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How do I apply for legal aid? Applying for legal aid means that you are asking Legal Aid to represent you or to pay for the cost of a private lawyer to represent you in court. This is called a grant of legal aid.
Click here to view the types of matters where Legal Aid is available. Legal Aid is not free. Most people will have to pay a contribution. The amount depends on your financial situation and the area of law. You will need to meet some eligibility requirements for legal aid. Before filling out an application form we suggest you use the new Means Test Indicator to check whether or not you may qualify. The Means Test Indicator is a guide to help you assess whether you may be financially eligible for legal aid in those matters where Legal Aid has a means test. However, the results of the indicator do not guarantee that you will receive legal aid. Why? This is because the indicator can only work out your eligibility based on the numbers that you enter for the means test, which looks at your income and assets. The means test is only one of the tests for eligibility for legal aid. You will also need to pass other tests.
Okay, I think I need legal aid. What's the next step? 
You will need to complete a Legal Aid Application Form. The Application form is used to assess: - your financial means (your income and your assets)
- the merit of your case (whether it is likely to succeed and whether the cost can be justified)
- whether you meet Legal Aid NSW policies. Click here to go to Policy Online.
This online Legal Aid Application form is in a Portable Document Format (PDF) and you need Adobe Reader to view it. Please print the form, complete it, then sign and send it to: Legal Aid NSW
Grants Division
PO Box K847
HAYMARKET NSW 1238
Or
Fax: (02) 9219 5061 You can deliver the form to your nearest Legal Aid NSW office, have a form mailed to you by emailing the Publications Unit at publications@legalaid.nsw.gov.au or calling on (02) 9219 5028. If you need a form urgently, it can be faxed to you. You can also obtain application forms from any of our offices . You can also contact LawAccess NSW (1300 888 529) 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday to obtain a Legal Aid NSW application form or get more information about eligibility for a grant of aid.
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