As of 1st May 2025, VALS will increase its means test threshold to $117,194. We will now be able to assist Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people where the primary income earner of their household earns less than $117,194 per annum.
VALS is committed to improving access to justice and high quality culturally safe legal services for our community. Experiences of racism and discrimination are not limited by income brackets, and all Aboriginal people should be able to access culturally capable legal assistance regardless of their income, or where they live.
In May 2024, VALS announced that we would begin a staged increase of our means test threshold. The threshold was due to increase gradually over three years, to eventually reflect the income rate of the top tier for the Medicare levy surcharge in January 2027.
VALS is thrilled to announce that our means test threshold has now far surpassed the top rate of the base tier for the Medicare levy surcharge, which currently is $97,000.
Although the increase to our means test threshold means that we will be able to support more Aboriginal people who are seeking legal assistance, we still need the Government to adequately fund our services so that we can do this.
We need more funding to allow us to truly self-determine how we service our community. VALS must be funded in a way that allows us to provide assistance to every Aboriginal person in Victoria who want our support; regardless of their income.
Quotes Attributable to Nerita Waight, CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service:
“Moving towards abolishing the Means Test entirely is an ongoing goal of VALS, and we hope that one day, income will not need to play any part in determining who VALS, as the only Aboriginal Legal Service in Victoria, can and can’t help.”
“Demand for VALS’ services continues to increase, so we need to make sure we are able to meet the needs of our communities. Sadly, we anticipate that the Allan Labor Government’s tough on crime agenda and other bad policy decisions, combined with the ongoing cost of living crisis, will result in more of our people being criminalised and will require our high quality, culturally safe legal assistance. VALS should be funded and resourced adequately, so that we can continue to help every Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person who wants to use our services.”
“I am proud that VALS will be able to support more of our community members access the legal assistance they need and deserve. We know there is significant unmet legal need in our communities across Victoria. Where VALS isn’t able to support, some will choose to go unrepresented because they are understandably fearful of being discriminated against. This isn’t good enough, VALS is doing our upmost to advocate for additional funding to expand our legal services. Increasing our means test threshold is another step towards ensuring we can support more of our people. We know that experiences of racism and discrimination is not averted by your income bracket.”