The budget introduced in 2023 for the new financial year has some implication in the legal space. This includes increasing the age cut-off for parenting payments. In this blog we go over some of the highlights of the 2023 Australian budget for the legal profession as outlined by the Law Society Journal.
The 2023 Federal Budget in Australia has highlighted several key initiatives that will impact the legal profession in the country. The budget includes a $1.7 billion investment in the justice system, with funding allocated for legal aid services, family law reforms, and mental health and wellbeing programs for legal practitioners.
The budget also includes funding for a national legal-tech platform to streamline legal processes and reduce costs for clients. Additionally, the budget includes measures to address sexual harassment and assault in the legal profession and to improve diversity and inclusion in the industry.
Moreover, the 2023 Federal Budget introduces various measures in the field of cyber security, including:
- Allocation of $2 billion for government digital solutions.
- Provision of $86.5 million for an anti-scam centre to support ASIC’s efforts against investment scams and the establishment of an SMS sender ID registry.
- Allocation of $44.3 million to enhance the capabilities of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) in terms of regulatory and analytic capacity, as well as support for the new Privacy Commissioner.
The Budget includes an additional funding of $68.6 million over two years to support Family Violence Prevention Legal Services Providers in offering legal and non-legal services to First Nations victim-survivors of abuse.
This funding is part of a comprehensive allocation of $589.3 billion aimed at women’s safety under the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032. Furthermore, an allocation of $159 million will be directed towards extending the Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Responses National Partnership Agreement.
Additionally, within the Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Action Plan, there is a dedicated funding of $194 million. This includes $23.2 million for the implementation of place-based, trauma-aware, and culturally responsive healing programs, $17.6 million for family safety initiatives, and $11.8 million for the development of a standalone First Nations National Plan for Family Safety.
Furthermore, starting from July 1, 2026, the government will introduce a requirement for superannuation to be paid on payday.
This reform aims to enhance the retirement incomes of numerous Australians. Consequently, employers will be obligated to pay their employees’ superannuation at the same time as their regular salary and wages.
The government emphasises that this change will be particularly advantageous for individuals engaged in lower-paid, casual, and insecure employment, with a significant proportion being women.
Overall, the 2023 Federal Budget represents a significant investment in the legal profession and aims to improve access to justice, reduce costs for clients, and promote a more inclusive and equitable legal system in Australia.
Author bio
John Bui is the Principal Solicitor of JB Solicitors – a law firm based in Sydney, Australia. John is a Nationally Accredited family law Mediator and Arbitrator with over 10 years’ experience in family law and commercial litigation.