Students' gateway to Campus

Legal matters

The legal system in Australia may be different to what you are used to. It is important to know your rights and where to go if you need help with legal matters. This section provides an overview of some key aspects of the legal system.

Statutory declaration

A statutory declaration (also called a 'stat dec') is a written statement of oath that has been sworn to and signed before an authorised official such as a justice of the peace, police officer or member of certain professional bodies. You may be asked to submit a statutory declaration in order to verify certain documents or statements. Should this be the case, a statutory declaration form is available from any Deakin International office or from most newsagents.

The University Solicitor's Office can provide you with a list of people able to sign your stat decs.

Legal aid

Occasionally, students may require help with legal matters including criminal matters, debt, family breakdown, immigration, family violence, social security and traffic offences. Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) is a community-based organisation that may be able to provide you with legal aid and support. Tel: 1800 677 402 (from rural areas) or 9269 0120 (from metropolitan areas)

Victoria Legal Aid also enables students to access free legal information in other languages.

Community Legal Centres

Community Legal Centres provide free legal advice to the public, including international students.

Information about Community Legal Centres can be found on the Federation of Community Legal Centres (Victoria) website. You can also find a Community Legal Centre closest to you by doing a search by post code in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.

The following are the closest Community Legal Centres to Deakin:


Melbourne:

EASTERN COMMUNITY LEGAL CENTRE INC
Inner East Branch
Suite 3, Town Hall Hub, 27 Bank Street
Box Hill 3128
Ph:  9285 4822


Geelong:

BARWON COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICE INC
73 Pakington Street
Geelong West 3218
Ph:  5221 4744


Warrnambool

SOUTH WEST COMMUNITY LEGAL CENTRE
79 Liebig Street
Warrnambool 3280
Ph:  1300 361 680

Police and your rights

The police are often the best people to help you in an emergency. If you find yourself in an emergency situation, you should ring 000 or the telephone number of your local police station, which is listed in the telephone directory. It is also important to know that you have certain rights when dealing with the police.

Should you ever be arrested in Australia:

  • You do not need to answer police questions or give your name, except:
    • for traffic offences
    • if police suspect you of committing a chargeable offence
    • if police believe you can assist in the investigation of a serious chargeable offence.
  • You have the right not to say anything that might incriminate you.
  • The police must not threaten you or injure you (but if you resist arrest they can use 'reasonable force').
  • You can refuse to go with the police unless they arrest you.
  • An arrested person is allowed to make one telephone call.
  • You have the right to ask for an interpreter or to contact a lawyer, a friend or a relative.
  • If you want to make a statement, you have the right to get an interpreter to do it or to write it yourself.

Protective Services Officers and your rights

Protective Services Officers are employed by the Victorian Government to ensure safety on public transport.

The Protective Services Officers have similar powers to the police and can require you to provide them with information about yourself if they suspect that you are about to commit, or have committed, a crime. This includes not having a valid ticket for travel.

Please read the fact sheet (356 KB) for more information about Protective Services Officers.

Deakin University acknowledges the traditional land owners of present campus sites.

29th March 2012