In most cases, both State and Commonwealth, the Commission applies a means test which takes into account an applicant's income and assets. Full details of the Commission's means test and exempt cases are contained in Means Test Guidelines . Merit Test A is applied to most state non- criminal matters and in state criminal appeals. Merit Test B is applied to most Commonwealth matters. The Commission provides general advice to the public on all matters at Commission offices.
Advice is provided free of charge without application of the means test or merit test.
People seeking advice should contact the closest Commission office . In most cases the Commission requires a contribution based on income and assets from a person granted legal aid. Certain cases are exempt. Full details of contributions and exempt cases are contained in the Means Test Guidelines . The Commission's policy is that, at the conclusion of the case or the legal aid grant, where possible, the total costs of the matter should be recovered from the person granted legal aid, depending on the person's financial situation.