Supporting at Risk Workers

This podcast will give community and health workers information to help them support clients who are working in unsafe workplaces or being asked to perform unsafe work. You will hear from Safework NSW who will give you information to help you identify particular groups of workers who are at risk and how Safework NSW can assist them.  You will also hear from a lawyer from the Legal Aid NSW Employment law team who will talk about how employment and discrimination laws can be used to protect vulnerable workers and give you information to help you refer your clients for legal advice.

Referrals and information

SAFEWORK NSW

SafeWork NSW 13 10 50 

The Speak up App to report unsafe work- (confidentially if you wish)

Young worker etoolkit: a range of resources to support young workers’ safety.  There are 4 sections:  for young workers, employers, educators,  and parents and guardians

The getting support at work pocket guide     :  translated in Arabic, Chinese(simplified), Filipino, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Korean, Malay and Vietnamese.

The basics your rights at work   Other languages are on the webpage

At Risk worker strategy  Other languages are on the webpage

Translated Resources Hub available translated resources

Legal Aid NSW

LawAccess NSW 1300 888529

Legal Aid NSW website  for an advice service

Employment Problems? Spot the Signs fact sheet

Ripped off- Your Rights about unpaid wages and entitlements at work

Request a talk for your newly arrived client group: “My rights at work – Australian law and you”

Other

Fair Work Ombudsman: information and advice about workplace rights and obligations

Workers compensation Independent Review office helps injured workers deal with insurers

State Insurance Regulatory Authority - information about workplace injuries

Unions NSW  information about trade unions

Hard conversations. Part 2

'Hard conversations' is a short series exploring the complexity of elder abuse.

Throughout this series you will hear from lots of different people about their understanding of elder abuse, the ways they think about it in their communities and how we can start to address it together.

There is no one right answer, there are lots of things we can do to help people who may be experiencing or are at risk of elder abuse and we will talk about some of them.

This series has been made in partnership with the Legal Aid NSW Central Coast Elder Abuse Service, and the Central Coast Community Legal Centre.  We also spoke with colleagues from Seniors Rights Service, OPAN, Connect Ability Australia, and the Central Coast Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service.

Referrals and more information

• Legal Aid NSW Elder Abuse Service 02 4324 5611
• Central Coast Community Legal Centre 02 4353 4988
• Staying home leaving violence
• Seniors Rights Service NSW 1800 424 079
• Elder abuse support and mediation service - Relationships Australia 1300 364 277
• Connect Ability – 02 4962 1000
• 1800 respect - 1800 737 732
• Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council – 02 4351 2930
• NSW Aboriginal Land Councils – 02 9689 4444
• COTA NSW – 1800 449 102
• OPAN (Older Persons Advocacy Network) – 1800 237 981
• Carers NSW - 1800 242 636
• Ageing and Disability Abuse Helpline - 1800 628 221
• https://www.compass.info/– resources and support directory
• Mingaletta - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation – 02 4324 7515
• Subscribe to the Elder Abuse Service e-newsletter legalaid.nsw.gov.au/about-us/media-and-newsletters/legal-aid-news/subscribe-to-legal-aid-news
• Please send your questions, comments and feedback to: clebranch@legalaid.nsw.gov.au.

LawAccess NSW 1300 888 529 

If you need an interpreter, please call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.

Music produced by Gambirra 

Hard conversations. Part 1

'Hard conversations' is a short series exploring the complexity of elder abuse.

Throughout this series you will hear from lots of different people about their understanding of elder abuse, the ways they think about it in their communities and how we can start to address it together.

There is no one right answer, there are lots of things we can do to help people who may be experiencing or are at risk of elder abuse and we will talk about some of them.

This series has been made in partnership with the Legal Aid NSW Central Coast Elder Abuse Service, and the Central Coast Community Legal Centre.  We also spoke with colleagues from Seniors Rights Service, OPAN, Connect Ability Australia, and the Central Coast Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service.

Referrals and more information

• Legal Aid NSW Elder Abuse Service 02 4324 5611
• Central Coast Community Legal Centre 02 4353 4988
• Staying home leaving violence
• Seniors Rights Service NSW 1800 424 079
• Elder abuse support and mediation service - Relationships Australia 1300 364 277
• Connect Ability – 02 4962 1000
• 1800 respect - 1800 737 732
• Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council – 02 4351 2930
• NSW Aboriginal Land Councils – 02 9689 4444
• COTA NSW – 1800 449 102
• OPAN (Older Persons Advocacy Network) – 1800 237 981
• Carers NSW - 1800 242 636
• Ageing and Disability Abuse Helpline - 1800 628 221
• https://www.compass.info/– resources and support directory
• Mingaletta - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation – 02 4324 7515
• Subscribe to the Elder Abuse Service e-newsletter legalaid.nsw.gov.au/about-us/media-and-newsletters/legal-aid-news/subscribe-to-legal-aid-news
• Please send your questions, comments and feedback to: clebranch@legalaid.nsw.gov.au.

LawAccess NSW 1300 888 529 

If you need an interpreter, please call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.

Music produced by Gambirra 

Robodebt Part 2

In Robodebt Part 2 Legal Aid NSW civil lawyer, Nicola Cannon gives you an update on the latest developments on robodebt.

Find out about:

• what the Government’s announcement that it will refund robodebts means for your clients
• Who will and won’t receive a refund
• How to make sure clients who are eligible for refunds receive them
• The Gordon Legal Class Action on Robodebt
• Where clients can go for help

Referrals

To speak with Centrelink about a robodebt:

Centrelink compliance division — call: 1800 086 400 Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm

Centrelink repayments division — call: 1800 076 072 Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm

To get legal advice:

Visit the Legal Aid NSW website to find a local civil law advice service.

Legal Aid NSW social security service

Welfare Rights Centre

Call LawAccess NSW 1300 888 529

To register your interest for the class action:

Gordon Legal — Register your interest for the class action: https://register.robodebtclassaction.com.au/registration/

More information

• Services Australia website - Information about refunds for the income compliance program: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/subjects/information-about-refunds-income-compliance-program
• Victoria Legal Aid robodebt page:
  https://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/find-legal-answers/centrelink/robodebts ‘
• Economic Justice Australia – robodebt fact sheet:
  http://ejaustralia.org.au/wp/wp-content/uploads/Robodebts.pdf
• Gordon Legal FAQ’s:
  https://gordonlegal.com.au/robodebt-class-action/robodebt-faqs/

Where’s my legal aid application up to?… Introducing the new Legal Aid NSW Grants Tracker

In this shortcut episode we hear from Judith from the Legal Aid NSW Client Service Unit explaining the new Legal Aid NSW Grants Tracker.

Referrals and more information:

Legal Aid NSW news article about the Grants Tracker: https://news.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/legal-aid-news---august-2020

Apply for legal aid: https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/get-legal-help/applying-for-legal-aid

https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/41184/Legal-Aid-NSW-Application-Form_Fillable_Aug2020.pdf

https://publications.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/PublicationsResourcesService/PublicationImprints/Files/253.pdf

Legal aid Application forms and brochures can be order from Publications: https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/publications/order-a-publication

Support workers in the criminal justice system

Helping your client tell their story to the court. The important role of support workers in the criminal justice system.

In this episode we speak to a Legal Aid NSW Criminal lawyer and 3 support workers helping women, young people and people with cognitive impairment in the criminal justice system. We learn about their tips about ways to provide support to achieve the best court outcome for clients.

Referrals and more information:

• Legal Aid NSW – Court, Police and Crime Publications
• Legal Aid NSW – Find a local office and advice service
• Legal Aid NSW – Help at Court - Duty lawyers
• Legal Aid NSW - Children’s Legal Service and Youth Hotline
• Rosa Coordinated Care (ROCC) – support service for women returning to live in the Shoalhaven after being in custody or rehabilitation
• Shopfront Youth Legal Centre – legal factsheets for young people and youth workers
• IDRS - Justice Advocacy Service
• Justice Advocacy Service Law for Community Workers webinar – December 2020
• NSW Justice – So you have to go to Court! resource kit for people with cognitive impairment
• Legal Aid NSW - Law Check-Up – tool for helping your clients identify their legal problems

The Refugee Service answers community worker’s COVID-19 legal questions

In this episode, we speak to Christina Alkhamisi, Civil Solicitor, who answers some frequently asked questions from Community Worker who work with Refugee communities on the COVID-19 changes. She provides us with a clear summary of Public Health Order fines, Centrelink and Immigration changes, and information about where to get more information and help for your clients.

Referrals and more information

• LawAccess NSW 1300 888 529 or visit
• Legal Aid NSW Refugee Service 87136725 or visit https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/what-we-do/civil-law/refugee-service
• Visit the Legal Aid NSWwebsite to find a local advice service.
• For more information on Work and Development orders, please visit the Legal Aid website at https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/publications/factsheets-and-resources/covid-19/covid-19-public-health-orders-what-do-i-need-to-know
• For more information on COVID changes, please visit the LawAccess website at https://www.lawaccess.nsw.gov.au/Pages/news-articles/covid19.aspx
• For more information on Centrelink changes please see Legal Aid’s ‘Centrelink in the Time of COVID-19 Podcast’ or visit the Centrelink website.
• Centrelink’s dedicated COVID-19 page — this website is being regularly updated.
• If you need an interpreter, please call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.

For community members! The Refugee Service answers your COVID-19 legal questions

In this episode, specifically targeted at refugees, we speak to Christina Alkhamisi, Civil Solicitor, who answers some frequently asked questions from people have contacted the Legal Aid Refugee Service on the COVID-19 changes. She provides us with a clear summary of Public Health Order fines, Centrelink and Immigration changes, and information about where to get help.

 Referrals and more information

• LawAccess NSW 1300 888 529 or visit
• Legal Aid NSW Refugee Service 87136725 or visit https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/what-we-do/civil-law/refugee-service
• Visit the Legal Aid NSWwebsite to find a local advice service.
• For more information on Work and Development orders, please visit the Legal Aid website at https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/publications/factsheets-and-resources/covid-19/covid-19-public-health-orders-what-do-i-need-to-know
• For more information on COVID changes, please visit the LawAccess website at https://www.lawaccess.nsw.gov.au/Pages/news-articles/covid19.aspx
• For more information on Centrelink changes please see Legal Aid’s ‘Centrelink in the Time of COVID-19 Podcast’ or visit the Centrelink website.
• Centrelink’s dedicated COVID-19 page — this website is being regularly updated.
• If you need an interpreter, please call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.

STOP public threats

This is important information for people who are likely to be the victim of a public threat or witness a public threat. Listen and find out more about what we can all do to stop public threats.

In this episode we find out about the Stop Public Threats campaign launch by the NSW Attorney General on 25 May 2020. The campaign will educate the community about Section 93Z of the Crimes Act. This section makes it an offence to threaten or incite violence against another person or a group of persons because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, intersex status or HIV/AIDS status.

Referrals and more information

Report an incident:

• When it is happening: Call Triple Zero 000
• At other times: Call the Police Assistance Line 131 444

• Visit the website: stoppublicthreats.legalaid.nsw.gov.au
• Request a workshop on the topic 
• LawAccess website
• LawAccess legal information line: 1300 88 529

A day in the life of the Work and Development Order Program – tackling fines debt in NSW

Tell us what you really think of our podcasts - help us keep this resource going!

This episode was recorded in November and December 2019.  The statistics quoted by some of the people interviewed relate to that time.

In May 2020 there is approximately $850 million of fines debt in NSW and the WDO Program sponsors have assisted people to clear over $200 million of fines debt since it started in 2011.

 Links and referrals

• Legal Aid NSW – Work and Development Order Service web page
• Legal Aid NSW – Work and Development Order Service publications – search under Money, Debt & Fines
• Revenue NSW – Work and Development Order Guidelines
• Revenue NSW – Become a Work and Development Order Sponsor
• Revenue NSW – Find a Work and Development Order Sponsor
• Revenue NSW Advocacy Hotline – Become an Advocate to speak to Revenue NSW about your client’s fines
• Revenue NSW WDO Hotline – 1300 478 879
• Legal Aid NSW Youtube Channel – Fines and WDOs Playlist
• Legal Aid NSW Law for Community Workers on the go podcast about the WDO Service
• Law Check-Up – help your client to find out what legal problems they have, including fines

This episode was produced by Audiocraft's Nicole Curby