Streamlining efforts will see LawAccess NSW join with Legal Aid NSW.

The Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) says the integration of the two organisations offers a unique opportunity to improve access to legal help.

“By streamlining telephone entry points and ensuring our services are complementary and our processes are consistent, we want to ensure that people get access to the right service, quickly,” DCJ said in a statement.

“Together, Legal Aid NSW and LawAccess NSW receive nearly one million calls annually from people seeking help with legal issues.

“However, analysis has shown that these calls reach us through more than 53 phone numbers, and many callers are bounced between services before they reach the help they need.”

The Department says LawAccess NSW will become the gateway for legal assistance for the public in NSW, triaging referrals to Legal Aid NSW, community legal centres, the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) and other partners.

LawAccess NSW staff will gain access to key Legal Aid NSW systems, while staff from both organisations refine triage and workflows.

Feedback received during the initial transition period will inform the future steps of the integration.