We entered an exciting phase of renewal and external engagement this year. A great deal of work has been done to ensure VLF is positioned to connect more dots and deliver more effective access to justice.
This year:
- We completed the third and final major Public Understanding of Law Survey (PULS) report, now informing national legal assistance reform.
- Our Measure for Measure project analysed initiatives across the state to identify what works in legal service delivery
- We increased our research publication downloads by more than 60% and achieved over 4,000 downloads of our learning resources.
- Our Classroom Law Talks connected more than 1,200 students with legal professionals to learn about the law from experience.
- Victorian Law Week supported 112 organisations to deliver 138 community-focused events to help identify where law meets life.
- Regional Victoria hosted 50% of Victorian Law Week in-person events including 14 in the Wimmera.
- We launched a new Major Grants round, awarding $550,000 across six projects focusing on data, research, and legal education, as well as 15 Everyday Legal Grants.
Our partnerships continued to drive practical, data-driven change. From community events with Mortgage Stress Victoria to tailored PULS analysis for Victoria Legal Aid, we helped deliver targeted legal information. Grants supported Tenants Victoria’s renter research and Justice Connect’s evaluation of 100+ self-help tools.
Internally, VLF undertook a major organisational review, resulting in the creation of a new Strategy and Engagement function and expanded staffing. This positions us to better connect insights across research, education and grants and further integrate our functions - all the better to collaborate, innovate and support sector-wide change.
We invite you to explore the full report to see how VLF is helping to shape a more accessible justice system.
We extend our sincere thanks to our funders, partners, and stakeholders across government, legal, and community sectors.
Pictured: Vincent Shin, Program Manager, Children and Young People’s Rights Program, Westjustice at our 2025 Legal Laneway Breakfast