How to apply

Applications for membership of the practitioner panels and lists are accepted by Legal Aid WA in January and July each year.

Applications for panels and lists are now CLOSED and will reopen in January 2022.

You must meet the minimum criteria (including completion of any mandatory training modules) at the time and date the application period closes.

Applications must be submitted online. Late or incomplete applications cannot be accepted.

Applications for the Dispute Resolution Chairperson (Property Matters) or Independent Children’s Lawyer/Separate Representation Lists will not be open during the next intake. You can still register for an email alert to be told when applications for these lists open in the future.

The information and guides on this page will help you prepare and submit your membership application.

Follow this link when you are ready to apply: Register and apply online for practitioner panels and lists

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:

Guide - how to register for email alerts
Panel and list applications FAQs
Criminal panel applications FAQs (if applying for any of the criminal panels)
Guide - how to submit your application online
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 complete it in the 6 months before you submit your application.

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
signed copies of these forms:
- Legal Aid WA Professional Services Agreement
- LPBWA Consent Form
- LPCC Consent Form
- Panel Supervision Agreement (if applicable)

If you are currently a member of any of our panels or lists, you do not need to resubmit the Professional Services Agreement, LPBWA Consent Form or LPCC Consent Form 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 Compliance 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, Crime - Appeals Panel and the ICL/Child Representative List 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 Compliance 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 Compliance Unit on (08) 9261 6543.

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

Useful documents

Reviewed: 10 June 2021

Be the first to know

Sign up to receive an email every time panel applications open. You can use the same link to unsubscribe from email alerts.