But the government says it is committed to supporting vulnerable people and is simply being "more creative" in how it allocates its funding.

Julie Tongs, the CEO of Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Service, says Aboriginal women in Canberra are vastly over-represented as victims of crime and victims of domestic violence.

"Not only is the Legal Aid Commission the service of choice for women from lower-income households seeking legal support to protect themselves and their children from violence and abuse, but it is virtually the only legal support available to them," she said.

"They clearly do not have the capacity or means to privately engage a lawyer."

She said the government had moved to deny almost all Aboriginal and working class women in the ACT access to legal advice and assistance when they are seeking to protect themselves and their children from violence.

"It is inevitable, if the Legal Aid Commission domestic violence service is not maintained, that there will be a dramatic and frightening increase in the number of women and children having no access to legal assistance and protection and who will, as a consequence, remain in violent and abusive relationships," she said.

Ms Tongs said she hoped domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty would use her address at the annual EMILY's list oration in Canberra on Wednesday to urge the government to reverse its decision.

The decision to cut the funding came from a rethink of how the Safer Families Levy fund was spent, with the government saying it was thinking of more innovative and "creative" ways to fight domestic violence.

An ACT government spokeswoman said the government provided strong support to Legal Aid.

"We know that Legal Aid protects the most vulnerable people in our community, and helps them to access the rights and protections of our justice system," the spokeswoman said.

"We value Legal Aid ACT, and we will continue to support its important role in our justice system.

"The Deputy Chief Minister and the Attorney-General have both met with the CEO of Legal Aid ACT, and the Government will continue to support the front-line services they offer with funding."