Legal aid for family law disputes is available from a number of government-funded organizations to assist vulnerable members of society.
Legal aid committees
Legal aid commissions are independent statutory bodies created by state and territory legislation. In every state and territory, legal aid commissions provide a wide range of legal aid services in legal matters, including family law.
Public legal aid, including information and advice, is available free of charge to all, including through free brochures, information sessions or legal advice by telephone.
To be eligible for a Legal Aid Scholarship for legal representation, you must meet the means and merit tests, and meet the relevant Legal Aid Commission guidelines. Legal aid committees determine eligibility for their legal services and the extent of assistance they can provide in individual cases.
Community Legal Centers are independent, not-for-profit community organizations that provide free legal advice, case studies, information, and a range of community development services to their local communities or special interest communities. The work of community legal centers targets people who suffer from or are at risk of deprivation and people with special needs.
Community Legal Centers also provide information, advice and assistance with family law matters, including matters involving family abuse allegations.
You can search for a CLC near you on the National Association of Community Legal Centers website.
Family law specialists
State and territory law societies and bar associations provide some legal practitioners with specialized family law credentials. The Family Law section of the Australian Law Council provides a list of state and territory law societies and bar associations, which can be searched to find a specialist family solicitor in your area.
Indigenous Legal Aid Program
The Indigenous Legal Aid Program funds organizations to provide culturally appropriate legal aid services needed to ensure that Indigenous Australians receive the assistance needed to help them overcome their legal problems and fully exercise their legal rights.
Eight Indigenous organizations are funded under the program to provide legal aid services at a number of permanent sites, court circuits, and outreach sites in urban, rural, and remote areas.
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