Geelong & Surf Coast
Public law lawyers challenge government decisions and help with NDIS, Centrelink, discrimination, veterans' claims, education and health practitioner matters.
8 firms
Newtown, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
Trapski Family Law provides legal services in Newtown, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Divorce & Separation.
Geelong, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
Adrian Paull Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Geelong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law and Administrative & Government Law.
Geelong, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
Law Partners Personal Injury Lawyers provides legal services in Geelong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Personal Injury, Partner & Family Visas and Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP.
Geelong, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
H&L Legal provides legal services in Geelong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Partner & Family Visas.
Geelong, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
Victoria Legal Aid provides legal services in Geelong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Parenting & Child Custody.
Torquay, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
Jan Juc Legal provides legal services in Torquay, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Wills & Estates and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Geelong West, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
McIntyre & Statton provides legal services in Geelong West, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Planning & Environment and Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts.
Geelong, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
Curwen-Walker Conveyancing & Legal provides legal services in Geelong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Business & Commercial Law and Family 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.
Geelong and Torquay are grouped with the Surf Coast for browsing. For a property, building or business matter, make clear whether you need advice before signing or help resolving an existing disagreement.
For government & public law, ask which parts of the work the firm handles itself and whether it has relevant VIC experience. Let the lawyer know if a property, employer, other party or existing proceeding is outside Geelong & Surf Coast. 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.