Victoria Legal Aid Handbook for Lawyers

Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) will provide a grant of legal assistance to:

  • appeal a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) decision, or
  • judicially review a decision of a public authority (including on Charter compliance grounds),

if VLA is satisfied that you meet all of the following tests:

  1. Financial eligibility – you must meet the VLA means test. The test is explained here.
  2. Your case – the decision under challenge must relate to VLA’s civil practice areas, including Residential Tenancy, Mental Health and Disability Act, and Equal Opportunity.
  3. How will your case turn out (merit) – there must be a reasonable chance that you will succeed and your case must meet the State reasonableness test. The test is explained here.
  4. The matter is of general or systemic importance.

Costs payable

Please see Fee Schedule 2, Table BB.

Reviewed 21 February 2022

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