The National Children's and Youth Law Centre was established in June 1993 with a three-year seeding grant from the then Australian Youth Foundation, now Foundation for Young Australians. The Centre was run as a joint project of the University of Sydney, the University of NSW and the Public Interest Advocacy Centre.
At the end of the three-year seeding grant, the Commonwealth Attorney General's Department agreed to on-going funding for the Centre. However, the Department funding provides for two solicitors only, not covering the full operation, promotion, staffing needs of the Centre and its services.
A history of quality legal service provision to children and young people...
Since its inception the Centre has developed a national profile among children and young people, and is recognised as one of few peak national bodies advocating for children and young people. The NCYLC is often the first point of contact for media agencies seeking statements about youth issues, and the staff frequently address public and professional seminars on youth, legal and human rights issues.
The Centre has also played a fundamental role in the provision of legal advice to young people, and has been central in representing their interests in law reform. In April 1997, the Centre developed an innovative facility for providing these services online: Lawstuff. The site has radically transformed the Centre's ability to offer legal advice nationally.
...with a vision to further enhancing access to justice
With one office (Sydney) staffed by the equivalent of 3 full-time people, the NCYLC operates under exceptionally limited resources. Through the support of a small team of volunteers and generous pro-bono services from sections of the legal community across Australia, the Centre is able to maintain its services.
Currently, the NCYLC is committed to attracting further sponsorship and support to ensure that children and young people have greater access to legal services and information.
The National Children's and Youth Legal Centre is a registered charitable
non-government organisation and donations are tax-deductible: CFN 10092.