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 (coming soon)
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.
For legal advice and support call our free support line:
Available 9:00am to 5:00pm (AEST) Monday to Friday
Get Help & Stay Safe
If you are worried about keeping yourself and your family safe, find information on services available to you here.
Legal Service Near Me
For a list of our free legal clinic locations throughout the top half of Queensland, click below.