Disaster Response Legal Service NSW

Call 1800 801 529 9am-5pm Monday to Friday

Free legal help if you’ve been affected by a disaster, including storm, flood or bushfire

We can help with legal problems including: insurance claims and disputes, housing and tenancy, financial hardship, workplace rights, Centrelink, domestic and family violence, and government disaster grants.

Latest news

Text reading 'We wish you a safe and festive holiday season and a happy new year', surrounded by various hand drawn native Australian flowers. The DRLS and Legal Aid NSW logos sit at the bottom.

Legal help over the holiday break 18 December 2024

The Disaster Response Legal Service will be closed from Monday 23 December 2024 and reopen on Monday 6 January 2025. The DRLS Helpline will remain open during this time.
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Ma'ata Solofoni (centre) holding her NSW Attorney General’s Award surrounded by her DRLS colleagues, left to right, Kirstern Lam, Amanda Bolin, Sally Bryant, Finn Hipkin and Nadia Mahmood.

Ma'ata Solofoni recognised with NSW AG's Award 06 December 2024

Ma'ata Solofoni, senior insurance solicitor with the DRLS, took home the NSW Attorney General’s Award for Leadership in Social Justice at a red-carpet ceremony in Sydney last week.
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Mel, Liz, Mal and Donna stand smiling in front of a Legal Aid NSW Disaster Response Legal Service banner

Legal help in the Far West after power outage 07 November 2024

The Disaster Response Legal Service (DRLS) has been in Broken Hill and the Far West during October and November, providing free legal help to communities impacted by the severe storms.
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Ma’ata Solofoni presents at DEMC on the Gold Coast in July 2024

Ma’ata Solofoni presents at DEMC24 and more 16 August 2024

Ma'ata Solofoni, senior solicitor in Disaster and Insurance, recently presented at the DEMC24 on the Gold Coast and also gave evidence at a public hearing at Parliament House in Sydney.
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NSW Reconstruction Authority Head of Preparedness and Recovery, Joanna Quilty standing alongside DRLS representatives at the Windsor Recovery Assistance Point

Legal help in the Illawarra and Hawkesbury 12 April 2024

The DRLS is providing free legal help to communities impacted by disaster at the NSW Reconstruction Authority's Recovery Assistance Points in Windsor, Thirroul and Warrawong.
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DRLS solicitor Alex Runmore holding the Anthea Kerr award for 2023, presented by NSW Premier Chris Minns and Chris Waugh, husband of Anthea Kerr

Alex Rumore wins at 2023 Premier's Awards 20 November 2023

The Anthea Kerr Award recognises public sector leaders who exhibit a deep commitment to public service values.
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