Vision
All people experiencing disadvantage have access to legal assistance and fair justice outcomes that contribute to safe, thriving families and communities.
About us
NLA is made up of 8 statewide Legal Aids who provide legal assistance to Australians experiencing disadvantage. The Legal Aids receive $1.79 billion under the National Access to Justice Partnership to deliver family law and national civil law legal assistance.
Each year under the NAJP we deliver:
- 32,000 family law legal representation grants
- Respect@Work, domestic & family violence, migration & income support legal assistance
- Non-legal supports such as social supports and law reform work.
72% of representation grants are handled by private lawyers.
Clients receiving legal representation include:
- 24% First Nations people
- 25% people with disabilities
- 100% under the poverty line
Purpose
- Establish a national legal aid system that is sustainable and responsive to the needs of local communities.
- Use our expertise and leadership to improve legal assistance and drive law reform.
- Foster trusted partnerships with government, community, and legal assistance providers.
Goals
One
Ensure people facing disadvantage obtain legal representation by increasing core funding from all levels of government
Two
Advocate for the safety and well-being of families and children within the legal and justice systems
Three
Implement Closing the Gap including delivering culturally safe services, supporting more First Nations services, and partnering with First Nations legal assistance partners on justice issues
Four
Advocate for people experiencing disadvantage in civil law strategic areas including income and child support, disability, migration and disaster
Five
Establish a nationwide evidence base to demonstrate legal need and the impact of legal assistance for disadvantaged clients
Six
Ensure safe and sustainable working conditions and culture to attract and retain a strong and engaged legal aid workforce
How we work
Putting clients at the centre of trauma-informed practice
In partnership with others
Informed by evidence
Who we support
We are the ‘safety net’ of the legal system – offering to assist families and individuals in times when they are in highest need. We are the main providers of legal representation in criminal, government and family law nationally. Our clients include people most in need of legal assistance including First Nations peoples, victim-survivors of domestic violence, and people with disabilities.
What we offer
Each year we deliver:
1.7 million
legal assistances
150,000
legal representation grants
Legal aid services include:
Legal advice
Advice on various legal issues, including family law, criminal law, civil law, workplace and tenancy disputes.
Duty Lawyer Services
Lawyers available at courts to assist with urgent legal matters, including representation for people facing criminal charges or family law proceedings.
Legal Information
Online and telephone services that provide general legal information and referrals.
Legal Representation
Legal Aid provides lawyers to represent eligible clients in court, especially in serious criminal matters, family law disputes, and child protection cases.
Dispute Resolution Services
Assistance with mediation and alternative dispute resolution, especially in family law matters such as parenting arrangements.
Community Legal Education
Community Legal Education Programs to help the public understand their legal rights and responsibilities.
Our impact
32,000 family law representation grants
Of those, 86% involve risks of family violence
6,000+ grants yearly
To protect at-risk children through Independent Children’s Lawyers (ICLs).
5,000+ legal assistances during 2022 floods in NSW
Delivering disaster legal assistance for communities affected by floods and bushfires.
$1.76 billion in waived and refunded ‘debts’
We led joint action against Robodebt, ensuring over 443,000 people had their debt waived or refunded.
