Organisations based on the British Citizens Advice charity exist in a number of jurisdictions outside the United Kingdom. Although none of these organisations is controlled by the British charity, they adopt the branding and identity of Citizens Advice to varying degrees.
Some are members of Citizens Advice International, an umbrella organisation created in 2004 to "represent the interests of independent free advice-giving organisations around the world".[1] It has 12 members.[1] However, the membership of Citizens Advice International also includes other national advice organisations totally unrelated to the British Citizens Advice.
There are citizens advice bureaus in a number of places in Australia.
In the state of Victoria they are now generally referred to as "community information and support services" rather than "Citizens Advice". Their umbrella and peak body is Community Information & Support Victoria (CISVic).[2] Local centres are located at:
In Western Australia there are the following CABs.[3] There are currently 10 branches located at:
In Queensland there are Citizen Advice Bureaus in:
The South Australian CAB is in Adelaide.
Legal Aid and free legal services to some extent augment Citizen Advice Bureaus in Australia.
The Channel Islands have citizens advice bureaux in Jersey[7] and Gurnsey.[8]
The British territory of Gibraltar has a citizens advice bureau.[9]
Citizens Advice Bureau NZ, known as CAB, was established in 1970. The Māori name, Nga Pou Whakawhirinaki o Aotearoa, reflects a place for seeking help, solace, and strength. The organisation's logo features a manaia motif symbolizing protection, unlike the British owl symbol, which holds negative connotations for some iwi.[10] [11]
Similar to the British charity, its twin aims are to “ensure that individuals do not suffer through ignorance of their rights and responsibilities” and “exert a responsible influence to the development of social policies and services”.[12] CAB operates 80 branches nationwide with over 2000 volunteers. [13] [14]
Volunteers engage with clients through various channels, such as face-to-face, free-phone, email, and chat, offering services like in-depth interviews, quick inquiries, and specialized clinics on legal, tenancy, budgeting, and more to support those in need.[15]
An independent 2018 survey concluded that 11% of the general population and 13% of the low-income population turned to CAB for assistance when having legal issues.[16]
Each branch is affiliated nationally and managed locally. These not-for-profit charities rely on grants for funding.[17] CABNZ is based in Wellington and funded by the government. The branches are funded and run locally, with backup from the national organisation. For instance, if a natural disaster strikes a particular area, the 0800 system will re-route call load from the affected area to other branches around the country. The national organisation maintains the website and its search algorithms.[18]
In 2023, when the Auckland mayor proposed cutting Council funding to Auckland CABs, a petition signed by 20,000 people led to a change in plans.[19]
A company that measures social value in dollar terms, found in 2022, that the North Shore branch social return on investment was $1:$13.20, in other words every NZ$1 invested in results in NZ$13.20 returned to New Zealand.[20]
Volunteers create an anonymous record of each enquiry. This dataset is used to shape social policies. For example, in 2021, this dataset was used in a University of Otago project to find ways to mitigate the negative impacts of unresolved legal problems on people’s everyday lives. The most common legal problems are consumer, employment, rented housing, wills, enduring power of attorney, and neighbour disputes.
Another key piece of work is an ongoing digital exclusion campaign. This uses the collected data to recognise that some people lack digital literacy, or don’t have access to the internet, or don’t own a device, and looks are ways government departments and other organisations, such as banks, could be more inclusive and less pushing people to access everything online.
Branches in the South Island/ Te Waipounamu include Invercargill, Christchurch, and Nelson, while North Island / Te Ika-a-Māui branches are in Hibiscus Coast, Waiheke Island, and many other places.[21]
In Ireland they are at Ballina.[22]
A Spanish citizens advice organisation exists largely serving the British expat community in Spain.[23] CAB Spain asks for voluntary donations through their website for anyone who wishes to support them with funding. All advice by telephone, email, Facebook or at the legal clinics is free. All the information provided on the website for guidance and information is free. CAB Spain, is however, NOT affiliated in any way with CAB in the UK, which is a registered UK charity and therefore totally free, unlike CAB Spain which does not receive any funding so self-funding.