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What is a contribution?

A contribution is when you have to pay all or part of your grant back to Victoria Legal Aid (VLA). We work this out by looking at your financial situation to see how much you can afford to pay.

How can I pay my contribution?

You can pay your contribution by direct debit, cheque, money order or at any VLA office. You will be asked to pay monthly instalments or a lump sum upfront depending on your financial situation. You will get back anything you have overpaid at the end of your case.

What happens if my financial situation changes?

You must tell VLA if there are any changes to your financial situation. If your situation improves, for example you get a job, your monthly instalment may increase. If your situation gets worse, for example your car may need major work, we can discuss reducing your monthly instalment for a few months. 

We can also review your financial situation. If it has improved, we may ask you to pay back all of your contribution immediately. 

Get independent legal advice to help you decide whether you agree to the conditions of your grant.

How we can help

Call VLA Legal Information Service on (03) 9269 0120 or 1800 677 402 (country callers) to find out about getting a grant of legal assistance.

Related publications

Who pays for grants of legal assistance? - PDF, 224.0kb Information sheet to help you understand how grants of legal assistance work and how you might be asked to pay back some or all of your legal costs