April 2024—Community Legal Education Update

In this issue:

Three Legal Aid Queensland staff members at an information stall waving to the camera.

Our community legal education (CLE) program educates the community about legal issues. It also helps community, workers, community lawyers and financial counsellors to access legal services for their clients.

CLE Collaboration Fund open for applications 

Do you have an idea for a community legal education project to help people understand their legal rights? Apply for a CLE Collaboration Fund grant!

The fund supports CLE projects in the legal assistance sector that promote collaboration between legal assistance and community support services.

Videos, podcasts, websites, workshops, publications and community engagement events are some of the resources and activities that have been funded to help people identify legal problems early, understand their legal rights and how to get legal help.

Grants up to $30,000 (ex GST) per project are available. Read the fund guidelines and application form to find out if you are eligible.

Hurry! Applications close on Monday 29 April.

Need more information? Visit our website – Community Legal Education (CLE) Collaboration Fund or contact the CLE team.

Blurred Borders Queensland update

Blurred Borders Queensland logo pictured with the Blurred Borders Queensland user manual, story cards and stickers

We’ve been busy planning more training sessions, printing more tool kits and developing new resources to help you use Blurred Borders Qld in your work.

Need more kits?

Visit our website to order more Bail and criminal process or Family violence tool kits for your organisation.

New training sessions

We are developing a shorter 2-hour training session, which will still include lots of opportunities to practise using the resources. Stay tuned for details about how to register for training!

Stickers and wallet cards

You can order more sheets of stickers and wallet cards or download templates from our website to print your own!

Need help or have a question?

Do you need help mapping out a client’s legal process? Or have a question about using the resources? Please reach out by emailing cle@legalaid.qld.gov.au, we’re happy to help.

Our website also has lots of information about the Blurred Borders tool kits and how to use the resources.

We’d love your feedback

We’d love to hear how you are using Blurred Borders Qld in your work. Are the resources helpful for clients? Do you have any suggestions to improve the resources? Please get in touch by emailing cle@legalaid.qld.gov.au.

Stay in the loop with Blurred Borders news

If you haven’t already, please join our Blurred Borders mailing list for the latest news about Blurred Borders training sessions, resources, videos and more. 

Which Way resources help First Nations families protect their legal rights

Screenshot of 'Which Way - protect your legal rights!' video

New posters and videos have been developed to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families involved in domestic violence or child protection matters to understand their legal rights and access legal help.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (ATSILS) teamed up with the members of the Queensland Legal Assistance Forum to produce a range of community legal education resources under the banner: Which Way – Protect Your Legal Rights!

The Which Way resources feature 3 posters and videos targeted at applicants and respondents in domestic and family violence matters and families involved with Child Safety.

The resources seek to educate the community that if Child Safety or the police knock on their door they should get legal help straight away to understand and protect their legal rights.

The resources also highlight that legal help is available from a range of legal assistance providers, giving people a choice of who they can contact for help.

ATSILS collaborated with the Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service, Legal Aid Queensland, Community Legal Centres Queensland and Child Protection Peak to develop the Which Way resources. First Nations creative agency Gilimbaa designed the resources.

You can watch the videos and download or order copies of the posters on the ATSILS website. 

Free legal help for disaster-affected Queenslanders

Disaster legal help artwork

Queenslanders impacted by disasters and wild weather can get free disaster-related legal help from Legal Aid Queensland.

People can call Legal Aid Queensland’s Disaster Legal Help Line on 1300 527 700 for help with problems such as insurance claim issues or refusals, temporary housing issues, financial hardship, family law issues and more.

Here are some top tips for people managing property damage and other issues following a disaster:

  • If your insurance claim is refused, you can have the decision reviewed by the insurer and then by the Australian Financial Complaints Authority. If you have questions, call 1300 527 700 for legal advice.
  • If your claim is accepted, check the scope of repair works covers the damage to your property.
  • Remember the scope of works doesn’t have to be perfect before work starts—you can add more damage if it’s found during repairs. If you don’t understand the scope of works, get advice.
  • If you are considering accepting a cash settlement for your claim, please get legal advice first.
  • Be wary of doorknockers offering to help with repairs or insurance.
  • Apply for any state and Commonwealth assistance you qualify for.
  • Ask your banks, lenders, utility providers and local councils for financial hardship help if you need it.
  • Lodge claims with your insurer as soon as possible.
  • Take photos and videos of the damaged property.

For more information and resources, visit Legal Aid Queensland’s Disaster Legal Help webpage.

If you have a disaster-preparedness event or other event you’d like Legal Aid Queensland to present at or provide an information stall, please contact us at cle@legalaid.qld.gov.au 

Come chat with us

Photo of 3 Legal Aid Queensland staff members at an information stall

Come and chat with us at these upcoming community events:

  • Homeless Connect Brisbane – 16 May
  • The Community Place Kalinga resilience expo – 18 May

Want Legal Aid to run an information stall at your event? Email us at cle@legalaid.qld.gov.au.

New resources

Disaster legal help brochure

Disaster legal help brochure

Tips to help you before, during and after a disaster

See more
Which Way poster - 'If Child Safety knocks on your door take action!'

Which Way posters and videos

Legal help for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families involved in domestic violence or child protection matters

See more
Image of 'Need legal help with your money and debt problems?' factsheet

Money and debt factsheet

General information about what help is available if you have money and debt problems.

See more

Order free publications and resources

Visit our website to browse, download, print or order copies of our free legal information publications and resources (including free delivery).

Book an information session about the law

Would you like us to speak to your colleagues or clients about Legal Aid Queensland’s services and how to access them?

Book an information session about the law.