Annual Impact Report

We’re leveraging technology where it makes sense

To address the vast scale of unmet legal needs, the legal assistance system must be designed to prevent, identify, and respond to legal issues as effectively as possible.

Technology offers a significant opportunity to advance our access to justice efforts, both by improving our internal processes and strengthening connections across the sector. We leverage technology strategically to expand our reach, enhance the experience of giving and receiving legal help, and reinforce the entire access to justice ecosystem.

Our innovative work in the field has improved efficiencies in how people access our services and how law firms globally contribute to pro bono efforts.

We’re helping not-for-profit organisations navigate the law

Not-for-profit organisations are the backbone of community resilience, delivering vital services that uplift those in need and strengthen communities during challenging times. However, these essential organisations operate within a complex legal framework, particularly when they span multiple states. With limited time and resources, staying on top of compliance can be overwhelming, and affording expensive legal fees when legal issues arise is often out of reach.

Through expert advice, training, and resources, we aim to alleviate this burden for community organisations. Our specialised legal support empowers not-for-profits with the skills, confidence, and knowledge they need to manage their operations effectively while focusing on what matters most: serving their communities.

We’re keeping people safely and securely housed

Safe, secure housing is a fundamental right and a cornerstone of wellbeing. Yet, amid the housing and cost-of-living crises, more Victorians are facing homelessness, with many seeking community support for the first time as their legal, housing, health, social, and financial challenges grow.

For those with complex or interconnected needs, our multidisciplinary team of specialist lawyers and social workers collaborate with our embedded pro bono and community partners to provide intensive, integrated legal services, including ongoing representation and wraparound assistance.

To extend our impact, we codesign digital tools that empower more renters to understand their rights and options, and take earlier, proactive steps to avoid eviction and stay safely housed.

We’re supporting disaster-affected communities

With increasingly extreme weather – hotter, drier summers and wetter, fiercer winters – the legal needs of disaster-affected communities have become a critical priority in the access to justice space.

Research reveals that people impacted by disasters are more likely to experience multiple, interconnected legal problems that persist over time and require significant support services.

In response, we work to build legal resilience within disaster-affected communities. This involves providing direct legal support and pro bono referrals, creating self-help resources and tools to aid in preparedness, and leveraging technology such as our Pro Bono Portal to connect Community Legal Centres with lawyers who can assist their clients.

We’re guiding people through financial legal issues

Financial stress can ripple across all aspects of a person’s life. When coupled with legal issues, it creates significant barriers to justice. Costs of legal representation, limited access to support, and complex court processes can all diminish the likelihood of a fair outcome.

At Justice Connect, we witness the intersection of financial stress and legal need daily. The cost-of-living crisis is driving more people into debt and bankruptcy, while the growing ageing population faces exacerbated prevalence of financial elder abuse across Australia.

Our systems must be reformed to better support those under financial strain. Justice Connect is committed to understanding, preventing, and resolving financial legal issues, with a focus on bankruptcy, employment, and financial elder abuse.