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
Dandenong, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(36)Google rating from 36 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Seitz & Pepper Family Lawyers Frankston provides legal services in Dandenong, VIC. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Divorce & Separation · Property & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Parenting & Child Custody · Binding Financial Agreements · Partner & Family VisasFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(35)Google rating from 35 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Intervention Order Lawyers provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Domestic Violence & AVOs, Parenting & Child Custody and Family Law.
Domestic Violence & AVOs+4 moreParenting & Child Custody · Family Law · Business & Commercial Law · Partner & Family VisasFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Norwest, NSW · Hills District
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(35)Google rating from 35 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Kalpaxis Legal provides legal services in Norwest, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Parenting & Child Custody and Mediation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Blacktown, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★3.8(35)Google rating from 35 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Legal Aid NSW provides legal services in Blacktown, NSW. Listed practice areas include Immigration & Visas, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Partner & Family Visas.
Immigration & Visas+7 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Partner & Family Visas · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal · Planning & Environment · Bail Applications · Building & Construction
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(35)Google rating from 35 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
My Legal Crunch Lawyers provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Wills & Estates and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Family Law+7 moreWills & Estates · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Divorce & Separation · Probate & Estate Administration · Property & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Unfair DismissalFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Gladstone Central, QLD · Wide Bay-Burnett
★★★★★★★★★★3.9(35)Google rating from 35 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Ramos & Co Lawyers provides legal services in Gladstone Central, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Immigration & Visas and Family Law.
Property & Conveyancing+5 moreImmigration & Visas · Family Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Wills & Estates · Commercial Property & Leasing
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Townsville City, QLD · Townsville & North Queensland
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(34)Google rating from 34 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Barram Family Law provides legal services in Townsville City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Binding Financial Agreements · Military & Veterans Law · Divorce & Separation · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Domestic Violence & AVOsFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Stanhope, NSW · Newcastle & Hunter
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(34)Google rating from 34 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Louise Neilson Conveyancing provides conveyancing services in Stanhope, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Commercial Property & Leasing and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Property & Conveyancing+10 moreCommercial Property & Leasing · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Business & Commercial Law · Strata & Body Corporate · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Partner & Family Visas · Professional Negligence · Personal Injury · Coronial Inquests · Mediation & Dispute Resolution
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bracken Ridge, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
★★★★★★★★★★4.0(33)Google rating from 33 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Rod Holloway & Co provides conveyancing services in Bracken Ridge, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+5 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Family Law · 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
Brookwater, QLD · Ipswich
★★★★★★★★★★3.8(33)Google rating from 33 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
VM Family Law provides legal services in Brookwater, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Building & Construction · Wills & EstatesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Loganholme, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(32)Google rating from 32 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Brooke Winter Solicitors provides legal services in Loganholme, QLD. Listed practice areas include Drink & Drug Driving, Criminal Law and Assault & Violent Offences.
Drink & Drug Driving+7 moreCriminal Law · Assault & Violent Offences · Traffic Offences · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Bail Applications · Drug Offences · Mediation & Dispute Resolution
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Moorabbin, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(32)Google rating from 32 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Dribbin & Brown Criminal Lawyers provides legal services in Moorabbin, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Bail Applications and Drink & Drug Driving.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Caboolture, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
★★★★★★★★★★2.9(31)Google rating from 31 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Rhonda Sheehy & Associates provides legal services in Caboolture, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Divorce & Separation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Wyong, NSW · Central Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(30)Google rating from 30 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Coastal Compensation Law Specialists provides legal services in Wyong, NSW. Listed practice areas include Workers Compensation, Personal Injury and Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP.
Workers Compensation+5 morePersonal Injury · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTP · TPD & Superannuation Claims · Public Liability · Domestic Violence & AVOsNo win, no fee
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Albury, NSW · Riverina & Murray
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(29)Google rating from 29 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Angus Lingham Albury Criminal Law provides legal services in Albury, NSW. Listed practice areas include Bail Applications, Criminal Law and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Bail Applications+3 moreCriminal Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Traffic OffencesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Werribee, VIC · Western Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★3.9(29)Google rating from 29 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Westjustice, Western Community Legal Centre provides legal services in Werribee, VIC. Listed practice areas include Partner & Family Visas, Health & Medical Practitioner Law and Family Law.
Partner & Family Visas+5 moreHealth & Medical Practitioner Law · Family Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Criminal Law · Motor Vehicle Accidents / CTPFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Ballarat Central, VIC · Ballarat & Central Highlands
★★★★★★★★★★3.6(27)Google rating from 27 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cinque Oakley Bryant provides legal services in Ballarat Central, VIC. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreFamily Law · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Commercial Litigation · Property & Conveyancing · Business & Commercial Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Frankston, VIC · South East Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(26)Google rating from 26 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cottier Stenning Lawyers Frankston provides legal services in Frankston, VIC. Listed practice areas include Wills & Estates, Family Law and Business & Commercial Law.
Wills & Estates+7 moreFamily Law · Business & Commercial Law · Property & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · General Practice (regional generalist) · Criminal Law · Domestic Violence & AVOsNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Upper Mount Gravatt, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(26)Google rating from 26 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Griffith Legal provides legal services in Upper Mount Gravatt, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Immigration & Visas.
Business & Commercial Law+5 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Immigration & Visas · Family Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Partner & Family Visas
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.
