Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS)

Legal & Advocacy · Covers Statewide — phone and outreach to Mallee

Aboriginal-Specific

1800 064 865 24/7 criminal law helpline — always answered after hours for police/custody matters Hours: Office Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · Criminal line 24/7 www.vals.org.au 273 High Street, Preston VIC 3072

Free legal help for Aboriginal people — criminal law, family law, tenancy, discrimination, police complaints, and Centrelink issues.

How to access this service

Who can use it: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

What to do: Call the 24/7 criminal line if you're with police or in custody. For everything else (tenancy, family, Centrelink, discrimination) call Mon–Fri and ask to speak with a lawyer or Client Service Officer.

VALS is the go-to for free Aboriginal legal help in Victoria. Their 24/7 criminal line is staffed every hour of every day — if you or someone you know is in police custody, call them before you’re interviewed. For civil and family matters, ring during office hours.

Info last checked: 2026-04-24