Estimate Only — Not Legal Advice
Free · Australia-wide · Updated 2025

Legal Costs,
Demystified

Estimate compensation ranges, legal fees, and case costs for personal injury, divorce, employment disputes, and estate planning — before you pay for a lawyer.

⚠️ This tool provides general estimates for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. Actual compensation and legal costs vary significantly based on individual circumstances. Always consult a qualified Australian lawyer for advice on your specific situation.

Personal Injury Compensation Estimator

Estimate compensation ranges for motor vehicle accidents, public liability, and workplace injury claims in Australia. Includes general damages, economic loss, and care costs.

Physio, specialists, medication, aids
Estimated Compensation
$0
midpoint estimate
General Damages
$0
pain & suffering
Economic Loss
$0
past & future lost income
Medical & Care Costs
$0
estimated future costs
Estimated Compensation Range
Low
$0
—
Mid
$0
—
High
$0
⚠️ These are general estimates only. Actual compensation depends on medical evidence, liability assessment, insurer negotiations, and court outcomes. Ranges can vary by 300–500% depending on individual factors. Consult a personal injury lawyer — most offer free initial consultations and operate on a no-win, no-fee basis.

Personal Injury Compensation in Australia — What You Can Claim

Personal injury compensation in Australia typically consists of three main components: general damages (pain and suffering), economic loss (past and future), and medical and care costs. The amounts are regulated differently in each state and territory, and claims are typically made against insurance schemes rather than individuals.

Motor Vehicle Accidents (CTP)

Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance is mandatory in all Australian states. CTP covers personal injury compensation for anyone injured in a motor vehicle accident. Queensland operates a fault-based system through MAIA. NSW moved to a mixed no-fault/at-fault scheme in 2017 for minor injuries, with fault-based access for serious injuries. Victoria uses the Transport Accident Commission (TAC).

Workers Compensation

Workers compensation provides income replacement (typically 80–95% of pre-injury earnings), medical expense coverage, and rehabilitation support. Lump sum compensation for permanent impairment requires reaching a minimum impairment threshold (varies by state — e.g. 10% WPI in QLD, 11% in NSW). Vocational rehabilitation is mandatory in most states before pursuing common law damages.

No Win No Fee

Most personal injury lawyers in Australia operate on a "no win, no fee" or "conditional costs" basis, meaning you pay nothing unless your claim succeeds. When you win, legal fees are typically deducted from your settlement. Under Queensland law, legal costs in CTP matters are regulated. Ask your lawyer to provide a costs agreement upfront.

How long do I have to make a personal injury claim? +
Limitation periods vary by state and claim type. For most personal injury claims in QLD and NSW, you have 3 years from the date of injury (or date you became aware of the injury). CTP claims must generally be notified within 9 months of the accident in QLD. Workers compensation claims should be lodged immediately — delays can affect entitlements. Do not delay — get legal advice promptly.
What is general damages (pain and suffering)? +
General damages compensate for pain, suffering, loss of amenities of life, and loss of enjoyment of life resulting from the injury. In most Australian states, general damages for minor injuries are capped or restricted. For serious injuries, amounts are assessed based on injury severity, impact on daily life, age, and medical evidence. QLD uses a scale from ISV (Injury Scale Value) 1 to 100 to assess general damages.
Can I claim compensation if I was partly at fault? +
Yes, in most cases. Australian law allows for contributory negligence — your compensation is reduced proportionally to your degree of fault. For example, if you were 30% at fault, your award is reduced by 30%. In some states, if you're found more than 50% at fault, you may lose your entitlement to claim. Seat belt non-use, speeding, or other safety failures can reduce your award.

Divorce & Separation Cost Estimator

Estimate the cost of divorce, property settlement, and parenting arrangements in Australia. Includes court filing fees, solicitor costs, and estimated property split.

Home equity, super, savings, investments
Mortgages, loans (excluding individual debts)
Net Asset Pool
$0
total assets minus debts
Estimated Legal Costs
Court Filing Fees
$2,460
divorce + property application
Estimated Split
55 / 45
indicative only
💡 Mediation first: The Family Court requires parties to attempt dispute resolution before filing most applications. Mediation costs $150–$500/hour compared to $350–$700/hour for contested court proceedings. Reaching agreement through mediation can save $20,000–$100,000+ in legal costs.

Divorce in Australia — Legal Process & Costs Explained

In Australia, divorce is a no-fault process — you don't need to prove wrongdoing. To apply for divorce, you must have been separated for at least 12 months and consider the marriage to have broken down irretrievably. The divorce itself (the legal end of the marriage) is separate from property settlement and parenting arrangements.

How is property divided?

The Family Court divides property based on contributions (financial and non-financial) during the relationship and future needs. There's no automatic 50/50 split. The court considers: direct financial contributions, homemaking and parenting contributions, inheritances, and each party's future earning capacity and care responsibilities. Longer relationships generally result in more equal splits.

Child Support

Child support is calculated by the Child Support Agency (Services Australia) using a formula based on each parent's income, the number of nights the child spends with each parent, and the number of children. You can make private child support agreements or apply for an agency assessment. Disputes about parenting arrangements (custody) go to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.

How long does divorce take in Australia? +
The divorce application itself takes approximately 4–6 months from filing to hearing. Property settlement and parenting arrangements can take much longer — 6 months to several years for contested cases. You must have been separated for 12 months before applying. You have 12 months after the divorce is final to apply for property orders — don't miss this deadline.
Can we sort out property without going to court? +
Yes — and you should. Most property settlements (approximately 95%) are resolved without a court hearing. You can reach a private agreement (documented as a Binding Financial Agreement) or apply for consent orders, which require court approval but are much cheaper than contested proceedings. Consent orders are legally binding and give both parties certainty.
Does superannuation count in divorce? +
Yes — superannuation is treated as property and included in the asset pool for division. A "superannuation splitting order" can be obtained through the court or a binding financial agreement, directing a portion of one partner's super to the other's fund. This doesn't require immediate payment — it sits in the receiving partner's super until they reach preservation age.

Employment Dispute Calculator

Estimate potential compensation for unfair dismissal, general protections, underpayment, and discrimination claims through the Fair Work Commission.

Leave entitlements, unpaid overtime, incorrect rate
Estimated Compensation
$0
estimated range midpoint
Max FWC Cap
26 weeks
unfair dismissal maximum
Notice Entitlement
$0
statutory minimum
Filing Deadline
21 days
from dismissal date
💼 Most employment lawyers operate on a no-win, no-fee or fixed-fee basis for Fair Work matters. Initial consultations are often free. The Fair Work Commission application fee is $84.40 (2025). Conciliation through FWC resolves approximately 75% of unfair dismissal claims before a formal hearing.

Unfair Dismissal in Australia — Your Rights

Unfair dismissal law in Australia protects employees who have been dismissed in a harsh, unjust, or unreasonable manner. You must apply to the Fair Work Commission within 21 days of dismissal. To be eligible, you must have completed the minimum employment period (6 months for employers with 15+ staff; 12 months for smaller employers) and earn below the high income threshold ($175,000 in 2024–25).

General Protections — Adverse Action

General protections claims cover a broader range of workplace rights than unfair dismissal. If you were dismissed (or otherwise treated adversely) because of a protected attribute — pregnancy, illness, union membership, making a complaint, or exercising a workplace right — you may have a general protections claim. There is no compensation cap for general protections claims (unlike the 26-week cap for unfair dismissal).

Redundancy — Genuine or Sham?

A genuine redundancy is not an unfair dismissal. However, a redundancy is NOT genuine if your employer doesn't comply with consultation requirements in the relevant award/enterprise agreement, or if it would have been reasonable to redeploy you within the company. Shams — where the "redundancy" is really a disguised dismissal — are grounds for an unfair dismissal claim.

What is the 21-day rule? +
You must lodge an unfair dismissal application with the Fair Work Commission within 21 days of the dismissal taking effect. This is a strict deadline — extensions are granted only in exceptional circumstances. If your dismissal is on Friday, the clock starts ticking immediately. Do not delay seeking legal advice.
What compensation can I get for unfair dismissal? +
The Fair Work Commission can order reinstatement or compensation. Compensation is capped at 26 weeks' pay (or half the high income threshold, whichever is lower). The commission considers: lost income since dismissal, likelihood of finding new work, length of service, conduct of both parties, and whether you mitigated your loss by looking for new work. Reinstatement (returning to your job) is also possible but uncommon.

Wills & Estate Planning Cost Estimator

Estimate the cost of preparing a will, powers of attorney, and estate administration in Australia. Includes online vs solicitor options.

Hold Ctrl/Cmd to select multiple
Property, super, savings, investments
Will Preparation Cost
$0
estimated
Estate Administration
$0
after death (probate, executor)
Probate Fee
$0
court filing
Estate at Risk Without Will
Intestacy
state law determines distribution
    ⚠️ DIY and online wills can be cost-effective for simple estates, but errors in execution (signing, witnessing) can invalidate a will entirely. For blended families, business assets, or estates over $500K, professional legal advice is strongly recommended to avoid costly disputes.

    Wills & Estate Planning in Australia — Complete Guide

    A will is a legal document specifying how your assets should be distributed after death. Without a valid will, you die "intestate" and your estate is distributed according to state law — which may not reflect your wishes and can create significant family conflict and delay.

    What Happens Without a Will?

    If you die intestate in Queensland, your estate goes first to your spouse/partner, then to children, then to other relatives. De facto partners are recognised in most states. However, if you have a blended family (e.g. children from a previous relationship), intestacy rules can create significant conflict — your partner may receive everything, leaving your children with nothing.

    Enduring Power of Attorney

    An Enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA) authorises a trusted person to make financial and/or personal decisions on your behalf if you lose capacity. It's one of the most important documents anyone can have — and commonly overlooked. In Queensland, the EPOA covers financial matters; an Advance Health Directive (AHD) covers health and personal matters.

    Testamentary Trusts

    A testamentary trust is created by your will and comes into existence on your death. Assets flow into the trust rather than directly to beneficiaries. Benefits include: asset protection, tax advantages for beneficiaries (minor children can access adult tax rates), and protection from beneficiary relationship breakdowns. Highly recommended for estates over $500,000 or where beneficiaries may be vulnerable.

    How often should I update my will? +
    Review your will whenever a major life event occurs: marriage (which revokes a prior will in most states unless made in contemplation of marriage), divorce, birth of children or grandchildren, death of a beneficiary or executor, significant change in assets, purchase of business, or change in circumstances of beneficiaries. As a general rule, review every 3–5 years even without major changes.
    Can someone contest my will? +
    Yes — eligible people can make a Family Provision Claim if they believe they've been inadequately provided for. Eligible claimants vary by state but typically include spouses, de facto partners, children (including adult children), and in some states, dependants. In Queensland, eligible people have 9 months from death to file a claim (or 6 months from probate). Having a properly documented will with a letter of wishes explaining your reasons helps reduce successful challenges.
    Does superannuation form part of my estate? +
    Generally no — superannuation is not automatically part of your estate and is not dealt with by your will. Your super fund distributes your death benefit according to your binding death benefit nomination (BDBN) or at the trustee's discretion. A BDBN allows you to direct your super to specific dependants or your estate. It typically expires every 3 years — check yours now. Without a valid BDBN, your super may not go where you intend.