Adelaide CBD
Government & Public lawyers in Adelaide CBD
Public law lawyers challenge government decisions and help with NDIS, Centrelink, discrimination, veterans' claims, education and health practitioner matters.
11 firms
Adelaide CBD
Public law lawyers challenge government decisions and help with NDIS, Centrelink, discrimination, veterans' claims, education and health practitioner matters.
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
Estrin Saul Lawyers & Migration Specialists provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Citizenship and Visa Cancellation & Character (s501).
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
Caldicott + Isaacs Lawyers provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Assault & Violent Offences, Drug Offences and Fraud & White Collar Crime.
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
Varga Lawyers provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Probate & Estate Administration and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
Camatta Lawyers provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Wills & Estates and Commercial Litigation.
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
Lieschke & Weatherill Lawyers provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Public Liability, Medical Negligence and Workers Compensation.
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
KJK Legal provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Workers Compensation, Health & Medical Practitioner Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
RPM Immigration Lawyers-Partner Visas provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Partner & Family Visas and Administrative & Government Law.
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
Adelaide Mangan Ey Lawyers provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Criminal Law and Native Title & Aboriginal Legal Services.
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
Patsouris and Associates provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include General Practice (regional generalist), Health & Medical Practitioner Law and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Marshall, Alex provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Debt Recovery and NDIS & Disability Law.
NSW · Adelaide CBD
Australian Council on Children and the Media provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Health & Medical Practitioner Law, Business & Commercial Law and Not-for-Profit & Charity Law.
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.
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.
Adelaide CBD firms can offer a range of practice specialisations. Ask which solicitor will be responsible for your matter and whether the first consultation includes reading the documents you want advice on.
For government & public law, ask which parts of the work the firm handles itself and whether it has relevant SA experience. Let the lawyer know if a property, employer, other party or existing proceeding is outside Adelaide CBD. Your home address alone does not determine the applicable process.
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.