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.
Endeavour Legal Enterprises provides legal services in Kawana, QLD. Listed practice areas include Domestic Violence & AVOs, Business & Commercial Law and Partner & Family Visas.
Domestic Violence & AVOs+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Partner & Family Visas · NDIS & Disability Law · Building & Construction · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Planning & Environment · Not-for-Profit & Charity LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: japanese
Gable Lawyers provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Franchising and Property & Conveyancing.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreFranchising · Property & Conveyancing · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Buying or Selling a Business · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks · Commercial Property & Leasing · Corporate Law & M&A
George Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Bail Applications, Criminal Law and Drink & Drug Driving.
Bail Applications+7 moreCriminal Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Assault & Violent Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Drug Offences · Traffic OffencesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
North Sydney, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
Gloria Family Law provides legal services in North Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreParenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Divorce & Separation · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Property Settlement · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Binding Financial Agreements3 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: mandarin, cantonese
Hercules Constan provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Binding Financial Agreements · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Property & Conveyancing · Family Property Settlement · Mediation & Dispute Resolution2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: italian
Houston Defence Lawyers provides legal services in Wyong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Traffic Offences, Criminal Law and Drink & Drug Driving.
Traffic Offences+7 moreCriminal Law · Drink & Drug Driving · Criminal Appeals · Employment Law · Defamation · Administrative & Government Law · Domestic Violence & AVOsFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: spanish
Howden Saggers Lawyers provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Coronial Inquests and Child Protection & Care Matters.
Infinity Legal provides legal services in Darwin City, NT. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Divorce & Separation.
Inner West Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Sutherland, NSW. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Traffic Offences and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Criminal Law+7 moreTraffic Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Drink & Drug Driving · Assault & Violent Offences · Bail Applications · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Drug OffencesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.2 languagesLanguages mentioned on the firm’s website: spanish
Integrity Legal Specialists provides legal services in NSW. Listed practice areas include NDIS & Disability Law, Business & Commercial Law and Health & Medical Practitioner Law.
NDIS & Disability Law+6 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Skilled & Business Visas · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Building & Construction · Banking & Finance
Brookvale, NSW · Sydney North Shore & Northern Beaches
Jacqueline Townsend Solicitor provides legal services in Brookvale, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Just Family Law - Family Lawyers Dandenong provides legal services in Endeavour Hills, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreParenting & Child Custody · Divorce & Separation · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Property & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Property Settlement · De Facto RelationshipsFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Kate Austin Family Lawyers provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreParenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Binding Financial Agreements · Family Property Settlement · Partner & Family Visas · Divorce & Separation · Domestic Violence & AVOs
Kovacevic Lawyers provides legal services in Wollongong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Mediation & Dispute Resolution, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Mediation & Dispute Resolution+6 moreFamily Law · Property & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Domestic Violence & AVOs
Lampe Family Lawyers provides legal services in Point Cook, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Lampe Family Lawyers provides legal services in Craigieburn, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Property & Conveyancing.
Legal Aid NSW provides legal services in Moree, NSW. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Health & Medical Practitioner Law and Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal.
Immigration & Visas+6 moreHealth & Medical Practitioner Law · Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal · Partner & Family Visas · Planning & Environment · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Centrelink & Social Security
Legal Aid NSW provides legal services in Gosford, NSW. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Health & Medical Practitioner Law and Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal.
Immigration & Visas+6 moreHealth & Medical Practitioner Law · Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal · Partner & Family Visas · Planning & Environment · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Centrelink & Social Security
Legal Services Commission Elizabeth provides legal services in Whyalla, SA. Listed practice areas include Health & Medical Practitioner Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Wills & Estates.
Health & Medical Practitioner Law+2 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Wills & Estates
Make It Yours Conveyancing provides conveyancing services in NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Partner & Family Visas.
Property & Conveyancing+4 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Partner & Family Visas · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Licensed Conveyancing (non-lawyer)
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.
