Fair Access to Justice
To provide accessible, high-quality support and advocacy to individuals and communities across the South West to achieve fair and just legal outcomes.
Legal assistance is available by appointment only, and while we strive to provide support, our capacity may be limited by various factors such as complexity, conflict of interest, eligibility, and merit. Please note that ongoing support is not guaranteed.
You will be asked about your income and your assets prior to being given an appointment. Whether SWCLC can provide assistance in your matter will depend on whether you satisfy our intake requirements, and whether the solicitors have capacity to take on your matter.
SWCLC provides legal assistance services to the whole of the South West region. You will be asked for your residential address when you contact us to make an appointment.
South West Community Legal Centre (SWCLC) was born in 1988 when a small group of private practitioners began an evening pro bono clinic to help individuals unable to access legal assistance through Legal Aid or private practice. From these humble beginnings, the SWCLC was developed and now our centre services a region exceeding 18,000 square kilometers.
Originally called Bunbury Community Legal Centre, our service underwent a name change in 2016. We became known as the 'South West Community Legal Centre Inc.' to better reflect our catchment area and the communities we represent.
Today, SWCLC employs sixteen staff members, including Chief Executive Officer Tahleisha Bennell-Mustica, Principal Solicitors Renée and Eleanor, as well as a range of senior and restricted solicitors, tenant advocates, paralegals, and non-legal support workers.
We provide legal advice in a variety of family and generalist civil legal matters including both parenting and property settlement matters, restraining order matters, criminal injuries compensation applications and tenancy issues. For more information about our services, please refer to 'Services' tab.
South West Community Legal Centre Inc. is governed by a Board of Management and is an Incorporated Association under the Incorporated Associations Act 2015. SWCLC receives funding from a number of sources which can be found above under ‘Our Funders and Supporters’ as well as donations from our clients. Our current board members for the 2026-2027 financial year include the following:
The Public Purposes Trust
The Law Society of Western Australia
Australian Government - Attorney General's Department
Government of Western Australia - Department of Attorney General
Government of Western Australia - Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety
Family Advocacy & Support Services
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