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Legal aid in Australia
The mission of legal aid commissions is to provide access to justice to marginalised and economically disadvantaged Australians.
Our society invests in a complex system of justice, a system of institutions – the courts, tribunals and other related agencies – to protect rights, ensure civil liberties and enforce civic responsibilities. Without a strong system of justice the rule of law and the rights and liberties enjoyed by all Australians would be compromised.
Our democratic society is based on the premise that all Australians are equal before the law. Legal aid commissions play a defining role in achieving that equality. They strive to ensure that all citizens, including those who can’t afford to pay, have access to legal services and to the law.
The eight legal aid commissions in Australia provide access to justice by delivering:
- legal representation in court proceedings for people who cannot afford a lawyer
- duty lawyer services, legal representation on the day for people who appear at court without a lawyer
- legal advice and information about legal rights and remedies
- community legal education, publications and other programs about the law and legal rights.
National Legal Aid
The directors of the eight legal aid commissions form National Legal Aid (NLA).
NLA acts as a central contact point and advocate for issues that are of interest to all of the commissions. It also:
- sponsors research
- provides a framework for information exchange and learning opportunities between legal aid commissions
- promotes the development of best practice in legal aid commission business nationally.
See the National Legal Aid website for more information.
State and territory legal aid commissions
Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission
Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania
Legal Services Commission of South Australia
How we can help you
For more information about how we can help you, see What we do.