Legal assistance

National legal advice service

Those seeking to engage with the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion are able to access two free and independent legal service providers to support them to engage with the Royal Commission, including to share their story.

The National Legal Aid and the Jewish Centre for Law and Justice services provide independent, trauma‑informed and culturally safe legal advice to members of the public, including family members, carers and supporters.

You can contact the services for free legal information, help and advice, including about voluntary submissions to the Royal Commission.

Individuals do not need to be formal witnesses to the Royal Commission to access these services, and they will operate for the duration of the Royal Commission.

National Legal Aid

To request legal help, please call 1800 976 198 or send an email to rcasclegalhelp@nationallegalaid.org.au. In your email, include your preferred phone number, suburb or postcode and the state or territory you live in.

Visit National Legal Aid for further details.

Jewish Centre for Law and Justice

The Jewish Centre for Law and Justice has established a free national legal advice service to support individuals to engage with the Royal Commission, with a particular focus on the Jewish community.

You can contact the service for free legal information, help and advice via their website.

Legal financial assistance scheme

The Royal Commission may contact some persons and organisations who have made submissions to appear as a witness at a hearing. If contacted, you may be eligible for legal financial assistance.

The Australian Government will provide legal financial assistance to individuals and entities to help meet the reasonable costs of legal representation and disbursements associated with engaging with the Royal Commission.

The legal financial assistance scheme is administered by the Attorney-General's Department, independently of the Royal Commission.

For information on applying under the scheme, visit Legal assistance for witnesses – Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion or contact Legal Financial Assistance Casework by emailing finass@ag.gov.au.

The Royal Commission cannot decide or resolve individual cases or award any form of compensation.