The Federation is the peak body for Victoria’s community legal centres and Aboriginal Legal Services. Our members are at the forefront of helping those facing economic, cultural or social disadvantage and whose life circumstances are severely affected by their legal problem.
For 50 years, community legal centres have been the heart of a powerful movement for social change, reshaping how people access justice, creating stronger more equitable laws, and more accountable government and democracy.
The Federation:
- enables a strong collective voice for justice and equality
- mobilises and leads CLCs in strategic, well-coordinated advocacy and campaigns
- works with members to continuously improve the impact of community legal services
- drives creativity and excellence in the delivery of legal services to communities
- helps make justice more accessible
Our vision
A community that is fair, inclusive and thriving.
Our purpose
As the peak body for Victorian community legal centres, we exist to transform how Victorians access and experience social justice. We strengthen and unite community legal centres, positioning them to thrive today and into the future. We elevate their influence and represent their collective voice. And we work tirelessly to reform laws and systems – driving change that makes our community just, fair and equitable.
Our values
We believe in justice. We are purposeful, connected, inclusive and steadfast in all that we do.
Our team
Learn more about our team.
Our Board
Community legal centre Board Members
- Bryanna Connell (Chair), Barwon Community Legal Service
- Damian Stock, ARC Justice
- Elena Pappas, Law and Advocacy Centre for Women
- Tracey Gaudry, commUnity+/Brimbank Melton Community Legal Centre
- Jenni Smith, Northern Community Legal Centre
Non-community legal centre Board Members
- Jo Bradley, Right Lane Consulting
- Emma Greeney, Mental Health Australia
Our Key Documents
- Federation Strategic Plan 2026-30
- Federation of Community Legal Centres Constitution
- Federation Privacy Statement
Annual Reports
See current and past annual reports.
Our Members
The Federation is a membership organisation, bringing together specialist and place-based community legal centres.
Feedback
The Federation values your feedback.
If your feedback is about a community legal centre, please provide feedback to the individual centre directly. All community legal centres have an internal complaints policy outlining their complaints process. You can find internal complaints policies on individual community legal centre websites, or by calling the centre.
You can also provide feedback to the Victorian Ombudsman, which can investigate complaints against publicly funded community organisations in Victoria. You can contact the Victorian Ombudsman online or by calling or 1800 806 314.
If your feedback is about a community legal centre lawyer, you can contact the Legal Services Board + Commissioner, which is the regulator for the legal profession.
To provide feedback about the Federation or for all other enquires please contact [email protected].
Thank you
The Federation of Community Legal Services acknowledges the vital support of the Victoria Law Foundation in funding the redevelopment of this website.
