2025–26 state budget funding for legal aid services

We welcome the focus in the Victorian Budget 2025–26 on early intervention measures to improve women’s safety and improve access to justice for victims and the community.

In the budget we received funding to:

• deliver services at the new Wyndham Law Courts
• continue delivering the Victims Legal Service with our partners
• continue delivering pre-court specialist family violence legal services.

CEO Toby Hemming says he is pleased to have further funding for these frontline programs confirmed.

‘The strong demand that we have for the Victims Legal Service and pre-court engagement services demonstrates the ongoing need in the community for this support,’ Toby said.

‘We look forward to continuing discussions with government about sustainable, ongoing funding for these programs.’

Legal assistance funding is vital to enable Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) to protect the rights of Victorians and provide legal advice and representation to those who need it the most.

It also enables us to provide legal information and education to build knowledge in the community, and to advocate for fairer laws and systems.

‘With the government’s strong investment in police and corrections, it is also important for early intervention programs and wrap-around services to be prioritised,’ Toby said.

‘We know these are proven methods to reduce re-offending and support people to positively engage in the community.’

Legal services at Wyndham Law Courts

The budget provides significant funding over four years for VLA and community legal centres (CLCs) to deliver services as part of operations of the new Wyndham law courts.

Due to open later this year, it will be the largest court complex outside Melbourne’s CBD.

‘The funding for VLA and CLCs will enable vital legal and support services to be provided for the rapidly growing community in Melbourne’s west,’ Toby said.

Victims Legal Service

An investment of $3.2 million will continue the collaborative work of the Victims Legal Service, providing specialised legal services for victims of crime until June 2026.

The Victims Legal Service is a statewide service run in partnership with community legal centres (CLCs) and Aboriginal legal services.

‘Victims of crime have unique, diverse and complex legal needs,’ Toby said.

‘Providing specialist legal assistance to help victims navigate the legal process and receive support more quickly, enables them to make greater progress with their recovery.’

Family violence pre-court engagement

The budget also provides funding for another three years for a range of early intervention programs. This includes funding for pre-court specialist family violence legal services which helps to resolve family violence matters early and outside of court.

This model is a collaborative initiative, delivered in partnership with the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria, community legal centres and Victoria Police.

‘Continued funding for this program acknowledges that legal services have a critical role to play in engaging families at an early stage, to resolve matters in a safe and trauma-informed way,’ Toby said.

More information

Find out more about our Victims Legal Service and contact the helpline.

Read about support for resolving family violence intervention order matters before court.

Learn more about duty lawyer services at Victorian courts and tribunals.