Redfern Legal Centre (RLC) was established in 1977, the first community legal centre in NSW, and the second in Australia, by lawyers, law students and academics, social workers and community activists outraged at the injustice created by the lack of affordable legal services for disadvantaged and marginalized people. The Centre opened with one paid staff member, barely any money, and lots of volunteers with expertise, enthusiasm, passion, commitment and a vision.

Redfern Legal Centre promotes social justice by: Providing an accessible and appropriate legal advice, information and referral service. Providing ongoing casework assistance to people who live in the RLC catchment area and who cannot access the services of a private solicitor or obtain adequate assistance from the Legal Aid Commission or elsewhere.