Getting advice

Contacts

Before making any major decision, it is a good idea to get legal and financial advice.

Depending on the issue you need advice on and your income and assets, it is possible you will not be able to get free legal assistance and you will have to pay a private lawyer.

Type of enquiry	Who to contact
Title searches	Landgate, (08) 9273 7373 or 1300 556 224 (country)
Building	Building Commission, 1300 489 099
Subdivisions	Western Australian Planning Commission, (08) 6551 9000
Retirement villages	Retirement Villages Association, (08) 9322 9909 Aged and Community Services Western Australia (08) 9244 8233 or 1800 672 500 Western Australian Retirement Complexes Resident’s Association, 0488 812 888
Renting	Commonwealth Rent Assistance: Centrelink 13 2300
Help with staying at home	Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre, 1800 052 222 Department of Veterans' Affairs, 13 32 54 Independent Living Centre of Western Australia, 1300 885 886
Aged care	Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre,1800 052 222 Aged and Community Care Information Line, 1800 500 853
Concessions and rebates	Seniors Card Hotline, (08) 6551 8800 or 1800 671 233
Budgets and debts	Financial Counselling Hotline, 1800 007 007
Financial information	Centrelink Financial Information Service, 13 2300
Reverse mortgages	National Information Centre on Retirement Investments 1300 636 878 Senior Australians Equity Release Association of Lenders (SEQUAL), (02) 9858 1179
Pension Loan Scheme	Centrelink, 13 2300 Department of Veterans' Affairs,13 3254
Family agreements	Older People’s Rights Service, (08) 9440 1663
Legal information and advice	Legal Aid, 1300 650 579
Finding a private lawyer	Law Society of Western Australia, (08) 9322 7877

Resources

Acts and regulations

Copies of the Acts listed in this guide can be found at The State Law Publisher (08) 6552 6000.

Publications

The following publications are available from the Department of Commerce:

A copy of these publications can be obtained by contacting the Consumer Protection Advice Line on 1300 30 40 54.

Publications from other government departments

A Guide to Strata Titles from Landgate on (08) 9273 7044.

Thinking of using the equity in your home? An independent guide to using the equity in your home from MoneySmart (Australian Securities and Investment Commission) or email feedback@moneysmart.gov.au to order a CD (audio) copy of the publication.

Accommodation Choices for Older Australians and their Families: what older Australians and their families need to know from the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. It includes information on how different choices may affect pensions. For a copy, visit the Department's website and click on 'Seniors' under the subject areas.