Domestic violence: Legal help contacts list

There are many services available to help with legal protection or advice in domestic and family violence situations. Some specifically provide services for LGBTQIA+, Aboriginal people, seniors, children and young people.

General legal services

Family Advocacy and Support Service

The Family Advocacy and Support Service (FASS) helps people with family law issues or if you are affected by family violence. FASS lawyers can help with problems like:

• sorting out arrangements for children;
• getting an ADVO;
• getting a divorce;
• getting child support;
• getting victim support;
• helping you deal with the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ); 
• giving you legal advice, including help with court documents, appear for you in court in some cases or help find a lawyer for you.

If you are transgender or gender diverse, you can request which support worker you would prefer to work with.

Law Access NSW

LawAccess NSW is a free government telephone and online webchat service that provides legal information, referrals and in some cases, advice for people who have a legal problem in NSW. LawAccess is a starting point to help with your legal problem and can help with applying for legal aid.

Legal Aid NSW

Helps people with their legal problems, with some of their services only available for people with low incomes. Their legal services include:

• Domestic Violence Unit
• Domestic Violence Duty Scheme
• legal advice
• help at court
• family dispute resolution

Women's Legal Service NSW

Legal advice, assistance, referral and representation for women with a focus on family law, domestic violence and sexual assault.

Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services (WDVCAS)

WDVCASs provide women and their children with information, advocacy and safety planning where appropriate. They provide referrals to services including housing, counselling, financial assistance or health services. A number of WDVCASs work with solicitors from the Legal Aid NSW Domestic Violence Unit or Domestic Violence Duty Scheme, who can provide legal advice on matters including Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders (ADVOs), family law, immigration and other issues. 

Domestic Violence Duty Scheme (DVDS)

The DVDS is a state wide specialist service funded by Legal Aid NSW. The DVDS pays private lawyers to assist women and children experiencing domestic violence in court proceedings. The lawyers work closely with local Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service (WDVCAS).

Aboriginal communities

Aboriginal Legal Services NSW/ACT

An Aboriginal community-controlled organisation that provides culturally safe legal services to Aboriginal people in NSW and the ACT. The ALS gives legal advice and representation for Aboriginal men, women and children, assist with police, courts, family separation, children and child removal matters. Advice is free.

Aboriginal Legal Service has offices in Armidale, Bathurst, Bourke, Broken Hill, Canberra, Dubbo, Grafton, Griffith, Kempsey, Lismore, Moree, Moruya, Nowra, Newcastle, Parramatta, Redfern, Surry Hills, Tamworth, Wagga Wagga, Walgett and Wollongong. Search for the contact details of the nearest ALS office.

National Family Violence Prevention Legal Services

The National Family Violence Prevention Legal Services (FVPLS) program provides culturally sensitive help to Aboriginal people who are victims and survivors of family violence and sexual assault. The FVPLS provides legal assistance, court support, casework, counselling and education programs.

Victims Services

A confidential enquiry line for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander victims of violent crime, such as family violence or sexual assault.

Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women’s Legal Centre

Wirringa Baiya is a state-wide community legal centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women children and youth. Wirringa Baiya focuses on issues relating to violence. It offers free and confidential service.

Women's Legal Service NSW: First Nations Women’s Legal Program

Free confidential legal information, advice and referrals for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in NSW with a focus on domestic violence, sexual assault, parenting issues, family law, discrimination and victim’s support.

Children and young people

Children's Legal Service

The Children's Legal Service (CLS) of Legal Aid NSW advises and represents children and young people under 18 involved in criminal cases and Apprehended Violence Order applications in the Children's Courts. They aim to ensure that children and young people have access to professional, face-to-face or telephone based legal advice at any stage of their legal proceedings.

Girls Gotta Know

Girls Gotta Know is a website for young women providing legal information. It was created by the Women's Legal Service Tasmania, including some NSW information provided by Women's Legal Service NSW. Topics covered include:

• domestic and family violence,
• relationships,
• de facto,
• marriage,
• sexual assault,
• children separation and property.

Youth Law Australia

Youth Law Australia provides legal information for children and young people.

Legal Aid Youth Hotline

The hotline provides legal advice and information to young people under 18. It's open Monday to Friday, 9am until midnight, and open 24 hours from Friday 9am until Sunday midnight.

Courts

Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia website provides information about family violence, family law, migration law and other federal law.

Online Live Chat is available from 8.45am Monday-Friday.

Local court

Find your local court in NSW.

Immigrant and refugee communities

Immigration Advice and Rights Centre

Provides free advice and representation about immigration, domestic violence, family visas, refugee and humanitarian visas, citizenship and visa cancellations. Legal advice by appointment.

LGBTIQ

Inner City Legal Centre

A non-profit community based legal centre providing free legal services, information, referrals and telephone advice for the LGBTQIA+ community. Initial legal advice is given by appointment on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

Seniors

Seniors Rights Service

Provides free legal advice, aged care advocacy and support for seniors.

Victims services

Provide support services, including free counselling and financial assistance to victims of crime, including sexual assault.