NS Legal Melbourne Office

How do I arrange an appointment in Melbourne?

Contact the Melbourne office by phone or submit an enquiry through our contact form. Briefly explain the issue, identify any documents requiring a response and tell us when you would like to meet. Once you submit the form, we will confirm the meeting place and available times.

If you are outside Melbourne, tell us your location and preferred way of being contacted. Include any court or tribunal notices with your enquiry and point out the dates and requirements they contain.

What matters can the Melbourne team discuss with me?

You can enquire about property and conveyancing, family law, immigration, commercial law, employment, civil litigation, criminal matters, wills and estates, and notarial services. Explain what you want to achieve and provide the documents behind your enquiry.

You may need advice before signing an agreement, help addressing a dispute or assistance organising an application. Provide the underlying document and explain what you want to achieve. Identify anything you have already signed and any response or hearing dates.

Family matters such as divorce, parenting and property proceedings usually follow the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia process. Its Melbourne registry is at 305 William Street. Enquiries about parenting arrangements and related separation questions should include existing orders and proposals.

Visa applications are handled under the federal migration framework. Some visa decisions can be reviewed by the Administrative Review Tribunal; the decision letter identifies review rights and who can apply. For an application, including a partner visa, provide the materials you have prepared; NS Legal can organise the evidence and prepare the documents for each applicable process.

What should I check before buying property in Victoria?

Have the contract and section 32 vendor’s statement reviewed before committing to a purchase. Consumer Affairs Victoria’s buying checklist specifically recommends this review. If you are buying an apartment, provide the owners corporation documents attached to the vendor’s statement as well.

Victorian land transfer duty depends on the property’s value and factors such as its intended use, available concessions and foreign purchaser status. Land tax is a separate annual state tax on taxable Victorian land, with an exemption available for a qualifying principal place of residence. The State Revenue Office administers these taxes.

Tell us whether you intend to live in the property and whether someone else is contributing funds. Bring the documents recording any loan, gift or proposed shared ownership. Through our property purchase service, NS Legal can review the contract, ownership and disclosure documents and explain how Victorian duty and land tax conditions affect your purchase.

Which Victorian court or tribunal handles a dispute?

The Magistrates’ Court can hear money, property and contract disputes within its jurisdiction. VCAT deals with specified civil and administrative matters, including residential tenancy disputes. The appropriate forum depends on the legal claim, the orders sought and the parties involved.

VCAT directs applications about residential rental bonds, compensation, excessive rent and repairs to myRDRV. Other residential tenancy notices and applications use myVCAT; cases already commenced in the former RT Hub can continue to be managed there.

Bring the contract, rental agreement or claim, along with the notices you have received, payment records and relevant correspondence. NS Legal can prepare a proposal for resolution or the documents required for the applicable dispute process.

Where can international students get housing and visa help?

The Study Melbourne Hub provides an entry point for international students seeking accommodation or employment legal support. Consumer Affairs Victoria also publishes rental guidance for international students and confirms that making a complaint about a rental provider or agent does not affect a student visa.

If you need advice on a rental issue, provide the agreement, bond records, condition report and correspondence. Include any photographs or other records that explain the disagreement. Tell us if you have received a notice about leaving the property or an application concerning the bond.

Details and conditions of your current in-effect visa can be checked through the Department of Home Affairs’ VEVO service. A visa enquiry needs separate consideration of your grant notification and any correspondence from the Department or your education provider. NS Legal can prepare a response to the housing dispute and advise separately on the visa issue.

What happens at the first consultation and afterwards?

The consultation starts with the issue you want advice on, what has happened so far and the documents supporting your account. Explain what you have already signed or agreed, whether another party is represented and which decision you need to make next.

Depending on the matter, useful documents include:

• A purchase contract and section 32 statement, or a rental agreement and payment records.
• Court or tribunal applications, orders, notices and correspondence.
• Visa grant or refusal notifications and the application materials.
• Marriage documents, financial records and existing parenting arrangements for a family matter.

Keep the full version of any notice or decision, including attachments, available for review. NS Legal can prepare a plan for negotiation, an application or a response, and explain the further documents and instructions needed to proceed.

Compiled from official sources; updated 29 October 2026.