Legal Aid Commissions (LACs) are independent statutory bodies that deliver Legal Aid services. LACs are the main providers of legal assistance services in Australia and are responsible for nearly all the legal assistance representation services at courts and tribunals.

This report estimates the economic benefit delivered by Legal Aid services that are funded by the Australian Government - those that relate to Commonwealth law.

Benefits delivered by Commonwealth-funded matters for Legal Aid services have been categorised as:

• Efficiency of the justice system: the improved operational capacity of the courts
• Value to individuals: the benefits derived by individuals who achieve improved legal outcomes
• Wider government and societal outcomes: the benefits derived by government and society when an individual achieves an improved legal outcome.

The report finds that for every $1 invested in legal aid services by the Commonwealth government an equivalent benefit of $2.25 was delivered. More than half these savings ($378 million) were in supporting women and children escaping domestic and family violence.