Domestic violence lawyers help people seek protection orders, and act for people responding to applications.
firms
631
regions
16
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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.
Why domestic violence & avos matters
Protection orders can stop threats, contact and harassment quickly. For respondents, an order can affect housing, parenting time, firearms licences and some jobs.
The Australian context
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.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Hurstville, NSW · Southern Sydney
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Access Legal Solicitors provides legal services in Hurstville, NSW. Listed practice areas include Domestic Violence & AVOs, Building & Construction and Residential Tenancy.
Domestic Violence & AVOs+6 moreBuilding & Construction · Residential Tenancy · Partner & Family Visas · Family Law · Centrelink & Social Security · Health & Medical Practitioner Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Alice Springs, NT · Alice Springs & Central
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Central Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Unit provides legal services in Alice Springs, NT. Listed practice areas include Domestic Violence & AVOs and Assault & Violent Offences.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Box Hill, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Hartleys Lawyers provides legal services in Box Hill, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Divorce & Separation · Wills & Estates · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Criminal Law · Skilled & Business VisasFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Coffs Harbour, NSW · Mid North Coast
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
North Coast Criminal Law provides legal services in Coffs Harbour, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Byron Bay, NSW · Northern Rivers
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Richardson Murray provides legal services in Byron Bay, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Parenting & Child Custody · Domestic Violence & AVOs · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Property & Conveyancing · Partner & Family Visas
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Cleveland, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Sibley Lawyers provides legal services in Cleveland, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Employment Law and Traffic Offences.
Criminal Law+7 moreEmployment Law · Traffic Offences · Family Law · Class Actions · Assault & Violent Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Fraud & White Collar CrimeFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Mackay, QLD · Mackay & Whitsundays
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Sibley Lawyers provides legal services in Mackay, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Employment Law and Traffic Offences.
Criminal Law+7 moreEmployment Law · Traffic Offences · Family Law · Class Actions · Assault & Violent Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Fraud & White Collar CrimeFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
New on GoogleOnly 2 Google reviews so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Sydney Criminal & Traffic Lawyers provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Drink & Drug Driving and Traffic Offences.
Criminal Law+7 moreDrink & Drug Driving · Traffic Offences · Assault & Violent Offences · Bail Applications · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Mental Health & Guardianship TribunalFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Werribee, VIC · Western Melbourne
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
A Hannebery provides legal services in Werribee, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Assault & Violent Offences.
Criminal Law+7 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Assault & Violent Offences · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Drug Offences · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Wills & EstatesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Liverpool, NSW · Western Sydney
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Astor Legal provides legal services in Liverpool, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Assault & Violent Offences and Drink & Drug Driving.
Criminal Law+7 moreAssault & Violent Offences · Drink & Drug Driving · Traffic Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Drug Offences · Health & Medical Practitioner LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Belleli King & Associates provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Wills & Estates · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Divorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Probate & Estate AdministrationFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.7 languages
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Maroochydore, QLD · Sunshine Coast
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Brooke Winter Solicitors provides legal services in Maroochydore, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Drink & Drug Driving and Assault & Violent Offences.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Gympie, QLD · Sunshine Coast
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Carter and Co Family Law provides legal services in Gympie, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Child Protection & Care Matters.
Family Law+5 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Child Protection & Care Matters · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Parenting & Child Custody · Criminal Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Townsville City, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Connolly Suthers Lawyers Townsville provides legal services in Townsville City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Commercial Property & Leasing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Ipswich, QLD · Ipswich
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Ipswich Family Lawyers provides legal services in Ipswich, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Family Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Domestic Violence & AVOs · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Divorce & Separation · Property & Conveyancing · Estate Planning & Testamentary Trusts · Fraud & White Collar Crime
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Point Cook, VIC · Western Melbourne
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Pearsons Lawyers Pty Ltd provides legal services in Point Cook, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Divorce & Separation · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Property & Conveyancing · De Facto Relationships · Binding Financial Agreements · Parenting & Child CustodyFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Point Cook, VIC · Western Melbourne
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Point Cook Family Lawyers provides legal services in Point Cook, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Divorce & Separation · De Facto Relationships · Property & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Probate & Estate AdministrationFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Broken Hill, NSW · Far West
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Rachel Storey & Associates provides legal services in Broken Hill, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Criminal Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Criminal Law · Employment Law · Family Property Settlement · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & EstatesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Cairns City, QLD · Cairns & Far North
New on GoogleOnly 1 Google review so far, not enough for a reliable rating
Rights In Action Inc provides legal services in Cairns City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Health & Medical Practitioner Law, NDIS & Disability Law and Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal.
Health & Medical Practitioner Law+5 moreNDIS & Disability Law · Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal · Building & Construction · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Child Protection & Care Matters
Understand the next step
A practical guide to domestic violence & avos
What to discuss at the first meeting
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.
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 domestic violence & avos adviser
How can you contact me safely?
What does the current order require while advice is being arranged?
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
Is an AVO a criminal conviction?
No. A protection order is a civil order. Breaching it, however, is a criminal offence.
What if I'm in immediate danger?
Call 000. Police can make or seek urgent orders. For support, 1800RESPECT is available 24 hours.
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.
