Child protection lawyers act for parents and family members when a child protection department is involved.
firms
68
regions
16
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When a state child protection agency investigates or seeks orders, the stakes are very high and the timeframes are short. Lawyers help parents understand the process, respond to caseworkers and represent them in the Children's Court. Legal Aid often funds these matters.
Why child protection & care matters matters
Care proceedings can decide whether children stay with their parents. Parents who engage early and get representation have a much better chance of keeping or regaining care.
The Australian context
Child protection is run by state and territory departments, such as DCJ in NSW and Child Safety in Queensland, with cases heard in state children's courts. Legal Aid commissions fund most parent representation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Hallam, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(334)Google rating from 334 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Jay & Co Barristers and Solicitors provides legal services in Hallam, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Family Law+4 moreCriminal Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Bail Applications · Child Protection & Care Matters
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Port Adelaide, SA · Adelaide Metro
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(139)Google rating from 139 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Port Adelaide Lawyers provides legal services in Port Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Criminal Law and Family Law.
Wills & Estates+4 moreCriminal Law · Family Law · Property & Conveyancing · Child Protection & Care MattersFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bairnsdale, VIC · Gippsland
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(135)Google rating from 135 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Daniel Taylor Lawyers provides legal services in Bairnsdale, VIC. Listed practice areas include Domestic Violence & AVOs, Criminal Law and Child Protection & Care Matters.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(129)Google rating from 129 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
King & York Lawyers provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Criminal Law and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreCriminal Law · Divorce & Separation · Child Protection & Care Matters · Property & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(107)Google rating from 107 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Resolve Conflict provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Property & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Parenting & Child Custody · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Partner & Family Visas · Child Protection & Care Matters
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Morwell, VIC · Gippsland
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(44)Google rating from 44 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Stephen Peterson Lawyers provides legal services in Morwell, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Child Protection & Care Matters.
Criminal Law+5 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Child Protection & Care Matters · Traffic Offences · Administrative & Government Law · Business & Commercial Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Morwell, VIC · Gippsland
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(42)Google rating from 42 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Daniel Taylor Lawyers provides legal services in Morwell, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Child Protection & Care Matters.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Southport, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(42)Google rating from 42 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Howden Saggers Lawyers provides legal services in Southport, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Coronial Inquests and Child Protection & Care Matters.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Geelong, VIC · Geelong & Surf Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(38)Google rating from 38 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Victorian Land Transfers (Bendigo & Castlemaine) provides legal services in Geelong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Dandenong, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.1(37)Google rating from 37 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Slink & Keating provides legal services in Dandenong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Child Protection & Care Matters.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Hyde Park, SA · Adelaide Metro
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(17)Google rating from 17 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Judith Jordan Family and Collaborative Lawyer provides legal services in Hyde Park, SA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Binding Financial Agreements and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreBinding Financial Agreements · Divorce & Separation · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Partner & Family Visas · Child Protection & Care Matters
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Glenroy, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.2(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Child & Family Services Ballarat Inc. provides legal services in Glenroy, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Health & Medical Practitioner Law.
Family Law+6 moreParenting & Child Custody · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Partner & Family Visas · Child Protection & Care Matters · Building & Construction · Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Werribee, VIC · Western Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(10)Google rating from 10 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Daniel Taylor Lawyers provides legal services in Werribee, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Child Protection & Care Matters.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Murray Bridge, SA · Riverland & Murraylands
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(10)Google rating from 10 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Devine Murdoch Lawyers [Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation] provides legal services in Murray Bridge, SA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Child Protection & Care Matters.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Townsville City, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Benchmark Law Services provides legal services in Townsville City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+5 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Property & Conveyancing · Criminal Law · Child Protection & Care Matters · Youth Justice & Children's CourtFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Townsville City, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
★★★★★★★★★★3.3(7)Google rating from 7 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
North Queensland Women's Legal Service provides legal services in Townsville City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Property & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Immigration & Visas · Child Protection & Care Matters
Understand the next step
A practical guide to child protection & care matters
What to discuss at the first meeting
Give the lawyer the agency’s name, current involvement and any hearing date. Identify whether you are a parent, carer, relative or young person, because the advice and representation required may differ.
Ask about the exact state process and available assistance. General parenting advice may not cover child-protection proceedings.
How the engagement may progress
01
Explain the relationship history, current arrangements and outcome you want. Identify immediate concerns and provide every existing order or agreement.
02
Discuss negotiation and family dispute resolution. Parenting applications generally involve prior dispute resolution unless an exception applies; ask the lawyer to assess the appropriate process.
03
Ask how an agreement would be documented and implemented. Clarify who handles related transfers, finance and estate-planning work.
Fees and the scope of work
Ask for separate estimates for advice, negotiation, document preparation and court work. A fixed divorce-application fee does not necessarily cover parenting or financial disputes.
Ask for a written scope identifying the work you are authorising, the person responsible and when costs will be reviewed. If you only want advice on one step, say so before the firm begins wider work.
Dates to raise at first contact
Highlight court dates, proposed travel or relocation and any planned property sale. Ask which time limits apply to your particular issues rather than assuming there is one deadline for everything.
Questions to ask a child protection & care matters adviser
Can you act before the next hearing or meeting?
What information should I provide and through which channel?
Will you handle parenting, property and divorce together or separately?
How will you communicate with me safely?
What would change the proposed approach or budget?
Directory guidance updated 19 September 2026. General information to help you prepare for a conversation with a professional; not advice about your individual matter. Check current requirements with the relevant authority.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
What happens if a child is removed?
The department must usually bring the matter to court quickly. You're entitled to legal representation, and Legal Aid can often help.
Do I need a lawyer to get divorced?
Not always. A simple divorce application can be filed online without one. It's worth getting advice before you apply if you have children, shared property or superannuation, because divorce starts the clock on time limits for property claims.
How long do I have to settle property after separating?
Married couples generally have 12 months from the date the divorce becomes final. De facto couples generally have two years from separation. After that you need the court's permission, which is not guaranteed.
