Why Regional and Remote Clients Deserve Better Legal Support – Regional WA Legal Services

90% of lawyers live in the cities. But 30% of Australians don’t.

In Western Australia, geography should not be a barrier to justice, but too often, it is.

At AviorLaw, we see firsthand how clients in regional and remote areas face greater challenges when dealing with the legal system. These challenges aren’t just logistical—they’re systemic. And they reflect a growing crisis in Australia’s legal profession.

In Karratha, Carnarvon, Kalgoorlie, Broome, and dozens of small towns across WA, people are facing family breakdowns, criminal charges, and urgent estate matters—with no access to a lawyer for hundreds of kilometres. This isn’t just unfair. It’s unsustainable. The sheer size of Western Australia makes this challenge especially acute.

While New South Wales or Victoria may have regional hubs within a few hours of major cities, regional WA covers vast distances. For example, the drive from Broome to Perth is over 2,000 km—roughly the same as Paris to Moscow. In between are dozens of towns where legal needs go unmet due to geography alone. In many areas, the only available solicitor is based in Perth and flies in once a month—if at all.

The Regional Legal Access Crisis

A Shrinking Legal Workforce

According to the Law Council of Australia, regional, rural, and remote (RRR) communities account for around 30% of Australia’s population, yet only 11% of the country’s lawyers are based there. As the ABC recently reported, law associations are now calling for urgent action, including student debt relief, to attract young lawyers to these areas and stem the growing shortage.

“In some parts of WA, clients wait months just to speak with a lawyer—let alone resolve their matter.”

– ABC News, June 2024

The Law Council's 2021 report, The National Strategic Framework for Legal Assistance, also warned that the shortage of rural lawyers leads to a “failure of justice” where people are forced to self-represent in matters involving family violence, eviction, or even serious criminal charges. Despite the increasing complexity of law, more people in regional WA are navigating it alone.

Who Is Affected Most?

The burden of legal inaccessibility falls heaviest on those already marginalised. Victims of domestic violence may be unable to apply for restraining orders due to a lack of legal advice or representation. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples—already overrepresented in the criminal justice system—face compounded barriers in accessing culturally safe legal services. In towns without public transport or reliable internet, even a simple call to Legal Aid becomes a logistical challenge. For people with limited literacy or financial insecurity, these obstacles can be insurmountable.

The Law Society Journal (2024) notes that even when legal services are available, the burnout rate among rural lawyers is high, with many feeling isolated, overwhelmed, and unsupported by the broader system.

The Consequences of Inaccessibility

When people in regional and remote WA can’t access legal help:

• Parenting disputes escalate unnecessarily

• Domestic violence victims remain unsafe

• Criminally accused persons may plead guilty just to avoid delay

• Wills, estates, and property matters go unresolved—often for years

This isn’t just a legal problem. It’s a social justice problem.

Legal need is cumulative. A delayed will becomes a probate issue. A parenting dispute left unresolved festers into conflict. A traffic charge without legal advice can snowball into a criminal record, affecting employment and housing. These are not isolated problems—they are deeply interconnected with health, education, and community safety outcomes.

What AviorLaw Is Doing About It

At AviorLaw, we are deeply committed to bridging the urban-regional legal divide. We’ve designed our services specifically for clients who live hours away from the nearest court or solicitor. Through virtual appointments—whether by phone, video or even WhatsApp—we provide fast, direct access to experienced legal advice. We don’t just accommodate regional clients—we prioritise them. Our team regularly assists people in the Pilbara, Gascoyne, Kimberley, and Goldfields regions, ensuring they receive the same level of service as city-based clients.

Transparency is core to our model. Unlike some firms that charge unpredictable hourly rates, we offer fixed fees across most areas of law, so our clients can plan their finances without fear. But more than affordability, we offer understanding. We take the time to listen, respect cultural context, and explain legal processes in plain English. We’re proud to serve Aboriginal clients, FIFO workers, and multicultural families with the dignity and responsiveness they deserve.

What Needs to Change – And How We Can Help

The Law Council’s 2021 National Strategic Plan on RRR legal services outlines clear steps:

• Financial incentives for rural legal graduates

• Better technological infrastructure for remote lawyering

• Increased collaboration between metro and regional firms

• More training in cultural competency and trauma-informed lawyering

Despite government awareness, change has been slow. The Law Council has urged both federal and state governments to fund early-career incentives for rural practice, including HECS-HELP remission, subsidised housing, and dedicated funding for Legal Aid in high-need regions. Without such reforms, the risk is not just unmet legal need—it’s the erosion of public confidence in the legal system itself.

Final Word: Location Shouldn’t Decide Your Access to Justice

No one should have to drive 12 hours to speak to a lawyer. No one should be told, “There’s nothing we can do” because of where they live. And no one should have to choose between justice and survival.

Regional and remote communities deserve better—and we’re here to help make it happen.

Need Legal Support in Regional WA?

If you live in regional or remote Western Australia and are facing legal issues, we’re here to help. Whether it’s a parenting dispute, a restraining order, a criminal charge, or drafting a Will—AviorLaw can assist you promptly and respectfully.

Call 0432 406 288 or email info@avior.com.au to book a free 15-minute call with AviorLaw today.

We work with clients across WA via phone and video call. Distance shouldn’t determine your access to justice.

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