Applications & Extensions of Legal Aid

You can start the application by clicking on the New Application option from the menu on the left hand side of the Grants Online screen.

Grants Online offers a number of different application templates depending on the area of law and the type of application you need. 

For detailed instructions on completing an application for legal aid you can access our Grants Online User Guide – Lodging a new Application.

Legal Aid NSW prefers that all applications for legal aid are made either by our in-house practice or by a panel practitioner using Grants Online.

Paper application forms are still available to enable clients to submit applications for aid directly to Legal Aid NSW where the client is unable to see a solicitor before applying for aid.

The Grants Online Terms and Conditions of Use requires practitioners to keep a copy of the application signed by the client on their file.

You should print out a copy of the completed Grants Online application, sign it, get the client to sign it and keep it on your file. This is because the applicant must sign the application unless this isn't possible, e.g the applicant is in custody. In such a case the reason for non-signature must be noted and explained in a file note that must be retained on the client's file.

For further information you can access the Grants Online Terms and Conditions of Use.

You need to seek prior approval from the Grants Division for any additional professional fees or disbursements not covered by the initial grant of aid.

To obtain this approval, you will need to submit an Extension Request via Grants Online.  You can start the Extension Request by clicking on the Extension option from the menu on the left-hand side of the Grants Online screen.

For detailed instructions on completing an Extension Request you can access our Grants Online User Guide – Lodging other types of applications.

You can find a saved application or extension request in Grants Online by clicking on the View and Edit option from the menu on the left-hand side of the Grants Online screen. 

You will be able to search for the saved application or extension request using either the File ID or the client’s name and date of birth.

For detailed instructions on finding a saved application or extension request you can access our Grants Online User Guide – Lodging other types of applications.

You will receive a notification via email, with a link to the details of the determination.  All correspondence to you from the Grants Division including determinations is available in your Inbox in Grants Online.

You can find your Inbox in the menu on the left hand side of the Grants Online screen.

For detailed instructions on managing your Inbox you can access our Grants Online User Guide – Getting Started.