We help workers understand and enforce their rights at work.
Employment Law and Workplace Discrimination
We provide free, employment law advice, education, advocacy, representation, information and referrals to vulnerable, non-unionised employees in Western Australia (WA).
We assist with issues such as:
• Employment contracts
• Pay, leave, and other minimum conditions of employment
• Redundancy
• Resignation (including forced resignation)
• Dismissal and disciplinary action
• Discrimination and sexual harassment
• Bullying
We also work on law reform and educating the WA community to promote a better understanding of this complex area of law. Our law reform and community legal education are informed by our clients and their experiences.
What to expect when accessing our services.
Free, state-wide telephone advice service for non-unionised employees in Western Australia.
We may be able to help if:
Beyond the legal advice provided through our Telephone Advice Service, we have limited capacity to assist or represent clients.
We offer further assistance and case work through in-house solicitor appointments and the Evening Legal Service.
If we can offer further assistance (such as a free appointment with a lawyer) we prioritise vulnerable clients with meritorious claims who would not otherwise be able to access legal representation.
Evening Legal Service
We present community legal education seminars to:
You can find more information on our community legal education page.
With the support and assistance of our volunteers, we undertake substantial legal research on issues of employment law. We advocate on behalf of vulnerable employees and actively contributes to law reform in employment law and related areas such as anti-discrimination law, equal opportunity law, access to justice and human rights.
We regularly make written submissions and often appear and make oral submissions at Parliamentary inquiries.
Really great legal advice and processes. This was the most helpful and clear information I have received from any organisation. I would be happy to refer people to you.
We help with a range of workplace law issues, including:
However, there are some issues we can’t help with. Unfortunately, Circle Green is generally unable to advise on the following issues:
Even if your issue is not an excluded issue, please note that there might be some other issues arising from your employment that we might not be able to advise you through the Telephone Advice Service.
Yes. Demand on our employment law services is high, so we have eligibility criteria for these services to ensure they are targeted at those who need them the most.
Unfortunately, Circle Green is generally unable to advise the following people:
High-income earners – generally we only assist vulnerable low-income employees. If you are a high-income earner or live in a high income household, you might like to consider one of the private solicitors on the Private Solicitor List.
Third parties – usually we need to speak directly to the person with the employment issue unless there is an exceptional reason why they cannot speak to us themselves.
Union members – generally union members can get help from their union if they have a problem at work. If you are a union member please contact your union for help.
Independent contractors – if you are unsure whether you are a true contractor, you can read this Fact Sheet or you can seek legal advice from us on this issue. If you are a true contractor and not an employee, we will not be able to assist you because we only advise employees. Different laws may apply to contractors.
Employees who already have legal assistance – we will not have the capacity to assist you if you have received or are receiving help with your problem at work from a lawyer or advocate. Our services are firstly for employees who cannot get assistance from elsewhere and have nowhere else to go.
Employers – we do not assist employers. You can find a list of employer agencies on our Helpful Links page.
Even if you are not an excluded worker, please note that we have further eligibility criteria for our assistance.
If you are not eligible for legal advice, you might still find our Resources helpful.
If you are not eligible, we will try to provide you with some information resources and / or a referral.