Disclaimer: The material in this print-out relates to the law as it applies in the state of Victoria. It is intended as a general guide only. Readers should not act on the basis of any material in this print-out without getting legal advice about their own particular situations. Victoria Legal Aid disclaims any liability howsoever caused to any person in respect of any action taken in reliance on the contents of the publication.

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Community legal centres

Community legal centres (CLCs) are independent community organisations that provide free advice, casework and legal education to their communities. These centres are an integral part of the justice sector.

Community legal centres (CLCs) are independent community organisations that provide free advice, casework and legal education to their communities. These centres are an integral part of the justice sector.

Some CLCs are generalist centres that assist people with a range of issues such as family law, family violence, victims of crime compensation, credit and debt, issues and neighbourhood disputes. Others specialise in particular areas of law, such as tenancy, consumer, employment, human rights, elder abuse, environmental and migration law.

The Community Legal Services Program (CLSP) supports CLCs to provide legal assistance and associated services, increasing access to justice in Victoria. Victoria Legal Aid manages the CLSP and administers funding to CLCs on behalf of the Commonwealth and state governments as well as Victoria Legal Aid's own funding for collaborative services and partnerships with CLCs. In addition to funding available through the CLSP, centres may also receive funding from various other government and non-government sources.

Victoria Legal Aid grants and administers funding to 42 CLCs, including Djirra, the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service and the Federation of Community Legal Centres Victoria (FCLC). In 2024–25, we administered $66,819,454 to these centres on behalf of the Victorian and Commonwealth governments, as well as Victoria Legal Aid’s own funding. This funding includes baseline funding and specific purpose funding attached to specific service delivery.

Agreement, policies and reporting templates

The new CLSP agreement for 2025–28 came into effect on 1 July 2025 following a review and updates to reflect government requirements, including the National Access to Justice Partnership 2025–2030. The agreement was reviewed by Victoria Legal Aid and the Department of Justice and Community Safety, in consultation with a working group of CLCs and the Federation of CLCs Victoria. Improvements to the agreement and supporting documents and templates were made based on the changes proposed by CLCs. This included clarifying service standards and streamlining reporting requirements. This review followed the sector consultation and review of the previous agreement in the CLSP Reform Project 2017–22.

For organisations receiving funding via the CLSP from 1 July 2025, the CLSP policies are set out in:

Community Legal Services Program agreement 1 July 2025 – 30 June 2028
Word 180.14 KB
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Community Legal Services Program agreement 2025–28 schedule 4 funding guidance
Word 422.03 KB
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The reporting templates are:

Community Legal Services Program plan and progress report template
Word 302.18 KB
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Community Legal Services Program budget and funds report template
Excel 166.31 KB
(opens in a new window)

If you have any questions or accessibility issues with these documents please contact our CLC Funding and Development Program via clcfdp@vla.vic.gov.au

In 2017, we initiated a review of the CLSP to ensure it aligned with current expectations regarding the planning and delivery of legal services and accountability for expenditure of public money. Based on CLC’s feedback, we developed a new service agreement and guidance documents, which embedded funding principles from 1 July 2020. Victoria Legal Aid supported centres throughout the CLSP Agreement 2020–25 to adapt to new processes and to meet the CLSP requirements.

Read more about the CLSP Reform Project

More information

For more information about the CLSP, email clcfdp@vla.vic.gov.au.

Updated

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