Did you know ATSILS (QLD) has a state-wide civil law team that can help clients make a valid Will?
Listen to Uncle Bunji on why it’s essential to have a Will in place and how to access help.
To contact an ATSILS office visit: atsils.org.au/contact/
Change in Auditors:
We advise that the organisation has changed its auditors in the financial year 2021/2022 from Vincents Chartered Accountants, Santos Place, 34/32 Turbot Street, Brisbane to Grant Thornton Australia Limited, Level 18,145 Ann Street, Brisbane.
The change in auditors is in accordance with good corporate governance practice.
This week ATSILS CEO Shane Duffy and the team servicing Gladstone had the pleasure of meeting with The Federal Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus MP. The Attorney-General was in regional Queensland conducting his first visits with legal assistance providers since becoming Attorney-General.Meeting with the Attorney-General at the Gladstone Courthouse proved a great opportunity for the team to give a firsthand account of the important work ATSILS undertakes in providing access to justice for the most vulnerable in the community.
The ever-increasing demand for legal assistance was a key service delivery challenge on display in Gladstone during the AGs’ time there. During the visit, our CEO took the opportunity to announce that in the coming months ATSILS will be expanding its service by establishing a permanent office and workforce in Gladstone to respond to the identified legal needs of the community. This will include additional criminal law and court support officer positions. Currently, members of ATSILS criminal law team travel down from Rockhampton to service the Gladstone community. Having criminal law staff permanently based in Gladstone is critically needed to improve access to justice for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in the region.
ATSILS would like to thank the Attorney-General for the valuable time shared in Gladstone. Throughout discussions, it was clear the Attorney-General had a deep understanding of the vital role legal assistance providers play in the justice system. He was sensitive to the service delivery challenges highlighted by the team and keenly aware of how far current resourcing is being overstretched in the legal assistance sector in attempts to meet spiralling demand.
Disasters cause legal problems. Are you experiencing:
• Insurance hassles?
• Changes to parenting and care arrangements?
• Tenancy and housing problems?
• Unsafe relationships?
• Unfair employment changes?
• Financial hardship – e.g. unmanageable or unfair debts?
For quality, free legal help, contact:
ATSILS (QLD) – 1800 012 255
Legal Aid Queensland – 1300 65 11 88
Community Legal Centres Queensland
07 3392 0092
ATSILS warmly welcomes our new ThroughCare Manager and Learning & Development Coordinator to the team. Helen and Aiden are pictured (seated) below embarking on their ATSILS induction journey.
Helen is our incoming ThroughCare Manager – and will lead a state-wide team focused on diverting clients (at high risk of re-offending) from the justice system. Helen is a descendant of the Ugurapul/Yuggera people of the Ipswich area. Helen is currently studying her Masters in Aboriginal Studies and brings a wealth of experience in working with young people.
Aiden joins us as the Learning & Development Co-ordinator. Aiden has recently completed his Masters of Organisational Psychology and has formerly worked at UQ and in local government.
A big thank you to the HR Team and legal staff in attendance for facilitating a great welcome!
From today ATSILS offices are once again open to client visits.We encourage clients however to exercise caution and only attend our offices for necessary face-to-face appointments. Please contact your lawyer to confirm arrangements. https://atsils.org.au/contact/
Although face masks 
are no longer required in most settings, we strongly recommend our staff and visitors to our office, continue to wear one, especially in small meeting rooms and circumstances where you can’t socially distance.
are no longer required in most settings, we strongly recommend our staff and visitors to our office, continue to wear one, especially in small meeting rooms and circumstances where you can’t socially distance.Please note (as per QLD Health’s advice on 4/04/202), you still need to wear a mask in healthcare settings, disability and aged care facilities, prisons, on planes and when riding public transport.
We thank everyone for their ongoing cooperation as we continue to align our biosecurity measures with State Government Health advice and navigate the pandemic with staff, client and community safety at the centre of our responses.
Triple A, Murri Country are hosting International Women’s Day – First Nations, Morning Tea at Bunyapa Park, West End, Brisbane on 11th March from 6-10am.
This event is to create awareness for gender equality and to bring our First Nation women’s voice front and center, celebrating achievements, breaking barriers and creating awareness to break the bias. The Morning Tea will include, BBQ breakfast, weaving activity and two live outside broadcasts with Triple A Murri County Breakfast Show and Let’s Talk which will feature a panel of incredible First Nation women voices and special guest Jackie Huggins. Also, you will get to see some amazing talented female artists such as Rochelle Pitt perform live.
ATSILS offices are temporarily closed to clients until further notice. This decision has been made to help protect staff, clients and the broader community from the current wave of the Omicron COVID-19 variant that is fairly widespread across the state.
Please be assured our staff will still be providing legal assistance services to clients during this time via phone, ICT, and at court.
Stay in touch with your lawyer or regional office via phone or email.
A full list of office contacts can be found here: https://atsils.org.au/contact
For urgent legal matters call our toll-free statewide number:
1800 012 255.
As of 1am, 2 January, face masks are now required in all indoor settings except for in the home, if it’s unsafe or if doing strenuous exercise. 
All visitors are required to wear a mask when attending ATSILS offices until further notice. (Exceptions are when eating/drinking or there is a valid medical reason not to wear a mask).
Surgical masks will be available for visitors at ATSILS offices if required.
For more information, visit https://www.qld.gov.au/health/covid19/masks
To help slow the spread of COVID-19 our staff are instructed to use physical distancing and to deliver services via phone or ICT options wherever possible. Please phone your lawyer or our client services staff to confirm the best arrangements for legal appointments or attending court. A full list of office contacts is available here: https://atsils.org.au/contact/Mask wearing will be required for staff, clients and visitors attending ATSILS offices at all times (exceptions are when eating/drinking or there is a medical reason not to wear a mask) until further notice. Surgical masks will be available for visitors at ATSILS offices if required.
If you are feeling unwell with COVID Symptoms or have been a close contact please don’t attend our offices in person, get tested, seek medical help and contact your lawyer for advice.
For more information on the latest close contact definition visit: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/public-health-directions/confirmed-cases-and-close-contact-isolation/close-contacts
For more information on what to do if you have COVID-19 visit: