First Nations Women’s Legal Program

The First Nations Women’s Legal Program provides services that best meet the needs of First Nations and Torres Strait Islander women. The program was developed in 1995, in consultation with First Nations  women. WLS NSW receives valuable feedback and guidance from the First Nations Women’s Consultative Network, to ensure that all services are delivered in a respectful and culturally appropriate manner.

The First Nations Women’s Legal Program is staffed by Aboriginal women and offers free services including:

• Free legal advice via the First Nations Women’s Legal Contact Line
• Assistance in finding a solicitor
• Training and community workshops across NSW
• Resources and information about the law
• Face-to-face advice from solicitors through FNWLP Outreach Clinics

FNWLP Outreach Clinics

WLS provides free legal advice for First Nations women on family law issues at legal advice clinics in Blackett, Campbelltown, Cranebrook, Emerton and Liverpool. To find out more, including dates and times of the advice clinics please visit FNWLP Outreach Clinics.

Young Black Chicks Talking

This is a project about safe and healthy options in relationships. We made a video with Leah Purcell to get young Koori girls together and give them a voice. Listen to these young Koori girls speak truthfully about how they perceive relationships and what they see as healthy options in a relationship. Read more 

Dealing with FaCS – Top Ten Tips

This resource is designed to help women and families deal with the government services in charge of keeping children safe. The main department with this job is called Family and Community Services, or ‘FaCS’ for short. They used to be called DoCS (Department of Community Services) but their name changed in 2011. Read more

Our Dream…

This information booklet is about domestic violence and the law in NSW. It is designed primarily for Aboriginal women but may also be a useful resource for non-Aboriginal service providers. Read More

Royal Commission hearing into Bethcar Children’s Home

Women’s Legal Service NSW represented 13 Indigenous women, who had suffered sexual abuse  while in care at the Bethcar Children’s Home, in civil proceedings against the State of New South Wales. After more than 5 years, the case was settled and the women received compensation and an apology.

Some of the women told their story to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. WLS Principal Solicitor Janet Loughman also gave evidence our experience of the course of the litigation. Read more about the Bethcar hearing