Real talk: Understanding your rights as a young person
Law Talk WA is a podcast for West Australians that provides real and relevant information about legal issues in our state.
This series is about the rights of young people in WA. Each episode features conversations with a panel of experts who share their knowledge and expertise, with helpful and practical tips along the way.
If you are interested in learning more about your rights, the law in Western Australia, and where you can go for help, listen now on:
Series 6 - Real talk: Understanding your rights as a young person
On-air from Wednesday 12 August 2026
This podcast series is your unofficial guide to understanding your rights as a young person in Western Australia and knowing what to do when faced with legal troubles. We talk about vaping and drug laws, driving, e-scooters, interacting with police (and when you must answer their questions), staying safe online and at school, managing your cash, getting a fair deal in a share-house, buying your first car, and using credit wisely. We also discuss where to find key supports and services to help you navigate some of the trickier situations of adulthood with confidence.
- Episode 1 - POV: You're in trouble but know your rights
- Episode 2 - Vaping, drugs and driving: The legal lowdown
- Episode 3 - Staying safe online and IRL
- Episode 4 - Hot tips for managing money
- Episode 5 - Where to get help when you need it
Real talk: Understanding your rights as a young person is hosted by Legal Aid WA, with subject matter experts from Aboriginal Legal Service of WA, Consumer Credit Legal Service, Encompass Legal and Community Services WA, Great Southern Community Legal Services, Marra Worra Worra Aboriginal Corporation, and Street Law Centre.
Episode 1 - POV: You're in trouble but know your rights
Listen on 
In this first episode, we go through situations where knowing your rights can help if you’re brushing up against the law. We talk about the common offences young people are getting in trouble for and what you can do in those situations, how to respond if you’re questioned, searched or arrested by the police, and talk through different bail scenarios.
More about this episode
Episode 1 is hosted by Wibke Timmermann (Senior Lawyer, Legal Aid WA) with guests:
- Michelle Sims (Senior Lawyer, Legal Aid WA)
- Lily Philp (Solicitor, Street Law Centre)
- Yassamin Olson (Senior Lawyer, Aboriginal Legal Service of WA)
- Jenna Cowie (Lawyer, Aboriginal Legal Service of WA)
- Lucy Peel (Lawyer, Aboriginal Legal Service of WA, Kununurra office)
Episode 2 - Vaping, drugs and driving: The legal lowdown
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Our experts talk about the laws around vaping and drugs, and how to avoid getting into trouble in this episode. We also give the lowdown on driving laws including e-scooters, off-road motorbikes, confiscation, and what to do if you’re in a car crash.
More about this episode
Episode 2 is hosted by Wibke Timmermann (Senior Lawyer, Legal Aid WA) with guests:
- Michelle Sims (Senior Lawyer, Legal Aid WA)
- Hayley O'Hara (Senior Lawyer, Aboriginal Legal Service of WA)
Episode 3 - Staying safe online and IRL
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Bullying can happen almost anywhere and to anyone. You may have been involved in bullying either as the victim, as the bully, or supporting a friend or family member through their own bullying experience. Episode three explores actions you can take to keep yourself safe if you are being bullied, how things you share or post as a young person can affect your chances of getting a job later in life, and what you can do if you see someone else being bullied.
We also talk about things you can do when you don’t feel safe at home, where to find help if you are in the Children’s Court, and what to expect in the Family Court if your parents are getting a divorce.
More about this episode
Episode 3 is hosted by Wibke Timmermann (Senior Lawyer, Legal Aid WA) with guests:
- Clancy Hindmarsh (Senior Lawyer, Legal Aid WA)
- Dylan McCarthy (First Nations Community Engagement Coordinator, Legal Aid WA)
- Yassamin Olson (Senior Lawyer, Aboriginal Legal Service of WA)
Episode 4 - Hot tips for managing money
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Getting a car, getting a credit card and moving out are all steps towards independence. Knowing your rights better protects you against unnecessary insurances, predatory financial deals, scams, car-napping and bad tenancy agreements. Our experts share a bunch of hot tips and real-life examples in this not-to-be-missed episode.
More about this episode
Episode 4 is hosted by Wibke Timmermann (Senior Lawyer, Legal Aid WA) with guests:
- Mary Brown (Financial Education Project Officer, Encompass Legal and Community Services WA)
- Andrea Anderson (Tenant Advocate, Great Southern Community Legal Services)
- Rowan Kelly (Senior Solicitor, Consumer Credit Legal Service)
- Marcel Sithole (Financial Counsellor, Marra Worra Worra Aboriginal Corporation)
Episode 5 - Where to get help when you need it
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Sometimes life doesn’t go to plan, and it helps to know what support is out there. In this episode we talk the tough topics – finding somewhere to stay if you’re homeless, what counselling and support services are out there for young people, and what will change with Medicare, Centrelink and other essential services as you become an adult. Getting help is all part of being the main character of your story.
More about this episode
Episode 5 is hosted by Wibke Timmermann (Senior Lawyer, Legal Aid WA) with guests:
- Dylan McCarthy (First Nations Community Engagement Coordinator, Legal Aid WA)
- Trent Cooper (Social Support Worker, Legal Aid WA)
- Lily Philp (Solicitor, Street Law Centre)
- Emma Watson (Lawyer, Great Southern Community Legal Services)
The Real talk: Understanding your rights as a young person series of Law Talk WA is brought to you by:
More information
There are a number of pages on our website with valuable information on this topic.
- Under Find Legal Answers, visit the Rights of young people page.
- Find out more about Child Violence Restraining Orders.
- Get information about the criminal justice system and the laws that affect young people at R U Legal.
- You can also use the search function at the top of this page to search for information on specific issues.
Get help
You can get help by contacting
- Legal Aid WA's Infoline on 1800 650 579, or Legal Yarn telephone line on 1800 319 803 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander callers,
- Aboriginal Legal Service of WA on 1800 019 900,
- Youth Legal Service on 08 9202 1688,
- your nearest Community Legal Centre. Find your nearest specialist Community Legal Centre on the Community Legal WA website: www.communitylegalwa.org.au,
- Consumer Credit Legal Service’s telephone advice line on 08 9221 7066,
- a Financial Counsellor. Find your nearest Financial Counsellor via the National Debt Helpline website: https://ndh.org.au.