How We Are Funded

The Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania is funded by both Federal and State Governments. Our funding sources for the 2003-2004 financial year are: 55% Commonwealth and 45% State. For further information on our funding see National Legal Aid - Finance.

Our Commonwealth and State law programs determine the amount of money we receive. Our funding is used for representation, advice, duty solicitor and assignment functions, community education, and the general costs of running our organisation.

Priorities

Our priorities in relation to Commonwealth matters are:

Family Law - matters arising under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989 (Cth) and the Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988 (Cth);
Urgent Family Law matters involving the protection of spouses and children;
Primary Dispute Resolution - as an alternative to family law litigation;
Family Law agreements and consent orders;
Criminal charges under Commonwealth legislation;
Some Commonwealth civil matters, including veterans and AAT cases.
Telephone advice services and community education - particularly for family matters.

Our priorities in relation to State matters are:

Families - children, family violence, rights of de facto couples;
Criminal Law - charges under Tasmanian legislation, particularly where imprisonment or loss of employment is a likely consequence;
Telephone advice services - matters arising under Tasmanian legislation or common law;
Community legal education for the Tasmanian community;
Provision of legal and quasi-legal services in regional Tasmania.

Page Last Revised : Tuesday, May 11, 2004