Young South Australians under the age of 25 will soon be able to access free legal advice and advocacy about their workplace rights with the re-establishment of the Young Workers Legal Service.
The State Government has committed $1 million in funding over the next four years to enable the service to be delivered in partnership with SA Unions, fulfilling a key industrial relations election commitment.
The service will operate a Workplace Rights Hotline to assist young workers with issues including underpayments of wages, unfair dismissals, discrimination, and other breaches of workplace laws. It may also engage in strategic litigation
The service will be staffed by volunteer law students under the supervision of a senior solicitor, and provide structured training and education to help students develop their understanding of worker’s legal rights and obligations. This will include lectures and workshops delivered by industrial relations professionals.
The service previously operated successfully in South Australia for over a decade before its funding was cut and it closed under the Marshall Liberal government.
The Young Workers Legal Service is set to begin operation with its first intake of volunteer law students in early 2027.