Key points
- There is no single free 24-hour legal advice hotline in Australia. The legal aid commissions give free legal information in business hours, Monday to Friday, and advice to people who meet their rules.
- Two kinds of line answer at any hour: crisis and specialist lines for particular situations, listed below, and Go To Court's free legal information line.
- Go To Court Lawyers runs a free 24-hour legal information line on 1800 577 015. It is answered every day of the year by an AI legal information assistant, gives general legal information on any matter, and is not legal advice about your situation.
- A 60-minute consultation with an Australian lawyer costs a fixed $295, by phone, video or in person. Urgent requests are taken at any hour; a particular time or day cannot be promised.
- In danger now: call 000. Family, domestic or sexual violence: 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, free, 24 hours.
Go To Court Lawyers runs a free 24-hour legal information line on 1800 577 015, answered every day of the year by an AI legal information assistant, and arranges 60-minute consultations with Australian lawyers for a fixed $295, with urgent requests taken at any hour.
Legal information explains the law in general. Legal advice applies the law to your facts and should come from a qualified lawyer who has considered your circumstances.
Go To Court Lawyers offers both a free 24/7 legal information service and paid consultations with Australian lawyers. Call 1800 577 015 at any time, or request a lawyer consultation online.
If your matter is urgent
- Check for immediate danger. Call 000 if someone is in danger or urgent police, fire or ambulance help is needed. For family, domestic or sexual violence support, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
- Record every deadline. Court dates, response dates and appeal periods can be short and depend on the court, law and circumstances. Do not rely on a general web page for the deadline in your matter.
- Keep the documents. Have court papers, police documents, contracts, messages and a short chronology ready. Do not alter or destroy material that may be relevant.
- Get advice before taking a step you do not understand. If police want to question you, or you have been served with documents, ask how to obtain legal advice promptly.
How our service works
1. Free legal information, 24/7
Jen, our AI assistant, answers calls to 1800 577 015. It can collect information, explain general legal concepts and help identify the type of lawyer you may need. It is not a lawyer, does not represent you and does not give advice about what you personally should do.
2. Request a consultation with a lawyer
A 60-minute initial consultation costs $295. It may take place by phone, video or in person. We check the area of law, jurisdiction and lawyer availability before confirming the appointment. Urgent requests are prioritised, but a particular lawyer or appointment time is not guaranteed.
3. Decide what happens next
The lawyer can consider your circumstances, explain options and discuss whether further work may be appropriate. Any ongoing work, scope and fees are agreed separately.
Matters we can help route
- criminal law and police matters
- family law and protection-order matters
- traffic law and drink-driving matters
- civil disputes
- employment law
- immigration matters
- wills and estates
Whether a particular lawyer can assist depends on the facts, jurisdiction, conflicts and availability.
Free legal help lines in Australia: who answers, and when
Numbers and hours checked against each service's own website on 22 October 2026. Hours are local time unless stated.
Lines that answer 24 hours
| Service | Number | Hours | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Go To Court Lawyers legal information line | 1800 577 015 | 24 hours, every day | Free general legal information on any matter, Australia-wide, from an AI legal information assistant. Not legal advice. A $295 consultation with a lawyer can be arranged from the call. |
| 1800RESPECT (domestic, family or sexual violence) | 1800 737 732, or text 0458 737 732 | 24 hours, every day | Free, confidential counselling, information and referral |
| Legal Aid NSW Youth Hotline (under 18) | 1800 10 18 10 | 9am to midnight weekdays; 24 hours from Friday 9am to Sunday midnight, and on public holidays | Free advice for people under 18 |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service, Queensland | 1800 012 255 | Business hours for all legal matters; after hours for police custody notifications only | Free legal help for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people |
Legal aid lines, business hours
Free legal information; advice if you meet the commission's rules on means and type of matter.
| State or territory | Service | Number | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | LawAccess NSW (Legal Aid NSW) | 1300 888 529 | 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday |
| Victoria | Victoria Legal Aid, Legal Help | 1300 792 387 | 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday |
| Queensland | Legal Aid Queensland, Legal Information Line | 1300 65 11 88 | 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday. Under-18s: Youth Legal Advice Hotline 1800 527 527, 8am to 9pm Monday to Thursday and from 8am Friday to 5pm Sunday |
| South Australia | Legal Services Commission, Legal Helpline | 1300 366 424 | 9am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday |
| Western Australia | Legal Aid WA, Infoline | 1300 650 579 | 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday |
| Tasmania | Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania, Legal Help | 1300 366 611 | 8:45am to 5pm, Monday to Friday |
| ACT | Legal Aid ACT, Helpline | 1300 654 314 | 8:30am to 7pm Monday to Thursday; 8:30am to 5pm Friday |
| Northern Territory | Legal Aid NT, Helpline | 1800 019 343 | 8am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday |
| National | Family Relationship Advice Line | 1800 050 321 | 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 4pm Saturday, local time; closed Sundays and national public holidays |
| National | Community legal centres | Find your nearest centre through the Australian Attorney-General’s Department legal assistance directory | Varies by centre |
Legal aid advice is limited to people who meet each commission's rules on means and type of matter. If you are not eligible, or you need an answer tonight, call 1800 577 015 for free information at any hour, or request a $295 consultation with a lawyer. Our legal aid guide explains how the commissions decide who they can help.
Talk to us
Call 1800 577 015 for general legal information at any time. To request a 60-minute consultation with a lawyer for $295, book online. Appointment requests are subject to a suitable lawyer being available.
General information only, not legal advice. Laws, procedures and time limits change and vary by jurisdiction. Reviewed 26 August 2026. Updated 22 October 2026; phone numbers and hours checked 22 October 2026.