Understanding Legal Aid: how it works and who it helps
30 July 2025

Legal issues can be overwhelming - especially when you’re unsure how to afford the help you need. That’s where Legal Aid comes in. It’s a government-funded programme that helps people access legal advice and representation when they can’t afford it on their own. At its heart, Legal Aid is about fairness: ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to be heard and supported, no matter their financial circumstances.

 

What is Legal Aid?

 

Legal Aid is a grant from the government to assist people who would not otherwise be able to afford legal services pay for a lawyer. Legal Aid is not available for every legal issue - for example, it generally doesn’t cover wills, conveyancing, or commercial disputes - but it can be a vital support for those dealing with serious or stressful situations.

 

At Willis Legal we provide Legal Aid for certain family and civil matters.

 

Who can get Legal Aid?


Legal Aid is means-tested, which means your income and assets will be assessed to determine whether you qualify. The thresholds vary depending on your circumstances - for example, whether you have dependents or a partner. Even if you earn above the threshold, you may still be eligible for partial Legal Aid, or be asked to repay some of the costs over time, depending on your situation.

 

As of July 2025, a single person with no dependents may qualify if they earn under $28,984 per year, while someone with a partner and two children may qualify if their household income is under $73,608.

 

How do you apply?


For family matters, we can help you complete the application. You’ll need to provide:


  • proof of income (eg payslips or benefit statements);
  • details of your assets (eg savings, property, vehicles); and
  • information about your living situation and dependents.

 

Common misconceptions


There are a few misunderstandings about Legal Aid that are worth clearing up:


  • It’s not just for criminal cases. Many people don’t realise Legal Aid is available for a wide range of family and civil law matters.
  • It doesn’t mean “free lawyer” in every case. Depending on your financial situation, you may need to repay some or all of your Legal Aid over time. Legal debt may be secured against any property, taken from any proceeds of your case, or you may be required to make weekly repayments, depending on your situation.
  • You can choose your lawyer. If a lawyer is approved to take on Legal Aid work, and agrees to act for you, you can ask for them specifically.
  • You must update your details. If your income or assets change, you need to let Legal Aid Services know - otherwise, your eligibility could be affected.

 


For more information about how Legal Aid works, visit the Ministry of Justice website.


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