OUR SERVICE

North Queensland Women’s Legal Service is a not for profit, specialist community legal service run by women, for women

We advocate for and empower women by providing free, accessible and high quality legal advice and assistance.

NQWLS is celebrating 25 years of helping women. Since 1996, NQWLS has proudly provided more than 125,000 legal services to the women of North and Far North Queensland.

We also work holistically within the broader community to provide legal education and undertake important policy and law reform work to address issues of injustice and inequity faced by women.

With offices in both Townsville and Cairns, we assist women from Sarina in the south, to the Torres Strait in the north and west to the Northern Territory border.

Although we can provide information and/or referrals in any area of law, we primarily provide legal advice and assistance in the areas of family law (including separation, divorce, parenting and property settlement), domestic, family and sexual violence, child protection and migration.

Interpreters can be arranged for women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and women who are hearing impaired.

We believe that there should be ‘no wrong door’ when a woman is seeking assistance. Accordingly, we do our best to provide women with information and/or referrals in any area of law.

We provide assistance to women in many ways

 

1800 Legal Advice Line

The easiest way to obtain legal advice is to contact us by telephone at either the Cairns or Townsville office or on the 1800 Line. In most instances, women are able to receive a call back from one of our lawyers the same day or at latest, the next business day. We also are able to provide legal advice by video conference.

NQWLS-1800Line.png

Domestic Violence Duty Lawyer Service

NQWLS provides a free and confidential duty lawyer service at the Cairns and Townsville Magistrates Courts when the Court is hearing Domestic Violence matters.

Our lawyers can provide free legal advice, court support, information and referrals to unrepresented women who have a matter relating to a domestic violence protection order in court that day.

Domestic Violence Legal Service

The Domestic Violence Legal Service is a specialist complex casework service for women who are at the highest risk from domestic and family violence and in the greatest need of assistance.

The Domestic Violence Legal Service provides eligible women with advice and assistance not only for domestic violence matters, but for all other related legal matters, including parenting matters, property settlement matters, child protection matters and Victim Assist Queensland applications.

As part of its ‘wrap around’ service model, the Domestic Violence Legal Service will also connect women with other services to match their needs for support and other assistance - such as financial counselling, safety planning, personal counselling, tenancy advice, income support and housing assistance.

Appointment Information

Are you living across the top half of Queensland?

We offer appointments by:

  • phone,

  • Video call; or

  • In person at one of our offices.

Outside of Cairns or Townsville?

If you live outside of Townsville and Cairns, you are welcome to contact our local community partners who will assist you to make contact with NQWLS by phone or to arrange a video call with one of our lawyers. Their contact details can be found here.

Our Management and Staff

Management

NQWLS is a not-for-profit organisation incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act 1981 (Qld). It is managed by a Management Committee that is responsible for its functions, with legal and financial obligations under the Act. The Management Committee is comprised of community members from both Townsville and Cairns who volunteer for these positions. The Management Committee members contribute their knowledge and experience from the community, together with their commitment to social justice and women’s rights.

Staff

NQWLS has limited resources. Dedicated staff provide high quality legal services, including community legal education resources and workshops. From time to time students and volunteers assist in the provision of these services. NQWLS staff across our Townsville and Cairns offices consist of administrative and client support staff, solicitors, a Principal Solicitor, an Assistant Director and a Director. View the organisational chart of NQWLS.