Govt. Boosts Funding to Help Australians Get Access to Legal Assistance

The Government boosts funding to help Australians get access to legal assistance after COVID-19 has caused hundreds of thousands of people to lose their jobs. 

The Government has announced they will provide an additional $63.3 million into front-line legal services. The aim is to support Australians impacted by COVID-19.

Of the $63.3 million in extra funding, $20 million will be used to assist those dealing with domestic violence matters. Another $29.8 million will help fund other COVID-19 issues. Tenancy disputes, insurance, credit and debt related problems, and work related claims.

The remaining $13.5 million will enable service providers to rapidly improve their IT capabilities. There has been a shift to virtual service delivery due to COVID-19 restrictions thus improvements are required.

Organisations who will receive funding to help Australians get access to Legal assistance

Recipients of the funding will include Legal Aid Commissions (LACs), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (ATSILS), Community Legal Centres (CLCs) and Family Violence Prevention Legal Services (FVPLS).

This additional funding will be used to help ensure these organisations have the resources they need to meet any increase in demand caused by the pandemic. This includes purchasing software packages and upgrading internet connectivity with remote access which enable video conference and remote Court attendance.

We understand the vital importance of community legal services in our local community and Watts McCray is proud to support the Redfern Legal Centre, Central Coast Community Legal Centre,  Women’s Legal Centre ACT ,  ACT Law Society, and the Toongabbie Legal Centre (TLC). A number of our solicitors provide pro-bono family law advice in relation to divorce, children, property and child support matters.

Community Legal Centres

Community Legal Centres, including all those mentioned above, provide free legal assistance for people who are unable to afford a lawyer. If you are in this position and need legal assistance, head to the Community Legal Centre’s NSW website to find your local centre: https://www.clcnsw.org.au/

If you would like to see other work that we do within the community, visit our Watts McCray in the Community page.

Contact us

If you require assistance with any area of Family Law including parenting, property, divorce or child support matters please contact Watts McCray Lawyers.

Statements made by Attorney-General Christian Porter regarding the funding to help Australians get access to legal assistance:

“The Government knows how tough many Australian families are doing it right now, and this additional funding will ensure frontline legal service providers have the resources they need to meet any increased demand caused by the pandemic,”

“It is essential that these services can continue to deliver support to Australians during the COVID-19 pandemic, and this money will help to meet the costs of purchasing equipment such as new laptops, upgrading internet connectivity and remote access facilities”