Activity details
$13.4 million for all legal aid commissions to continue a lawyer-assisted family law property mediation service which provides legal advice and mediation to help separated couples reach agreement about disputes involving small property pools from July 2023.
This activity is part of a broader activity investing $46.5 million in continuing and expanding two family law pilot programs to help vulnerable women achieve quick, safe, fair and affordable property settlements after separation.
Implementation progress update
Implementation of this program through the baseline funding as part of the National Legal Assistance Partnership 2020-25 means that Legal Aid Commissions (LACs) are delivering the program as part of business-as-usual activities, reducing their administrative and reporting burdens. From 1 July 2025, the National Access to Justice Partnership 2025-30 will provide ongoing funding, which has been consolidated into the quarantined funding stream for LACs.
In 2022, a positive evaluation of a trial of this program was completed by the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) finding a 4.69-fold social return on investment. AIFS found the value of the pilot included savings to parties in legal fees and improvements in their property division outcomes, outcomes which parties may not have been able to achieve without access to the program.
More information
- Learn about the National Plan to End Violence against women and children 2022-2032.
- Read the First Action Plan 2023-2027.
- Browse the First Action Plan 2023-2027 Activities Addendum update.