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.

We help Victorians with their legal problems and represent those who need it most. Find legal answers, chat with us online, or call us. You can speak to us in English or ask for an interpreter. You can also find more legal information at www.legalaid.vic.gov.au

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What is a contribution?

A contribution is when you have to pay all or part of your grant of legal assistance back to Victoria Legal Aid.

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A contribution is money you need to pay to Victoria Legal Aid towards the cost of the lawyer helping you with your legal problem.

Legal assistance is not always free. Depending on your financial situation, you may be required to pay part or the full cost of your grant of legal assistance.

Any requirement to pay a contribution will be a condition of your grant. If you do not pay the contribution on time, we may cancel or change your grant of legal assistance.

We may reconsider a contribution

Any requirement to pay a contribution will be a condition of a grant of legal assistance. You may want to get independent legal advice to help you decide whether you agree to this condition.

If you do not agree with a condition to pay a contribution, you can ask us to reconsider it. To do this, you or your lawyer must call or write to us by the date specified in our letter informing you about your grant of legal assistance.

Making payments

You can pay your contribution:

  • electronically (internet transfer or BPAY)
  • by cheque or money order in person at any Victoria Legal Aid Office
  • by cheque or money order in the mail.

You must include your client number with all payments so we know when you have made a payment to us. Call our Grants and Quality Assurance team on (03) 9269 0600 if you don’t know your client number.

You will be asked to pay by monthly instalments, as an upfront lump sum or both. You will not have to pay more than the total amount we have spent on your legal problem. You will get back anything you have overpaid at the end of your legal problem.

Tell us if your financial situation changes

You must tell us if there are any changes to your financial situation. This is a standard term for all grants of legal assistance. If you do not tell us of changes to your financial situation, we may cancel or change the terms of your legal assistance.

If your financial situation changes, we will look at whether your:

  • contribution should be changed or removed
  • grant of legal assistance should be changed or cancelled.

How we can help

If we can't help, we can refer you to other organisations that can.

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