How to apply

Legal Aid WA is pleased to announce that our new Panel and List Application Portal is now live.

Applications can now be lodged at any time. You do not need to reapply for any panels or lists that you are already a member of.

Applications from current panel or list members will be assessed as soon as possible.

New panel members require clearances from the Legal Practice Board of WA. These will be processed as soon as possible. You should expect to have an outcome from Legal Aid WA in approximately 4 weeks.

Applications for the Crime - Murder Panel, Crime - Appeals Panel and the Independent Children’s Lawyer and Child Representative List are considered by a selection committee. Decisions on these applications may also take approximately 4-6 weeks.

To apply, please follow the Panel and List Application Portal User Guide.

For assistance with the Panel and List Application Portal, please email panelapplications@legalaid.wa.gov.au.

Please note that applications for the Dispute Resolution Chairperson (Children’s matters) List and the Dispute Resolution Chairperson (Property Settlement) List are not currently accepted via the Panel and List Application Portal. To submit an application for one of these lists, please email panelapplications@legalaid.wa.gov.au.

Preparing your application

There are a number of documents that will need to be included when you submit your application. Your supporting documents and attachments can be uploaded to your profile in advance of applications opening.

If you are interested in applying to join our practitioner panels and lists, we recommend you read the following useful documents:

Panel and list applications FAQs
Criminal panel applications FAQs (if applying for any of the criminal panels)
Panel applications - Information for new applicants

Demonstrated ability

The following must be included with your application:

material and examples that show you meet the minimum eligibility criteria for membership
other material you wish Legal Aid WA to take into account with your application.

Required training

If you are required to complete training through Legal Aid WA to be eligible for membership of a panel or list, you must have completed it before the application period closes.

Additional documents for legal practitioners

If you are applying as a legal practitioner, you must also provide:

a copy of your current practising certificate from the Legal Practice Board of WA
signed copies of these forms
- Legal Aid WA Professional Services Agreement
- Panel Supervision Agreement (if applicable)

Please note that applicants are no longer required to provide a signed LPBWA Consent Form because the Legal Practice Board of WA can disclose information to Legal Aid WA in accordance with section 247(c) of the Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Act 2022 and regulation 71(d) of the Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Regulations 2022.

If you are currently a member of any of our panels or lists, you do not need to resubmit the Professional Services Agreement when you apply to join another panel or list.

Processing your application

Applications for membership are processed by Legal Aid WA’s Professional Standards and Integrity unit. Applications will only be processed if they are complete and include all the necessary supporting documents and forms.

Applications for the Crime - Murder Panel and Crime - Appeals Panel are reviewed by a selection committee comprised of Legal Aid WA staff and one person independent of Legal Aid WA.

All other applications are initially reviewed by a member of our Professional Standards and Integrity unit, who can refer applications to a selection committee.

If successful, you will be issued with a Membership Notice that shows all the panels and lists you are then a member of. You will be issued with a new Membership Notice if your membership changes. If your application for membership is refused, you will be notified in writing.

Get help

If you have questions about applying for membership of our panels and lists, please email panel@legalaid.wa.gov.au or call our Professional Standards and Integrity Unit on (08) 9261 6829.

Applications for membership can only be made online and will not be accepted by email.

Useful documents

Reviewed: 22 April 2024