If you have a health care card, or can prove financial hardship for paying for a private lawyer, then you are elligible for legal aid.  To get a health care card, you have to be a low income earner, so your income will determine if you are able to get one etc.

I'm not entirely sure how it works through the different states, but when we had need of a lawyer here in Queensland, we had to wait until there was one who had the time to spend helping us (and I have to say, he was fantastic!!!!).  If you go through legal aid, you have no choice who takes your case on.  Because it is a funded system, (government) then you have to take what you are given and hope for the best (beggars can't be choosers type thing.).

I must point out that if this is a custody matter, it will go through the family court system first, and you will go through court appointed mediation as part of the process.  I believe they will assign a lawyer to you through this program.

Hay there, I used legal aid about 9 years ago it may have changed now I paid $300 for a Lawyer, at that time if you had a health care card you could use legal aid they were very helpful, it may differ from state to state im in Vic.

not sure if I have helped at all? Chin up!!

Anita xx

My sister went to legal aid and what happens is that they find a law firm that is on their books that is available... My sister was assigned the lawyer that was in the name of the firm hope this helps you...