Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Civil Law Other A-G 

Legal Aid receives $1.45M for Equal Opportunity advice and assistance

Robert Clark 1929 Views

Attorney-General Robert Clark yesterday launched VLA’s Equal Opportunity Legal Service to provide specialist legal advice and assistance for Victorians making complaints under the Equal Opportunity Act 2010.

The Victorian Coalition Government has provided funding of $1.45 million over three years for VLA to operate the legal service in collaboration with the Public Interest Law Clearing House (PILCH).

“Victorians can now take their discrimination, sexual harassment and victimisation matters directly to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), without first having to lodge a formal complaint and seek resolution with the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission,” Mr Clark said.

“VLA’s Equal Opportunity Legal Service will therefore be a source of early and expert assistance in these matters.”

Mr Clark said government funding would ensure VLA could provide Victorians with access to specialist legal advice at the initial stages of the legal process as well as legal representation where clients met the eligibility criteria.

“The Equal Opportunity Legal Service will be able to assist clients throughout Victoria through VLA’s network of suburban and regional offices,” Mr Clark said.

“VLA will continue to provide its duty lawyer service at VCAT; a service that will be available to assist people who attend VCAT directly with equal opportunity matters.

“The Legal Service will also utilise PILCH’s established outreach and pro bono networks to ensure a wider number of people can receive assistance.”

The Equal Opportunity Legal Service will develop strong referral arrangements with community legal centres that have existing expertise in anti-discrimination law, as well as with referrers of regional clients and with the private profession through PILCH.

“The Equal Opportunity Legal Service will play a vital role in advising people about their rights and helping them to choose how they want to pursue those rights,” Mr Clark said.