Commonwealth legal services expenditure
Important: new Legal Services Directions have commenced
The Legal Services Directions 2025 commenced on 2 March 2026. View the new Legal Services Directions and the accompanying Explanatory Statement on the Federal Register of Legislation.
Australian Government agencies require legal services for a range of different reasons.
Most Commonwealth agencies must report to the Office of Legal Services Coordination (OLSC) about their legal services expenditure within 60 days after the end of the financial year.
Agencies must submit expenditure reports using the template that OLSC provides to all agencies at the start of each financial year. If you have not received this template, contact OLSC at LSER@ag.gov.au or 02 6141 3642.
This information is compiled into annual reports on Commonwealth legal services expenditure.
Commonwealth legal services expenditure reports
The following reports provide an overview of legal services expenditure across the Commonwealth, and identify and report on trends, patterns and changes in Commonwealth legal services expenditure.
Contact details
Attorney-General's Department
3–5 National Circuit BARTON ACT 2600
Phone: 02 6141 3642
Outside Australia: +61 2 6141 3642
Email: olsc@ag.gov.au.