In 2014 the Service moved into purpose-built premises in the Maroochydore TAFE building, provided and paid for by the new University of the Sunshine Coast Law School.  For its investment in this partnership, the University was able to offer opportunities for its students to work with the Service’s clients and volunteer lawyers in a practical setting from the first year of their degree.

The USC Law Clinic assists in training the next generation of Sunshine Coast lawyers and has increased the Service’s scope for casework.

First-year students assist with the Tuesday advice sessions during semester, helping with client intake and briefing the lawyers on the legal issues that present.

More advanced students attend one day a week during semester to work on cases identified from the volunteer advice sessions.

Clinic students are supervised by two lecturers who are also experienced lawyers.

Since 2018 USC Social Work and Human Services Students have also become involved in providing services to our clients. Supervised by two experienced social workers they have become an invaluable referral for clients for whom an identified legal issue is only a small part of their presenting problems.