Cost guide · Australia

Criminal lawyer fees in Australia

If you've been charged with an offence, free help is often available at court before you pay anyone. Here's what's free, when legal aid applies, and how private criminal lawyers charge.

Updated October 2026

Know this first

Duty lawyers at local and magistrates courts can give free advice, and sometimes represent you on the day.

Free help to know about first

  • Legal aid commissions run duty lawyer services at local and magistrates courts, which can give free advice and sometimes represent you on the day.
  • Legal aid for criminal matters is available if you meet the means and merits tests in your state or territory.
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander legal services give free help in criminal matters in every state and territory.

How private fees usually work

A guilty plea and sentencing is often charged as a fixed fee. A defended hearing or trial costs much more and is often charged in stages or by the hour. Ask for an estimate for each stage before you commit.

Your right to know the costs, state by state

Every Australian state and territory requires lawyers to tell clients about their costs, including an estimate, and gives clients a way to dispute a bill. The rules and the body that handles complaints depend on where your lawyer practises:

  • New South Wales: Legal Profession Uniform Law. Complaints: Office of the Legal Services Commissioner. Legal aid: Legal Aid NSW.
  • Victoria: Legal Profession Uniform Law. Complaints: Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner. Legal aid: Victoria Legal Aid.
  • Western Australia: Legal Profession Uniform Law (since 1 July 2022). Complaints: Legal Practice Board of Western Australia. Legal aid: Legal Aid WA.
  • Queensland: Legal Profession Act 2007 (Qld). Complaints: Legal Services Commission. Legal aid: Legal Aid Queensland.
  • South Australia: Legal Practitioners Act 1981 (SA). Complaints: Legal Profession Conduct Commissioner. Legal aid: Legal Services Commission of South Australia.
  • Tasmania: Legal Profession Act 2007 (Tas). Complaints: Legal Profession Board of Tasmania. Legal aid: Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania.
  • Australian Capital Territory: Legal Profession Act 2006 (ACT). Complaints: ACT Law Society. Legal aid: Legal Aid ACT.
  • Northern Territory: Legal Profession Act 2006 (NT). Complaints: Law Society Northern Territory. Legal aid: Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission.

Questions to ask first

  • Is this a fixed fee or hourly? If hourly, what is the rate and roughly how many hours do you expect?
  • What is included, and what would cost extra?
  • Which costs are disbursements or official fees, and roughly how much are they?
  • How often will I be billed, and can I get an update on costs as we go?

Free and low-cost help anywhere in Australia

  • Each state and territory has a legal aid commission, listed above, which gives free legal information and advice, and legal aid if you're eligible.
  • Community legal centres give free legal help across Australia.

A considered introduction to the right lawyer

Describe your situation and we'll tell you straight away if a lawyer can help. Free for clients.

Describe your situation

More cost guides

Property and conveyancing · Wills and estates · Family · Employment · Immigration · All cost guides

Sources

Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner: costs disclosure · Legal Services Commission (Qld): costs disclosure and costs agreements · Law Handbook (SA): costs disclosure · Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Act 2022 (WA) · NSW OLSC: legal regulators in each state and territory · Attorney-General's Department: legal assistance services

General information only, not legal advice. Fees and rules change, so check the official sources and ask your lawyer for a written estimate. Lawmateanz is a directory, not a law firm.