Advocacy
Advocacy means getting support from another person to help you express your views and wishes, and to help you stand up for your rights. Someone who helps you in this way is called an advocate. An advocate can be a family member, friend, or a carer. You can also access a professional advocacy service through an organisation.
What an advocate can do
The role of an advocate is to offer independent support to you. An advocate can:
- listen to your views and concerns
- help you explore your options and rights (without pressuring you)
- provide information to help you make informed decisions
- help you contact the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (‘the department’) or contact the department on your behalf
- accompany you and support you in meetings or appointments with the department.
Communication with the department
If you prefer or need another person or organisation to assist or represent you, for example when making a complaint to the department, we will communicate with you through your representative if this is your wish.
We will ask for your permission before we communicate with your advocate. You can give your permission in writing or over the phone.
On this page is a list of organisations in Victoria which provide advocacy services and can be contacted by clients, service users and members of the public seeking assistance when communicating with the department.
Advocacy Organisations
Phone: 1800 105 303
General email: Info@djirra.org.au
Legal services email: info.afvls@djirra.org.au
Website: www.djirra.org.au
Address: 292 Hoddle Street, Abbotsford, Victoria 3067
Email: admin@koorieyouth.org.au
Website: www.koorieyouthcouncil.org.au
Address: 184-186 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, 3065
Phone: (03) 9287 8800
Email: vacca@vacca.org
Website: www.vacca.org
Address: 340 Bell Street, Preston, Victoria 3072
Email: Dana Pyne, Executive Manager danap@vacypalliance.org
Website: www.vacypalliance.org
Address: 119 Prouses Road, North Bendigo, Victoria, 3550
Phone: (03) 9411 9411
Website: www.vaccho.org.au
Address: 17–23 Sackville Street, Collingwood, Victoria 3066
Phone: 1800 064 865
Email: vals@vals.org.au
Website: www.vals.org.au
Address: 273 High Street, Preston, Victoria 3072
Phone: (03) 9880 7000 or 1800 654 013 (Regional)
Email: mail@acd.org.au
Website: www.acd.org.au
Address: Level 1, 587 Canterbury Road, Surrey Hills Victoria 3127
Advocacy for children and young people with an out-of-home care experience.
Phone: (03) 9918 0002
Email: victoria@create.org.au
Website: www.create.org.au
Address: 325-327 Queensberry Street, North Melbourne, Victoria 3051
Also known as 'The Centre'.
Phone: (03) 9614 1577
Email: admin@cfecfw.asn.au
Website: www.cfecfw.asn.au
Address: 50 Market Street Melbourne, VIC 3000
Phone: 1800 008 774
Email: support@clan.org.au
Website: www.clan.org.au
Address: 351 Ryrie Street, Geelong, Victoria 3220
Phone: 1800 008 774
Email: support@clan.org.au
Website: www.clan.org.au
Address: 247-251 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, Victoria 3000
Phone: (03) 8610 9803
Website: www.familyviolencelaw.gov.au/fass
Address: Melbourne Family Courts, 305 William Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000
Phone: (03) 8610 9803
Website: www.familyviolencelaw.gov.au/fass
Address: Dandenong Family Courts, 53-55 Robinson Street, Dandenong, Victoria, 3175
Phone: 03 9416 4292
Email: admin@fcav.org.au
Website: www.fcav.org.au
Address: Ground Floor, 2 Greenwood Street, Abbotsford Victoria 3067
Phone: (03) 9689 9170
Email: info@amcservices.org.au
Website: www.amcservices.org.au
Address: Millenium House Community Centre, 296 Nicholson Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3011
Phone: (03) 9689 9170
Email: info@amcservices.org.au
Website: www.amcservices.org.au
Address: 44-56 Hampstead Road, Maidstone, Victoria 3012
Phone: (03) 5241 2446
Email: geelongoffice@amcservices.org.au
Website: www.amcservices.org.au
Address: Suite 8- 131 Ryrie Street, Geelong, Victoria 3220
Phone: (03) 9480 7000
Email: info@adec.org.au
Website: www.adec.org.au
Address: Level 1, U22/855 Plenty Road, South Morang, Victoria 3752
Phone: (03) 9480 7000
Email: info@adec.org.au
Website: www.adec.org.au
Address: Suite 1, 50 Thomas St, Dandenong, Victoria 3175
Phone: 1300 676 044
Website: www.mrcnorthwest.org.au
Address: 20 Victoria Crescent, St Albans, Victoria 3012
Phone: 1300 676 044
Website: www.mrcnorthwest.org.au
Address: Suite 10, 11-17 Pearcedale Parade, Broadmeadows, Victoria 3047
Email: myanprojects@myan.org.au
Website: www.myan.org.au
Address: 304 Drummond Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053
Email: advocacy@deafvictoria.org.au
Website: www.deafvictoria.org.au
Phone: 1800 033 660
Text message: 0436 446 780
Email: bca@bca.org.au
Website: www.bca.org.au
Address: Ross House 247 – 251 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, Victoria 3000
Phone: (03) 9639 7222
Email: Office@braininjurymatters.org
Website: www.braininjurymatters.org
Address: Ross House 247-251 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, Victoria 3000
Phone: 03 9555 8552
Website: www.communicationrights.org.au
Phone: 03 9639 5807
Email: admin@daru.org.au
Website: www.daru.org.au
Address: VCOSS Level 8, 128 Exhibition Street Melbourne, Victoria 3000
Phone: (03) 9489 2999
Email: intake@leadershipplus.com
Website: www.leadershipplus.com
Address: Anzac House, 4 Collins Street, Melbourne Victoria 3000
Phone: 1300 309 337
Website: www.publicadvocate.vic.gov.au
Enquiry form: www.publicadvocate.vic.gov.au/contact-general-enquiries
Address: Level 1, 204 Lygon Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053
Phone: 03 9650 7855
Email: info@reinforce.org.au
Website: www.reinforce.org.au
Address: Level 2, Ross House, 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Victoria 3000
Phone: 03 9416 4003
Email: info@valid.org.au
Website: www.valid.org.au
Address: 34 Stanley Street, Collingwood Victoria 3066
Phone: 1300 292 153
Email: enquiries@veohrc.vic.gov.au
Website: www.humanrights.vic.gov.au
Address: Level 3, 204 Lygon Street, Carlton VIC 3053
Provide help with locating a local community legal centre
Website: www.fclc.org.au/find_a_community_legal_centre
Phone: (03) 9652 1501
Email: administration@fclc.org.au
Phone: 03 9607 9311
Email: inquiries@liv.asn.au
Website: www.liv.asn.au
Address: Level 13, 140 William Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone: 1300 792 387
Website: www.legalaid.vic.gov.au
Office locations: www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/our-offices
Phone: 03 9225 7111
Email: vicbar@vicbar.com.au
Website: www.vicbar.com.au
Address: Owen Dixon Chambers East, Level 5, 205 William Street, Melbourne Vic 3000
Phone: 03 9650 2722
Email: amida@amida.org.au
Website: www.amida.org.au
Address: First Floor, Suite 1.11, Ross House, 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone: 03 9046 2505
Email: admin@chp.org.au
Website: www.chp.org.au
Address: 2 Stanley Street, Collingwood VIC 3066
Renter support line: 03 9416 2577
Social housing and rooming houses line: 1800 068 860
Website: www.tenantsvic.org.au
This organisation is aimed at Queer and Trans People of Colour (QTPoC) aged 16 to 25 years old.
Email: invisible@ds.org.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/invisiblethedrum
Website: www.thedrum.ds.org.au/program/invisible
Address: 100 Drummond Street, Carlton VIC 3053
Online contact form: www.minus18.org.au/contact/#contact-form
Facebook: www.facebook.com/minus18youth
Website: www.minus18.org.au
Phone: 03 7035 3592
Email: contact@pridecentre.org.au
Website: www.pridecentre.org.au
Address: 79-81 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, VIC 3182
Phone: 0467 569 635
Email: contact@zbgc.org.au
Website: www.zbgc.org.au
Address: 58 Mundy Street, Bendigo, VIC 3550
Phone: 03 9744 7378
Email: webcontact@edm.citizenadvocacysunbury.com.au
Website: www.citizenadvocacysunbury.com.au
Home: 5A/36 Macedon Street, Sunbury VIC 3429
Phone: 03 5232 1009
Email: info@coras.com.au
Website: www.coras.com.au
Address: 50 Rae Street, Colac Victoria 3250
Phone: 03 5175 0444
Email: administration@gdai.org.au
Website: www.gdai.com.au
Address: Unit 1, 210 Main Street, Bairnsdale, Victoria 3875
Phone: 03 5175 0444
Email: administration@gdai.org.au
Website: www.gdai.com.au
Address: Suite 2 first floor, 6 – 8 Grey Street, Traralgon, Victoria 3844
Phone: 03 5175 0444
Email: administration@gdai.org.au
Website: www.gdai.com.au
Address: Suite 2 first floor, 6 – 8 Grey Street, Traralgon, Victoria 3844
Phone: 1800 552 272
Email: admin@grampiansadvocacy.org.au
Website: www.grampiansadvocacy.org.au
Address: Shop 2, 32 Tuson Street, Ararat, Victoria 3377
Phone: 1800 250 292
Email: admin@rdas.org.au
Website: www.rdas.org.au
Address: 6/8 – 10 Tone Road, Wangaratta, Victoria 3677
Phone: 1800 250 292
Email: admin@rdas.org.au
Website: www.rdas.org.au
Address: 132 Melbourne Road, Wodonga, Victoria 3690
Phone: 03 5561 4584
Email: admin@swadvocacy.com.au
Website: www.swadvocacy.com.au
Address: 193A Liebig Street, Warrnambool, Victoria 3280
Phone: (03) 9286 7800
Email: wdv@wdv.org.au
Website: www.wdv.org.au
Address: Level 1, 255 Bourke Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000
Phone: (03) 9977 0077 or 1800 800 531
Email: frontyard@mcm.org.au
Website: www.mcm.org.au/services/homelessness/frontyard
Address: 19 King Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000
Phone: 0438 638 734
If you are Deaf/deaf or prefer to text, you can text this phone number.
Email: intake@ydas.org.au
Website: www.yacvic.org.au/ydas
Address: Level 2, 235 Queen St, Melbourne, Victoria 3000
Phone: 0455 621 849
Email: info@YACVic.org.au
Website: www.yacvic.org.au
Address: Level 2, 235 Queen Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000
Phone: (03) 5561 8819
Email: rural.gsc@yacvic.org.au
Website: www.yacvic.org.au
Address: Level 2, 210 Timor Street, Warrnambool, Victoria 3280
Email: rural.SM@YACVic.org.au
Website: www.yacvic.org.au
Address: 50-52 Campbell Street, Swan Hill, Victoria 3585
Phone: 1800 950 570
Website: www.yla.org.au
Phone: (03) 9415 8881
Email: reception@ysas.org.au
Website: www.ysas.org.au
Address: Level 3, 33 Lincoln Square, South Carlton, Victoria 3053
If you are an organisation providing advocacy services in Victoria and would like to have your information added to this resource, please email central.feedback@dffh.vic.gov.au.