Government & Public Law
Public law lawyers challenge government decisions and help with NDIS, Centrelink, discrimination, veterans' claims, education and health practitioner matters.
When a government agency makes a decision about you, there is usually a way to have it reviewed. Public law lawyers advise on internal review, tribunal appeals and, where the law has been misapplied, judicial review in the courts. They also act in discrimination and human rights complaints, NDIS and Centrelink appeals, veterans' entitlements, mental health and guardianship hearings, and disciplinary matters for doctors, nurses and other registered professionals.
Government decisions affect benefits, licences and rights. Many can be reviewed or challenged.
Review pathways include internal review, the Administrative Review Tribunal, state tribunals, ombudsmen and judicial review in the courts.
Health & Medical Practitioner Law
Health lawyers act for practitioners in AHPRA and tribunal matters.
320 firms
Administrative & Government Law
Administrative lawyers challenge government decisions.
118 firms
Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal
Lawyers represent people at mental health and guardianship tribunals.
89 firms
NDIS & Disability Law
NDIS lawyers help with access and plan decisions.
38 firms
Human Rights & Discrimination
Human rights lawyers act in discrimination complaints and rights-based claims.
30 firms
Centrelink & Social Security
Lawyers help with Centrelink debts and payment decisions.
23 firms
Military & Veterans Law
Veterans lawyers help with DVA claims and military justice matters.
22 firms
Native Title & Aboriginal Legal Services
Lawyers act in native title claims and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
16 firms
Education Law
Education lawyers act in school discipline, disability and university disputes.
10 firms
Government & Public Law firms in the directory
Dee Why, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
Lawler's WholeLife Pharmacy and Healthfoods provides legal services in Dee Why, NSW. Listed practice areas include Health & Medical Practitioner Law.
Toowoomba City, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
TASC Legal and Social Justice Service provides legal services in Toowoomba City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Health & Medical Practitioner Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Elder Law & Aged Care.
Griffith, ACT · Canberra
Emanuel Solicitors provides legal services in Griffith, ACT. Listed practice areas include Military & Veterans Law and Personal Injury.
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
Clements Fitzgerald Lawyers provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Health & Medical Practitioner Law, Family Law and Criminal Law.
Newcastle, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
King Street Lawyers provides legal services in Newcastle, NSW. Listed practice areas include Health & Medical Practitioner Law, Elder Law & Aged Care and Coronial Inquests.
Canberra, ACT · Canberra
Canberra Community Law provides legal services in Canberra, ACT. Listed practice areas include Human Rights & Discrimination, Health & Medical Practitioner Law and Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal.
Woonona, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
McAneny Lawyers provides legal services in Woonona, NSW. Listed practice areas include NDIS & Disability Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Triabunna, TAS · Hobart & South
East Coast Health provides legal services in Triabunna, TAS. Listed practice areas include Health & Medical Practitioner Law, Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal and Partner & Family Visas.
Understand the next step
Identify the government decision, the agency and the result sought. A service complaint, merits review and court challenge are different processes. The right pathway depends on the actual decision rather than a general disagreement with an agency.
Keep the complete notice, reasons and review information. Record when and how the decision was received.
Ask whether internal review, a tribunal, complaint or court process is available. The Administrative Review Tribunal reviews specified Commonwealth decisions, not every government matter.
Identify evidence relevant to the disputed findings and ask how the agency file can be obtained. Clarify the result the reviewer can provide.
Clarify charges for advice, submissions, appearances and reports. Ask about legal aid or specialist assistance where appropriate.
Ask for a written scope identifying the work you are authorising, the person responsible and when costs will be reviewed. If you only want advice on one step, say so before the firm begins wider work.
Give the decision and receipt dates immediately. A general complaint may not preserve an opportunity to seek formal review.
Directory guidance updated 19 September 2026. General information to help you prepare for a conversation with a professional; not advice about your individual matter. Check current requirements with the relevant authority.
Good to know
Ask for an internal review first. If you're still unhappy, you can apply to the Administrative Review Tribunal. Free advocacy services are available as well as private lawyers.
Yes. Complaints can go to the Australian Human Rights Commission or your state's anti-discrimination body, depending on the type of discrimination and where it happened.
It's strongly recommended. Your response to the first notice can shape the whole process, and many professional indemnity insurers cover the cost of a lawyer.