Administrative lawyers challenge government decisions.
firms
118
regions
16
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They advise on merits review, judicial review and freedom of information.
Why administrative & government law matters
Government decisions affect licences, benefits and rights. Review can correct errors and unfair outcomes.
The Australian context
Federal decisions can be reviewed by the Administrative Review Tribunal and, for legal errors, by the Federal Court. States have their own tribunals and judicial review processes, plus freedom of information laws.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(513)Google rating from 513 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
PARISH PATIENCE IMMIGRATION LAWYERS provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Citizenship and Skilled & Business Visas.
Immigration & Visas+7 moreCitizenship · Skilled & Business Visas · Partner & Family Visas · Business & Commercial Law · Registered Migration Agent (non-lawyer) · Visa Cancellation & Character (s501) · Administrative & Government Law2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: filipino
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mount Waverley, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(357)Google rating from 357 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Fastrack Conveyancing Pty Ltd provides conveyancing services in Mount Waverley, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Administrative & Government Law.
Property & Conveyancing+2 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Administrative & Government Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
North Sydney, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(330)Google rating from 330 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Bannermans Lawyers provides legal services in North Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Strata & Body Corporate, Building & Construction and Property & Conveyancing.
Strata & Body Corporate+6 moreBuilding & Construction · Property & Conveyancing · Residential Tenancy · Business & Commercial Law · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Administrative & Government Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
West Perth, WA · Perth CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(309)Google rating from 309 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Brand Barristers & Solicitors provides legal services in West Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Personal Injury, Public Liability and Medical Negligence.
Personal Injury+7 morePublic Liability · Medical Negligence · Workers Compensation · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Administrative & Government Law
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Footscray, VIC · Western Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(299)Google rating from 299 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Carina Ford Lawyers provides legal services in Footscray, VIC. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Administrative & Government Law and Registered Migration Agent (non-lawyer).
Immigration & Visas+7 moreAdministrative & Government Law · Registered Migration Agent (non-lawyer) · Business & Commercial Law · Skilled & Business Visas · Partner & Family Visas · Citizenship · Human Rights & Discrimination
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(285)Google rating from 285 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Augustine & Co. Immigration Lawyers provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Partner & Family Visas and Skilled & Business Visas.
Immigration & Visas+5 morePartner & Family Visas · Skilled & Business Visas · Citizenship · Business & Commercial Law · Administrative & Government Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Thebarton, SA · Adelaide Metro
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(246)Google rating from 246 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Williams Barristers and Solicitors provides legal services in Thebarton, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Criminal Law and Family Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreCriminal Law · Family Law · Traffic Offences · Probate & Estate Administration · Partner & Family Visas · Divorce & Separation · Administrative & Government Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Coburg, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(236)Google rating from 236 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Haitch Conveyancing Melbourne provides conveyancing services in Coburg, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Commercial Property & Leasing and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+4 moreCommercial Property & Leasing · Business & Commercial Law · Administrative & Government Law · Partner & Family Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(226)Google rating from 226 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Saundh, Singh & Smith Lawyers provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Business & Commercial Law and Corporate Law & M&A.
Family Law+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Corporate Law & M&A · Insolvency & Restructuring · Divorce & Separation · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Criminal Law · Administrative & Government Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(192)Google rating from 192 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Vstar Lawyers and Consultants provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Immigration & Visas.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Immigration & Visas · Family Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Criminal Law · Notary Public & JP Services · Administrative & Government Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Maroochydore, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(191)Google rating from 191 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Pathway Legal provides legal services in Maroochydore, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Planning & Environment · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Administrative & Government Law
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Herston, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(181)Google rating from 181 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Vocare Law provides legal services in Herston, QLD. Listed practice areas include Not-for-Profit & Charity Law, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Not-for-Profit & Charity Law+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Employment Law · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Administrative & Government Law · Criminal Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Canberra, ACT · Canberra
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(171)Google rating from 171 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
NBC LAW PTY LTD provides legal services in Canberra, ACT. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Immigration & Visas.
Property & Conveyancing+3 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Immigration & Visas · Administrative & Government Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Spring Hill, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(171)Google rating from 171 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Wickham Lawyers provides legal services in Spring Hill, QLD. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Administrative & Government Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Immigration & Visas+7 moreAdministrative & Government Law · Property & Conveyancing · Registered Migration Agent (non-lawyer) · Traffic Offences · Citizenship · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Reservoir, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(119)Google rating from 119 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Natoli Howell provides conveyancing services in Reservoir, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Planning & Environment · Administrative & Government Law · Commercial Property & Leasing · Business & Commercial Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(107)Google rating from 107 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Best Hooper Lawyers provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Partner & Family Visas, Property & Conveyancing and Planning & Environment.
Partner & Family Visas+6 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Planning & Environment · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Building & Construction · Administrative & Government Law · Liquor Licensing & Gaming
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(104)Google rating from 104 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Hanna Legal provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Assault & Violent Offences.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(92)Google rating from 92 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Estrin Saul Lawyers & Migration Specialists provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Citizenship and Visa Cancellation & Character (s501).
Immigration & Visas+7 moreCitizenship · Visa Cancellation & Character (s501) · Partner & Family Visas · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Business & Commercial Law · Skilled & Business Visas · Administrative & Government Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(92)Google rating from 92 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Santone Lawyers provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Family Law · Employment Law · Criminal Law · Administrative & Government Law · Assault & Violent Offences · Partner & Family Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
West End, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(84)Google rating from 84 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Direct Lawyers Wills and Estates provides legal services in West End, QLD. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Planning & Environment.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Embleton, WA · Perth North
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(66)Google rating from 66 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Allsett Property Settlements provides legal services in Embleton, WA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Divorce & Separation.
Property & Conveyancing+3 moreFamily Law · Divorce & Separation · Administrative & Government Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(61)Google rating from 61 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Grand Conveyancing provides conveyancing services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Administrative & Government Law and Commercial Property & Leasing.
Property & Conveyancing+2 moreAdministrative & Government Law · Commercial Property & Leasing
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Blackwood, SA · Adelaide Metro
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(60)Google rating from 60 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Douglas Hoskins Legal provides legal services in Blackwood, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Wills & Estates+6 moreFamily Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Probate & Estate Administration · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Administrative & Government Law · Binding Financial Agreements
Understand the next step
A practical guide to administrative & government law
What to discuss at the first meeting
Identify the decision-maker, decision and date of notification. Ask whether the issue concerns merits, procedure, legal authority or a service complaint.
A complaint and a formal review may have different effects and deadlines.
How the engagement may progress
01
Keep the complete notice, reasons and review information. Record when and how the decision was received.
02
Ask whether internal review, a tribunal, complaint or court process is available. The Administrative Review Tribunal reviews specified Commonwealth decisions, not every government matter.
03
Identify evidence relevant to the disputed findings and ask how the agency file can be obtained. Clarify the result the reviewer can provide.
Fees and the scope of work
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.
Dates to raise at first contact
Give the decision and receipt dates immediately. A general complaint may not preserve an opportunity to seek formal review.
Questions to ask a administrative & government law adviser
Which review route is available?
What can the reviewing body decide?
Which body can review this decision?
What date and requirements need immediate attention?
What evidence is missing and what can the process achieve?
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
Frequently asked questions
What is judicial review?
A court review of whether a government decision was made lawfully.
How do I appeal an NDIS decision?
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.
Can I complain about discrimination?
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.
