- Additional $2 million for community legal sector over two financial years
- Flexible funding to help community legal centres respond to rising costs and service demand
The Cook Labor Government will provide $2 million additional funding to Western Australia’s community legal sector over the next two years.
The additional funding for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 financial years will be distributed across community legal centres throughout the State, providing greater flexibility and certainty for organisations delivering frontline legal assistance services.
Community legal centres may use the funding to respond to local priorities and cost pressures, including workforce costs, service delivery needs and practising certificate fees.
The initiative comes in response to increasing cost pressures faced by the sector.
The funding will be distributed proportionally to individual organisations, giving them the flexibility to use according to their financial needs.
The Department of Justice provides about $32 million annually in funding from the State and Federal Governments to the community legal sector.
There are 25 community legal centres in WA which provide free or low-cost services to people experiencing vulnerability or financial disadvantage in metropolitan and regional areas.
As stated by Attorney General Dr Tony Buti:
“Community legal centres are an essential part of the justice system and play a critical role in helping people access legal information, advice and representation.
“Every day they help people facing family violence, housing insecurity, financial hardship and other complex legal issues.
“This additional funding will help community legal centres manage increasing costs, maintain services and continue supporting vulnerable members of the community.
“The Cook Labor Government remains committed to building a safe and inclusive community as well as a strong and sustainable legal assistance sector that delivers high-quality services to Western Australians.”
