451 510 TTY: 1800 882 889 Information and Support: (02) 9265 1443 Website: www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/opg Email: informationsupport@opg.nsw. gov.au	The NSW Public Guardian is a public official who can be appointed by the NSW Guardianship Tribunal to be the guardian of a person (16 years and over) with disability when there is no other person suitable or able to be the guardian. The Public Guardian is the guardian for people who may have disability such as dementia, intellectual disability, brain injury, or mental illness or who may live an ‘at risk’ itinerant lifestyle. The Public Guardian is only appointed as the ‘guardian of last resort’ when the Guardianship Tribunal considers that no private guardian can be appointed. For more information visit: www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/opg/ll_opg.nsf/pages/ pg_aboutus
Private Guardian Support Unit (Office of the Public Guardian)	PO Box A231 SYDNEY SOUTH NSW 1235 Phone: (02) 9265 1441 Fax: (02) 9283 2645 Toll fee (for country callers): 1800 451 510 TTY: 1800 882 889 Website: www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/ lawlink/opg Email: informationsupport@opg.nsw. gov.au	The Private Guardian Support Unit is a free and confidential service to assist legally appointed guardians in their role. The Unit can provide assistance such as: help in understanding the role and responsibilities of a guardian, help in understanding the NSW Guardianship Act, providing information to assist you to make the best decision on behalf of the person under guardianship, providing practical support for guardians who may be making decisions in situations of conflict or dispute such as assistance where advocacy is needed or where decision-making may be helped by knowledge or a range of services and options available to people with disability, providing information to assist in working with service providers, keep you up-todate with current guardianship issues through a regular newsletter.
Office of the Protective Commissioner	Level 15, Piccadilly Tower 133 Castlereagh Street, Sydney or 144 Clarence Street, Sydney Mail: PO Box A235 SYDNEY SOUTH NSW 1232 DX 1335 Sydney Phone: (02) 9265 3131 Outside Sydney: 1300 360 466 Fax: (02) 9265 3686 TTY: 1800 882 889 Website: www.lawlink.gov.au/opc Email: Estate Management Branch opcmail@opc.nsw.gov.au Private Management Support Branch pmsd@opc.nsw.gov.au	There are two relevant links on this website: OPC Management and Private Management. Each part clearly outlines the roles and responsibilities of an OPC Estate Manager and a Private Estate Manager respectively as well as providing information about Substitute Decision Making and a large collection of support materials for Private Estate Managers.
Guardianship Tribunal	Level 3 / 2a Rowntree Street, Balmain Mail: Locked Bag 9 BALMAIN NSW 2041 Phone: (02) 9555 8500 Fax: (02) 9555 9049 Toll free: 1800 463 928 TTY: (02) 9552 8534 Website: www.gt.nsw.gov.au Email: gt@gt.nsw.gov.au	The Guardianship Tribunal makes decisions in relation to the appointment of guardians and financial managers, or in relation to medical and dental consent, for people with disabilities who do not have the capacity to make their own decisions. The Guardianship Tribunal has specific and limited powers. The Tribunal can make guardianship orders to appoint a private guardian (family member or friend) and/or the Public Guardian, make financial management orders to appoint a private financial manager and/or the Protective Commissioner, provide consent for treatment by a doctor or dentist, review enduring powers of attorney, review an enduring guardianship appointment, approve a clinical trial so that people with decision-making disabilities can take part.

Victoria
Organisation	Contact Details	Comments
Law Institute of Victoria	470 Bourke Street, Melbourne Mail: PO Box 263C MELBOURNE VIC 3001 DX 350 Melbourne Phone: (03) 9607 9311 Fax: (03) 9602 5270 Website: www.liv.asn.au Email: lawinst@liv.asn.au	The Accredited Specialist search facility can help you find a lawyer specialising in wills and Estates. An accredited specialist must have at least five years full time practice experience and at least three years practise experience in their area of specialisation, and must maintain a high degree of Professional Development in their area of specialisation, must pass a comprehensive examination process, testing technical knowledge, writing and practical advocacy skills. This examination process is developed and assessed by industry experts. Specialists need to apply for re-accreditation every three years. www.liv.asn.au/directory/specialists
Online Legal Referral Service	Phone: (03) 9607 9550 Website: www.legalreferrals.liv.asn.au Email: referrals@liv.asn.au	The Law Institute of Victoria’s online Legal Referral Service providers free referrals to legal practices around Victoria. All referrals are to Law Institute of Victoria members who practice in specific areas of law. Law firms on the service undertake to see clients for up to the first 30 minutes free of charge. Normal fees will be charged after the first thirty minutes, or if additional work needs to be prepared on behalf of the client.
Community Legal Centres Directory	Website: www.liv.asn.au/public/finda/clc	This is a contact database compiled by the Law Institute of Victoria. You can find Community Legal Centres listed according to their location or area of specialisation.
Mental Health Legal Centre Inc	Level 4, 520 Collins Street MELBOURNE VIC 3000 Phone: (03) 9629 4422 Fax: (03) 9614 0488 Toll free: 1800 555 887 Website: www.communitylaw.org.au/ mentalhealth Email: mental_health_vic@clc.net.au	This Centre deals with legal matters for people who are supporters/carers of people with a mental illness. It provides legal services to anyone who has experienced mental illness or had contact with mental health services. These include Mental Health Review Board hearings, guardianship and administration matters, telephone advice and casework.
Villamanta Disability Rights Legal Service	44 Bellerine Street GEELONG VIC 3220 Freecall (legal issues only): 1800 014 111 Mon-Fri: 1-3p.m All other calls: (03) 5229 2925 Fax: (03) 5229 3354 TTY: 1800 014 333 Website: www.villamanta.org.au Email: info@villamanta.org.au	Villamanta Disability Legal Service is a Victoria-wide free community legal centre that works only on disability related legal issues, with a focus on issues which affect people with intellectual disability. Services offered: Advice, information and referral; legal casework; community legal education, primarily for people who have a disability; sales of publications on disability rights issues. Training for service providers may be arranged for a fee.
State Trustee	168 Exhibition Street MELBOURNE VIC 3000 Phone: (03) 9667 6444 Fax: (03) 9663 4260 Website: www.statetrustees.com.au Email: use online contact form under ‘contact us’	A core service of State Trustees is protecting the financial and legal interests of thousands of Victorians who are unable to manage their own affairs because of mental illness, injury or disability. The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal often appoints State Trustees to perform the role of financial and legal administrator. The Disability Service includes programs such as the Financial Independence Program and the Intensive Support Program. An Enduring Power of Attorney is a binding legal document that comes into effect either when a person decides they want another person to help them deal with their affairs, or when the person becomes incapable of making decisions about their affairs. In many ways, having an Enduring Power of Attorney is just as important as having a will.
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (Guardianship List)	55 King Street MELBOURNE VIC 3000 Phone: (03) 9628 9911 Freecall: 1800 133 055 (within Victoria) Fax: (03) 9628 9932 Website: www.vcat.vic.gov.au (see ‘Guardianship and Admin’) Email: vcat@vcat.vic.gov.au	The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal deals, amongst other things, with disputes about guardianship and administration. Applications may include applications for orders; appointing guardians to make decisions for a person, including the person’s accommodation; appointing administrators to manage a person’s financial and legal affairs; revoking an attorney’s appointment, or varying, suspending or making another order in relation to a financial enduring power of attorney under the Instruments Act; revoking or suspending an enduring power of attorney (medical treatment) under the Medical Treatment Act; and consenting to a ‘special procedure’.
Office of the Public Advocate	5th Floor 436 Lonsdale Street MELBOURNE VIC 3000 Phone: (03) 9603 9500 Fax: (03) 9603 9501 Toll Free: 1300 309 337 TTY: (03) 9603 9529 Website: www.publicadvocate.vic.gov.au Email: publicadvocate@justice.vic.gov.au	The Office of Public Advocate can investigate problems and, if necessary, use special authority to make enquiries on behalf of people with disability where there are fears for their safety or concerns about their interests. The Office can provide information on topics such as guardianship, administration, financial enduring power of attorney, medical enduring power of attorney and enduring guardianship – planning for the future.

Queensland
Organisation	Contact Details	Comments
Queensland Law Society	179 Ann Street, Brisbane Mail: GPO Box 1785 BRISBANE QLD 4001 Phone: (07) 3842 5842 Fax: (07) 3842 5999 Website: www.qls.com.au Email: info@qls.com.au	The Queensland Law Society can help you find an accredited specialist or a solicitor via online referral in an area such as Estate Planning Finding. In addition to having extensive experience, accredited specialists are solicitors who have satisfactorily completed an advanced study program in a particular areaof law. In Queensland, specialist accreditation is available in family law, personal injury law, property law, succession law, business law, criminal law, commercial litigation law, mediation law, taxation law and immigration law.
Pave the Way	Mamre Association Level 1 1428 Logan Road MT GRAVATT QLD 4122 (07) 3291 5800	Mamre Pave the Way works across Queensland. Pave the Way assists families and people with disability to develop a vision for now and the future to plan, to implement that vision and to safeguard that vision and the individual with disability in the long term. Pave the Way: provides information for families, relevant to future planning holds individual consultations and meets with small groups conducts workshops supports the development of networks and support circles provides information on legal issues refers to a panel of solicitors experiences in wills and trusts develops long-term safeguarding strategies for families.
Queensland Association of Independent Legal Services (QAILS) Inc.	PO Box 119, ANNERLEY, 4130 Phone: 3392 0644 Fax: 3392 0658 Website: www.qails.org.au Email: info@qails.org.au	The Queensland Association of Independent Legal Services is the state based peak body representing funded and unfunded Community Legal Centres operating throughout Queensland. Community Legal Centres can provide you with advice, referral, legal assistance and limited representation. The Queensland Community Legal Centre directory is available online at www.qails.org.au
Department of Justice and Attorney-General	Level 18, State Law Building 50 Ann Street, Brisbane Mail: GPO Box 149 BRISBANE QLD 4001 Phone: (07) 3239 3520 Fax: (07) 3221 2534 Website: www.justice.qld.gov.au Email: mailbox@justice.qld.gov.au	This government department contains contact details and useful information about relevant government agencies in Queensland.
Public Trustee of Queensland	444 Queen Street, Brisbane Mail: GPO Box 1449 BRISBANE QLD 4001 Phone: (07) 3213 9288 Fax: (07) 3213 9489 Website: www.pt.qld.gov.au Email: clientenq@pt.qld.gov.au	The Public Trustee acts in the capacity of administrator of deceased estates, providing financial management for people with disability and giving aid in any legal proceedings by or against a disadvantaged person.
The Office of the Adult Guardian	Level 3, Brisbane Magistrates Courts Complex 363 George Street, Brisbane Mail: PO Box 13554 George Street BRISBANE QLD 4003 Phone: (07) 3234 0870 Outside Brisbane: 1300 653 187 Fax: (07) 3239 6367 Email: adult.guardian@justice.qld.gov.au	The Adult Guardian is an independent statutory officer appointed under the Guardianship and Administration Act. The role of the Adult Guardian is to protect the rights and interests of adults with impaired decision-making capacity. Additionally, the Adult Guardian’s function is to investigate allegations of abuse, neglect and exploitation of adults with impaired decision-making capacity and to seek help, or make representations for the adult. The Guardianship and Administration Tribunal may appoint the Adult Guardian to act as substitute decision-maker for adults with impaired decision-making capacity for personal and/or health care matters when there is no one else willing, able or appropriate to make those decisions for them. At times, the Adult Guardian may act as statutory health attorney of last resort.
Guardianship and Administration Tribunal	Level 9, 259 Queen Street, Brisbane Mail: GPO Box 1639 BRISBANE QLD 4001 Phone: (07) 3234 0666 Outside Brisbane: 1300 780 666 Fax: (07) 3221 9156 Email: guardianship@justice.qld.gov.au	The Tribunal has the authority to appoint guardians and administrators for adults with impaired decision-making capacity. The Tribunal works from the following principles: most people with disabilities don’t need a legally-appointed guardian or financial manager; GAAT is the last resort and should only be used when a person is incapable of making their own decisions and when all other suitable alternatives have been tried; GAAT’s main concern is the welfare of the person with impaired decision-making capacity.
The Public Advocate	Floor 1, State Law Building 50 Ann Street, Brisbane Mail: GPO Box 149 BRISBANE QLD 4001 Phone: (07) 3224 7424 Fax: (07) 3224 7364 Email: publicadvocate@justice.qld.gov.au	The role of the Public Advocate is to identify widespread situations of abuse, exploitation or neglect of people with impaired capacity due to shortcomings in the systems or facilities of a service provider. The Public Advocate then reports these findings to State Parliament. This function is also known as systems advocacy.
Disability Services Queensland	GPO Box 806 BRISBANE QLD 4000 Phone: (07) 3224 8444 Toll free: 1800 177 120 Fax: (07) 3896 3467 TTY: (07) 3896 3471 Website: www.disability.qld.gov.au/ disability_information Email: disabilityinfo@disability.qld.gov.au	Through the 2005-06 Succession Planning Initiative, Disability Services Queensland provided funding to three non-government service providers (Mamre Association Incorporated, Parent to Parent Association Queensland Incorporated and Homes West Association Incorporated) to provide succession planning strategies to support people with disabilities and their families. Succession planning assists families to address their needs by planning appropriate supports throughout the person’s life-stages, and developing a range of informal networks to support the person in their local community. This planning for the future creates greater certainty for the individual when the parents/carers are no longer able to continue in their caring role. Planning should occur early in the life of the family rather than waiting for a crisis. .
Parent to Parent Association Queensland Incorporated	3 Conn Street PO Box 434 YANDINA. QLD 4561 Phone: 07 5472 7072 1800 777 723 Fax: 07 5472 7073 Email: parent@parent2parentqld.org.au	Parent to Parent Association Queensland Incorporated provides a range of succession planning opportunities to promote positive changes in the lives of people with disabilities and their families. These activities include Family Skill Building through families planning together to develop essential lifestyle plans and establish family networks; Pathways to Possibilities for families to participate in guided journeys towards planning desired futures and personalised supports; and Pathways to Planning utilising P.A.T.H. (Planning Alternate Tomorrows with Hope). The organisation utilises a team of highly qualified Parent to Parent family facilitators, all of whom are parents of people who have a disability, in locations across the state to draw upon and share their own life experiences, and employ successful strategies to work with other families to more effectively meet the challenges within their local community.
Homes West Association Incorporated	496 Sherwood Rd SHERWOOD QLD 4075 Phone: 07 3278 2378 Website: www.homeswest.org.au Email: helend@homeswest.org.au	Homes West Association Incorporated is an organisation that has been established by a small number of families in Brisbane. The Association has developed strategies to encourage and support people with disabilities to build informal networks to support the person in their local community now and in the future. Homes West families work collaboratively with the Community Resource Unit to disseminate and distribute succession planning information to families through state-wide workshops.

Australian Capital Territory
Organisation	Contact Details	Comments
Law Society of the Australian Capital Territory	Level 3, 11 London Circuit, Canberra City Mail: GPO Box 1562 CANBERRA ACT 2601 DX 5623 Phone: (02) 6247 5700 Fax: (02) 6247 3754 Website: www.actlawsociety.asn.au Email: mail@actlawsociety.asn.au	The Law Society offers an online brochure titled ‘Making A Will’. The Legal Advice Bureau operates Monday to Friday between the hours of 12.30pm and 2.00pm. To make an appointment for a free 15 minute consultation call the Law Society on 6247 5700. Alternatively, you can apply to see if you are eligible for pro bono (free) assistance via the clearing house online.
National Association of Community Legal Centres	Website: www.naclc.org.au/directory/ centres.html#act	Community Legal Centres can provide you with advice, referral, legal assistance and limited representation. To find a list of Community Legal Centres in the ACT go to: www.naclc.org.au/directory/centres.html#act
Public Trustee	Ground Floor, ActewAGL House 221 London Circuit Canberra City Mail: PO Box 221 CIVIC SQUARE ACT 2608 Phone: (02) 6207 9800 Website: www.publictrustee.act.gov.au Email: publictrustee@act.gov.au	The Public Trustee provides information about wills, Administration of Estates and Executors, Powers of Attorney and Trusts.
Office of the Community Advocate	3rd Floor, CFM Building 12 Moore Street, Canberra City Mail: PO Box 1001 CIVIC SQUARE ACT 2608 Phone: (02) 6207 0707 Fax: (02) 6207 0688 Website: www.oca.act.gov.au Email: oca@act.gov.au	The Office of the Community Advocate has a range of statutory functions and powers with respect to children and young people, and adults with a mental illness or impaired decision making ability, who require protection from abuse, exploitation or neglect.

Northern Territory
Organisation	Contact Details	Comments
Law Society of the Northern Territory	Suite G16, 1st Floor, Paspalis Centrepoint 48-50 Smith Street (Mall), Darwin Mail: GPO Box 2388 DARWIN NT 0801 Phone: (08) 8981 5104 Fax: (08) 8941 1623 Website: www.lawsocnt.asn.au Email: lawsoc@lawsocnt.asn.au	The Law Society has an online referral service where you can find lawyers dealing with matters such as Estate Planning and wills. There is also a First Interview Scheme via which you can have an initial 30 minute consultation with a solicitor for $77 (inclusive of GST). All you have to do is contact one of the firms listed and make an appointment under the First Interview Scheme. You must pay at the conclusion of the consultation and consultations are strictly limited to 30 minutes. Find these at the website under ‘About the Law Society’› ‘General Public Assistance and Information’
Darwin Community Legal Service	Cnr Manton St & Woods St, Darwin Mail: GPO Box 3180 DARWIN NT 0801 Phone: (08) 8982 1111 Fax: (08) 8982 1112 Freecall: 1800 812 953 TTY: (08) 8982 1177 Website: www.dcls.org.au Email: info@dcls.org.au	The Darwin Community Legal Service gives free advice about the law, and helps you find a lawyer if you need one. Also, the Aged and Disability Rights Team provides a rights service for people with disabilities.
Office of the Public Trustee	Darwin Nichols Place, Corner Cavenagh & Bennett Streets Mail: GPO Box 470 DARWIN NT 0801 Phone: (08) 8999 7271 Fax: (08) 8999 7882 Alice Springs Centrepoint Building, Corner Hartley Street & Gregory Terrace Mail: GPO Box 8043 ALICE SPRINGS NT 0871 Phone: (08) 8951 5493 Website: www.trustee.nt.gov.au Email: public_trustee.doj@nt.gov.au	The Office of the Public Trustee provides a trustee, executor, will making and personal financial administration information and services within the Northern Territory. The Office also offers a wills storage service and acts as executor of last resort.

Western Australia
Organisation	Contact Details	Comments
Law Society of Western Australia	Level 4, 89 St George’s Terrace PERTH WA 6000 Phone: (08) 9322 7877 Fax: (08) 9322 7899 Website: www.lawsocietywa.asn.au Email: info@lawsocietywa.asn.au	If a person requires a solicitor and is able to afford normal solictor rates, a referral will be made to solicitors dealing in the area of law they require. When suitable, the Shopfront Lawyer will refer people to Legal Aid or Law Access, and assistance will be given in completing these application forms.
National Association of Community Legal Centres	Website: www.naclc.org.au/directory/centres.html#wa	Community Legal Centres can provide you with advice, referral, legal assistance and limited representation. To find a list of Community Legal Centres in Western Australia go to: www.naclc.org.au/directory/centres.html#wa
Department of the Attorney-General	Level 16, 141 St George’s Terrace PERTH WA 6000 Phone: (08) 9264 1600 or 131217 Website: www.justice.wa.gov.au	The functions of the department include administration of the state’s courts and tribunals; providing support for victims of crime; registering births, deaths and marriages; providing support to the state’s release boards and; administering the activities of the Public Advocate and Public Trustee. The Public Trustee assists the community with trustee services including estate administration, will drawing, trust management and enduring power of attorney. The Public Advocate provides services to promote and protect the rights of adults with decision-making disabilities.
Public Advocate	Level 1, 30 Terrace Road EAST PERTH WA 6004 Phone: (08) 9278 7300 Country Freecall: 1800 807 437 Fax: (08) 9278 7333 Enduring Power of Attorney information line: (08) 9278 7301	The Public Advocate is an independent statutory officer appointed to promote and protect the rights, dignity and autonomy of people with decision-making disabilities and to reduce their risk of neglect, exploitation and abuse.
Public Trustee	565 Hay Street, Perth Mail: GPO Box M946 PERTH WA 6843 Phone: (08) 9222 6777 Fax: (08) 9222 6607 Freecall: 1800 642 777	The Public Trustee employs specialist solicitors, accountants and highly experienced trust officers to represent the interests of the estates under administration, the beneficiaries of those estates and the financial affairs of those for whom the Public Trustee is appointed as administrator.

South Australia
Organisation	Contact Details	Comments
Law Society of South Australia	124 Waymouth Street, Adelaide Mail: GPO Box 2066 ADELAIDE SA 5000 DX 333 ADELAIDE Phone: (08) 8229 0222 Fax: (08) 8231 1929 Website: www.lawsocietysa.asn.au Email: email@lssa.au	The Legal Advisory Service offers appointments each Monday, Wednesday and Thursday between 5.30pm and 7.00pm. A twenty minute interview with a solicitor costs only $22 (or $10 for pension or concession card holders). An experienced practising solicitor is available to answer basic questions on any legal problem. The Law Society’s Referral Service is a free community service which provides referrals to solicitors according to specific areas of law, geographic locations, languages, the First Interview Scheme, home visits by solicitors and more. Information on legal costs is also available from the Law Society. You can call or access the referral service online at: www.lawsocietysa.asn.au/referral/LSSA_ SearchCriteria.asp The Law Society can also provide brochures about wills and Power of Attorney.
National Association of Community Legal Centres	Website: www.naclc.org.au/directory/centres.html#sa	Community Legal Centres can provide you with advice, referral, legal assistance and limited representation. To find a list of Community Legal Centres in South Australia go to: www.naclc.org.au/directory/centres.html#sa
Office of the Public Advocate	Level 7, ABC Building 85 North East Road, Colllinswood Mail: PO Box 213 PROSPECT SA 5082 Phone: (08) 8269 7575 Toll Free (for country SA only): 1800 066 969 Fax: (08) 8269 7490 Website: www.opa.sa.gov.au	The Public Advocate is an independent official whose job is to assist persons with a mental incapacity. The Public Advocate can advise about rights and provide advocacy in certain situations.
Public Trustee	25 Franklin Street, Adelaide Mail: GPO Box 1338 ADELAIDE SA 5001 Phone: (08) 8226 0443 Fax: (08) 8231 9518 Website: www.publictrustee.sa.on.net Email: harris.john4@saugov.sa.gov.au	The Public Trustee provides information and services concerning legal documents (such as wills and Powers of Attorney) as well as Personal Estate Administration.

Tasmania
Organisation	Contact Details	Comments
Law Society of Tasmania	28 Murray Street, Hobart Mail: GPO Box 1133 HOBART TAS 7001 DX 111 Phone: (03) 6234 4133 Fax: (03) 6223 8240 Website: www.taslawsociety.ans.au Email: info@taslawsociety.asn.au	The Law Society has an online directory of lawyers and law firms dealing with various Estate Planning issues (wills, Powers of Attorney etc). There are also links to other resources and sites.
Hobart Community Legal Service	166 Macquarie Street HOBART TAS 7000 Phone: (03) 6223 2500 Fax: (03) 6223 2510 Website: www.hobartlegal.org.au	The service provides the general community with free legal advice and referral to Legal Aid, other private practitioners, and other community resources.
National Association of Community Legal Centres	Website: www.naclc.org.au/directory/centres. htm#tas	Community Legal Centres can provide you with advice, referral, legal assistance and limited representation. To find a list of Community Legal Centres in Tasmania go to: www.naclc.org.au/directory/centres.htm#tas
Guardianship and Administration Board	First Floor, 54 Victoria Street, Hobart Mail: The Registrar Guardianship and Administration Board GPO Box 1307 HOBART TAS 7001 Phone: (03) 6233 3085 Fax: (03) 6233 4509 Website: www.guardianship.tas.gov.au Email: guardianship@justice.tas.gov.au	The Guardianship and Administration Board can make decisions for the benefit of persons who have disability and are unable to make reasonable judgements about lifestyle and financial matters. The functions of the Board are extensive and include powers in relation to: guardianship, enduring guardianship, administration, enduring powers of attorney, emergency situations, consent to medical or dental treatment and statutory wills.
Office of the Public Guardian	Level 3, 15 Murray Street, Hobart Mail: GPO Box 825 HOBART TAS 7001 Phone: (03) 6233 7608 Fax: (03) 6233 4882 Website: www.publicguardian.tas.gov.au Email: publicguardian@info.tas.gov.au	The Office of the Public Guardian promotes, speaks for and protects the rights and interests of people with disability and acts as the guardian of people with disability when appointed by the Guardianship and Administrative Board.
Public Trustee	116 Murray Street, Hobart Mail: GPO Box 1565 HOBART TAS 7001 Phone: (03) 6233 7598 Fax: (03) 6231 0621 Website: www.publictrustee.tas.gov.au Email: tpt@publictrustee.tas.gov.au	The Public Trustee deals with matters of wills, Estates, Trusts, Enduring Powers of Attorney and Financial Administration. Online brochures are available at the website.