What you need for your Legal Aid Application
Our lawyers are accredited to represent legal aid clients in family law and care and protection matters - for parents and children.
In order to represent clients on a legal aid basis solicitors need to be on the legal aid panel which is reviewed by the legal aid commission.
If you wish to apply for Legal Aid you can download and print the Legal Aid application form
This form asks you about your legal problem and your financial situation.
The information you provide in this form will help Legal Aid work out if you are eligible for Legal Aid.
Legal Aid will determine if you are eligible for Legal Aid based on two factors ie your financial circumstances and merit.
You will need to provide us with the following information to provide to Legal Aid when submitting your application:
- Details of your legal matter including copies of any existing Court Orders, AVOs and we may ask you for any Court documents should your matter already be listed at Court.
- Your supporting financial documents including:
(a) 4 pay slips if you are working
(b) 3 months worth of bank statements (or should you have less than $1500 in your account you may be asked to sign a Statutory Declaration to this effect)
(c) Centrelink Income Statement if you are receiving a benefit from Centrelink.
Should you be in a relationship or live with other adults, we will require financial documents on behalf of yourself and your partner.
A financially associated person is a person who could reasonably be expected to contribute to the applicant's legal costs, and therefore is included in the assessment of the applicant's means in accordance with the Means Test.
To determine whether an application for Legal Aid has a financially associated person, start by identifying what household type the applicant belongs to.
There are presumed relationships of financial association in some household types.
There can be a combination of different household types living under the same roof.
For tips in relation to who is a financially associated person under the Legal Aid means test please see the attached brochure: DOWNLOAD HERE
You may be entitled to have your financial verification waived.
Further information in relation to Legal Aid's expectations in relation to verification of means can be found, CLICK HERE
Further information and/or documents may be requested from you upon applying for Legal Aid and should you be granted Legal Aid you have an obligation to keep Legal Aid informed should your financial situation changes.
