Information released by the Ministry of Justice shows that the median gross legal aid payment to listed providers in the year to 30 June 2017 was $83,152.80 - up from the median payment of $73,528.42 in the year to 30 June 2016.
The amounts paid include fees claimed on behalf of other listed providers, plus disbursements for general office costs, travel costs, and special disbursements - which include fees for agents, expert witnesses, forensic tests, interpreters and special reports (such as medical and valuation reports).
The average gross payment per provider also rose in the latest year, to $120,184.33. The number of providers who received payments continued to decline, and is now 19.8% down on the number of providers receiving payments in the year to 30 June 2017.
Gross legal aid payments to listed providers, year to 30 June
| Year to 30 June | Payments | Providers | Average | Median |
| 2011 | $154,090,071.28 | 1488 | $103,555.16 | $62,257.61 |
| 2012 | $148,306,784.40 | 1737 | $85,380.99 | $44,173.96 |
| 2013 | $130,258,884.90 | 1311 | $99,358.42 | $63,132.73 |
| 2014 | $124,580,223.80 | 1240 | $100,467.92 | $63,064.61 |
| 2015 | $130,215,953.30 | 1224 | $106,385.58 | $68,147.22 |
| 2016 | $134,759,778.10 | 1210 | $111,371.72 | $73,528.42 |
| 2017 | $143,379,904.64 | 1193 | $120,184.33 | $83,152.80 |
Total payments
The information shows that 6 - 0.5% - of the 1193 providers receiving gross payments received over $1 million. Just over one-third - 34.5% received gross payments of less than $50,000.
Gross legal aid payments, to 30 June 2017
| Gross Payments | Providers | % Providers | Total Value | % Total Value |
| $1 million plus | 6 | 0.5% | $7,816,151.33 | 5.5% |
| $500,000 to $999,999 | 25 | 2.1% | $16,978,554.51 | 11.8% |
| $200,000 to $499,999 | 140 | 11.7% | $42,469,018.79 | 29.6% |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 335 | 28.1% | $47,140,869.79 | 32.9% |
| $50,000 to $99,999 | 276 | 23.1% | $20,696,075.31 | 14.4% |
| $30,000 to $49,999 | 120 | 10.2% | $4,753,410.40 | 3.3% |
| $10,000 to $29,999 | 146 | 12.2% | $2,931,252.52 | 2.0% |
| $0 to $9,999 | 145 | 12.2% | $594,571.98 | 0.4% |