Free and independent service providing expert information about social security entitlements, financial options, taxation, investments, financial planning, general financial affairs, and may even be able to help if you do not have funeral funds. FIS runs regular seminars and workshops covering a broad range of financial topics.

Free and confidential financial counselling services including assistance on credit and debt, paralegal and bankruptcy issues. Financial counsellors can act as a mediator, negotiator or advocate on behalf of clients. Outreach services available.

www.fido.gov.au Finding information about financial products and services that is produced independently from commercial providers can be difficult. Now it is much easier with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission's (ASIC) unbiased and independent financial tips and safety check on its FIDO website at FIDO is free, independent, updated regularly, and is a one-stop shop where you can find information about a huge range of financial services from credit cards, mortgages, reverse mortgages and other loans through to superannuation, insurance and investing.

Assists with disputes about financial services including banking, insurance, investment, credit, loans, superannuation and broking.

Confidential support to people experiencing gambling related problems. Provides personal counselling for gamblers, their families and friends. Also can assist to assess your financial and legal situation. Multi-lingual crisis counselling is available.

To make reading debenture prospectuses easier, ASIC has released a free guide called Investing in debentures? This guide will help you make sense of the prospectus and use the eight benchmarks to get a better idea of the risks involved. This investor guide is available at no cost from ASIC via its dedicated consumer website, FIDO at www.fido.gov.au. In the wake of the collapses of Westpoint, ACR and Fincorp this new free investor guide is essential reading for anyone considering investing in debentures.

By appointment only. Financial counselling and tax help services.

www.understandingmoney.gov.au This website was developed by the Financial Literacy Foundation's Advisory Board in association with the Office for Women. It features a range of financial issues affecting women at different stages of life, from starting out in their first job to getting ready for retirement

Free advocacy service for older people who live in nursing homes, hostels, retirement villages, serviced apartments throughout NSW as well as people at home receiving Community Aged Care Packages.

Handles complaints regarding Commonwealth-government funded aged care facilities and services.

Free legal assistance for women. Community legal education sessions, publications and advocacy.

Investigates complaints of discrimination in relation to race, sex, sexuality, age, marital status, disability and carer's rights and responsibilities.

At your local court. Information about court procedures and legal options. Assistance with applying for legal aid and your legal rights.

Preliminary advice, guidance and referrals for people who cannot afford a solicitor. Solicitors on duty can give advice on most issues, or can refer.

For residents of Ryde and Hunters Hill. For people who do not qualify for legal aid and can’t afford a solicitor.

Provides free information seminars so you can find out more about your legal life planning options.

Independent community legal centre specialising in Social Security and Centrelink law, policy & administration. Free information, advice and advocacy.

For people who live and/or work in the inner city and surrounding areas.

Telephone advice Mon-Fri 2.00-5.00
Criminal Justice Support Network: 24 hour service
1300 665 908
Works to advance the rights of people with an intellectual disability. Free legal advice, advocacy, referral and education on rights issues.

Free legal service for people who live, work or study in the Randwick/ Botany area. Areas include: consumer debt, criminal law, discrimination, employment, motor traffic matters, social security problems, tenancy and victims compensation. Specialist legal service for discrimination matters open to anyone in NSW.

Book for a 20-minute appointment with a solicitor for free legal advice on a range of matters including credit/debt, family law, criminal matters, motor vehicles, wills and small business.

Work done by the legal profession on a pro bono basis means work done "for the public good". A referral to a Pro bono solicitor may be provided free or for a reduced cost to those who qualify.

Legal information and referral, and legal advice in some cases.

Free legal advice to people living in the Macarthur area. Telephone advice is also given to community workers on behalf of their clients. Outreach services.

TTY (02) 9760 1190

Legal advice and assistance to residents of the Manly area.

Free legal advice to individuals and community organisations.

Free legal advice, casework and referral to people who live in the Blacktown local government area and the East Ward of the Penrith local government area.

Free service to members of NRMA Motoring and Services. Legal advice in relation to motor vehicle matters.

An independent, non-profit litigation policy and research centre located in Sydney. Its charter is to promote the public interest through challenging laws, policies and practices that are unjust or deficient.

Free advice on any legal or welfare matter to individuals and community organisations in the Sydney, Botany and Leichhardt Council areas. Assistance to people who cannot afford a lawyer, do not qualify for legal aid and live in the catchment area listed above, or are approved by the Centre.

For people who live in the Bankstown, Cabramatta and Liverpool areas.

Legal referral and assistance to residents of the Manly Warringah and Pittwater local government areas.