If you are researching law for the first time, you may find it worthwhile reading an overview of Australia's Legal System. In particular, the section on the courts will assist in searching case law on the Internet.
Main sites
(AUSTLII) - Australasian Legal Information Institute - legislation and court judgements for most jurisdictions (Commonwealth, States and Territories). Includes commentaries and summaries on the law by bodies such as the Australian Law Reform Commission. Also includes a number of law journals.
ComLaw - legislation and ancillary documents and information for the Commonwealth and non-self governing Territories. ComLaw came online in January 2005 and contains the new Federal Register of Legistative Instruments.
Key internet links on law from the Parliament of Australia, Parliamentary Library
GovPubs - a selected guide to Australian government publications, such as Acts, Hansards, Gazettes and Parliamentary Papers, with links to online resources and information about the holdings of Australia's National, State and Territory libraries. A historical description of each type of publication is provided.
Law by jurisdiction
In addition there are some key resources organised by jurisdiction:
Australia (Federal), Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, Northern Territory, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia, Other Territories.
Australia (Federal)
- Attorney-General's Department- Current issues, Gazettes, ComLaw, Family Law, Australian Law Online etc.
- Constitution - Full text.
- Family Court of Australia - Guide to proceedings, court lists, judgments, legislation, forms and fees, publications etc.
- Federal Court of Australia - Information for litigants and practitioners, eCourt, court lists, legal research links etc.
- Federal Magistrates Court of Australia - Judgments, Acts, rules and regulations, divorce information, court forms and fees etc.
- Foolkit: a lawyer's toolkit - State specific legal portal containing full text information on courts, legislation, regulations and rulings
- High Court of Australia - General information, sitting days, text of recent judges' speeches etc.
- Parliament of Australia - Full text bills, speeches, committee reports, biographical information, Hansard etc.
Australian Capital Territory
- Australian Capital Territory Courts - Supreme Court, Magistrates Court, Coroner's Court, Children's Court, and Tribunals.
- Department of Justice and Community Safety - Justice, law, emergencies, commercial practices and government elections.
- Legislation (ACT Legislation Register) - Full text bills, acts as passed, consolidated acts and subordinate legislation.
- Legislative Assembly for the ACT - Full text bills, speeches, committee reports, biographical information, Hansard etc.
New South Wales
- LawAccess Online- A government service providing a single point of access to legal and related assistance services in New South Wales.
- Lawlink (Attorney General's Department) - Information on New South Wales law and crime, as well as links to the Attorney General's Department portfolio agencies, courts and tribunals.
- Legislation (Parliamentary Counsel's Office) - Full text NSW acts and subordinate legislation.
- New South Wales Courts and Tribulan Service - provides administrative and corporate support to 14 state courts and tribunals.
- NSW Law Reform Commission - Full text publications.
- Parliament of New South Wales - Full text bills, speeches, committee reports, biographical information, Hansard etc.
Northern Territory
- Department of the Attorney-General and Justice - All elements of the justice system except policing are within this agency.
- Legislation (Department of the Chief Minister) - Full text Northern Territory acts and subordinate legislation.
- Northern Territory Courts - Supreme Court, Magistrates Court, Coroner's Office, Lands and Mining Tribunal, Fines Recovery Unit, and Mental Health Review Tribunal.
- Parliament of the Northern Territory (Legislative Assembly) - Full text bills, speeches, committee reports, biographical information, Hansard etc.
Queensland
- Department of Justice and Attorney-General - Departmental resources, courts and tribunals, JPs, births, deaths and marriages, guardianship etc.
- Legislation (Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel) - Full text Queensland acts and subordinate legislation.
- Parliament of Queensland (Legislative Assembly) - Full text bills, speeches, committee reports, biographical information, Hansard etc.
- Queensland Courts - Supreme Court, Magistrates Court, Children's Court, Planning and Environment Court, and Mental Health Court.
- Queensland Law Reform Commission - Full text publications..
South Australia
- Attorney-General's Department - Information on legal infrastructure, laws and marketplace regulation, statistics and facts etc.
- Legislation (Attorney-General's Department) - Full text South Australian acts and subordinate legislation.
- Parliament of South Australia - Full text bills, legislation, speeches, committee reports, biographical information, Hansard etc.
- South Australian Courts - Supreme Court, District Court, Environment, Resources and Development Court, Magistrates Court, Youth Court, Wardens Court, Coroner's Court, Industrial Relations Court.
- Subject Index to South Australian Legislation - Index to the principal public acts of South Australia.
Tasmania
- Department of Justice - Divisions, current programs, annual reports etc.
- Legislation (Department of Premier & Cabinet) - Full text Tasmanian acts and subordinate legislation as well as current bills.
- Parliament - Full text bills, speeches, committee reports, biographical information, Hansard etc.
- Tasmanian Courts - Supreme Court, Magistrates Court, and Anti-Discrimination Tribunal.
- Tasmania - A directory of web sites from the Tasmanian government.
Victoria
- Department of Justice - Departmental resources, business units, consumer information, safety etc.
- Legislation (Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel) - Full text Victorian acts and subordinate legislation.
- Parliament - Full text bills, speeches, committee reports, biographical information, Hansard etc.
- Victoria Law - Plain language resources about the legal system in Victoria.
- Victorian Courts - Supreme Court, County Court, Magistrates Court, Children's Court, State Coroner's Court, and PERIN Court; Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal, and Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
- Victorian Law Handbook - legal information website suported by the Department of Justice
- Victorian Law Reform Commission - The Victorian Law Reform Commission (VLRC) was established under the Victorian Law Reform Commission Act 2000 as a central agency for developing law reform in Victoria.
Western Australia
- Department of the Attorney General - Departmental resources, courts, births, deaths and marriages, publications etc.
- Legislation (State Law Publisher) - Full text WA acts and subordinate legislation.
- Parliament - Full text bills, speeches, committee reports, biographical information, Hansard etc.
- Western Australian Courts - Supreme Court, District Court, Family Court, Liquor Licencing Court, Magistrates Court, and Children's Court; Office of The State Coroner, Sheriff's Office, and Tribunals.
Other Territories
Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Australian Antarctic Territory, Christmas Island, Cocos-Keeling Island, Coral Sea Islands Territory, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Jervis Bay Territory, Norfolk Island
Legislation - Full text ordinances and subordinate legislation at ComLaw.
Legal profession
Law Council of Australia - information about the Law Council's role, history, structure and current activities.
