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Uses and benefits

What can e-lodgement be used for?

Submitting applications for legal assistance

Applications for grants of legal assistance can be submitted for:

  • summary crime and bail matters in the Magistrates' or Children's courts
  • indictable crime matters in the Children's Court that can be heard and finalised in the Children's Court.

Applications submitted via e-lodgement are issued with a discrete dealing number by return email. This number can be used to track the progress of an application or claim.

Submitting invoices

To claim a payment, complete and submit an e-lodgement pro-forma invoice. Once approved, payments will be made in the next available payment run.

Benefits of e-lodgement

E-lodgement has substantially reduced many of the time consuming paper-based procedures currently used in obtaining and administering grants of assistance. Under the e-lodgement process, applications and claims are submitted to VLA in a totally electronic format, and responses to practitioners will also be electronic. This will lead to greater efficiencies for both practitioners and VLA.

Other benefits include:

  • making the simplified grants process even easier by combining the familiar, easy to complete electronic application form with the guidelines certification
  • eliminating paper-based processes will improve turnaround times for practitioners
  • pro-forma invoices simplify invoicing, allowing lawyers to claim the current prescribed fees and perform calculations automatically
  • simplified communication via email, rather than by fax or post
  • ability to check the status of applications online
  • access to a dedicated support team and help desk.

If you have any questions about e-lodgement please contact the elodge help desk on (03) 9606 5352 or email elodge@vla.vic.gov.au.