COVID-19: How we can help
Legal Aid WA continues to provide all services to the West Australian community through COVID-19. We are also committed to the health, safety and wellbeing of our clients, staff and the wider community.
Managing the risk
Our approach is to put the safety of our clients, staff and community at the centre of everything we do. We have taken several steps to minimise the risk of exposure to COVID-19 and limit the spread.
We have a dedicated response team to ensure that Legal Aid WA continues to respond to the changing status of COVID-19 in the community. This team meets regularly to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on our clients, staff and service delivery.
We are following guidelines about masks, social distancing and hygiene, and we are employing additional cleaning in our office spaces.
We are continuously monitoring the way we deliver our services to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19. This may involve using masks and increased social distancing, or providing services by phone or video instead of in person. All Legal Aid WA services are still available.
Our services during COVID-19
Legal Aid WA continues to provide the same range of services, however at times our in-person advice appointments and duty lawyer services may be provided in a different way. See COVID-19: Service changes for more information.
*** Please understand that changes in how our services are provided may be made with little or no notice.
For legal information or to ask about our services, you can call the Legal Aid WA Infoline on 1300 650 579 or use the Infochat service on this website. These are available as usual from 9 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday. There is also a Chatbot service after hours.
If we cannot assist you, we will refer you to another agency for help.
Legal information related to COVID-19
On 15 March 2020 the WA government declared a State of Emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This allowed it to use emergency powers to create legally enforceable directions (rules) aimed at limiting the spread of COVID-19 in WA and managing its impact. It was a criminal offence to breach these rules.
On 4 November 2022 these emergency powers ended and there are no longer government rules in place to control the spread of COVID-19. However, places such as hospitals and aged care facilities may still choose to impose their own rules to protect the health of vulnerable people in the community and government health advice continues to encourage people to take steps to avoid the spread of COVID-19.
A number of legal issues arose as a result of the government rules that were in place. Now that these rules have ended, many of these legal issues have also ended. However, some issues may be ongoing, which are addressed in these legal information resources.
Courts and other organisations
Courts, tribunals and various legal organisations across Western Australia have also made changes to the way they operate and provide services to minimise the spread of COVID-19.
Before you attend a court, tribunal or other legal organisation, check their current procedures by visiting their website or calling them.
If you are required to attend a court or tribunal but you have COVID-19, call and advise them of this, and follow the directions you are given.
More information
Reviewed: 21 November 2022 9.00 am.