A free education kit, explaining Australian law to new arrivals and designed for use in the Adult Migrant English Program, has been updated and reprinted.

The content in the 2014 edition is similar to the last edition but the referral screens have been updated to provide current contacts.

The kit addresses common legal issues encountered by new arrivals to Australia. It includes digital stories, speakers’ notes and activities to help teach about Australia’s legal system, driving, car accidents, buying a car, police, renting, Centrelink, child protection, family law and family violence.

The kit can also be used in a community group setting.

In a recent evaluation of the kit, 97% of educators said it was a useful tool to provide information about legal issues.

“We really like the stories and clear, simple language. Using still photos means it’s not “too busy”. Students can concentrate on information. We also liked the “real people real stories”. It was great for discussion,” one AMEP teacher said.

Read the full What’s the law? evaluation report (doc, 918 KB).

You can also view the kit online or order hard copies.

Staff from Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) are also available to provide training on how to use the resource or may be able to support delivery. Contact Community Legal Education on 03 9269 0223 or email cle@vla.vic.gov.au

New free legal resource: Australian law in orientation

Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) and AMES have also adapted five topics from the What’s the law? kit to produce a legal resource specifically for newer arrivals, especially in the HSS program or students in the AMEP program at CSWE level 1 or pre-level.

Australian law in orientation uses simple pictorial PowerPoint presentations and speakers’ notes. The five topics are aligned with the Australian law competency for HSS clients, and include Australia’s legal system, driving, police, child protection and family violence.

To get a copy of this free resource, please email cle@vla.vic.gov.au or phone Community Legal Education on 03 9269 0223. Staff are also available to visit and talk to you about how this resource can be used.

Australian law in orientation will be launched soon, email us if you are interested in coming to this event or would like more information.

Have your say – Give us feedback

Victoria Legal Aid is updating “What’s the law? Australian law for new arrivals” and would like to talk to people who have used it. Your feedback will help us create new content to address the legal education needs amongst newly arrived communities.

We’d like to meet with you to discuss common legal issues your students/clients face and we can also show you the new resource, Australian law in orientation. We are happy to talk to you over the phone, attend staff meetings or present at training sessions.

For more information, contact Kenton Molloy on 03 9269 0653 or email kenton.molloy@vla.vic.gov.au