Project funding to assist the legal assistance sector

Under the National Legal Assistance Partnership 2020-25 (the NLAP), all state, territory and Commonwealth governments are undertaking collaborative service planning with the legal assistance (the sector) to coordinate and maximise reach of services and to ensure that services are directed where they are most needed.

The Queensland Government sets aside funding for projects that will improve frontline services for vulnerable and disadvantaged Queenslanders by enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of all or part of the service system.

As a critical step towards fulfilling the state’s collaborative service planning obligations under the NLAP, $150,000 of project funding has been set aside in 2020-21 to be allocated through a discrete grants process.

The purpose of the grant is to provide each of the regional legal assistance forums (RLAFs) and specialist legal assistance forums (LAFs) with the opportunity to:

• develop collaborative partnerships to deliver holistic services which address a range of legal and other social needs; and
• undertake sector and regional building activities which better coordinate existing services to maximise efficiency and effectiveness and minimise system and service gaps.

Eligibility

To apply for grant funding, you must be one of Queensland’s RLAFs or specialist LAFs. If you are unsure about your eligibility, please contact LASF at LASF@justice.qld.gov.au.

Grant amount

The funding available for this process would potentially provide individual grants of up to $10,000 (GST exclusive) for all RLAFs and specialist LAFs to undertake sector and regional building activities.

Timeframes

The grants process will consist of two application periods. LAFs are provided with the opportunity to apply in the May or November application period.

For the May application period, applications must be submitted to LASF@justice.qld.gov.au by 5.00pm AEST on 28 May 2021.

Details about the November application period will be released later in the year.

Download the application form and grant application guidelines below: