Legal Aid Means Test Calculator
Calculate the NSW legal aid income threshold and assessable-assets boundary.
Calculate the NSW Financial Components
Select the Supported Means Test
This calculator models the standard Legal Aid NSW income and asset components. A Victoria Legal Aid means test uses different rules and is outside this calculator.
Use the NSW income policy to identify assessable receipts and deductions. The maximum-rate Centrelink route applies only when the applicant and every included financially associated person meet its qualifying-payment conditions.
The financially associated person policy determines whose means enter the calculation. A partner with a contrary interest or inaccessible resources can require different treatment.
Legal Aid NSW makes the funding decision. Means are separate from the merits of the case and the types of matters it funds.
Enter Income, Assets and Household Facts
Enter weekly gross assessable income and actual income tax paid. Housing is capped at $615 in the Greater Metropolitan Region or $400 elsewhere. Household allowances are $225 per included financially associated person and $135 per eligible dependant.
Enter asset values after applying the NSW asset exclusions. Reasonable household effects and tools of trade, qualifying vehicles and specified payments have their own treatment. A disputed family-law pool or farm needs its specific exclusion assessed before entering the remaining amount.
Keep the principal home separate. Enter equity after its secured mortgage. Do not deduct ordinary unsecured debts from cash or investments. The calculator subtracts the home exclusion and one general allowance of $5,020, or $6,530 with dependants or an included financially associated person.
In the synthetic example, weekly income is $1,200. Tax of $200, housing of $450 and one dependant allowance of $135 total $785. Net assessable income is $415.
The example’s $400,000 home equity falls within the home exclusion. Other included assets of $6,630 less the $6,530 household allowance leave $100.
Read the Indicative Result
Income of $450 or less meets the standard income component. Above that amount, the policy requires exceptional circumstances. A qualifying maximum-rate benefit selection changes that component’s result while leaving the displayed arithmetic visible.
Assets of $100 or less fall within the no-assets-contribution boundary. More assets require an initial contribution assessment. The contribution and the matter’s allowable amount can determine the final means result.
For standard verification of means, gather a recent payslip or employer letter, Centrelink evidence where relevant and three months of statements for all accounts. Self-employment requires the latest tax return and business financial statements. Property valuations and mortgage records can also be required.
Inputs requiring confirmation
- Whose income and assets the household rules include.
- Evidence for deductions, dependant status and the housing region.
- Asset exclusions and qualifying maximum-rate benefit conditions.
Retain evidence of claimed deductions and exclusions with the worksheet. Special verification rules apply to some applicants. A lawyer can use the supporting records to prepare the application.
For institutional instructions beyond an individual funding application, see how a legal services panel engages specialist providers.