Legal Aid
The ASRC Human Rights Law Program can offer free legal advice and assistance to people seeking asylum who cannot afford a private lawyer and have no access to government-funded legal advice.
We can provide legal support at all stages of the refugee determination process, including expert immigration advice, representation and outreach to individuals in detention.
The ASRC Human Rights Law Program is currently not operating at our Footscray centre. Please do not arrive at the centre to see a lawyer at this time.
New to the ASRC
If you are a new client, you can call our legal advice line on 03 9274 9827 on Monday and Thursday between 10:30am-12pm.
Existing members
If you are an existing legal client, call our duty line on 03 9274 9889 on Tuesday, Thursday or Friday between 10:30am – 12.45pm and 1:45pm – 4:00pm, or email legalcasework@asrc.org.au
Individuals in detention
If you are currently in detention, you can email us at legal@asrc.org.au. Please note that we will not respond to email requests from individuals who are not in detention.
Important updates and alerts
For information regarding visa applications please click on the links below:
- If you came to Australia by boat or were transferred to Nauru or PNG, you are subject to rules (called “bars”) in the migration law that prevent you from applying for a visa.
- You can only make a visa application, including for another Bridging Visa, if the Minister makes a personal decision to remove these rules (called “lifting the bar”) for individual applicants.
- If you try to apply for another Bridging Visa while the rules are still in place, your visa application will not be valid and cannot be considered. That’s why it is important to make sure you are eligible for another Bridging Visa (ie you already have a ministerial “bar lift”) before lodging the application for a new Bridging Visa.
- In the meantime, you should make sure the Department has your current contact details to ensure you do not miss any notification from the Department of any “bar lift”.
Infosheets
The following infosheets cover commonly asked questions and topics about the legal process for people seeking asylum in Australia.
The infosheets contain general information and do not replace legal and migration law advice. You should not rely on the infosheets to make decisions about your immigration matter.
- How do Australia’s migration laws work for people seeking asylum
- Important Legal Developments & News
- Information sheet about legal assistance for 449 Visa Holders from Afghanistan
- Information about the Refugee and Humanitarian (Class XB) visa for 449 Visa Holders from Afghanistan
- Information Sheet – Legal Assistance for ‘Fast Track’ Applicants – to be interviewed by 30 June 2021
- HRLP Infosheet – Data breach
- How do I apply for a Protection Visa in Australia?
- HRLP Infosheet – Complementary Protection
- HRLP Infosheet – What to do after lodging your Protection Visa application
- HRLP Infosheet – Preparing for your interview with the Department
- HRLP Infosheet – How to Make an FOI Request
- HRLP Infosheet – Using the ImmiAccount Online Service
- ➔ I’m a Fast Track applicant – how do I apply for a Protection Visa in Australia?
- ➔ How do I apply for or renew a Bridging Visa?
- ➔ I arrived on Ashmore Reef – how does the law apply to me?
- I came to Australia through Medevac – what are my legal options?
- How do I apply to the AAT or IAA for review of my visa refusal?
- How do I apply to the courts for review of my visa refusal?
- HRLP Infosheet – Accessing ComCourts
- HRLP Infosheet – Applying for Judicial Review
- HRLP Infosheet – Filing and Serving documents at the FCC (COVID-19)
- HRLP Infosheet – FCC Application Form Guide
- HRLP Infosheet – FCC Affidavit Guide
- HRLP Infosheet – Understanding FCA & FCC Court Costs
- HRLP Infosheet – How to Prepare for your FCC Hearing
- HRLP Infosheet – Directions Hearings at the FCC (COVID-19)
- How do I apply for Ministerial Intervention?
- How do I find a lawyer or migration agent to help me with my case?
- How do I access support services?
- How do I bring my family members to Australia?
- HRLP Infosheet – Applying for an Offshore Humanitarian Visa
- For detailed information about applying for an offshore humanitarian visa for family members who are in Afghanistan or now in other countries. see infokit here.
See translation of this infokit in your language:
See also this Guide about which family members you can include in your application here
You can also view answers to Frequently Asked Questions for those who have already lodged their application, here.
For proposing someone for an offshore humanitarian visa click here.
See translation of the Australian Proposers infosheet in your language:
- If you are in Afghanistan and seeking visa information or other help, please see our infosheet here. See Dari translation of this infosheet here.
- Click here to view an information session in Dari/English about visa options for Afghan Australians with family impacted by the crisis in Afghanistan.
- If you are seeking legal assistance to sponsor family in Afghanistan to come to Australia, please click here.
- How do I return to my country of origin or leave Australia?
Connect with us
Need help from the ASRC? Call 03 9326 6066 (Monday - Friday, 10am - 5pm) to book an appointment.