Legal Aid Western Australia

What Legal Aid Western Australia does

Legal Aid Western Australia is a statutory authority established under the Legal Aid Act 1976 (WA) that delivers free or low-cost legal assistance to Western Australians. It serves individuals who are financially disadvantaged or otherwise eligible under state legal aid guidelines, with priority practice areas spanning criminal law, family law (including family violence), civil law, and specialty programs such as the Strata Title Disputes Resolution Service. The organisation runs dedicated streams for priority communities, including the Legal Yarn service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients, the Domestic Violence Legal Unit, the Family Advocacy and Support Service, the Stronger Women program, and a pathway supporting survivors under the WA Stolen Generations Redress Scheme.

Its service platform is built around a statewide office network covering metropolitan and regional Western Australia plus Christmas Island, supplemented by multiple delivery channels: in-person appointments, telephone intake, virtual consultations, online chat, and self-service web content. Public legal education is delivered through podcasts (R U Legal?, What's the Law?, Law Talk WA Series 5) and printable resources, indicating a content-and-distribution model layered on top of the core casework function. Casework is supported by intake, merit assessment, grants of legal aid, and referral pathways to private practitioners and Community Legal Centres.

Its business model is that of a government-funded legal aid commission rather than a commercial enterprise. Revenue derives from appropriations by the Western Australian Government and the Commonwealth, supplemented by recoveries and statutory contributions. There is no commercial pricing model; eligibility is determined by means and merit tests. The entity operates within a regulated monopoly framework in which its statutory mandate is the binding competitive constraint, and its strategic decisions — such as expanding redress-scheme work, deepening FVRO referral partnerships, or extending LGBTIQA+SB public education — are shaped by policy direction and funding allocations rather than market competition.

Name

Legal Aid Western Australia

Legal name

Legal Aid Western Australia

Website

https://legalaid.wa.gov.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Legal Aid Western Australia is a statutory body, established under the Legal Aid Act 1976 (WA), that provides free or low-cost legal aid in criminal, family, and civil matters to financially eligible Western Australians across a statewide office network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Legal Aid Services

NAICS

Offices of Lawyers (54111), All Other Legal Services (541199), Individual and Family Services (6241), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Defense & Legal Aid Services (BPAIAFAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Victim Services & Witness Assistance (Justice System) (BPAIAFAJ), Domestic Violence & Abuse Support Services (BPAGAEAD), Legal Aid & Client Advocacy Services (BPAGAEAM), Legal Literacy & Public Legal Education (Know Your Rights) (EDAAAFAI)

Keywords

• Legal aid services
• Civil law assistance
• Criminal law representation
• Family law services
• Community legal education

Headquarters

HQ city

Perth

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Primary funding from Australian and Western Australian government sources as a statutory body providing legal aid services
2. Statutory Charges: Small nominal fees for specific services: $20 fee for duty lawyer service in Magistrates Court ($5 for concession card holders), free for people in custody or appearing in Children's Court

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Legal Aid Western Australia is a government statutory authority that provides free and low-cost legal assistance to eligible Western Australians across civil, criminal, and family law matters. Core services include legal advice via Infoline and Infochat, duty lawyer representation at courts, grants of legal aid for ongoing matters, virtual office appointments, and culturally safe services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through Legal Yarn. Supplementary offerings include community legal education (Law Talk WA podcast, What's the Law?, R U Legal?), self-help kits and guides, and specialized programs such as the Domestic Violence Legal Unit, Stronger Women Program, and Family Advocacy and Support Service.

Product overview

Legal Aid Western Australia is a government-funded legal assistance organization providing a comprehensive suite of services to promote access to justice for Western Australians. The organization operates through multiple service channels including telephone (Infoline 1300 650 579 and Legal Yarn 1800 319 803 for First Nations callers), virtual offices (video/phone appointments), and in-person offices across Perth and regional centers. Core legal services include Duty Lawyer Services at courts throughout WA, Family Advocacy and Support Service (FASS), the Stronger Women Program for regional women, and Domestic Violence Legal Unit (DVLU). Educational resources include Law Talk WA podcast (multiple series on legal topics), What's the Law? resource for new migrants, R U Legal? youth education, and Self-Help Kits including the Interim FVRO guide. The organization also provides specialized services in civil, criminal, and family law through grants of aid and duty lawyer representation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Legal Yarn: A culturally safe telephone information service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, staffed by mob for mob, providing help with legal issues including unpaid fines, Family Law, Child Protection, and Criminal Law matters.
• Law Talk WA
• What's the Law? Australian Law for New Arrivals

Products and services

• Infoline Telephone information service providing legal assistance for Western Australians, available 9am-4pm Monday-Friday at 1300 650 579. Provides initial legal information and referrals.
• Legal Yarn Culturally safe telephone information service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, staffed by mob for mob. Provides help with legal issues including unpaid fines, Family Law, Child Protection, and Criminal Law matters. Available Monday-Friday 9am-4pm WST at 1800 319 803.
• Infochat Online chat service for legal assistance, available 9am-4pm Monday-Friday. Provides digital channel for initial legal inquiries.
• Duty Lawyer Service Duty lawyer service available at Magistrates Court, Children's Court, and Family Court of WA in Perth and at courts throughout WA. Provides advice about legal options, court proceedings, document preparation, and negotiation assistance for criminal charges, traffic offences, family matters, protection and care cases, and FVRO applications. $20 fee in Magistrates Court ($5 concession, free for custody/Children's Court).
• Family Advocacy and Support Service (FASS) Legal and social support services for families experiencing family violence, including advice and court representation in family court, protection and care, and FVRO proceedings.
• Stronger Women Program Program helping disadvantaged women in regional WA with protection and care cases and FVRO cases. Duty lawyers attend Broome, Bunbury, Albany, and Kalgoorlie to provide free legal advice and court representation.
• Domestic Violence Legal Unit (DVLU) Legal assistance and social support services for women, children, and men in same-sex relationships about family violence issues. Provides advice, assistance, and duty lawyer services at Perth Magistrates Court.
• Advice Before Court Pre-court legal advice service for people facing criminal charges, helping them prepare for court proceedings.
• Virtual Offices Appointments by video or phone for people who cannot visit offices in person, extending legal aid accessibility across Western Australia.
• Civil Law Services Civil law assistance including advice, administrative review tribunal services, elder rights, federal courts self-represented litigants service, health justice partnerships, mortgage hardship service, NDIS appeals, and work and development permit services.
• Criminal Law Services Criminal law assistance including advice, appeals, bail support service, disability legal WA, DARDY project, duty lawyer services, pre-interview advice for suspects, prison visiting service, and representation under grants of aid.
• Family Law Services Family law assistance including advice, child representatives, duty lawyer services, FASS, family dispute resolution conferences, independent children's lawyers, representation under grants of aid, and signs of safety conferences.

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Department of Communities - Child Protection and Family SupportcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for protection and care cases in the Children's Court. Legal Aid WA provides duty lawyer services at Perth Children's Court to assist people responding to applications for child protection orders made by the Department.
• Fremantle Community Legal CentreminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCLCs offer services for people experiencing family violence. FVRO applicants at Fremantle Magistrates Court can call Fremantle CLC on 9432 9790.
• Redgum Justice (formerly Gosnells Community Legal Centre)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFVRO applicants at Armadale Magistrates Court can access help through Redgum Justice on 9398 1455.
• South West Community Legal CentreminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFVRO applicants at Bunbury Magistrates Court can access help through South West CLC on 9791 3206.
• Sussex Street Community Law ServiceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRespondents with FVRO conferences at Perth Magistrates Court can book an appointment with SSCLS on 6253 9500.
• Encompass Legal and Community Services Inc (formerly Northern Suburbs CLC)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRespondents with FVRO conferences at Joondalup Magistrates Court can access help through Encompass on 9440 1663.
• Family Violence Prevention Legal ServicesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people needing help with FVROs may access Family Violence Prevention Legal Services.
• Circle Green Community LegalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Law Talk WA Series 5 on LGBTIQA+SB Rights. Subject matter expert contributing to podcast episodes on discrimination and rights.
• Clairs Keeley LawyerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Law Talk WA Series 5 on LGBTIQA+SB Rights. Subject matter expert contributing expertise on gender affirmation.
• Curae LawcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Law Talk WA Series 5 on LGBTIQA+SB Rights. Subject matter expert contributing expertise on criminal justice system rights.
• Equal Opportunity Commission WAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Law Talk WA Series 5 on LGBTIQA+SB Rights. Subject matter expert contributing expertise on discrimination law.
• GLBTI Rights in Ageing (GRAI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Law Talk WA Series 5 on LGBTIQA+SB Rights. Subject matter expert contributing expertise on aging rights for LGBTIQA+ people.
• The Kids Research Institute AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Law Talk WA Series 5 on LGBTIQA+SB Rights. Subject matter expert contributing research expertise on youth mental health and discrimination.
• Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages WAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Law Talk WA Series 5 on LGBTIQA+SB Rights. Subject matter expert contributing expertise on gender recognition and registration.
• Adult Gender Diversity Service at Royal Perth HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Law Talk WA Series 5 on LGBTIQA+SB Rights. Subject matter expert contributing medical expertise on gender affirmation.
• Sussex Street Community Law ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Law Talk WA Series 5 on LGBTIQA+SB Rights. Subject matter expert contributing expertise on criminal justice system and SOGIESC humanitarian claims.
• Youth Pride NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Law Talk WA Series 5 on LGBTIQA+SB Rights. Subject matter expert contributing expertise on youth issues and community support.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Legal Aid ACT: ACT-based legal aid service providing civil, criminal, family, and specialty services such as child protection. Direct peer in service mix and statutory model.
• Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia: WA's Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation delivering culturally safe legal services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on civil, criminal, and family matters. Closest culturally aligned peer to Legal Aid WA's Legal Yarn and other First Nations services.
• Victoria Legal Aid: Victoria's independent statutory legal aid agency providing grants of legal assistance, duty lawyer services, community legal education, and phone-based help lines. Closest comparable to Legal Aid WA in scope and mandated role.
• Legal Aid Queensland: Queensland legal aid agency delivering statewide civil, criminal, and family law services through offices, telephone advice lines, and community partnerships. Direct peer in coverage model and statutory mandate.
• Legal Aid NSW: Statutory legal aid commission for New South Wales delivering civil, criminal, and family law services across phone, in-person, and online channels. Direct functional peer to Legal Aid WA in service mix, statutory structure, and government funding model.
• Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania: Tasmanian statutory legal aid provider offering advice, representation, and community legal education across a geographically dispersed population. Peer in mandate and service delivery model.
• Legal Aid SA: South Australian legal aid agency providing civil, criminal, and family law services with statewide delivery. Comparable as a state-level statutory legal aid peer.
• Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission: NT legal aid agency with a strong focus on remote and Aboriginal client services, including services akin to Legal Yarn. Highly relevant peer given the overlap in remote-service delivery and First Nations justice focus.

Emerging players

• Circle Green Community Legal: WA-based community legal centre providing civil law services, with a partnership role in Legal Aid WA's Law Talk WA LGBTIQA+SB series. Adjacent peer in WA's civil legal assistance ecosystem with partial service overlap.

Broad incumbents

• National Legal Aid: Peak national body representing Australia's legal aid commissions, advocating for funding and policy reform. Comparable as the broader federal-coordination layer that includes Legal Aid WA as a member.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/LegalAidWAofficial
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/legal-aid-western-australia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Legal Aid Western Australia