Key Resources

Major References

Commonwealth Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
Easy to understand guides to social security and family assistance law can be accessed via this web site. The guides cover qualification, income and assets, rates and the various review mechanisms. Links to relevant legislation and international agreements are provided. Click on the Publications button for information tailored to seniors, students, carers, families and the disabled.

Centrelink
Centrelink delivers social security services including pensions and labour market schemes, as well as payments such as Austudy and the Newstart allowance. The Centrelink web site has information about these services, privacy and freedom of information issues. Also included are the steps to take if you disagree with a decision made by the agency. Links to the Social Security Appeals Tribunal are provided.

Annotations to the Social Security Act 1991
This book consists of key sections of the Social Security Act with accompanying notes, explanations and discussions. Designed as a reference for lawyers, community workers and Centrelink officers.

Australian Social Security Guide
This comprehensive and up-to-date service is designed for counsellors who advise people about their entitlements, rights and obligations in the social security system. Includes legislation and relevant cases.

Journals

Law Institute Journal
The Law Institute Journal frequently publishes articles concerning social security law. A list of these articles can be accessed at the Institute's web site.

Abstracts & Indexes

Informit Databases
These databases provide information about social security law published in magazine articles, conference proceedings, etc.  From the Informit menu select databases such as AGIS (Attorney-General's Information Service), APAIS (Australian Public Affairs Information) and FAMILY (produced by the Australian Institute of Family Studies). 
* These databases can be accessed via workstations in the Alexander Library Building.

Services

Sussex Street Community Law Service
Provides welfare advice, advocacy and help with appeals and legal aid applications. The Sussex Street Service produces The Law Handbook which summarises the law as it applies in Western Australia. The Handbook, which is widely available in the Western Australian public library system, has a chapter on Pensions and Allowances.

Welfare Rights and Advocacy Service
People on low incomes can use this service to access information on housing, income support and social security issues.

Citizens Advice Bureau Legal Service
The Citizens Advice Bureau provides a readily accessible legal advice service where people are able to discuss their problems with a lawyer for a standard fee for a consultation of twenty minutes.

Women's Law Centre (WA)
Provides legal advice and information to women.

National Welfare Rights Network
The NWRN provides free and independent information about Social Security law and its administration through Centrelink.

Community Resources

Organisations

Legal Aid Western Australia
Legal Aid Western Australia delivers a range of legal services to the community, particularly to those in need. A description of the services offered, contact details and other information is available at their web site.

Western Australian Community Legal Centres
Community Legal Centres are independent organisations which provide legal advice and advocacy, especially for those who are on low incomes or are disadvantaged in their access to justice. Check this site for contact details of centres in Western Australia.

Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia
Provides legal advice and assistance for Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders and their families.

Multicultural Services Centre of Western Australia Inc.
The Centre offers advice, information and some legal services to migrants.

Other Information Resources

Government

Social Security Appeals Tribunal
People who believe that a wrong decision has been made in relation to their social security, education or training payment can appeal to the SSAT. The SSAT Information Handbook which gives detailed information about the appeal process can be accessed via this web site.

Commonwealth Ombudsman Australia
The Commonwealth Ombudsman investigates complaints against Commonwealth government departments' and agencies' actions to see if they are unlawful, unjust, wrong or discriminatory.  This web site describes the complaints process and gives contact details. The Ombudsman's services are free.

Australian Department of Veterans' Affairs
The Veterans' Affairs portfolio includes the Repatriation Commission which is responsible for granting pensions, allowances and other benefits to members and former members of the Australian Defence Forces and other entitled persons. The Department's web site has information and fact sheets as well as details of the Veterans' Review Board which resolves appeals by those veterans and their dependants who are dissatisfied with Repatriation Commission decisions. Forms can be downloaded from the site.

Net Links

Social Security Act 1991
A full text version of the Act with useful "Reader's Guide" as index. This version is provided by the Australian Attorney General's Department.

Western Australian Council of Social Service
The Australian Council of Social Service is the national peak council of the community welfare sector in Australia. The web site of the Western Australian branch (WACOSS) has a useful list of links to organisations in Western Australia concerned with the provision of social services.