National Legal Assistance Partnership 2020-25
The National Legal Assistance Partnership 2020-25 (NLAP) is a national partnership agreement between the Australian Government and all states and territories for Australian Government funded legal assistance.
It includes funding for services delivered by:
- Legal Aid Commissions (LACs)
- Community Legal Centres (CLCs)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (ATSILS)
In November 2024, the Commonwealth, state and territory Attorneys-General agreed to the terms of the new National Access to Justice Partnership 2025-30 (NAJP), which commences on 1 July 2025 following the expiry of the NLAP. The NAJP will provide a critical $3.9 billion investment over 5 years to support frontline legal assistance services.
About the NLAP
The NLAP contributes to integrated, efficient, effective and appropriate legal assistance services that are focused on improving outcomes and keeping the justice system within reach for vulnerable people facing disadvantage, within available resources.
The NLAP was developed in accordance with the principles of the National Strategic Framework for Legal Assistance, which is the overarching policy framework for all Australian Government and state and territory legal assistance funding. The framework encourages government and the legal assistance sector to take a unified and coordinated approach to keep the justice system within reach in Australia and help focus finite resources towards areas of greatest legal need.
The Independent Review of the NLAP
In accordance with clause 81 of the NLAP, an independent review of the NLAP was undertaken to assess to what extent the NLAP has achieved its objectives, outcomes and outputs.
Dr Warren Mundy was appointed in June 2023 to undertake the review. The terms of reference for the independent review of the NLAP were developed in consultation with the states and territories and representatives of the legal assistance sector, and were agreed to by all Attorneys-General.
The review draws on evidence from a range of sources, including consultation with stakeholders across jurisdictions. Further information about the consultation process, including submissions received are available on the Attorney-General's Department Consultation hub.
The review informed the development of the NAJP.