QLD government allocates nearly $1b to legal assistance services over five years

A “critical” funding boost to meet the increasing demand for legal services across the state has been announced. See the FULL LIST of towns and organisations set to benefit.

Celeste Müller

2 min read

February 13, 2025 - 2:28PM

Legal aid providers help vulnerable and disadvantage people, including victims of domestic violence, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and those living in rural communities.

South Burnett

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Legal assistance services in Queensland have received a “critical” financial boost, with close to $1 billion allocated to the sector over the next five years.

It comes after the State Government announced an increase of $666 million in funding this week on top of the $142 million pledged last year, bringing the total to approximately $1 billion.

Reports by the ABC early last year said more than 200,000 people across the country were turned away from community legal centres in 2023.

These agencies provide assistance to vulnerable and disadvantaged people, including victims of domestic violence, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and those living in rural communities.

According to Attorney-General and Nanango MP Deb Frecklington, the funding will be distributed across 30 organisation that provide frontline and community based legal services to vulnerable persons facing legal challenges.

This includes the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service, which has an office in Murgon, and the Aboriginal Family Legal Services Queensland which provides services across the South Burnett region.

While many of the organisations included in the scheme do not have physical offices in the community, South Burnett residents have access to most of the services via phone and online, the statement from Ms Frecklington explained.

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Queensland Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said demand for legal services has increased. Picture: Supplied

“Demand for legal assistance continues to increase and I’m proud that the Crisafulli Government has fought hard to secure the funding that was at risk under Labor,” she said.

“Our investment helps to ensure these vital services can continue to help people experiencing domestic and family violence, tenancy issues, employment disputes, and other important legal matters.”

Director of Community Legal Centres Queensland Rosslyn Monro AM said the increase in funding was the biggest investment in community legal services the state had seen in decades and it was vital for the sector.

“This investment provides these community legal centres with funding security for the next five years and the funding uplift means centres are facing a more sustainable future,” she said in the same statement.

The services that will be funded under the Legal Assistance Services Program includes:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service

Aboriginal Family Legal Services Queensland

Aged and Disability Advocacy Australia Ltd

Basic Rights Queensland Inc

Bayside Community Legal Service Inc

Cairns Community Legal Centre Inc

Caxton Legal Centre Inc

Central Queensland Community Legal Centre Inc

Community Legal Centres Queensland

First Nations Women’s Legal Service Qld Inc

Gold Coast Community Legal Centre and Advice Bureau Inc