Policy Bulletin 2025/8: Changes to the criminal law policies

1 September 2025

The Legal Aid NSW Board has approved some changes to the criminal law policies including the introduction of a Simplified Means Test for Local Court criminal matters and District Court Appeals.

 

Background

As part of building a new grants management system, Legal Aid NSW is making changes to the eligibility policies for criminal law matters. The changes are intended to complement the new system, by streamlining the application process for legal aid, improving usability and reducing the administrative burden for lawyers and clients.

As part of the suite of changes, the Board has approved:

  • the introduction of a Simplified Means Test for Local Court criminal matters and District Court Appeals
  • reducing the barriers for people who have funds managed by the Office of the Trustee and Guardian, and
  • removing the Means Test for Supreme Court Bail matters where the applicant has a grant of legal aid for the substantive criminal proceedings. 

What has changed?

Start date

This change applies to applications determined and redetermined on or after 1 September 2025.

Contact

For further information contact the Client Eligibility Unit at: T-CEU@legalaid.nsw.gov.au.