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
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(18)Google rating from 18 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Watson St Claire Family Law provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Property & Conveyancing · Domestic Violence & AVOs · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Binding Financial Agreements · Business & Commercial Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(17)Google rating from 17 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Cityscape Lawyers provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Assault & Violent Offences, Property & Conveyancing and Traffic Offences.
Assault & Violent Offences+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Traffic Offences · Drug Offences · Medical Negligence · Defamation · Criminal Law · Domestic Violence & AVOs
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Hyde Park, SA · Adelaide Metro
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(17)Google rating from 17 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Judith Jordan Family and Collaborative Lawyer provides legal services in Hyde Park, SA. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Binding Financial Agreements and Divorce & Separation.
Family Law+7 moreBinding Financial Agreements · Divorce & Separation · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Partner & Family Visas · Child Protection & Care Matters
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Melbourne, VIC · Melbourne CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Liza Pearce & Associates provides legal services in Melbourne, VIC. Listed practice areas include Domestic Violence & AVOs, Traffic Offences and Criminal Law.
Domestic Violence & AVOs+3 moreTraffic Offences · Criminal Law · Drink & Drug Driving
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Gungahlin, ACT · Canberra
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Pennicott Weir Lawyers provides legal services in Gungahlin, ACT. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Property & Conveyancing and Employer Advisory & Industrial Relations.
Criminal Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Employer Advisory & Industrial Relations · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Drink & Drug Driving · Powers of Attorney & Guardianship · Domestic Violence & AVOs
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Ringwood, VIC · Eastern Melbourne
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Rainer Martini & Associates provides legal services in Ringwood, VIC. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Fraud & White Collar Crime.
Criminal Law+6 moreDomestic Violence & AVOs · Fraud & White Collar Crime · Bail Applications · Assault & Violent Offences · Traffic Offences · Drug OffencesFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
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Perth, WA · Perth CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(16)Google rating from 16 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Taylor Smart provides legal services in Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include General Practice (regional generalist), Immigration & Visas and Business & Commercial Law.
General Practice (regional generalist)+8 moreImmigration & Visas · Business & Commercial Law · Planning & Environment · Criminal Law · Debt Recovery · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Skilled & Business Visas
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Byron Bay, NSW · Northern Rivers
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Byron Family Law provides legal services in Byron Bay, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Parenting & Child Custody.
Family Law+5 moreDivorce & Separation · Parenting & Child Custody · Property & Conveyancing · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Business & Commercial LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Southport, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Christopher Hannay Legal Solutions provides legal services in Southport, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Business & Commercial Law and Family Law.
Criminal Law+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Family Law · Drug Offences · Commercial Litigation · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Fraud & White Collar CrimeFree first consult
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Yass, NSW · Southern Highlands & Tablelands
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Davis Faulkner & Co provides conveyancing services in Yass, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Probate & Estate Administration.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Business & Commercial Law · Criminal Law · Planning & Environment · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Contested Wills & Family Provision
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Varsity Lakes, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Final Law provides legal services in Varsity Lakes, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Domestic Violence & AVOs.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Wills & Estates · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Parenting & Child Custody · Divorce & Separation · Criminal LawFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sutherland, NSW · Southern Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Legal Aid NSW provides legal services in Sutherland, 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
Red Hill, QLD · Brisbane North & Moreton Bay
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
RedHill Legal provides legal services in Red Hill, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Mediation & Dispute Resolution and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Horsham, VIC · Western District & Wimmera
★★★★★★★★★★4.4(15)Google rating from 15 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Victoria Legal Aid provides legal services in Horsham, VIC. Listed practice areas include Domestic Violence & AVOs, Family Law and Property & Conveyancing.
Domestic Violence & AVOs+7 moreFamily Law · Property & Conveyancing · Parenting & Child Custody · Health & Medical Practitioner Law · Mental Health & Guardianship Tribunal · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Traffic Offences
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Cleveland, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(14)Google rating from 14 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Collective Family Law Group provides legal services in Cleveland, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
Family Law+7 moreDivorce & Separation · Property & Conveyancing · Binding Financial Agreements · Parenting & Child Custody · International Family Law & Hague Abduction · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Mediation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Victoria Point, QLD · Brisbane South & Logan
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(14)Google rating from 14 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hooper & Mill Family Lawyers provides legal services in Victoria Point, QLD. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Divorce & Separation and Property & Conveyancing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bendigo, VIC · Bendigo & Loddon
★★★★★★★★★★4.1(14)Google rating from 14 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Petersen Westbrook Cameron Lawyers provides legal services in Bendigo, VIC. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Building & Construction and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBuilding & Construction · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Probate & Estate Administration · Contract Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Domestic Violence & AVOs
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Norwest, NSW · Hills District
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(13)Google rating from 13 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Coleman Greig Lawyers provides legal services in Norwest, NSW. Listed practice areas include Family Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Family Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Domestic Violence & AVOs · Planning & Environment · Mediation & Dispute ResolutionFree first consult
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.
