Please see below a list of advocacy groups and organisations. By this, we refer to organisations and services that can assist people to:
- Express their views and concerns
- Access information and/or services
- Defend and promote their rights and responsibilities
- Explore choices and/or options
Carers
Carers Victoria
Level 1, 37 Albert Street, Footscray 3011
Tel: 03 9396 9500 or 1800 514 845 (free call)
Fax: 03 9396 9555
TTY: 03 9396 9587
Email: reception@carersvictoria.org.au
Website: www.carersvictoria.org.au
Offers direct services to support carers in their caring role, as well as education, training and advocacy programs to increase awareness of carers.
Tandem
Level 1, 37 Mollison Street, Abbotsford 3067
Tel: 03 8803 5555
Email: info@tandemcarers.org.au
Website: www.tandemcarers.org.au
Tandem is the Victorian peak body representing family and friends supporting people living with mental health issues. Tandem’s mission is to provide leadership and coordination for the community of individuals and organisations who seek better outcomes for Victorian mental health carers.
Culturally Diverse, Migrant and Refugee People
Migrant Resource Centre (MRC)
20 Victoria Crescent (enter via Alfrieda St), St Albans 3021
Tel: 03 9367 6044
Email: mrcnw@mrcnorthwest.org.au
Website: www.mrcnorthwest.org.au
Provides support for people with a disability and their families, who are from culturally and linguistically diverse communities (CALD).
Family Advocacy
Council of Homeless Persons
2 Stanley Street, Collingwood 3066
Tel: 03 8415 6200
Website: chp.org.au
Homelessness Advocacy Service (HAS) – 1800 066 256
Provides advocacy, support and advice to people who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
Independent Family Advocacy and Support (IFAS)
Tel: 1800 849 200
Email: ifascontact@vla.vic.gov.au
Website: www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/independent-family-advocacy-and-support
This service provides early, non-legal advocacy and support to families who are involved in the child protection system. IFAS has a focus on parents of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and parents with an intellectual disability. IFAS also provides coaching for self-advocacy for CALD, family violence, LGBTQI, mental health and other disabilities.
Social Security Rights Victoria
PO Box 4226, Fitzroy Victoria 3065
Tel: 03 9481 0355
Email: info@ssrv.org.au
Website: www.ssrv.org.au
Social Security Rights Victoria (SSRV) is a community legal centre that provides free legal services in relation to Social Security and Centrelink matters to people across Victoria, including people affected by disasters. In addition, the SSRV Worker Help Line offers free and accessible services to social, community and health workers to help support your clients with social security matters.
Legal Assistance Line
Tel: 03 9481 0355 (Monday – Friday, 9 am-1 pm and 2 pm-5 pm)
Rural callers
Tel: 1800 094 164 (Monday – Friday, 9 am-1 pm and 2 pm-5 pm)
Worker Help Line
Tel: 03 9481 0655 (Monday – Friday, 9 am-5 pm)
General enquiries
Tel: 03 9481 0299 (Monday – Friday, 9 am-5 pm)
The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission
Level 3, 204 Lygon Street, Carlton 3053
Tel: 1300 891 848
Hearing impaired (TTY): 1300 289 621
Interpreters: 1300 152 494
Email: information@veohrc.vic.gov.au
Legal Unit fax (Charter notifications, equal opportunity exemptions): 1300 286 834
Under the Equal Opportunity Act and the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act, the Commission helps people resolve complaints of discrimination, sexual harassment, victimisation and racial or religious vilification through a free, fair and timely dispute resolution service with the aim of achieving a mutual agreement.
First Nations
Aboriginal Advancement League
2 Watt Street, Thornbury 3071
Tel: 03 9480 7777
Fax: 03 9416 9092
Email: reception@aal.org.au
Services include health information, Home and Community Care, parenting and family management support/education, accommodation placement, funeral services, housing services, Koorie Energy program, Indigital Studio & Guwiji neighbourhood house.
Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA)
340 Bell Street, Preston 3072
Tel: 03 9287 8800
Email: vacca@vacca.org
Website: www.vacca.org
We deliver more than fifty programs across Victoria aligned to our Vision, Purpose and Principles. Together with the Aboriginal community, we design, develop and deliver programs that build on peoples’ strengths. We understand intergenerational trauma, and that healing occurs in the context of developing relationships, connection to culture, community, and Country. Our services can also be accessed by non-Aboriginal people who have an Aboriginal family member, such as children or a partner.
LGBTIQA+
Aboriginal Bi Alliance
Tel: Rebecca (Pres.): 0408 125 683, James (VP): 0407 823 025
Twitter: @bialliancevic
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BiAllianceVic
Website: www.bi-alliance.org
Bisexual Alliance Victoria Inc. is a non-profit volunteer-run organisation dedicated to promoting the acceptance of bisexuals* in LGBTIQA+ and mainstream society, providing a fun, safe space where bisexuals can meet, make friends, and talk about their experiences, and informing the bisexual community about relevant news and opportunities for activism. St. They hold monthly discussion groups.
Minus 18 (youth)
Contact via the website for resources/merch orders
Urgent: 0478 098 540
Website: www.minus18.org.au
Events, LGBTIQA+ merchandise, training and resources.
Pride VIC
79/81 Fitzroy St, St Kilda 3182
Tel: 0429 979 153
Website: pridecentre.org.au/resources/pride-vic-2
Pride VIC is a community-based organisation embracing gender diversity and equality for people with disabilities from all communities, breaking down social and isolation barriers, regardless of sexual orientation. To deliver more flexible, innovative and specialized support services to people with disabilities.
Rainbow Network
Tel: 03 9479 8870
Email: rainbownetwork@latrobe.edu.au
Website: www.rainbownetwork.com.au
Provides a directory for LQBTIQA+ services and groups throughout Victoria. Provides evidence-based inclusive training for organisations and youth settings. Runs youth events – posted and updated on their website.
Transgender Victoria
100 Drummond Street, Carlton 3053
Tel: 03 9020 4642
Website: tgv.org.au
TGV is Victoria’s leading body for trans and gender-diverse advocacy. We work to achieve justice, equity and inclusive service provision for trans and gender-diverse people, their partners, families and friends.
Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby
PO Box 21305, Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne 8011
Tel: 0417 484 438
Website: www.vglrl.org.au
The Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby works towards equality, social justice and human rights for members of the LGBTIQA+ community. VGLRL works with, and for the community, along with non-profit, health and representatives of government agencies, to create positive change in the area of human rights and policy development.
People with Disabilities
AED Legal
Suite 4 Level 9 276 Flinders Street, Melbourne 3000
Tel: 03 9639 4333
Email: noni.lord@aed.org.au
Website: www.aed.org.au
AED works in partnership with service users, other disability and community agencies, trade unions, employers and the government to protect the rights of people with disabilities, aid employees who experience workplace discrimination, provide education and training and increase community awareness.
Assert 4 All
48 McKillop Street, Geelong 3220
Tel: 1300 942 773
Email: info@bdrc.org.au
Website: www.bdrc.org.au
Provides advocacy and support for people with disabilities through advocacy and information, DSF (disability support fund) Access Maps, Disability standards surveys, access audits and consultancy and community projects.
Action for More Independence & Dignity in Accommodation (AMIDA)
Level 1, Suite 1.11, Ross House, 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 3000
Tel: 03 9650 2722
Fax: 03 9654 8575
Email: amida@amida.org.au
Website: www.amida.org.au
Advocacy, Self-Advocacy, Rights, Accessibility & Community Living for People with a Disability.
Action on Disability within Ethnic Communities (ADEC)
175 Plenty Road, Preston 3072; 4A Watton Street, Werribee 3030 (appt only); Suite 1, 50 Thomas St, Dandenong 3175 (appt only)
Tel: 03 9480 7000
Fax: 03 9480 3444
Email: info@adec.org.au
Website: www.adec.org.au
Information, referral and advocacy for people with disabilities from ethnic communities and their carers.
Association for Children with a Disability
1/587 Canterbury Rd, Surrey Hills 3127
Tel: 03 9880 7000 or 1800 654 013 (free call)
Email: mail@acd.org.au
Website: www.acd.org.au
Information, support and advocacy for families of children with a disability.
Blind Citizens Australia
247-251 Flinders Ln, Melbourne 3000
Tel: 1800 033 660
Text: 0488 824 623
Email: bca@bca.org.au
Website: www.bca.org.au
It is the united voice of blind and vision-impaired Australians.
Brain Injury Matters
247 Flinders Ln, Melbourne 3000
Tel: 03 9639 7222
Email: office@braininjurymatters.org
Facilitates self-advocacy and community education for people living with an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI).
Communication Rights Australia
Unit 4, 3 Tuck Street, Moorabbin 3189
Tel: 1300 666 604
Fax: 03 9555 8550
Email: info@communicationrights.org.au
Website: www.communicationrights.org.au
A human rights advocacy and information service for people with little or no speech.
Deaf Children Australia
597 St Kilda Road, Melbourne 3004
Tel: 03 9539 5300 or 1800 645 916
Email: info@deafchildren.org.au
Website: www.deafchildrenaustralia.org.au
Provides advocacy and information service which represents the Deaf children community.
Deaf Victoria Inc
Level 3, 340 Albert Street, East Melbourne 3002
Tel: SMS 0431 476 721
Email: info@deafvictoria.org.au
Website: www.deafvictoria.org.au
Deaf Victoria advocates on behalf of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Victorians to increase access to services and to educate the wider community on how to work, play and study with Deaf and Hard of Hearing people. Deaf Victoria also represents Deaf and Hard of Hearing people in both state government and disability groups.
Disability Discrimination Legal Service
Tel: 03 9654 8644
Email: info@ddls.org.au
Website: www.ddls.org.au
Provides free legal services in several areas, including information, referral, advice, casework assistance, community legal education, and policy and law reform.
Disability Justice Advocacy
Unit 2, 28A Albert Street, Preston 3070
Tel: 03 9474 0077 or 1800 808 126 (free call)
Fax: 03 9489 2988
Email: info@dja.org.au
Website: dja.org.au
Disability Justice Australia Inc DJA provides advocacy support to people who have ongoing support needs as a result of disability.
Disability Resources Centre DRC
3rd Floor Ross House, 247 Flinders Ln, Melbourne 3070
Tel: 03 9671 3000
Email: advocacy@drc.org.au
Website: www.drc.org.au
Provides individual advocacy to adults with physical, sensory, intellectual, neurological, psychosocial and/or multiple disabilities. We also work on systemic issues and conduct and support campaigns which aim to provide long-term benefits for many people.
Disability Support Pensioners Australia
PO Box 2092, Werribee 3030
Mobile: 0403 001 042 (Members only)
Email: judiann.leggetts@gmail.com
Website: disabilitysupportpensioners.weebly.com
A support organization for young pensioners in our society who live on very low fixed incomes.
Leadership Plus Inc
21-25 Flinders Ln, Melbourne 3000
Tel: 03 9489 2999
Email: admin@leadershipplus.com
Website: www.leadershipplus.com
At Leadership Plus, our vision is simple – An inclusive society in which people with disabilities are valued members of the community who have opportunities to achieve their full potential.
North East Citizen Advocacy Inc
56 Gabonia Avenue, Watsonia South 3087
Tel: 03 8407 3684
Email: neca@citizenadvocacy.com.au
Website: www.citizenadvocacy.com.au
Works throughout the area to link up with people who have an intellectual disability and need support to deal with issues in their lives. The program seeks to uphold the rights and interests of adults with an intellectual disability on a one-to-one basis by addressing instances of discrimination, abuse and neglect.
Office of the Public Advocate
Level 1, 204 Lygon Street, Carlton 3053
Tel: 1300 309 337
Email: Online enquiry form
Website: www.publicadvocate.vic.gov.au
The Victorian Office of the Public Advocate (OPA) promotes the rights, interests and dignity of people with disability (specifically intellectual impairment, mental illness, brain injury, physical disability or dementia) living in Victoria.
Rights Information and Advocacy Centre (RIAC)
Shepparton: 72 Wyndham St, (PO Box 1763), Shepparton 3630
Tel: 03 5822 1944
Bendigo: 122 Queen St, Bendigo 3550
Tel: 03 5443 0550
Geelong: 11/23-31 Gheringhap St, Geelong 3220
Tel: 03 5222 5499
Mildura: Deakin Business Centre, Cnr Lemon Avenue & Eighth Street, Mildura 3500
Tel: 03 5021 0265
Horsham: 17 High St, North Horsham 3402
Tel: 0491 208 113
Website: www.riac.org.au
Provides information and support, referral assistance, representation, and advocacy at a government level and helps to uphold individual rights.
STAR Victoria
2nd floor, Ross House, 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 3000
Tel: 03 9650 2730
Email: info@starvictoria.org.au
Website: www.starvictoria.org.au
STAR is an independent community organisation that advocates on a state-wide basis for the rights of people with intellectual disability and their families.
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NDIS Commission)
Tel: 1800 035 544 (free call from landlines)
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (NDIS Commission) is an independent agency established to improve the quality and safety of NDIS supports and services.
Villamanta Disability Rights Legal Service
Building 1b, Level 4 Deakin University 75 Pigdons Road, Waurn Ponds 3216
Tel: 1800 014 111 (Free Call – Legal Issues Only)
Fax: 03 5227 3338
Email: legal@villamanta.org.au
Website: www.villamanta.org.au
Provides free telephone information, advice and referral service, offering legal assistance and casework for people who have a disability.
Victorian Advocacy League for Individuals with Disability Inc. (VALID)
235 Napier Street, Fitzroy 3065
Tel: 03 9416 4003
Fax: 03 9416 0850
NDIS Hotline: 1800 655 570
Email: office@valid.org.au, intake@valid.org.au
Website: www.valid.org.au
An advocacy group for adults with intellectual disabilities and their families. An advocacy group for adults with intellectual disabilities and their families.
Youth Disability Advocacy Service
Level 2, 235 Queen Street, Melbourne 3000
Tel: 03 9267 3700 dial 1
Email: info@yacvic.org.au
Website: www.yacvic.org.au
Supports young people with disabilities to access their rights in a range of areas, including employment, education, housing, Centrelink, and discrimination.
People Living with Mental Illness
(in addition to disability orgs above)
Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA)
Tel: 1300 947 820
Email: contact@imha.vic.gov.au
Website: www.imha.vic.gov.au
Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) support people who are receiving compulsory psychiatric treatment to have as much say as possible about their assessment, treatment and recovery.
Mental Health Complaints Commissioner
Tel: 1800 246 054 (free call from landlines) or 03 9032 3328
Website: www.mhcc.vic.gov.au
The Mental Health Complaints Commissioner is an independent, specialist complaints organisation established under the Mental Health Act 2014 to help resolve complaints about Victorian public mental health services and recommend improvements.
Mental Health Legal Centre Inc
106 Victoria Street, Carlton 3053
Tel: 03 9629 4422 or 1800 555 887 (free call)
Email: mhlc@mhlc.org.au
Website: mhlc.org.au
The Mental Health Legal Centre provides a free and confidential legal service to anyone who has experienced mental illness in Victoria, where their legal problem relates to their mental illness.
Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council (VMIAC)
Building 1, 22 Aintree Street, Brunswick East 3057
Tel: 03 9380 3900
Website: www.vmiac.org.au
VMIAC engages in several activities, which include information provision, advice, mutual support and self-help, individual, group and systemic advocacy, research and evaluation, and education and training.
Seniors (or their Representatives)
Aged Care Complaints Commissioner
Tel: 1800 951 822
Website: www.agedcarequality.gov.au
A service which monitors the quality of care and services against the Aged Care Quality Standards.
Elder Rights Advocacy
Suite 4, Level 8/167 Queen St, Melbourne 3000
Tel: 03 9602 3066 or 1800 700 600 (free call)
Email: era@era.asn.au
Website: www.era.asn.au
Offers a free, confidential and independent service to older people (or their representatives). They provide help to identify and advocate for solutions. Cover all areas of Vic and all forms of aged care, home-based and residential.
Housing for the Aged Action Group (HAAG)
Floor 1, Ross House 247 – 251 Flinders
Lane, Melbourne 3000
Tel: 03 9654 7389
Website: www.oldertenants.org.au/haag/about
Provides support for the elderly to find safe, secure and affordable housing.
My Aged Care
Tel: 1800 200 422
Website: www.myagedcare.gov.au/quality-aged-care
Provides support to access Australian Gov funded aged care services. Provides information, assessment of needs, referrals, and payment support and information.
Senior Rights Victoria
Level 4/533 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne 3000
Tel: 1300 368 821
Email: info@seniorsrights.org.au
Website: www.seniorsrights.org.au
Primary, government-funded destination for older Victorians, their friends and family members seeking information & support relating to elder abuse.
Survivors of Crime/Torture
Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture
4 Gardiner Street, Brunswick 3056
Tel: 03 9389 8900
Fax: 03 9277 7871
Email: info@foundationhouse.org.au
Website: www.foundationhouse.org.au
