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
Bankstown, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(206)Google rating from 206 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Krayem & Co Lawyers provides legal services in Bankstown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Traffic Offences, Drink & Drug Driving and Criminal Law.
Traffic Offences+7 moreDrink & Drug Driving · Criminal Law · Family Law · Assault & Violent Offences · Drug Offences · Bail Applications · Domestic Violence & AVOsFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Maroochydore, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(203)Google rating from 203 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Brandon & Gullo Lawyers provides legal services in Maroochydore, QLD. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Building & Construction and Business & Commercial Law.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Tweed Heads, NSW · Northern Rivers
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(192)Google rating from 192 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Carl Edwards Solicitor provides legal services in Tweed Heads, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Drink & Drug Driving and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Family Law+6 moreDrink & Drug Driving · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Assault & Violent Offences · Property & Conveyancing · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Centrelink & Social SecurityFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(188)Google rating from 188 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Australian Criminal and Family Lawyers provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Family Law and Assault & Violent Offences.
Criminal Law+7 moreFamily Law · Assault & Violent Offences · Bail Applications · Traffic Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Drink & Drug Driving · Health & Medical Practitioner Law
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Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(186)Google rating from 186 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Astor Legal provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Assault & Violent Offences and Drink & Drug Driving.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Frankston, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(186)Google rating from 186 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Dribbin & Brown Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Frankston, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and Drink & Drug Driving.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
East Toowoomba, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(171)Google rating from 171 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
McConnell & Saldumbide Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in East Toowoomba, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Firearms & Licensing Matters.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Barangaroo, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(159)Google rating from 159 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Australian Law Advocates provides legal services in Barangaroo, NSW. Listed practice areas include Drug Offences, Assault & Violent Offences and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Drug Offences+6 moreAssault & Violent Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Criminal Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Skilled & Business Visas
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Cheltenham, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(158)Google rating from 158 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Kingston Lawyers provides legal services in Cheltenham, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Family Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Criminal Law · Probate & Estate Administration
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Glenroy, VIC · Northern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(152)Google rating from 152 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Pearsons Lawyers Pty Ltd provides legal services in Glenroy, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Family Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Parenting & Child Custody · De Facto Relationships · Divorce & Separation · Property & Conveyancing · Binding Financial Agreements7 languages
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Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(149)Google rating from 149 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
CHIDIAC LAWYERS PTY LTD provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Drug Offences and Assault & Violent Offences.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bassendean, WA · Perth East
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(148)Google rating from 148 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Classic Conveyancing provides legal services in Bassendean, WA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Property Settlement and Commercial Property & Leasing.
Property & Conveyancing+6 moreFamily Property Settlement · Commercial Property & Leasing · Strata & Body Corporate · Agribusiness & Rural Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Partner & Family Visas
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Bella Vista, NSW · Hills District
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(147)Google rating from 147 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Catron Simmons Lawyers provides legal services in Bella Vista, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Wills & Estates · Family Law · Criminal Law · Parenting & Child Custody · Drink & Drug Driving · Probate & Estate Administration
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(143)Google rating from 143 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Watling Roche Lawyers provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Assault & Violent Offences, Criminal Law and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Assault & Violent Offences+7 moreCriminal Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Drug Offences · Traffic Offences · Personal Injury · Partner & Family Visas · Building & Construction
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Caboolture, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(142)Google rating from 142 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Jurgensen Horne Lawyers provides legal services in Caboolture, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Criminal Law.
Family Law+4 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Criminal Law · Parenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(141)Google rating from 141 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Law Lawyers & Associates provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Public Liability and Business & Commercial Law.
Criminal Law+7 morePublic Liability · Business & Commercial Law · Personal Injury · Building & Construction · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(137)Google rating from 137 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Pearsons Lawyers Pty Ltd provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Divorce & Separation.
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.
Domestic Violence & AVOs
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.
Building & Construction · Business & Commercial Law · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks · Property & Conveyancing · Personal Bankruptcy · Insolvency & Restructuring · Domestic Violence & AVOs · General Practice (regional generalist)
No win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
+7 more
Domestic Violence & AVOs · Firearms & Licensing Matters · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Traffic Offences · Partner & Family Visas · Drink & Drug Driving · Drug Offences
Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Free first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
