Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission (MHWC)

The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission (MHWC) is an independent, specialist body established under the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 to safeguard rights, resolve complaints about Victorian public mental health services and recommend improvements. 

Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA)

IMHA support people who are receiving compulsory mental health treatment to make decisions and have as much say as possible about their assessment, treatment and recovery. IMHA’s advocates are based in Melbourne, Geelong, Bendigo and Dandenong, but support people across Victoria and offer a service is independent, free and confidential. 

Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council (VMIAC)

The Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council (VMIAC) is the peak body for people with lived experience of mental illness and/or emotional issues. VMIAC provide advocacy, education and NDIS support.

Court Network

Court Network provide emotional support and information for people attending the Children’s Court, Family Court, Coroners Court, Magistrates Court, County Court and Supreme Court and advocate for the needs of all court users.

Federation of Community Legal Centres

Community Legal Centres across Victoria provide free legal services, community legal education, and policy and advocacy work. Find you nearest centre on the Federation website.

Victoria Legal Aid (VLA)

VLA focus on protecting and promoting the legal rights of socially and economically disadvantaged people in Victoria by providing information, referrals, advice and legal representation in the areas of family, civil and criminal law.

Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS)

VALS provides referrals, advice and information, duty work or case work assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Victoria, in the areas of family law, civil and criminal law.

VLA Law Handbook

The VLA Handbook provides detailed information about the types of matters where VLA may make a grant of legal assistance.