Civil Law is very broad and there are other areas that we may be able to help you with.
Click on the links below to find out more:

Criminal injuries compensation

Criminal Injuries Compensation

What Is It?

If you've been the victim of a crime, you can apply for compensation for the injuries you suffered. KCLS might be able to help you with your claim.

Case study: Daniela

Daniela was in a violent relationship with her ex-partner. After a really bad fight, Daniela ended the relationship and went to the women's shelter. She took out a Violence Restraining Order against her ex-partner, but after a few weeks he came to her house and assaulted her. He was convicted and sent to prison.

Daniela was left with serious injuries to her face, including blurriness in one eye. She also suffered psychological trauma: she was scared when she heard loud noises and shouted at her kids a lot, because she was still so angry about what happened. Daniela could apply for :

money to compensate for her injuries;
support to see a counsellor to deal with her psychological injuries;
support to see an occupational therapist who could possibly help her to go back to work; and
other kinds of support.

WA Stolen Wages Scheme

What was it?

The WA Stolen Wages Scheme was a WA Government Scheme open from March to November 2012. The Scheme is now closed and the Government won’t accept late applications.
The Scheme paid $2,000 to Aboriginal people who were born before 1 January 1958 and when living on a mission or hostel in WA must have had their income withheld and not repaid. Many missions and hostels in the Kimberley and around the State were included.

What is the problem?

Many Aboriginal people in the Kimberley say that the Stolen Wages Scheme was unfair because:

the payment was far too low;
station workers were left out; and
the Government didn’t listen to or negotiate with Aboriginal people .

What is the solution?

no-one has given up their legal rights, so no-one has to give up;
a new compensation Scheme should be launched for Aboriginal people;
the WA Government should talk to Aboriginal people and negotiate a fair settlement; and
the new Scheme should never close, so that no-one who could apply, misses out.

What has been done so far?

many Aboriginal station workers protested by telling their stories;
some Aboriginal community councils wrote to the Premier and other parliamentarians;
many people signed a petition to the WA Legislative Council last year, calling for a new approach;
many people talked about the need for a new Scheme at meetings, on TV and on the radio;
many people used KCLS to complain to the Premier and others;
Aboriginal people’s concerns have been raised in many speeches in Parliament; and
people and organisations have made submissions, presentations and articles about the problems.

What’s happening now?

while the WA Government refuses to respond to the problems, the Queensland Government has promised to establish a new Scheme for wages withheld from Indigenous people in that State;
KCLS has linked with the WA Aboriginal Legal Service, the Geraldton Resources Centre and other networks to approach Stolen Wages in WA as a state-wide justice problem for Aboriginal people;
KCLS is helping those affected to speak up;
some political parties have promised to keep working for justice for Aboriginal people;
KCLS is urging the Government to review what's happened so far; and
KCLS will try ensure that people are aware of any changes.

WA Redress Scheme

What was it?

WA Redress Scheme was a WA Government Scheme open from May 2008 to June 2009. The Scheme is now closed and the Government won’t accept late applications.
The Scheme paid up to $45,000 to people who'd been abused or neglected as children in certain institutions in WA, before March 2006. Many missions and hostels in the Kimberley and around the State were included.

What is the problem?

Many Aboriginal people in the Kimberley have told us that:

they didn’t apply to the WA Redress Scheme because they didn’t hear about it before it closed;
they applied, but they didn’t get to tell their whole story and the payment they received was too low; and
they want the Scheme to be re-opened so they can apply.

What is the solution?

no-one has given up their legal rights, so no-one has to give up;
the WA Government could establish a new Scheme;
the WA Government should establish a new Scheme so Aboriginal people who missed out, or who didn’t get to tell their full story can apply; and
the new Scheme should never close so no-one who could apply, misses out.

What has been done so far?

KCLS has talked to many people in Kimberley communities and we think that several hundred Aboriginal people missed out in this area alone;
many people who were affected, have used KCLS to complain to the Premier and other parliamentarians;
many people talked about the problems at meetings and in the media;
many speeches in WA Parliament have raised Aboriginal people’s concerns; and
lots of submissions, presentations and articles have been written, detailing problems with the Scheme.

What’s happening now?

the WA Government still refuses to respond to the problems raised;
KCLS has linked with the WA Aboriginal Legal Service, the Geraldton Resources Centre and other networks to approach this as a state-wide justice problem for Aboriginal people;
KCLS is helping those affected to speak out;
KCLS is calling on the Government to review the effectiveness of the WA Redress Scheme for Aboriginal people, especially those in remote areas; and
KCLS will try ensure that people are aware of any changes.

Want our help?

Call us for free on 1800 686 020. You can get more information on how to contact KCLS here:

You can contact KCLS by phone to arrange to talk to our staff when they visit your community. KCLS is happy to be invited to talk with groups and at meetings.