Your Guide to Victorian Advocacy Services
- Snez Kosanovic
- Mar 12
- 6 min read
What’s Advocacy All About?
Different Types of Advocates
There are lots of different kinds of advocates, and depending on what you need, you might work with one or more of these:
Self-Advocate: That’s when you speak up for yourself. It’s powerful and important! An advocate can help you build the skills and confidence to do this.
Peer Advocate: Someone who has similar life experiences as you, who can relate to what you’re going through, and supports you from that place of understanding.
Professional Advocate: These are people who work in advocacy roles — often in organisations — and know how to help you navigate services, government systems, or tricky situations.
Legal Advocate: Lawyers or legal workers who help you understand your legal rights and speak up for you in legal matters.
Family or Friend Advocate: Sometimes family members or friends take on the role of advocating for you, especially if you want support from someone you trust.
Why Having an Advocate Matters
Having someone in your corner who listens, understands, and fights for what you need makes a big difference. Whether it’s making sure that you get the right support, solving problems, or just helping you feel confident to speak up — an advocate helps make things easier.
Your Melbourne & Victorian Advocacy Services / Organisation Guide
This guide includes organisations that support your rights, help you navigate services, and ensure your voice is heard. Whether you're living with disability, facing discrimination, need support with mental health, or are from a diverse cultural background, there’s someone ready to advocate with you.
Disability & Mental Health Advocacy
1. Office of the Public Advocate (OPA) Support for people with disability or cognitive impairment, including guardianship, rights education, and advocacy. web: publicadvocate.vic.gov.au | ph: 1300 309 337
2. Disability Advocacy Victoria (DAV) The peak body for independent disability advocacy organisations across Victoria. web: www.dav.org.au
3. VALID (Victorian Advocacy League for Individuals with Disability) Advocates for people with intellectual disabilities to be heard, respected, and included. web: www.valid.org.au | ph: 1800 655 570
4. AMIDA (Action for More Independence and Dignity in Accommodation) Advocacy for people with disability around housing and accommodation rights. web: www.amida.org.au | ph: (03) 9650 2722
5. IMHA (Independent Mental Health Advocacy) For people receiving compulsory mental health treatment – helps ensure your rights are protected. web: imha.vic.gov.au | ph: 1300 947 820
6. AMHAV (Assertive Mental Health Advocacy Victoria) Focuses on assertive outreach advocacy for people in mental health settings. web: www.amhav.org.au
Legal & Human Rights Advocacy
7. Disability Discrimination Legal Service (DDLS) Free legal advice and advocacy for people experiencing disability discrimination. web: www.ddls.org.au | ph: (03) 9654 8644
8. Villamanta Disability Rights Legal Service Legal and rights-based advocacy for people with disabilities. web: www.villamanta.org.au | ph: 1800 014 111
9. VEOHRC (Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission) Advocacy for equal treatment and human rights protections across Victoria. web: www.humanrights.vic.gov.au | ph: 1300 292 153
Multicultural & Community Advocacy
10. Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) Works to support multicultural communities and challenge discrimination. web: www.multicultural.vic.gov.au
11. Refugee Legal Advocacy and free legal help for refugees, asylum seekers, and people from migrant backgrounds. web: www.refugeelegal.org.au | ph: (03) 9413 0100
12. Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) Advocacy and wraparound support for people seeking asylum. web: asrc.org.au | ph: (03) 9326 6066
13.Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY) Advocacy, programs and support for multicultural young people. web: cmy.net.au | ph: (03) 9340 3700
14. Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV) Voice for multicultural communities and older culturally diverse Victorians. web: eccv.org.au | ph: (03) 9354 9555
15. Islamic Council of Victoria (ICV) Represents Muslim communities in Victoria and offers advocacy on discrimination, education, and welfare. web: icv.org.au | ph: (03) 9328 2067
Family, Children & Young People
12. YDAS (Youth Disability Advocacy Service) By young people, for young people (aged 12–25) with disability. web: www.ydas.org.au | ph: (03) 9267 3709
13. VACCA (Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency) Culturally safe advocacy and care services for Aboriginal children and families. web: www.vacca.org
14. CSMC (Council of Single Mothers and their Children) Advocacy and support for single mothers and their families. web: www.csmc.org.au | ph: (03) 9428 2640
15. FASS (Family Advocacy and Support Services – via Victoria Legal Aid) Support for people experiencing family violence navigating family court. web: www.vla.vic.gov.au/fass
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Advocacy
16. Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) Legal and community advocacy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across justice, child protection and family violence. web: vals.org.au | ph: 1800 064 865
17. VACCHO (Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation) Peak body for Aboriginal health and wellbeing, also provides advocacy and resources. web: vaccho.org.au | ph: (03) 9411 9411
18. Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) Supports Aboriginal children and families with child protection, family services, cultural healing, and advocacy. web: vacca.org
19. Djirra Culturally safe support for Aboriginal women experiencing family violence, including legal advocacy. web: djirra.org.au | ph: 1800 105 303
LGBTIQ+ Advocacy & Support
20. Switchboard Victoria Run by and for LGBTIQ+ people. Offers peer support, advocacy, and the Rainbow Door service (for people navigating mental health, housing, aged care, family violence, disability, and more). web: switchboard.org.au ph: Rainbow Door: 1800 729 367 email: support@rainbowdoor.org.au
21. Thorne Harbour Health (formerly VAC) Provides health services and advocacy for LGBTIQ+ people, including support with HIV, mental health, and family violence. web: thorneharbour.org | ph: (03) 9865 6700
22. Transgender Victoria (TGV) Advocates for the rights and wellbeing of trans and gender diverse people in Victoria. Provides training, resources, and referrals. web: tgv.org.au | ph: (03) 9020 4642
23. Minus18 Youth-led organisation for LGBTIQ+ young people, providing education, advocacy, and events. web: minus18.org.au
24. Equality Australia National legal and advocacy organisation working to protect LGBTIQ+ rights through law reform and public campaigns. web: equalityaustralia.org.au
Advocacy for ABI & Other Neurological or Chronic Conditions
25. Brain Injury Matters (BIM) Peer-led organisation run by and for people with Acquired Brain Injury. Offers advocacy, peer support, and resources to support independent living and self-advocacy. wb: braininjurymatters.org ph: (03) 9639 7222 email: office@braininjurymatters.org
26. BrainLink Services Supports people with ABI and other neurological conditions (including carers). Provides case management, information, carer advocacy, and community education. web: brainlink.org.au | ph: 1800 677 579
27. Epilepsy Foundation (Victoria) Supports people living with epilepsy, including advocacy for support at school, work, or through the NDIS. web: epilepsyfoundation.org.au | ph: 1300 761 487
28. MS Plus (formerly MS Australia – VIC) Advocacy and support for people living with multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions. Offers NDIS navigation, employment help, and systemic advocacy. web: msplus.org.au | ph: 1800 042 138
29. Stroke Foundation Advocates for the rights of people impacted by stroke. Offers recovery support, education, and health system navigation. web: strokefoundation.org.au | ph: 1800 787 653
30. Pain Australia (National) Advocates for people living with chronic pain conditions. Provides resources and pushes for health system reform. web: painaustralia.org.au email: admin@painaustralia.org.au
31. Huntington’s Victoria Support and advocacy for people and families affected by Huntington’s Disease. Offers personalised services and system navigation. web: huntingtonsvic.org.au | ph: (03) 9818 6333
Advocacy for People with Communication Needs & for People Affected by Alcohol & Other Drugs
Communication Access & Advocacy
32. Scope – Communication Access & Inclusion Scope supports people with communication difficulties to be included and heard. They promote communication access, train professionals, and offer tools like Easy English. web: scopeaust.org.au | ph: 1300 472 673
33. Communication Rights Australia The national peak body for people with little or no speech. Offers individual advocacy, systemic advocacy, and education around supported decision-making and human rights. web: communicationrights.org.au | ph: 1300 666 267
34. AGOSCI (National) Advocates for people who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) or who have communication support needs. Peer-led, inclusive, and collaborative. web: agosci.org.au
Alcohol & Other Drug (AOD) Advocacy
35. Harm Reduction Victoria (HRVic) Peer-based advocacy for people who use drugs. Offers outreach, peer support, overdose prevention education, and systemic advocacy. web: hrvic.org.au ph: (03) 9329 1500 email: info@hrvic.org.au
36. Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC) Peer-led organisation supporting people affected by AOD use and their families. Offers family support, housing, and peer workforce advocacy. web: sharc.org.au | ph: (03) 9573 1700
37. VAADA (Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association) The peak body advocating for improved drug and alcohol treatment and support systems. Works systemically and with government. web: vaada.org.au | ph: (03) 9412 5600
38. YSAS (Youth Support & Advocacy Service) Supports young people (aged 12–25) affected by substance use or mental health issues. Offers outreach, case management, and advocacy. web: ysas.org.au | ph: 1800 458 685
Victorian Advocacy Services
Need Help Finding the Right Advocacy Support?
If you have any questions about advocacy services, need help navigating this resource, or would like guidance on which service might be right for your situation, please don't hesitate to reach out.
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