Through a women-centric approach, strong community presence, and a steadfast commitment to advocacy, we are working towards a safer future for women and children.

We are North Queensland Women’s Legal Service

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands of this nation, particularly those of North and Far North Queensland on which our Service operates.

We pay our respects to Elders past and present and their continued connection to the land, waters and community.

We also acknowledge the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women towards truth, justice and healing of our communities.

Sovereignty was never ceded.

It was and always will be, their land.

How can we help you?

AREAS OF LAW WE CAN HELP WITH

Domestic, family & sexual violence

Family law including separation, divorce, parenting, & property

Child safety

Migration & visa matters

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS

We pay our respects to victim-survivors of domestic and family violence and violence against women.

We acknowledge their resilience and courage.

We honour those who have been lost due to domestic and family violence and their loved ones left behind.

We are a not for profit, community legal service for women living in the top half of Queensland.

Our Process

  • GET IN TOUCH WITH US

    When you first call our service, you speak to our welcome team who take some details to make sure we can help you. They ask questions about your situation so they can give your lawyer the information they need to help you. They then arrange an appointment for you to speak to a lawyer at a time that’s safe and convenient for you.

    What do I need to have ready?

    What if you can’t help me?

    What is a ‘Conflict of Interest’?

  • YOUR APPOINTMENT

    At your appointment, a lawyer listens while you describe your situation. The lawyer will ask you what questions you have. The lawyer provides advice around your current situation and will discuss your legal options with you. If you need further legal advice or help they will talk to you about your options to get this help.

    Will I always have the same lawyer?

    Can the lawyer write letters or draft documents for me?

  • ONGOING SUPPORT

    For many women, one appointment is enough to get the information they need to make a choice on how to move forward. If you need further advice and support, we may be able to provide ongoing help based on your situation. Our lawyers help with the legal support, and our client advocates help with the non-legal support.

    What can you help with?

  • CONFIDENTIAL ADVICE

    Anything you tell us during your appointment(s) is confidential. That means we won’t tell anyone what we have discussed unless you give us permission to do so. In exceptional circumstances, however, we are required by law to share some information you have shared with us due to mandatory reporting laws.

    What are mandatory reporting laws?

Our Services

LAWYER AT COURT (DUTY LAWYER)

NQWLS provides duty lawyer services at these courts in Townsville, Cairns, Mount Isa, Weipa and more coming soon.

Specialist Domestic and Family Violence Court
Designated court to improve safety for victims of domestic and family violence through a multidisciplinary approach.

More information here: www.courts.qld.gov.au/courts/domestic-and-family-violence-court

Federal Circuit & Family Court of Australia
A specialist court to address family law matters, focusing on divorce, parenting, property settlements and spousal maintenance.

More information here: www.fcfcoa.gov.au/fl

Our duty lawyers at court provide a free legal service for women who have matters that are in court that day. We can help you understand what legal options are available and what option may be most suited for your matter. Duty lawyers can only help you on the day you have to go to court. Our duty lawyers can connect you with other support and services if required and women can contact us for an appointment for another time.

Factsheet: Duty Lawyer Services

LEGAL ADVICE AND SUPPORT

  • Domestic, Family & Sexual Violence

  • Family Law

○ Separation & Divorce

○ Parenting

○ Property

  • Child Safety

  • Migration & Visa Matters.

Our lawyers provide legal advice and support across a range of areas including domestic, family and sexual violence, family law, child safety, and migration and visa matters. If you have a legal problem in an area we don’t help with, we can refer you to another service.

For women experiencing complex circumstances, including those at high risk of domestic and family violence, we can provide ongoing, more intensive support. Our team works collaboratively to deliver both legal and non-legal assistance, ensuring women are supported throughout their legal journey.

Alongside legal advice, our Client Advocates provide practical and emotional support, including safety planning, housing and financial advocacy, and connections to other services. This holistic approach ensures women have access to the resources they need to make informed decisions and move forward safely.

CLIENT ADVOCATES

Often, women who seek legal advice from NQWLS also require other types of support such as psychosocial, housing, and financial. Our client advocates work with our lawyers to make sure our clients’ immediate needs are met, either through NQWLS or via referrals to other services.

COMMUNITY EDUCATION & COMMUNITY LEGAL EDUCATION (CLE)

NQWLS designs and delivers trauma-informed legal education to frontline workers, community members, and service providers. We are a valuable, collaborative training partner for health, education and other services, embedding legal literacy, safety, and referral pathways into professional practice across sectors.

ADVOCACY & LAW REFORM

As a Community Legal Centre with 30 years’ experience in providing legal services to women, we are involved in many aspects of advocacy and law reform. NQWLS regularly provides submissions to parliament to influence legislative change using client-informed insights. Our lawyers are also part of working groups, committees and other networks that work together to amplify reform efforts for the benefit of women and their children. We often consult our clients about their lived experience so we can ensure their perspective is considered when it comes to decisions that affect women in North Queensland.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

We are committed to cultivating inclusive environments for staff, volunteers and our clients. We celebrate, value and include people of all backgrounds, sexualities, cultures, bodies and abilities.

We are an environmentally conscious organisation.