Media

Monday, 25 May 2026

ACT Government responds to sector advocacy with funding certainty for legal assistance services

The ACT Law Society has welcomed the ACT Government’s decision to provide ongoing funding to community legal assistance services in the 2026/27 ACT Budget.

The funding announced by the ACT Government responds to sustained advocacy from the sector and will help ensure Canberrans can continue to access essential legal support. This is particularly critical at a time when the recent Federal Budget failed to address the chronic underfunding of legal and justice services, as highlighted by the Law Council of Australia.

The ACT Law Society has consistency advocated for targeted, sustainable investment within the ACT's fiscal constraints. Our Budget submission and recent member campaign focused on maintaining the core capacity of the justice system. This included calls for ongoing baseline funding for Women's Legal Centre ACT, Canberra Community Law, Care Consumer Law, and the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited, as well as support for Legal Aid ACT. 

"Providing ongoing baseline funding gives these services the certainty they need to operate effectively" said ACT Law Society President Mr Vik Sundar. 

"Short-term funding creates instability. It makes it harder to retain staff and meet the growing demand for legal help in the community." 

The ACT Law Society said the ACT Government's recognition of these pressures, including funding to boost Legal Aid ACT's capacity and a review of its funding and operations, was an important step. 

"Legal assistance services are under increasing pressure, particularly with more complex cases and higher demand," Mr Sundar said.  

"This funding will help stabilise the system and support the people who rely on these services every day." 

The Law Society acknowledged the ACT Government's engagement with the sector throughout the Budget process. 

"We thank the ACT Government for engaging with our advocacy and recognising the importance of sustainable funding," Mr Sundar said. 

For more information, please contact ACT Law Society via communications@actlawsociety.asn.au or 0476 942 400