GO356: ASIO Scheme

The Attorney-General's Department administers the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation scheme which provides legal financial assistance for a person summoned by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) to appear before a prescribed authority for questioning.

Applications can be made to the department for grants to cover legal representation costs and related expenses.

Applications must be made in accordance with the terms of any authorisation that permits disclosure of information for the purpose of making an application for financial assistance.

A person may get a grant only if they meet the qualification specified in section 34ZX of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979 and the person is not getting, or would not get, financial assistance from a legal aid commission.

Applications must be made in writing using the appropriate form provided by the Attorney‑General's Department, in accordance with any authorisation permitting disclosure of information, submitted to the department (mailed to Assistant Secretary Legal Assistance Branch, Attorney‑General's Department, 3‑5 National Circuit, Barton ACT 2600, unless another specified contact is provided), and accepted by the department as a complete application.

Applicants must not include operational information arising from the issue or execution of a warrant, must provide honest and accurate information, must consent to the department obtaining further information from agencies (including ASIO), legal aid organisations and legal practitioners for the purposes of assessing the application, and must comply with any requests for further information within specified periods.