The Albanese government is set to invest $67.5 million over five years across 14 grant recipients to improve access to legal services and strengthen justice outcomes for vulnerable Australians.
This week, the Albanese government announced a $67.5 million investment over five years to improve access to justice, as part of the Community Legal Services Program 2025–2030.
The funding will be allocated to 14 grant recipients to support the delivery of essential legal services for individuals facing significant barriers within the justice system.
This includes “women, children and young people, people experiencing family and gender-based violence, those representing themselves in court and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities”.
The Community Legal Services Program is part of the federal government’s broader $3.9 billion investment in the National Access to Justice Partnership 2025–2030, which supports the delivery of legal assistance services by state and territory governments.
Attorney-General, the Honourable Michelle Rowland MP, said the funding reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that justice is accessible to all Australians.
“The Albanese government recognises the vital role that community legal organisations play in supporting access to justice for all Australians – regardless of circumstance,” A-G said.
“This vital funding will ensure that these organisations can continue to deliver for Australians who need them most – including people experiencing family and gender-based violence and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.”
The funding will also contribute to the “outcomes and priority reforms” of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
Among the grant recipients are several national peak bodies and service providers who will deliver legal assistance services across Australia. These include the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT), First Nations Advocates Against Family Violence Limited, National Association of Community Legal Centres, and Women’s Legal Service Victoria.
A range of national legal assistance services will also continue under the program, including Arts Law Centre of Australia, Australian Pro Bono Centre, Financial Rights Legal Centre, With You Training, amica online dispute resolution tool, and National Children’s and Youth Law Centre.
Funding will also support self-representation legal services for individuals navigating the justice system without legal representation. These include Justice Connect, Justicenet SA Incorporated, LawRight, and Legal Aid Commission of Western Australia.