Fitzroy Legal Service

Five nights a week, our clients turn to us.

For over 50 years, FLS volunteers have provided countless hours of free legal advice to people in our community who face unfair barriers to justice.

As one client told us: “Thank you - the support and advice was very helpful and re-assuring that I knew I was right and should stand my ground and advise and probable scenarios and further action to take.”

But for every client we help in our Night Service, there’s more we have to turn away.

Your financial support will help us reduce waitlists and provide more comprehensive assistance.

Provide access to justice. Donate to FLS today: https://ow.ly/JLQS50Zf1XG

Lead Fitzroy Legal Service's policy and systemic advocacy!

Senior Policy and Advocacy Lead / Manager - Policy and Advocacy | Fitzroy | Part-time ongoing

This role is an opportunity to lead FLS’s policy and systemic advocacy work by developing and executing FLS’s advocacy strategy, developing advocacy plans, and driving advocacy and law reform across a broad range of legal issues, including drug law reform and harm reduction, systems abuse and misidentification in family violence, public and community housing, and prisoner rights.

Depending on preference, qualifications, experience and skillset, the successful candidate will be appointed as either Senior Policy and Advocacy Lead, or, Manager – Policy and Advocacy.

Learn more + apply: https://www.ethicaljobs.com.au/members/fitzroylegal/senior-policy-and-advocacy-lead-manager-policy-and-advocacy?employer=Fitzroy%20Legal%20Service

Know someone great? Please share or tag them!

Prison time isn’t fine.

In Victoria, people can still be imprisoned for unpaid fines, including things like parking fines and tolls.

Right now, a temporary pause is preventing imprisonment. But if it ends, thousands of Victorians could face arrest and possible imprisonment.

Many of the people impacted are already experiencing significant disadvantage, including homelessness, family violence and mental illness.

Parliament has already recognised the injustice of these laws. Yet thousands remain at risk under old “zombie warrants”.

There are fairer and more effective ways to recover unpaid fines.

The Victorian Government has a clear choice: continue a system that criminalises poverty, or end it.

The Infringement Working Group is calling on the Victorian Attorney-General to abolish imprisonment for fines debt.

Swipe through to understand why this matters, then join us in sharing this post to help call for change.

Share this post and tag the Attorney-General: to help call for change.

Prison time isn’t fine.

Thousands of Victorians remain at risk of imprisonment due to old “zombie warrants” issued under laws Parliament has already acknowledged were unjust.

The current pause on enforcement is temporary.

Without lasting reform, Victorians will continue to face imprisonment for unpaid fines.

We’re urgently calling on the Victorian Attorney-General to permanently abolish imprisonment for fines debt.

Share this post and tag the Attorney-General: to help call for change.

Prison time isn’t fine.

Imprisoning people for unpaid fines debt leads to real harm, often experienced by vulnerable people.

There are more effective and fairer ways to recover unpaid fines than sending people to prison.

The current approach punishes people for being unable to pay and risks criminalising poverty.

We’re calling on the Victorian Attorney-General to abolish imprisonment for fines debt.

Share this post and tag the Attorney-General: to help call for change.

Prison time isn’t fine.

We know from the Robodebt scandal that even the threat of imprisonment for fines debt can cause significant distress and harm.

There are fairer and more effective ways to recover unpaid fines debt than sending people to jail.

We’re calling on the Victorian Attorney-General to abolish imprisonment for fines debt.

Share this post and tag the Attorney-General: to help call for change.

Happy National Volunteer Week!

This week is a moment to thank and recognise volunteers, who generously give their time and care to their communities.

2026's theme: 'Your Year to Volunteer' invites people to get involved in ways that work for them. There is no one way to volunteer - just the way that fits you.

For Fitzroy Legal Service, volunteers are at the heart of our impact. We rely heavily on the expertise and commitment of outstanding volunteers through all that we do.

Is 2026 Your Year to Volunteer?https://fls.org.au/volunteer-program/

Join Q+Law for a step-by-step guide through the process of changing your legal name and/or record of s*x in Victoria.

By the end of the session, participants will understand:

- When you can change your legal name and s*x marker
- What documents are required for the application
- Expected timelines and what to anticipate during the process
- Where to access further help and support

Date: Thursday 21st of May, 2026
Time: 1pm - 2pm AEDT
Online webinar
Free registration: bb1ea0db-c4e8-4224-a57f-013f44c4e5ed@bb6874de-a23e-49be-9aa5-6655b9ac22af" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/bb1ea0db-c4e8-4224-a57f-013f44c4e5ed@bb6874de-a23e-49be-9aa5-6655b9ac22af

Prison time isn’t fine.

Right now, more than 3,000 imprisonment warrants hang over Victorians with unpaid fines. Many of these relate to toll fines.

Many people affected are already experiencing significant disadvantage, including homelessness, family violence and mental illness.

If the Attorney-General does not act urgently, many Victorians in these circumstances risk being sent to prison.

The Infringement Working Group is calling on the Victorian Attorney-General to permanently abolish imprisonment for fines debt.

Share this post and tag the Attorney-General: to help call for change.

Do you know your rights when attending a protest in Victoria? Join us for an important online webinar, partnering with Melbourne Activist Legal Support exploring:

- Police powers at protests
- Your legal rights
- What to do if stopped or questioned
- Practical tips for staying safe and informed

📆Thursday 21st of May, 2026
📍Online
🎟️Register: https://events.humanitix.com/protest-and-police-know-your-rights-in-victoria or via the link in our bio

Whether you’re an organiser, student, activist or community member - this session is for you!