Annual Report 2008-09 now available Legal Aid Queensland's annual report for the 2008-09 financial year is now available to view or download from the
Publications area.
New child support factsheets
Two new factsheets about child support are now available:
They explain the child support system, how support payments are worked out, the tax implications and the options for arranging care.
Hard copies may be ordered directly from the Queensland Government Bookshop website. You can also view or download them from the Publications area of our website.
Child protection policy - changes to guidelines from 1 September 2009
The Legal Aid Queensland Board has approved the introduction of a new funding model in child protection which more appropriately reflects the necessary legal work to be undertaken in a child protection matter.
In the new funding model aid will only be approved once child protection proceedings have commenced either by way of a temporary assessment order, court assessment order or application for a child protection order. All financially eligible applicants will receive an initial grant of aid to enable their solicitor to read the material, obtain instructions and provide advice in relation to their prospects of success. Any further grants of aid will be subject to an eligibility test.
For more details about our new child protection policy, please refer to the Grants Handbook.
Means test changes effective from 1 July 2009 From 1 July 2009, the amount of equity you can have in your home and still be eligible for legal aid has changed. The equity limit you can have in the house you live in and still be eligible is now $146,000 or less. If you are 60 years or over, you can have equity in your home up to $292,000 and still be eligible for aid if you meet certain conditions. Please refer to our factsheet
Can I get legal aid? for more information.