Apply for legal aid

If you need ongoing legal help from a lawyer, you will need to apply for a 'grant of legal aid' and fill out a Legal Aid NSW application form.  A grant of legal aid means that you have a lawyer employed by Legal Aid NSW or a private lawyer paid for by Legal Aid NSW.

If possible, it is best to get legal advice before you apply for legal aid. Call the free legal help line LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529 to find an advice service or search for a Legal Aid NSW service near you.

  1. How do I get a grant?

    You need to fill in a legal aid application form to get a grant of legal aid. If you are vision impaired you can read this form using a screen reader. You can also get the legal aid application form from any Legal Aid NSW office, community legal centre, and many private lawyers.

    The form has questions about your legal problem and asks you about your financial situation.

    You will also need to give us:

    • proof of your income, such as copies of your pay slips or a copy of your Centrelink Income Statement
    • your last three bank or credit union account statements.

    Once you have completed the form, sign it and send it to:

    Grants Division
    Legal Aid NSW
    PO Box K847
    HAYMARKET NSW 1238

    Or

    Fax it to 02 9219 5061

    Or

    Take the form to your nearest Legal Aid NSW office.

  2. Who can help me fill out the application form?

    Legal Aid NSW lawyers might be able to help you fill out an application form at an advice clinic or you can call LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529 for help with filling out the form.

    A private lawyer may also be able to help you fill out an application form. You can search for a lawyer who does legal aid work.

  3. How do I know if I am eligible for a grant?

    We have clear guidelines about who can get a grant of legal aid. We look at:

    • what you want legal assistance for
    • if you are likely to win your case (called a merit test)
    • what you earn and what you own (our means test).

    The means test looks at:

    • what money you get from work, Centrelink or other sources
    • if you own a car, home or anything else of value
    • whether you financially support anyone else, or whether they support you.

    You can use our Means Test Indicator to check whether or not you may qualify.

    Grants of legal aid are provided for a range of criminal, family or civil law matters. These may include:

    • offences which may incur a jail sentence
    • family issues involving children
    • matters that involve DoCs
    • other issues such as discrimination and mental health.

    If you want to discuss your matter with someone to determine if legal aid may be available, you can contact LawAccess 1300 888 529 or go to your nearest Legal Aid Office. 

    You can also check our A to Z guide to policies and Policies in brief to see which areas of law we provide grants in. More detailed guidelines are available in policy online. 

  4. Am I eligible for legal aid if I am working?

    You might be. One of the rules about who can get a grant of legal aid looks at how much you earn, how much you spend on certain things, and what you own (our means test).

    You can use our Means Test Indicator as a way to check whether or not you may qualify.

  5. My ex-partner has got legal aid – can I still get a grant?

    In general, your application will be looked at separately from your ex-partner's. If you meet our guidelines about who can get a grant (See Q3 above - How do I know if I am eligible for a grant?), you will still be eligible for legal aid.

    If you are granted legal aid, sometimes a Legal Aid NSW lawyer cannot assist you because we are acting for another person in your dispute. If this happens, we will pay a private lawyer to help you.

  6. What can a lawyer do for me if I get a grant?

    A lawyer can:

    • give you legal advice
    • help reach agreement for you
    • prepare legal documents
    • speak for you in court.
  7. If I get a grant, is it free?
    Not always. Most people will have to pay a contribution. The amount you have to pay depends on how much you earn and how much you own.
  8. Is there a limit to the amount I can get?

    Yes, for some legal problems there are limits on the amount of the grant. This is called a cost ceiling. If you get a grant of legal assistance we will let you know what this limit is. You can also ask your lawyer.

    It is important you understand these limits. If your grant runs out and the case is not finished, you might have to finish your case without our assistance. You can ask us how much grant money you have left at any stage.

  9. How does my lawyer get paid?
    We pay your lawyer direct. Your lawyer is not allowed to charge you while a grant of aid is in place. However, you will have to pay your lawyer for any costs before you get a grant of legal aid or for any costs incurred if your grant is concluded or terminated.
  10. How long does it take to get a grant?

    Most applications for a grant of legal aid are processed within two weeks.

    To help us process your application quickly, make sure you complete the checklist at the beginning of the legal aid form before sending it in. You need to send us all the relevant paperwork such as copies of court documents and bank statements.

  11. What are the conditions of a grant?

    The standard conditions of a grant of legal aid are:

    • You might need to pay a contribution towards the cost of the legal services we provide to you under this grant.
    • You must tell us immediately if:
      • you change your address while you are getting a grant of aid
      • there is any change in any information in your application
      • there are any other changes that may affect your eligibility.
    • You authorise any lawyer who is acting for you, or who has acted for you, to give Legal Aid NSW information necessary for it to perform its functions under the Legal Aid Commission Act 1979.
    • If your lawyer gets any money from you while you are getting legal aid they must immediately tell Legal Aid NSW. We might ask your lawyers to hold the money to cover your grant of legal aid.
    • If a court awards you costs, or another party agrees to pay costs to you, those costs are to be paid to Legal Aid NSW. Legal Aid NSW may stop or change your grant of legal aid if you do not observe any of the conditions or follow the advice of your lawyer. If Legal Aid NSW stops your grant you may have to pay all legal costs up to that time.
    • There may also be other special conditions that are explained in the letter you get from Legal Aid NSW if you get a grant.
  12. Who do I contact to find out about where my grant is up to?
    If you have applied for legal aid and want to check on the progress of your application, you can contact the Grants Division on 02 9219 5880.
  13. Can I appeal a decision?

    If Legal Aid NSW refuses your application for a grant of legal aid you might be able to appeal the decision. You may also appeal such things as:

    • the grant conditions or
    • a decision to stop or change the grant.

    To appeal, you or your lawyer can ask Legal Aid NSW to reconsider its decision within 28 days.

    An independent Legal Aid Review Committee will consider your appeal.

    The Committee's decision is final.

  14. Who can help if I am not eligible for a grant?

    Legal Aid NSW provides free advice for many types of legal problems. Find an advice service near you. There are also a number of other services that may be able to help you.

    Call LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529 to get information about your legal problem and to find out more about who can help you.

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