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BANKRUPTCY
Insolvency and Trustee Service of Australia
Insolvency and Trustee Service Australia is the government agency responsible for the administration and regulation of the personal insolvency system in Australia. ITSA operates the bankruptcy registry, where debtors petitions are lodged, debt agreement proposals are processed and public records on insolvency are maintained, and acts as a trustee in bankruptcy.
www.itsa.gov.au
Fox Symes & Associates
Australia's largest nationally based debt relief company that deals with Debt Agreements for people in financial hardship.
www.foxsymes.com.au
CHILD SUPPORT
The Commonwealth Government Child Support Agency
Child Support Agency is part of the Department of Family and Community assessment and collection of childsupport payments for Centrelink. It aims to assist separated parents meet their child support responsibilities.
www.csa.gov.au
The Child Support Legal Unit
The Child Support Legal Unit ("CSLU") is a specialist unit of Legal Aid Western Australia, which provides advice and assistance to both carers of children and those who have to pay child support. This unit is not part of the Child Support Agency or Centrelink.
www.legalaid.wa.gov.au
COMMUNITY
Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS)
The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) is the peak council of the community services and welfare sector. Established in 1956, ACOSS is the national voice for the needs of people affected by poverty and inequality. ACOSS has a national reputation for effective and influential advocacy for Australia’s disadvantaged people based on high standards of community consultation, policy development, analysis and research.
www.acoss.org.au
Lotterywest
Official state lottery for Western Australia, responsible for selling lotteries games and distributing the profits for the benefit of the Western Australian community.
www.lotterywest.wa.gov.au
National Welfare Rights Centre Network
Each NWRN member organisation provides casework assistance to its clients, generally by phone, at least in the first instance. NWRN members also conduct training and education for community workers and produce various publications. The NWRN also engages in policy work and lobbying to improve the current Social Security system.
www.welfarerights.org.au
The Western Australian Council of Social Service Inc (WACOSS)
WACOSS is the peak council of community service organisations and individuals in Western Australia. WACOSS is part of a national network consisting of ACOSS and the State and Territory Councils of Social Service, who assist low income and disadvantaged people, Australia wide.
www.wacoss.org.au
Welfare Rights and Advocacy Service
Not for Profit community organisation, which specialises in providing free independent information, advice advocacy and referral to empower disadvantaged people, social security recipients and low wage earners.
www.wraswa.org.au
Welfare Watchdog
Welfare website on Centrelink information, advice, tips and tricks you need to get justice - including 'priceless' information on how to conduct an investigation, write a report to present to an Authorised Review Officer or Tribunal.
www.welfarewatchdog.com.au
CONSUMER
Australian Consumers Association
Independent Consumer organisation to tackle the issues that really matter to consumers, arming them with the information to make confident choices and lobbying for change when consumers are getting a raw deal.
www.choice.com.au
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)
The ACCC is an independent statutory authority, which administers the Trade Practices Act 1974 and the Prices Surveillance Act 1983 and has additional responsibilities under other legislation. The ACCC promotes competition and fair trade in the market place to benefit consumers, business and the community.
www.accc.gov.au
Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)
FIDO is the consumer website of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). ASIC is the consumer protection regulator for financial services. In this role, we protect investors, superannuants, depositors and insurance policy holders. They also regulate and enforce laws that promote honesty and fairness in financial products and services, in financial markets, and in Australian companies.
www.fido.asic.gov.au
Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA)
APRA is the prudential regulator of the Australian financial services industry. It oversees banks, credit unions, building societies, general insurance and re-insurance companies, life insurance, friendly societies, and most members of the superannuation industry.
www.apra.gov.au
Baycorp Advantage
Baycorp Advantage Business Information Services Ltd is a credit-reporting agency, and Australia’s leading provider of credit reporting information. Activities of Baycorp as a credit-reporting agency are regulated by Federal legislation, the Privacy Act 1988.
www.mycreditfile.com.au
Federal Government Consumer Information
On line Consumer Complaints Website to assist individuals on how to go about lodging complaints on consumer issues.
www.consumersonline.gov.au
Financial Industry Complaints Service
The Financial Industry Complaints Service (FICS) is an external dispute resolution scheme that provides free advice and assistance to consumers to help them in resolving complaints relating to members of the financial services industry, including life insurance, pooled superannuation trusts, funds management, financial advice, stock broking, investment advice and sales of financial or investment products.
www.fics.asn.au
The Financial Counsellors Resource Project (FCRP)
FCRP provides Financial Counsellors and DCD staff with legal advice, casework support, information and resources to assist with financial counselling casework activities.
www.fcrp.org.au
The Consumer Credit Code
Website of information on the Consumer Credit Code legislation developed in response to business and consumer concerns as a national initiative to standardise credit practice in Australia.
www.creditcode.gov.au
COUNSELLING
Centrecare Inc
Centrecare is a West Australian leader in the provision of respectful and caring counselling, mediation, accommodation and training services. Their aim is to help people develop to their full potential.
www.centrecare.com.au
Lifeline
WA volunteer based organisation dedicated to enriching the lives of Western Australians. Individuals and families are assisted each year by LifelineWA's services including: 24-Hour Crisis Telephone Counselling; Dads Lifeline; Counselling for Individuals, Couples & Families; Lifeline Living Works Suicide Intervention Training; coordination of Charity Link's Christmas and winter programs; and Volunteer Services.
www.lifelinewa.org.au
Relationships Australia
RelationshipsAustralia is an organisation that offers resources to couples, individuals and families to help enhance and support relationships.
www.relationships.com.au
COURTS
DISCRIMINATION
Equal Opportunity Commission
www.equalopportunity.wa.gov.au
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission
www.hreoc.gov.au
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
Office of Information Commissioner
The main function of the Commissioner is to deal with complaints made about decisions made by agencies in respect of access applications and applications to amend personal information. In addition, to ensure that agencies are aware of their responsibilities under the Freedom of Information Act.
www.foi.wa.gov.au
HOUSING
Department of Housing and Works
The Department of Housing and Works is an organisation representing all of the State Government's housing and works functions.
www.dhw.wa.gov.au
ShelterWA
ShelterWA is a peak housing body for community groups and housing consumers. ShelterWA works towards the elimination of homelessness and housing related poverty while ensuring that every individual has access to secure, adequate and appropriate housing at a price within his or her capacity to pay.
www.shelterwa.org.au
Tenants Advice Service Inc WA (TAS)
TAS provides services to residential tenants and workers who assist tenants, and engages in law and policy reform to improve the legal and social position of tenants.
www.taswa.org
LEGAL SERVICES WA
Aboriginal Legal Service of WA Inc
ALSWA is the largest community based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander legal organisation in Australia. It provides legal aid services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples throughout Western Australia in accordance with grant conditions imposed by the Commonwealth Attorney General's Department.
www.als.org.au
Law Society of WA
The Law Society of Western Australia is the professional association for Western Australian barristers and solicitors. It offers services to its members, public and government.
www.lawsocietywa.asn.au
Legal Aid Western Australia
Provide information, advice and other legal help. The type and amount of help will get depends on your finances, your legal problem and our resources.
www.legalaid.wa.gov.au
Mental Health Law Centre (WA) Inc.
This service provides legal advice and representation to people who are involuntary patients in the mental health system. May also be able to assist with other legal problems but only if the problem relates directly to mental illness.
www.mhlcwa.org.au
Sussex Street Community Law Centre
Primarily target their services to people who are ineligible for legal aid and who are unable to afford the services of a private lawyer. Provide services to people who are social security recipients, those on low incomes, or those who have difficulty in accessing legal services, including people with disabilities, women, young people, aboriginal people and people from non-English speaking backgrounds.
www.sscls.asn.au
The Employment Law Centre of WA (Inc)
Provide free, confidential, legal information to disadvantaged employees living in Western Australia who cannot afford other representation and individuals who may face barriers in obtaining access to justice in employment.
www.elcwa.org.au
Youth Legal Service WA Inc
Youth legal service that is sensitive and responsive to the legal and social needs of young people.
www.youthlegalserviceinc.com.au
The Guardianship and Administration Board can make decisions for the benefit of persons who have a disability and are unable to make reasonable judgements about lifestyle and financial matters.
www.guardianship.tasgov.au
The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT)
The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) provides independent review of a wide range of administrative decisions made by the Australian government and some non-government bodies www.aat.gov.au
Federal Privacy Commissioner
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner is an independent Office, which has responsibilities under the federal Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)
www.privacy.gov.au
OMBUDSMAN
Australian Banking Industry Ombudsman
Dispute resolution service provision for individuals and small business and their financial service providers.
www.abio.org.au
Credit Union Dispute Resolution Service
Free independent dispute resolution service for credit union members around Australia.
www.cudrc.com.au
Commonwealth Ombudsman Australia
The Commonwealth Ombudsman considers complaints about Commonwealth Government agencies, such as Centrelink or the Australian Taxation Office.
www.comb.gov.au
The Energy Ombudsman
The Energy Ombudsman receives, investigates and facilitates the resolution of complaints from residential and small business customers about their electricity/gas company. If you are a residential or small business electricity/gas customer and you have a complaint, first try to resolve it with your electricity/gas company. If this does not work, you may contact the EO. The EO can investigate a wide range of complaints, including electricity/gas supply and billing disputes. Our services are free to residential and small business customers in Western Australia.
http://www.ombudsman.wa.gov.au/energy/
Gas Industry Ombudsman
The Gas Industry Ombudsman receives, investigates and facilitates the resolution of complaints from residential and small business customers about their gas company.
www.ombudsman.wa.gov.au/gas
Insurance Enquiries and Complaints
The Insurance Ombudsman Service is a national Service, which assists in resolving disputes between consumers and insurers or other financial service providers that are members of the Service. The Service also assists in resolving disputes between uninsured drivers and another person's insurance company in relation to motor vehicle property damage (third party claim) and provides general information about any general insurance matters.
www.iecltd.com.au
Ombudsman Western Australia
The Ombudsman is an independent and impartial person who investigates complaints about Western Australian government departments, statutory authorities and local governments.
www.ombudsman.wa.gov.au
Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman
The TIO deals with complaints that consumers have not been able to resolve with their telephone or internet company. The TIO is an office of last resort. This means that before contacting the TIO you must have tried to resolve your complaint with your service provider.www.tio.com.au
The Private Health Insurance Ombudsman
Provides an independent service to help consumers with health insurance problems and enquires. The Ombudsman can also deal with complaints from health funds, private hospitals or medical practitioners. Complaints must be about a health insurance arrangement.
www.phio.org.au
STATE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS
Australian Tax Office (ATO)
The Australian Taxation Office is the Government’s principal revenue collection agency, and is part of the Treasurer’s portfolio is to manage and shape tax, excise and superannuation systems that fund services for Australians.
www.ato.gov.au
Centrelink
Centrelink is a Government agency delivering a range of Commonwealth welfare services to the Australian community.
www.centrelink.gov.au
Department for Community Development (DCD)
The Department for Community Development created in 2001/2002 is responsible for assisting and improving the social well being for all Western Australians.
www.community.wa.gov.au
Department of Family and Community Services (FACS)
The Department of Family and Community Services (FaCS) is responsible for social policies, support affecting Australian society, and the living standards of Australian families.
www.facs.gov.au
Department of Consumer Employment Protection (DOCEP)
DOCEP
is the state government agency protecting the interests of consumers within Western Australia.
www.docep.wa.gov.au
Government of Western Australia
Includes links to other state government agencies
www.wa.gov.au
The Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs
www.immi.gov.au
Workcover Western Australia
WorkCoverWA is the statutory authority responsible for the administration of the workers' compensation system in Western Australia
www.workcover.wa.gov.au
UTILITIES
Alinta Gas
Western Australia's state-owned gas utility provider and leading energy company.
www.alinta.net.au/org
Optus
Australian telecommunications leader in integrated telecommunications, delivering cutting-edge communications, information technology and entertainment.
www.optus.com.au
Primus Telecom
www.primustel.com.au
Telstra Corporation Ltd
Telstra is a major Western Australian telecommunications provider.
www.telstra.com.au
Western Power
Western Australia’s electricity supplier.
www.westernpower.com.au
Water Corporation
The Water Corporation is one of Australia's largest and most successful water service providers.
www.watercorporation.com.au
WELFARE
Catholic Welfare Australia
Catholic Welfare Australia is the peak body that represents the social welfare apostolate of the Catholic Church at the national level. It is a national Federation of Catholic social service organizations that operate in local communities.
www.catholicwelfare.com.au
Credit Line
Wesley Mission one of the largest Christian Welfare and Community Services organisations.
www.wesleymission.org.au
Foodbank
Western Australian not for profit, non-denominational organisation supplier of low cost supplementary food to community welfare organizations for people in need.
www.foodbank.org.au
Mercy Care
Mercy Care responds to the changing needs of society and fulfils the core commitment of its mission – bringing compassion to life – by providing a diverse range of health and community services to the sick, frail and most vulnerable in the community.
www.mercycare.com.au
St Vincent de Paul Society (WA) Inc
The St Vincent de Paul Society and is the largest charitable organisation in Western Australia.
www.vinnies.org.au
The Salvation Army
One of the more distinctive denominations of the Christian Church, The Salvation Army operates as both a church and a network of social services, stemming from worship of God and its Christian values.
www.salvationarmy.org.au
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