Do I have to pay anything for legal aid?
Yes. If you have a grant of legal aid you will usually be asked to pay a contribution towards your legal costs. Check your grant letter to find out how much you have to pay.
How do I pay the contribution?
If your lawyer is in private practice or works at a Community Legal Centre (not at a Legal Aid NSW office) you should pay your contribution directly to him or her.
If your lawyer works at a Legal Aid NSW office, you have the following options for paying your contribution.
BPAY
Your BPAY details can be found in the letter you received from Legal Aid NSW advising you of your debt. You can also obtain your BPAY details from any Legal Aid NSW office or by calling us on (02) 9219 5189 (option 2).
Cash, cheque or EFTPOS
Payments can be made in person at any post office. Your Post Billpay details can be found on the letter you received from Legal Aid NSW advising you of your debt. You can also obtain these details from any Legal Aid NSW office or by calling us on (02) 9219 5189 (option 2).
Centrepay
Please complete the Centrepay form and take it to your nearest Centrelink office or Legal Aid office. If your debt is $500 or more, please call us on (02) 9219 5189 (option 2) before completing a Centrepay form. Visit Services Australia | Centrepay for more information.
Credit card
Pay using your MasterCard or Visa through our online payment portal or by calling us on (02) 9219 5189 (option 2). There is a 0.4% surcharge for credit card payments. When paying online you need to enter your File Reference, which is F+your Legal Aid File ID, e.g. F14C001122.
Need more information?
For more information on how to pay your contribution, send an email to Accounts Receivable via accounts@legalaid.nsw.gov.au or call the Accounts Receivable Unit during business hours on (02) 9219 5189.