Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited
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Tips to browse safely online

Here you'll find some basic tips to protect your privacy and reduce the ability for people to see what you do online.

The 'Close this site' button

Some pages on this website include a 'Close this site' button. Use this button to quickly hide what you are looking at. You might find this helpful if someone comes into the room or looks over your shoulder and you don't want them to know what you've been looking at.

When you use the 'Close this site' button, it immediately closes this website and opens the Google search page in a new window.

You can also quickly close this site by using the ESC button on your computer keyboard. It immediately closes this website and opens the Google search page in a new window.

The 'Close this site' function doesn't delete your browser history. This means that if someone checks your browser history on your computer or mobile device, they will be able to see everything you looked at on our website.

Clear your browsing history regularly

Web browsers keep track of your online activity through your browser history, cookies and caching. This is so you can find websites you've visited before, but it also means other people can see this data.

To protect your privacy, it's a good idea to clear your browsing history regularly. You can choose to delete everything or only some things.

Find out how to clear your browsing history in:

  • Internet Explorer
  • Google Chrome
  • Firefox
  • Safari
  • Safari on iPhones or iPads.

For other browsers and devices, check the provider's website.

Use private browsing

Private browsing is an easy way to hide your browsing habits. If enabled, when you close your browser, all browsing history and stored cookies from future browsing sessions will automatically disappear.

However, the sites you visited during your current browsing session will record your browsing activity. Your internet service provider will also record this information. Any files you download using private browsing won't be deleted, so other people can access them if they use your device.

Find out how to enable private browsing in:

  • Internet Explorer
    • In the 'Tools' menu (the cog icon on top right of the browser window), select 'Safety', then 'InPrivate Browsing'.
  • Google Chrome
  • Firefox
  • Safari
  • Safari on iPhones or iPads.

For other browsers and devices, check the provider's website.

Accounts and passwords

Don't let your browser auto-save your passwords. While the auto-save function may be convenient, it gives anyone who uses your device access to your accounts.

When you are using an account with a password (e.g. your social media or email account), always log out before leaving the website.

Using other computers and devices

If you are worried about someone looking at your internet use, consider using a computer or device that they can't access.

This might be a computer at your local library, your work computer, or a family or friend's device. But again, don't auto-save any passwords and make sure you log out of your accounts when you've finished using the computer.

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

This advice is from "Tips to browse safely online" by The State of Queensland.
The content is licensed under the CC BY 4.0 license.
© The State of Queensland 2024.
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Child protection

If a government agency is talking to you about your kids, it’s important to get legal advice right away.

Call us on 1800 765 767. This is a toll-free number.

We help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across NSW and the ACT.

 

What is child protection?

Child protection is when a government agency is talking to you or your family because they are concerned about the safety of children.

Government agencies include the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) in NSW. It’s also known as FACS and used to be called DOCS.

In ACT, the government agency for child protection is Children, Youth and Families (CYF). It's also known as Child and Youth Protection Services (CYPS).

 

Our goals

We want to see Aboriginal children growing up safe in their own families, with strong connections to culture and community.

We work hard to keep kids safe, keep families together, and help parents get their lives together and their children back.

 

Who we help

Who we help

We help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, parents and family members across NSW and the ACT with child protection issues.

Our lawyers appear on child protection matters in the Children’s Court, District Court, Supreme Court, and the Court of Appeal.

Limitations

Our legal assistance is subject to merit and conflict tests. The merit test makes sure that our help is going to those people who need it most, while the conflict test makes sure that we don’t have any conflicts of interest in taking your case, so that you can be confident we are acting in your best interests.

Our assistance is also subject to the availability of ALS care and protection lawyers. Unfortunately we don't receive enough government funding to always have lawyers available. We are actively campaigning for the Commonwealth, NSW and ACT Governments to provide us with the adequate funding we need to change this. In the meantime, we will do our best to provide you with information and referral to another service if we are unable to represent you.

 

How we help

We can help you understand what child protection agencies and/or courts are saying and what it means for your children. We are 100% independent from government and child protection agencies.

Have a yarn with us if:

  • DCJ or CYPS are talking to you about your kids
  • You’re worried about the safety of your children
  • You’re worried your kids may be taken away
  • You’re pregnant and worried your baby may be removed at birth
  • Your children have been removed (even if it was a long time ago) and you want to see them more or bring them home
  • There are things going on at home which could impact your kids, such as family violence or relationship problems between you and your partner

Even if you’re not sure whether we can help, give us a call on 1800 765 767 and we can talk about it. 

 

Early support for families in Dubbo and Moree

We have received funding to provide early support in Dubbo and Moree for Aboriginal parents and carers whose children are at risk of being removed. Aboriginal Child and Family Advocacy and Support (ACFAS) is a holistic program offering family advocates and lawyers who will work together to provide you with different kinds of support, all in the one place. 

If you're in Dubbo, Moree or surrounding towns, and DCJ is talking to you, come have a yarn with us - the sooner the better. We are here to advocate for you and help you talk with DCJ before the case goes to court.

Call us direct on (02) 6841 6969 or dial 1800 765 767 (free call) and ask for ACFAS.

 

Contact information

Call 1800 765 767 to speak with our care and protection team or email [email protected]. 


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Problems at work

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Custody Notification Service

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We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we live, work and travel. We pay our respects to Elders both past and present and acknowledge the contribution and sacrifices our Elders have made to better our community and future. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this site contains names and images of people who have passed away.

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We acknowledge and pay our respects to the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live, work, and travel, and their Elders past and present.

Warning: This website may contain images and names of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have passed away.