At CAB, we provide a wide range of information and services:

Information and Referral
We provide our information and referral service:

• on the phone;
• through the CAB website;
• in-person at our branches across Perth and the South West; and
• at outreach events in Regional WA.

Who we refer to
We refer clients to get help from a wide variety of places. These include:

• Government departments;
• Government-run helplines;
• Community Legal Centres;
• Charities or Not-for-Profit organisations; and
• The Law Society of WA.

How to get information
You can contact our information line and speak to a volunteer who will be able to provide information and referral (if appropriate). Our information line is (08) 9221 5711 and is open from 9:30am-4pm Monday-Friday.

Please note that our information line is staffed by volunteers, and no legal advice can be given by telephone.

You can also visit your nearest branch.

We also provide a low-cost legal service and a mediation service.

WA No Interest Loan Scheme
One step forward, two steps back. Unfortunately, this is the reality for many low-income earners when it comes to applying for and managing credit.

WA NILS is a not for profit organisation here to keep you moving forward. WA NILS grant small loans (between $200-$1500) at 0% interest to help those who need it most.

Our trained volunteers at CAB can assist you with completing your WA NILS application. To make an appointment with trained volunteers, contact your nearest branch to see if the service is available.

Criminal Injuries Compensation

CAB partnered with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Office to implement a free administrative service providing assistance to victims of crimes who are applying for compensation.

We offer administrative support to victims of crime who need assistance with Freedom Of Information requests, organisation of documents and completion of the form.

Tax Help (July-October)
If you need help to lodge your tax return, you may be eligible for the ATO’s Tax Help program. The Tax Help program normally runs between July-October and is available at selected CAB branches.

Tax Help is operated by a network of ATO-trained and accredited community volunteers who provide a free and confidential service to help people complete their tax returns online using myTax.

Am I eligible for Tax Help?
You are eligible for Tax Help in 2016–17 if your income is around $60,000 or less for the income year and you did not:

• work as a contractor, for example, a contract cleaner or taxi driver;
• run a business, including as a sole trader;
• have a partnership or trust matters;
• sell shares or an investment property;
• own a rental property;
• have capital gains tax (CGT);
• receive royalties;
• receive distributions from a trust, other than a managed fund; or
• receive foreign income, other than a foreign pension or annuity.

What can volunteers help me with?
Volunteers can help you lodge your tax return online with myTax or claim a refund of franking credits. If our volunteers work out that you don’t need to lodge a tax return, they can help you complete a non-lodgment advice. Volunteers are unable to help you with amendments.

How to make an appointment
To make an appointment for ATO Tax Help at CAB, please contact your nearest CAB branch between July-October.

Justice of the Peace
A Justice of the Peace (JP) service is available at CAB’s Perth office Monday-Friday 9:30 am-3:30 pm. JPs can witness or certify documents for you. There is no charge to see a JP. You do not need to make an appointment to use the service, but you may need to wait at peak times. We can photocopy documents for the JP to witness or certify for a small fee.

Who can witness my document?
Some documents (like Affidavits and Family Court documents) can only be witnessed by a justice of the peace, lawyer or public notary.

However, you do not need a JP to witness a Statutory Declaration. Professions that can witness statutory declarations include:

Where else can I find a JP?
While unusual, there are times where a JP is not available at CAB. If you’re making a journey specifically to see a Justice of the Peace, it’s a good idea to call us first.
There are document witnessing centres across WA.
Alternatively you can search for your nearest Justice of the Peace.

Becoming a Justice of the Peace
Justices of the Peace (JPs) play an essential part in the justice system and in the community in Western Australia. By volunteering to become a JP you will be providing a valuable and important service to the administration of justice in your community. If you are interested in becoming a JP, you can find further information in the following brochure.