Perth North
Public law lawyers challenge government decisions and help with NDIS, Centrelink, discrimination, veterans' claims, education and health practitioner matters.
6 firms
Joondalup, WA · Perth North
Slater and Gordon Lawyers provides legal services in Joondalup, WA. Listed practice areas include Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP, Personal Injury and Class Actions.
Joondalup, WA · Perth North
Active Migration Australia provides legal services in Joondalup, WA. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Citizenship and Registered Migration Agent (non-lawyer).
Embleton, WA · Perth North
Allsett Property Settlements provides legal services in Embleton, WA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Divorce & Separation.
Morley, WA · Perth North
Stephen Rando Solicitor provides legal services in Morley, WA. Listed practice areas include Personal Injury, Public Liability and Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP.
Wangara, WA · Perth North
Austwide Legal provides legal services in Wangara, WA. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Native Title & Aboriginal Legal Services and Property & Conveyancing.
Balcatta, WA · Perth North
Alpha Conveyancing and Settlement Solutions provides conveyancing services in Balcatta, WA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Property Settlement and Agribusiness & Rural 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.
Joondalup, Wanneroo and Stirling are grouped as Perth North. A property settlement after separation, a home conveyance and a deceased estate may involve the same address but require different legal work.
For government & public law, ask which parts of the work the firm handles itself and whether it has relevant WA experience. Let the lawyer know if a property, employer, other party or existing proceeding is outside Perth North. 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.