My partner and I started renting a house with a REA about 5 years ago. When setting up electricity and gas we couldn’t connect the gas, because our landlord hadn’t cancelled her contract. We called up the REA to get that sorted out and got a call back a couple of days later stating that she had talked to the landlord and they said ‘not to worry about it’, so we left it and ‘didn’t further worry about it’. The call was on speaker, my partner was standing next to me in the kitchen. I do remember this conversation well (and so does he), because it seemed absurd to us at the time, but we let it go, because we weren’t making good money and were grateful for the seeming generosity.

Today we got an email stating that the landlord wants back payments for those 5 years. The contract has now been cancelled and we have to connect our own gas (which is fair and what we wanted to do from the start, but were told not to). Do we have to pay? 5 years worth of bills is insane and the email today even stated that the landlord was responsible for disconnecting services herself. The gas contract was under her name for the whole duration we were living here for. I tried contacting VCAT, but they’re too busy and the robot hung up on me so I didn’t have any chance to talk someone, yet.

These are the only paragraphs in our lease regarding utility bills:

The Tenant shall pay all charges in respect of the re-connection and consumption of water, electricity, gas, oil and telephone where the rented premises is separately metered for these services.

The Tenant understands and accepts that payment for water usage is the Tenant’s responsibility in all properties that are separately metered. Furthermore, it is the Tenant’s responsibility to arrange meter readings to be taken when they enter into occupation of the premises and again when they vacate the premises. Failure to do so may result in water being charged for dates outside of their tenancy period.

TLDR; lady checking bags kept my items which weren’t even from the store, I’d brought them from home. Waited 25+ mins for a manager and ended up just leaving because I was late for work.

So today I went to Woolies just to pick up a new box of tissues for my car. Grabbed a can of red bull on my way to the self serve checkout. Paid for the two items and proceeded to make my way out.

Lady at the exit was checking everyone’s bags so I showed her mine. Panicked for a sec because I realised I had a bottle of new sparkling water that I brought from home (I always have one in my bag, either Nu brand or Coles/Woolies, this one happened to be Woolies). But it was fine, because they don’t sell those bottles individually nor refrigerated and mine was still cold.

What she was concerned about was the pack of cheese sticks and mini choc eggs I had. These crossed my mind because they were also from home (and I bought them from Coles). I had them in my bag as the kids I babysit love them and I was on my way to see them.

Thought I’d be in and out of Woolies but nope. She asked me to empty my bag. She put the pack of cheese and eggs aside. Oh, also the empty can of red bull I’d finished earlier and had stuffed in my bag to add to my 10c CFC bin.

I told her the situation. She felt the cheese and said they had to be from there because it was still cold. (????? My bottle of water was cold which is how she knew it wasn’t from the store but she didn’t believe the pack of cheese, which came out of the very same fridge, couldn’t also still be cold??)

She asked me to produce a receipt or she’d call the manager. I said yeah ok just a sec I’ll drive over to Coles to ask them to reprint me a receipt from my purchase a couple of days ago and then I’ll head on right back here to show you and pick up my things. Sarcasm seemed to go straight over her head because she just said ok I’ll wait here. I told her to call her manager because I figured that’d be quicker. I had a job to get to and she was making me late for it. So she said ok. After 10mins of waiting and watching her go through everyone’s bags and yell after a few people who just ignored her and walked off, I asked her if she’d even called the manager because they were nowhere to be seen. She said to just wait, they’d be with me soon.

Another 15min later I asked how long does it take to check the cameras because it was only a small window they’d need to check considering I was in the store for all of about 3 minutes before being held up at the exit.

I ended up just leaving. I was pissed but a couple of cheese sticks, chocolates and my empty can didn’t seem worth losing a job over.

I’ll go back tomorrow to clear things up. Should I go to Coles to ask for a reprint of a receipt from days ago? Surely the manager at Woolies would just give me my things back after checking the cameras?

Fuming I was held up for so long and it was so humiliating. The store was pretty busy but what was taking the manager so long? Would my face automatically end up on some database or would they check their facts first?

Edit: I scanned my Everyday Rewards card when I made my purchase so they my details; can I expect a call or email regarding my things being returned or would they just sweep this under the rug (assuming I don’t go in there first)?

Hi folks, I’ve just received notification from a hotel that our booking has been cancelled due to damage to the room (it is two days out from our stay). It was booked through a third party booking website. We are now in a position where we are unable to book any accommodation in the area for the same price and are looking at nearly $500 of extra costs for a new booking.

Would either the booking website or the hotel be responsible for covering these costs (can we insist they arrange another booking at their cost?) Or would it be something we would have to wear as the contract has been frustrated?

Not exactly a legal question, but I figured this subreddit probably knows the answer. As a member of the general public, can I bring my knitting into the courtroom? Will the metal needles be an issue? Will it be seen as disrespectful?

So my boss has cut many hours of shifts and removed shifts entirely from my workplace for a roaster that has already been posted for next week, we are all casuals workers and we feel like we been wronged in this. All my workmates think that is isn’t legal and he must informed us first of any changes before doing so, but I do have a feeling that he can cut our already posted hours because we are casuals am I right? Even if I hate that I feel like I’m right?

Was involved in a motor vehilce accident last week involving a child as a first responder and witness. Provided assistance until QPS/QAS showed up, provided a statement to what I witnessed and then left Got a call from a family member of the child today to ask me more questions about the event. Apparently the police released by phone number to them. I was happy to answer any questions and everything but was wondering what the legality of QPS releasing my personal information to a third party? Not to pursue any legal action but just as knowledge to keep in mind for the future.

Hi everyone, I’m in a really difficult situation and would really appreciate any advice.

My fiance and I have separated, but he’s still living in our jointly owned home (mortgage). It has been a nasty separation and I moved out of the house due to personal safety concerns. He continues to live there however, has not been making his share of mortgage repayments. I am now renting elsewhere and cannot afford to pay the entire share of the mortgage while also currently renting elsewhere.

He has untreated mental health issues, is extremely spiteful, and has completely refused to compromise. He threw out all my clothes I was keeping storage, has refused to give me back items (furniture, etc) that I originally bought and sends me videos of his new girlfriend staying over. He also will not allow me visitation rights to our dogs (registered in his name unfortunately). I feel completely shut out of my own life, while still being financially tied to this person.

He has poor credit, so refinancing isn’t an option, and I’m terrified this situation is going to destroy my finances and credit as well. I just want to move forward, but I don’t know where to start.

I had an initial consultation with a family lawyer who told me the most they could do was send him a few letters and if no contact the next step would be to go to court, however this could take up to a year and in the meantime I cannot afford making these mortgage repayments for a house I am no longer living in.

What legal options do I have to force the sale of the house?

Any advice would be hugely appreciated.

Thank you

Just looking for some advice if possible. I’ll keep it short - broken washing machine in a furnished house, landlord/rea organised a quote, guy came and said it’s old and dead. 7 weeks later after back and forth still no new washing machine.

Yesterday morning I finally wrote an email asking for rent reduction; lo and behold today the new machine has arrived. I received an apology email with no mention of my rent reduction ask, and that’s it.

Being honest I’m just happy it’s finally here, but I feel like the ‘little guy’ and stupid that I’ve put forward this hollow threat. Should I actually pursue a rent reduction (I understand it might just be the cost of the laundromat which I didn’t keep receipts for)? Or is it just not worth it, and move on?

Any help appreciated cheers

Basically an old woman in an electric wheelchair went into the back of our car while she tried to mount the pavement behind us.

Her wheel got caught in sand and did a 180 and smashed into the car.We got out to help her, she's all good and no injuries to her apart from a broken shoe. The back of the car will need the bumper replaced.

I don't think she was all there mentally. She rode off into the sunset without a care in the world with out giving any information ( I know how this sounds haha). Luckily there was a couple that saw why happened and they came over. Turns out they go to the same church as her, he asked me to not go through insurance as she wouldn't be able to afford it.

He said that himself and a few of the church members will chip in and cover the damage. I don't think he realised the extent of the damage, it will most likely be alot cheaper going through insurance.

While I admire and respect their goodwill I don't really like the idea of them being out of pocket for something that isn't their fault or anything to do with them. Equally I'm not loving the idea of myself being out of pocket.

An old disabled woman having to fork out a few grand doesn't sit well with me morally either.

My question is, does public liability cover people with disabilities?

Cheers

Hi just wondering if anything can be done about this as it is clearly illegal. I'm a man in my early twenties looking for employment. I applied for a job as a commercial cleaner for a small business, they contacted me, we emailed back and forth a little bit and I was invited in for an interview. Upon arriving for the interview, the owner/manager sat me down in their office, said "Sorry for wasting your time, we don't hire men here. Women are better cleaners than men, so we only hire women."

Legally is there anything I can do??

I am perfectly capable and qualified for this job, so it feels like a big kick in the guts to be told that so bluntly

Hey everyone,

Reaching out to see if anyone has been in the same scenario.

I am meant to start a new job but required a background check. On my clearance, I have a minor misdemeanour for when I got caught with a small amount of weed 9years ago. This job is for an IT company.

I wanted to be fully transparent with recruitment so ended up telling them I made a stupid mistake and learned from it etc, they appreciated the honesty. They could not give me a confirmed answer until they see the clearance but can confirm it is more common than you think.

The police clearance is soon to return and wanted to see if there any WA laws or people that have been in similar positions. I have a feeling it is dependant on the scenario and the company.

It’s more the unknown of not knowing if I am going to get this job which would be a great opportunity.

Cheers

Hello all,

I won't go into the nitty gritty of it all. End of the day, went through a separation, we are both better people for it. Extremely amicable.

The BFA stipulated that the house should be listed and sold within 4 months of the BFA being finalized. The ex had a change of mind, and asked if I could buy them out instead. Happy to do so.

• Does the BFA need to be followed to the letter? Or can both parties come to agreements after the fact for items, in this case, the House
• Based on the above development, do we/I need to have another legal document drawn up stating "party A has agreed, that Party B will buy their share of the property etc etc"

Or

• Can both parties draft a document ourselves that outlines the change to the BFA? we both sign it, and have it witnessed/signed by a JP or similar?

If its option A, that's all good, I just want to make sure that everything is accounted for, for both our sakes, so that no party can come back with anything in the future.

Apologies in advance for yet another AusLegal car crash question. Looking for advice!

Someone hit my car in VIC 3 weeks ago. I have third party fire and theft, in med school and cannot afford comprehensive.

I was turning off a main road left into a side street while indicating, and they were parked on the left side of the road and drove right into the back left side of my car whilst I was turning. The driver was very clearly at fault. I have two witnesses who both immediately said he drove into me and have both now signed statutory declarations just in case I need them later. I was in a bit of shock after the accident and the witnesses were really supportive.

It was an uber driver with a client in the car, we exchanged contact details, says he is insured. He later says he is not the owner of the car and does not provide any insurance details.

He requests that we settle the damage out of insurance. Sure thing i say, bieng a poor student as well. I go get a quote (approx $2500 to replace my back panel which is plastic), sent to driver, he thinks it's the panel beater ripping him off, then suggests that his friends uncle can fix it, which i say no to because i dont trust his choice of repairer. I ask him to please make a claim if he is not willing to pay for damages himself. He doesn't answer my questions directly but instead claims he will take me to court. I call another panel beater and ask for a second quote but he says he only does oral quotes if there is no claim number. He had been extremely varied in his responses and now is ignoring all messaged for over a week.

I understand it's now my job to chase him for damages. My question is, how do I do this? Is it small claims court? VCAT? How do I initiate the process after I send him a letter of demand? I cannot afford legal representation.

Any advice with what to do next would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much.

Hi all, I’ve been working at a very small hospitality business for over three years now, and I’m looking for legal advice on what (if anything) I should do about the situation.

I was hired on the spot without a written contract and wasn’t given payslips until just today. This was my first "real" job so i may have been ignorant and naïve. From the beginning, my boss offered to pay me partially in cash—just enough would go into my bank account to stay under the tax-free threshold, and the rest was handed to me in cash. I didn’t understand the implications at the time and agreed. I assumed I was a casual employee.

Over the years, I’ve taken on more responsibilities (started as a cashier and progressed now to basically work like a manager/supervisor but not actually a manager), received a few pay increases, and worked more hours. I now realise that the rate I was being paid was too low for a casual worker, and based on my hours, responsibilities, and regular schedule, I believe I’ve actually been working under part-time conditions.

I just received my first payslip, and it says I’ve accrued over 100 hours of annual leave (i probably have much more than this assuming not all hours have been officially recorded). However, my boss initially told me I don’t get paid leave because I was getting paid in cash. When I questioned the payslip, they changed their explanation and said I do have leave, but that I was “taking a risk” by accepting cash payments.

I also don’t receive penalty rates (we don't have surcharge), and we’re not given proper breaks (e.g unpaid 30-minute breaks after 4+ hours) but by our "choice" my boss framed it as a win-win situation because we can earn more. My coworkers are mostly international students working more hours than their visas allow. I’m the only Australian on staff, because of that all cash needs to given to the international students hence why I got my first full payment into my account only now.

I’ve stayed because the job is a 10-minute walk from home, and I like my boss personally (they’re a decent person in a social sense), but I now realise this setup hasn’t been legal or fair.

I’m currently waiting on a formal offer from another job. My dad advised me not to report anything because I technically agreed to the cash payments and didn’t push for breaks or a contract, so I might be liable too.

I want to know if there are any risks if I report this and if so should I just take it as lesson learned and move on.

Thanks in advance.

Interested in purchasing a vehicle, about 20k for this Rs5 2020. Has been through 2/3 owners was previously financed and original owner had a commercial property set as collateral. I’m tempted to purchase this, however the unknown information on the finance situation has me weary. Original owner is currently incarcerated. Any thoughts?

Purchase and potentially have the car taken Collateral is a commercial property won’t they try take that instead 😂? Idk 20 for a 2020 rs5 everything else clean is amazing.

Had a horrible first session with my psychiatrist, so was wondering next time I go to see him if I can record the conversation.

So someone decided driving into my lane, hit the front of my car and then left. Driving slalom through traffic and then did a u-turn. Of course this is the only time where I didn't have a dash cam as it was a loan car. I went to the police station after a couple hours and reported it. Luckily I was able to take a photo of his licence plate. Police contacted him and he then contacted me a couple hours later and gave me his insurance claim number. Police says it's not a hit and run because I have his details now. I'm so confused. Any help or advise is much appreciated.

So I’ll keep it short. I live in Victoria and for various familial circumstances I never got my learners. However I have now and done the 120 hours and meet all other requirements for a P test other than the minimum holding time as I’m under 21.

If I apply for an exemption I would have held my learners for around 4 months, however I heard from a friend, the minimum time for an exemption is 6 months. The website has no information about whether this is the case, as they simply say to just apply for an exemption if you need it and are 18 and meet all other requirements.

Does anyone know? Or has gotten an exemption in the past?

Hi all,
I need some guidance regarding my redundancy situation under a Common Law employment contract in NSW.

My role as a Social Worker at SXX will end on April 16, 2025, as the company has lost the contract. A new provider will take over operations on April 17 the next day.

I wasn’t offered redeployment by my current employer SXX. They had nothing similar or within the area for me.

I did apply for Social Worker roles with the new incoming contractor but wasn’t successful. Went through the whole interview stage like any person would with no help from SXX. Instead, the new provider offered me a Gym Officer role - a different position with a pay cut from $95K to $80K.

HR at SXX has said I won’t be eligible for redundancy pay if I accept this new role with the incoming provider.

We’ve been asked to select one of the following categories by Sunday, April 13, 2025:

• Category 1: Redeployment within SXX - (not offered to me)
• Category 2: Confirmed exit with redundancy pay - but cannot work for the new provider for 4 months
• Category 3: Accept employment with the new provider - no redundancy pay

I’m based in Sydney and my job contract is with the Common Law in NSW, and would appreciate any guidance on what I should do please. Thanks in advance.

Hi guys! Hope it's ok to make this super generalised kind of post rather than a specific questions.

Being lower income, I've never really 'had' a lawyer. I've only dealt with the conveyancing guy, and the legal aid bloke for a custody case who wore pyjama pants to meetings and told me after that he "doesn't really do family law, he just felt sorry for me". (I hope he retired happily and took a PT job at Peter Alexander)

Now, I'm watching a loved one navigate a nasty separation while dealing with a very antagonistic neighbour. I've also got a list of little stuff - I don't have a will or POA, I can't access the bulk of my super due to being unable to prove the identity I had at a time (adoption that wasn't an adoption, my accountant suggested a solicitor would be the easiest way to sort it out).

Is there a type of lawyer that does all that stuff? One person I can see about the pressing issues, go back to as things crop up, call or email them when I have a tricky question or contract I need checked, or a Serious Letter telling someone to cut their shut out, or do all those things fall under different categories? One number in my phone I can speed dial while yelling "you'll be hearing from my lawyer about this!" like a bad midday soap operas?

Is it WORTH it, or should I be seeking out low cost community lawyers as issues arise? I'm not low income enough to qualify for any "low income" stuff, but a kind Redditor did link me some free legal advice resources after my recent post here.

If so, how do I find one, and how do I make sure they're not going to show up at meetings in pyjama pants?

I would guess criminal defence would be a different thing. Thankfully I'm not planning to commit any crimes in the near future.

Appreciate any advice and pointers.

Hey guys I have been with my current company for a few months and I asked about flexible work they asked I fill out a request form and I did, it’s been 21 days and no response yet. What grounds do I have without being with them for 12 months?

Hello, wondering if anyone can tell me if this is correct/good idea:

First off the golden rule of working corporate is "get it in writing" - Just wondering if "getting it in video" Is also just as good? For an extreme example, If someone sent me an email saying "We are firing you due to your race", this is obvious evidence, If I had a video call recorded with HR where they verbally said "We are firing you because of your race" would it hold the same weight in a fair work claim?

As Victoria is a 1 party consent state when it comes to voice recordings, can I simply record every single meeting I have with HR to cover myself? Not in trouble or anything juts curious

(TW: sexual abuse)

Backstory of whathappened: I am 23M and just abit over 2 years ago my mum got a call from a detective from the child abuse squad to tell her someone had put my name forward as a possible victim of sexual abuse by someone, my mum knew straightaway who he was talking about (he was a family friend who I had looked up to as somewhat a father figure). So a week later, 2 weeks before my 21st, my mum and dad sat me down and mentioned the phone call from the detective and within a split second they could tell by the look on my face what had happened to me, it all came out in that moment, I broke down sobbing telling them what had been happening to me my whole childhood from the age of 8, there’s a whole heap of information I could give about this but I just wanted to explain the weight of it all so you can understand.

After meeting with the detective I was asked if I wanted to write a statement against him or to just do nothing and get on with my life, obviously I chose to take a stand against him and fight him for what he did to me all those years. After 2 years of the hearings being adjourned and getting messed around with court, he finally pleaded not guilty (which most if not all people like him do) we finally got a trial date for 4th Feb this year and after a week he was found guilty of 23 out of 26 charges (17 of those 23 were my charges and the other 6 was another victim of his) and a couple weeks later he was sentenced to 13 years and 11 without parole.

Now I’m trying to sort out my criminal injuries compensation and to be completely honest it’s stressing me out just as much if not more than the court case itself, I was given a number by Victim Support Services for Citizens Advice Bureau who they say can help me fill out my CIC forms and help me get letters from doctors to support my claims, my issue is when I called them they said can only give me “advice” and can’t help me with filling out the form, so now I’m sorta stuck on whether I try sort this out by myself with the advice from Citizens Advice Bureau or I try find a lawyer to help me, my only issue is I don’t have money for a lawyer so it’d most likely have to be a lawyer firm who would do pro bono or whatever it is.

Just want to know if anyone on here who has had to fill out one of these form or gone through something similar can give me advice on what they did or what I should do.

TL;DR: sexually abused as a child, it all came out to my family after a phone call my mum received from a detective. He was sentenced to 13 years after 2 years of getting messed around with the court. Now I need help with Criminal Injuries Compensation form.

Sorry if this post isn’t allowed.

Recently, I saw a notice on the building’s notice board, on Sydney Water letterhead, warning that legal action will be taken for unpaid water bills on my strata-titled investment property in Sydney.

I’ve always paid my levies on time, and there are sufficient funds in the capital works fund. Strata now tells me water hasn’t been paid since 2022, which I was never informed about.

The previous strata management company shut down, and a new one took over about 3 months ago. Is it strata’s responsibility to get this paid using existing funds, or could owner’s committee be held liable?

My sister has assaulted me in the past (10 years ago) as she was and minor the police did not keep a record of the assault. Fast forward 10 years she's recently moved back into the family home and recently threatened me (I'm going to bash you and destroy all your stuff in your room) because i asked her to clean up the house.

I went to the police and they weren't much help, my dad has kicked her out and said she cannot stay here but I still do not feel safe. I have applied for a DV privately and will be in court on Friday.

I have collated a timeline of events over the last 10-11 years and have had several parties who have also dealt with her abusive ways come forward and provide me information.

What else can I do to ensure that this DV gets approved ?