Free legal advice is available to people about most legal matters, except corporate or business law. The role of the legal adviser is to identify the person’s legal problem, inform them of their rights and obligations and help them understand their options. Legal advice is available over the telephone through Legal Services' Legal Helpline on 1300 366 424 (local call cost) which operates Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.

A 30 minute advice appointment can be made at our Adelaide office or any of our suburban and regional offices, including Elizabeth, Port Adelaide, Noarlunga, Port Augusta and Whyalla. For people living in other regional areas, a telephone advice appointment can be arranged. Appointments may be made by calling the Legal Helpline on 1300 366 424.

A face-to-face appointment may be useful where an adviser may need to view documents to give fulsome advice, or where a legal problem is too complex or lengthy for telephone advice. It may also help clients with communication difficulties or where English is not their first language. If an interpreter is needed, a longer appointment may be booked.

The advisory service deals with a wide range of both legal and non-legal problems and clients can be referred to other agencies where appropriate. For professional reasons, legal advisers cannot give a second opinion if the matter is already being handled by another solicitor. However, general advice about basic principles may be given to clarify any misunderstandings. Further information is available on the Free Legal Advice webpage.

Legal Services offers a weekly outreach advice service in Mount Barker and Murray Bridge. A telephone advice appointment can be made for people living in other regional areas by calling the Legal Helpline and requesting advice phone back assistance.

Legal Services has specialist domestic violence workers who are available for free advice appointments or telephone advice to people with family law and other matters where domestic violence is a factor. Appointments can be made by calling the Legal Helpline on 1300 366 424.

Victim-survivors seeking counselling and/or other immediate practical support, including safe accommodation, should call the Domestic Violence Crisis Line on 1800 800 098.

To help people with language difficulties, Legal Services will arrange and pay for an interpreter to be present at an appointment if one was requested when the appointment was made. Telephone advice is not available in other languages, but it is possible to provide a three-way link with an interpreter via the Translating and Interpreting Service.

The Family Law Practice Division can provide help, advice and representation in family law matters. See the Family Law webpage for more information.

Child support advice is available from within the Family Law Practice Division to help carers and liable parents with child maintenance problems. Initial assistance is provided through a telephone call back service and a free follow-up interview can be arranged where necessary. Appointments can be conducted by telephone or in person at the Adelaide office. The telephone number for the Child Support Unit is 8111 5576. See also our Child Support brochure.

The Legal Services Commission's Community Legal Education team undertakes a wide range of educational activities to promote an understanding by the public of their rights, powers, privileges and duties.

Free resources on different legal topics may be accessed via the Legal Services website, including various publications and the Law Handbook.

The Community Legal Education team also offers free legal information sessions to community groups during usual business hours Monday to Friday. This includes targeted programs for migrants, young people (including high school students) and those with disability. Visit the Community Legal Education webpage for more information.