Overview:
Throughout 2022 & 2023 ATSILS (QLD) had to make the difficult decision to temporarily suspend a range of services in several regions. The regions affected included Cairns, Townsville, Mt Isa, Maroochydore, Rockhampton, Brisbane, Beenleigh, Strathpine, Rockhampton and Ipswich (Richlands).
Due to additional funding provided by the Queensland Government, ATSILS (QLD) has been able to successfully recruit a number of new staff to mitigate most of the service suspensions in these regions. Below is a short update relevant to each location.
Cairns
Update September 2023: Cairns remains our greatest challenge due to a combination of factors. At this stage, the current temporary service suspensions are likely to continue at least until the end of October.
Rockhampton
Update September 2023: Rockhampton remains a significant challenge due to a scarcity of prospective recruits in or into the region. At this stage, the current temporary service suspensions will continue until at least the end of October – possibly longer.
Townsville
Update September 2023: Due to successful recruitment initiatives in this region, all service suspensions are expected to be lifted as of the end of September.
Brisbane Office
Update September 2023: Due to successful recruitment initiatives in this region, all service suspensions are expected to be lifted as of the end of September.
Maroochydore
Update September 2023: An additional legal practitioner allocated to Maroochydore out of the funding commences at the end of October – so it is likely that the temporary suspensions out of this office will need to remain in place at least until then.
Mount Isa
Update September 2023: All service suspensions were lifted at the end of August.
Ipswich
Update September 2013: Due to recent successful recruitments – the temporary service suspension (Richlands Courthouse) will end as of the 9th of October.
Beenleigh and Strathpine
Prior Suspensions – since lifted (Update September 2023: no changes – no suspensions in place).
In conclusion
ATSILS (QLD) received excellent funding outcome news in mid-June. This has seen a significant increase in staff morale and our retention and recruitment. We cannot thank the Attorney, the associated departmental staff, and all others concerned, enough.
Phone Outages – Townsville: Monday – 23/10
Our Townsville Office will be undergoing system upgrades on Monday 23rd October from 12pm until COB and during this time we’ll be experiencing telecommunications outages.
We apologise for any inconvenience and ask clients to call back Tuesday morning.
For urgent matters during this time please call:
3025 3888
ATSILS Temporary Service Suspensions Update – September 2023
Throughout 2022 & 2023 ATSILS (QLD) had to make the difficult decision to temporarily suspend a range of services in several regions. The regions affected included Cairns, Townsville, Mt Isa, Maroochydore, Rockhampton, Brisbane, Beenleigh, Strathpine, Rockhampton and Ipswich (Richlands).
Due to additional funding provided by the Queensland Government, ATSILS (QLD) has been able to successfully recruit a number of new staff to mitigate most of the service suspensions in these regions. Below is a short update relevant to each location.
Cairns
Update September 2023: Cairns remains our greatest challenge due to a combination of factors. At this stage, the current temporary service suspensions are likely to continue at least until the end of October.
Rockhampton
Update September 2023: Rockhampton remains a significant challenge due to a scarcity of prospective recruits in or into the region. At this stage, the current temporary service suspensions will continue until at least the end of October – possibly longer.
Townsville
Update September 2023: Due to successful recruitment initiatives in this region, all service suspensions are expected to be lifted as of the end of September.
Brisbane Office
Update September 2023: Due to successful recruitment initiatives in this region, all service suspensions are expected to be lifted as of the end of September.
Maroochydore
Update September 2023: An additional legal practitioner allocated to Maroochydore out of the funding commences at the end of October – so it is likely that the temporary suspensions out of this office will need to remain in place at least until then.
Mount Isa
Update September 2023: All service suspensions were lifted at the end of August.
Ipswich
Update September 2013: Due to recent successful recruitments – the temporary service suspension (Richlands Courthouse) will end as of the 9th of October.
Beenleigh and Strathpine
Prior Suspensions – since lifted (Update September 2023: no changes – no suspensions in place).
In conclusion
ATSILS (QLD) received excellent funding outcome news in mid-June. This has seen a significant increase in staff morale and our retention and recruitment. We cannot thank the Attorney, the associated departmental staff, and all others concerned, enough.
Current Carrer Opportunities – Legal Practitioners, Court Support & Throughcare
ATSILS Community Legal Education in Cairns preparing young mob for success in the workforce.
The sessions were well received, and the students said they learned a lot and could enter the workforce with more confidence and knowledge with respect to identifying workforce sexual harassment.
ATSILS Respect@Work Service Solicitor Cicilia Halaholo also offered ongoing support for the community through the provision of private legal advice & information after the group session. Cicilia is pictured below with Andrea Hodges – IYMP Manager.
Students had access to ample legal information handouts, brochures & ATSILS merchandise to take home to consolidate learnings and to help build stronger platforms for this next generation to succeed in the workforce.
Our Cairns office is currently experiencing a phone systems outage.
They are not currently able to receive incoming or place outgoing calls.
ETA on resolution is estimated by early afternoon, we will post an update when issues are resolved.
In the meantime please call:
1800 012 255
Townsville office phone & internet services are back online.
You can reach our Townsville office on: (07) 4722 5111
If you still experience issues please call: 1800 012 255
Townsville Office Phone and ICT Outage
Service restoration is estimated to be in place by tomorrow 10/08, updates will be provided when available.
In the meantime please call 1800 012 255 if you need to make urgent contact with the Townsville team or contact our Cairns office which are assisting with client enquiries – (07) 4046 6400.
Ipswich Office phones have now been restored.
IPSWICH OFFICE – Phone and ICT Outages
Media Release – The Queensland State Budget delivers a welcome funding boost for ATSILS
An additional $9.165 million in funding will be provided to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (QLD) Ltd (ATSILS) by the Queensland State Government for the 2023/24 financial year. The additional funds will be used to increase service delivery capacity and to implement a more competitive salary structure across every position within the business.
ATSILS CEO Shane Duffy said, “We welcome this response from the State Government who have been acutely aware of the funding crisis causing temporary service suspensions and negatively impacting access to justice in a number of locations across Queensland.”…
Date: 23 June 2023
View Full Media Release