Family & Relationships · Illawarra & Wollongong
10 domestic violence & avos firms in Illawarra & Wollongong, New South Wales, including Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama.
10 firms
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
Morrison Graeme provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Partner & Family Visas and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Each state has its own protection order scheme, called AVOs in NSW, intervention orders in Victoria, DVOs in Queensland and restraining orders in WA. Police can apply on your behalf, or you can apply yourself. A lawyer can explain the conditions, represent you at court and connect the order with any family law proceedings.
Protection orders can stop threats, contact and harassment quickly. For respondents, an order can affect housing, parenting time, firearms licences and some jobs.
Each state has its own scheme: AVOs in NSW, intervention orders in Victoria, DVOs in Queensland, restraining orders in WA and SA. Orders are made in state local or magistrates courts and are nationally recognised under the National Domestic Violence Order Scheme.
Understand the next step
Tell the lawyer whether you need protection, have been served with an application or already have an order. Use a safe method of contact and make the next hearing date clear at the outset.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 000. A directory enquiry is not an emergency service or confirmation that representation has been arranged.
A search across Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama can help you compare local and broader Illawarra options. For a building, property or employment dispute, prepare a short chronology so the firm can identify the right team.
For domestic violence & avos, ask which parts of the work the firm handles itself and whether it has relevant NSW experience. Let the lawyer know if a property, employer, other party or existing proceeding is outside Illawarra & Wollongong. Your home address alone does not determine the applicable process.
Explain the relationship history, current arrangements and outcome you want. Identify immediate concerns and provide every existing order or agreement.
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.
Ask how an agreement would be documented and implemented. Clarify who handles related transfers, finance and estate-planning 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.
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.
In New South Wales, most criminal and minor civil matters start in the Local Court, with more serious matters in the District Court and Supreme Court. Tenancy, strata, consumer and guardianship disputes usually go to NCAT. Solicitors are licensed by the Law Society of New South Wales, and complaints about lawyers go to the Office of the Legal Services Commissioner.
Good to know
No. A protection order is a civil order. Breaching it, however, is a criminal offence.
Call 000. Police can make or seek urgent orders. For support, 1800RESPECT is available 24 hours.
Most matters start in the Local Court. More serious cases go to the District Court or the Supreme Court of NSW. Family law matters are heard by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
Wollongong Criminal Law provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Drug Offences and Assault & Violent Offences.
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
My Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
South Coast Family Law Group provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Parenting & Child Custody.
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
Wollongong Conveyancing Services provides conveyancing services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Elder Law & Aged Care.
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
Mulcahy's Solicitors provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Bail Applications.
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
Inner West Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Assault & Violent Offences.
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
DGB Lawyers provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Criminal Law.
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
Rossi Simicic Lawyers provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and De Facto Relationships.
Wollongong, NSW · Illawarra & Wollongong
Kovacevic Lawyers provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Mediation & Dispute Resolution, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
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.
Practising certificates in New South Wales are managed by the Law Society of New South Wales. You can check a solicitor's status on its public register or by contacting it directly.