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Apply for legal aid

  • People who get help from a lawyer to complete an application are the most successful at being approved for a grant of legal aid .

    People who get help from a lawyer to complete an application are the most successful at being approved for a grant of legal aid .

    Start with our team at LawAccess NSW to make an appointment with one of our lawyers. Click on 'Chat with us' or call 1300 888 529 between 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).

How to get legal information and advice

If you want legal information or advice, start with our team at LawAccess NSW. Click on 'Chat with us' or call 1300 888 529 between 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).

LawAccess NSW can give you legal information and book an appointment for you to speak with one of our lawyers.

You do not need to formally apply for legal aid to get legal advice.

You can speak to one of our lawyers without filling out an application form.

How to get ongoing legal help

If you need a lawyer for ongoing legal help or to represent you in court and you don’t have enough money to pay, you may be able to get help from one of our Legal Aid NSW lawyers.

A Legal Aid NSW lawyer is a lawyer who works at Legal Aid NSW or who is paid by Legal Aid NSW to represent you in your case. We have some of the largest legal practices in NSW, and our lawyers are expert, dedicated professionals.

Our lawyers can support you with criminal matters involving the police, family matters involving children or a relationship breakdown, or civil matters where you are having trouble with a basic need like housing, income support or access to health and disability supports.

Eligibility for ongoing legal help depends on the type of legal issue you have and your personal circumstances.

A lawyer (either a Legal Aid NSW lawyer or a private lawyer) can submit an application for aid for you. 

Application for legal aid (use this form to apply for legal aid in New South Wales)

Application for legal aid (use this form to apply for legal aid in New South Wales) PDF | English | August 2023 | 1 mb

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Client authority

Client authority PDF | English | May 2023 | 183 kb

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Frequently Asked Questions

A lawyer can

  • Give you legal advice
  • Help you work out if you may be eligible for legal aid and submit an application for legal aid for you.
  • Help you reach an agreement and resolve a dispute
  • Prepare legal documents
  • Speak for you in court

We pay your lawyer directly.  Your lawyer is not allowed to charge you.  However, you will have to pay your lawyer for any costs before you get legal aid or for any costs incurred if we stop helping you. 

Yes, we can talk to someone you choose about your application for aid or your grant of aid.

First, we need your permission (authority) to speak or write to that person about your application or grant of aid.

You can fill in and give us a Client Authority so that we have your permission to speak to someone you choose about your application or grant of aid.

Send a signed copy of the Client Authority to us. [You can send the form by email to: grants.complaints@legalaid.nsw.gov.au].

If you want your lawyer to talk to someone you choose about your case or your file, you need to give them permission separately. Talk to your lawyer about how to do this.

Yes your lawyer can talk to someone you choose about your case or your file.

First, you have to give your lawyer permission (authority) to speak or write to that person about your case.

Talk to your lawyer about how to do this.