Policy Bulletin 2021/4 Fees: Increased fees for private lawyers in State matters

1 Jul 2021

The Legal Aid NSW Board approved an increase in fees paid to private lawyers doing legal aid work. The increase to fees applies to all State matters from 1 July 2021.

Background

In November 2019 Attorney General Mark Speakman announced that the NSW Government would provide an additional $88 million to Legal Aid NSW over four years. This injection of funding goes towards increasing the amount private lawyers are paid to conduct legal aid work.

The fees paid to private lawyers in State matters will increase from 1 July 2021. There will be further fee increases on 1 July each year for the next two years.

  • What has changed?

    The base hourly rate for solicitors has increased from $160 to $170. Other fees such as counsel fees have increased by 6.25%.
Where do I find the change?

The increased fee scales for State matters are published on the Fees Scales. 

Commencement date

Invoices in Grants Online will automatically apply the increased fees for work done from 1 July 2021.

Contact for further information

Email Mary Whitehead