Applying for ERA
- Resources for lawyers
- Applying for ERA
- ERA service type
- What is ERA available for?
- ERA for property matters: Early Intervention Mediation or Commonwealth Property Mediation?
1. Resources for lawyers
- Mediation for property matters - factsheet
- Obtaining Centrelink consent/client declaration - script and filenote
2. Applying for ERA
Applications for ERA must be submitted by lawyers on behalf of clients using the correct ERA template on Grants Online.
Note: Lawyers must certify applications meet eligibility criteria including simplified ERA Means and Merit Tests.
Panel practitioners are expected to familiarise themselves with the eligibility policies, application process and obligations.
If you have any questions please contact the Client Eligibility Unit: T-CEU@legalaid.nsw.gov.au
3. Early Resolution Assistance service type
Early Resolution Assistance (ERA) is a service type that:
- provides legal representation to a person participating in an established, independent dispute resolution process
- is available to applicants who satisfy the eligibility criteria, and
- is available for disputes which can be resolved quickly and cost-effectively by use of the dispute resolution process on its own.
ERA is not a grant of legal aid which means, for example, there is no right of appeal to the Legal Aid Review Committee.
4. What is ERA available for?
Early Intervention Mediation
ERA for early intervention mediation is available to eligible clients for the following matters:
- parenting
- property settlement
- spousal maintenance, and
- adult child maintenance.
If you have any questions please contact the Client Eligibility Unit: T-CEU@legalaid.nsw.gov.au
ERA for the Commonwealth Property Mediation Pilot
For details about the pilot and application process please see the following resources:
ERA for the Prefiling Adoption Mediation Pilot
For details about the pilot and application process please see the Prefiling Adoption Mediation information sheet.
For assistance in completing an application for an Adoption mediation please contact: adoptions@legalaid.nsw.gov.au
5. Property matters: Early Intervention Mediation or Commonwealth Property Mediation?
If your client has a property matter they may be eligible for both the Early Intervention Mediation ERA and the Commonwealth Property Mediation ERA. Different eligibility criteria and fee scales apply so it is important to understand which ERA is more appropriate for your client.
If you have any questions please contact the Client Eligibility Unit: T-CEU@legalaid.nsw.gov.au