Table S sets out the fixed fees payable by Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) for expert reports and court attendances by psychologists and psychiatrists in criminal and migration matters under Guideline 3.2 - assistance with migration cases.
These fees for criminal matters are effective from 1 January this year. For fees payable prior to this see Archived versions of the Handbook.
Disbursements for criminal matters
| Service provided | Fee payable for psychologist | Fee payable for psychiatrist |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment and report with jail conference | $812 | $914 |
| Assessment and report without jail conference | $712 | $812 |
| Treating expert report | $454 | $551 |
| Supplementary report | $397 | $500 |
Evidentiary report to establish:
Before the assisted person incurs the fee, there must be explicit factual material which confirms a reasonable expectation of an organic psychiatric condition. | $1074 | $1074 |
| Attendance at metropolitan court – half day, including travel | $500 | $610 |
| Attendance at regional court – half day, including travel | $712 | $812 |
| Non-attendance fee | $79 | $109 |
Disbursements for Guideline 3.2 – assistance with migration matters
| Services Provided | Fees Paid |
|---|---|
| Psychologist Assessment and Report | $812
|
| Supplementary Report | $397 |
| Psychiatrist Assessment and Report | $914 |
| Supplementary Report | $500 |
| Attending court or tribunal, including travel: half day | $610 |
| Attending court or tribunal, including travel: full day | $932 |
Practitioners can claim these fees using ATLAS or submitting a tax invoice.
Documentary requirements
Where a practitioner is required to seek prior approval for a disbursement, they must provide VLA with a copy of the quote for service, the qualifications of the expert providing the service, and the reasons for the request including an explanation of how the service would benefit the assisted person and the detriment to the assisted person if the service is not provided.
Where a disbursement is approved under this fee table, in order to claim the fee payable, a practitioner must retain on their file:
- a copy of the report, and
- a tax invoice from the report writer and evidence of payment by the practitioner.
Read the table of minimum evidence requirements.
Updated