Legal Aid NSW fee increase for Commonwealth family and civil law matters

07/04/2025

The Legal Aid NSW Board has approved an increase in fees for Commonwealth family and civil law matters. The increase will apply to work done from 7 April 2025.

Counsel fees in Commonwealth civil law matters are based on an hourly rate. This will increase to :

• $195 per hour for preparation/non-advocacy work for Junior Counsel

• $293 per hour for advocacy work for Junior Counsel, and

• $488 per hour for all work for Senior Counsel.

Counsel fees in Commonwealth family law matters will increase by 18.2 percent.

The increase ensures legal aid fees are consistent across State and Commonwealth matters. For more information, see Policy Bulletin 2025/2: Increase to Commonwealth fee scales.