Lachlan Riches

Immigration Lawyer

“I am a HEP Hero because as an immigration lawyer and registered migration agent I’ve represented clients with viral infections including chronic viral hepatitis for many years”

More recently I assisted in the creation of professional and community information brochures providing practical assistance to those seeking Australian migration visas to meet the health requirement under Australian migration law.

I was born in Melbourne, educated at Monash University with Bachelor of Economics (1970) and Law (1973) with Master of Laws (1976). I was admitted as a barrister and solicitor (Victoria) in 1973 and have worked as a lawyer and adult educator since, with many years as a trade union official (member ACTU Executive 1991-3).

I am currently a consultant with Taylor and Scott Lawyers Sydney (formerly a partner) and to the Migration Institute of Australia as lecturer/trainer for a range of professional development courses and programs.

Australia has a significant health issue (disproportionately affecting migrants and migrant communities and Indigenous Australians) with a major lack of community awareness of the scale of the issue and the assistance that is available to those affected.

It is particularly distressing for me to see many otherwise well qualified potential migrants being caught up in the migration system without knowledge of the implications of chronic hepatitis on their prospects and ways in which their chances can be maximised.