If you are not in immediate danger but are worried about your safety, see this list of helpful numbers and services, many of which are available 24-hours a day. You can also report a crime after it has happened by phoning the non-urgent police line on 131 444.
Call our Statewide Helpline to book a free legal advice appointment.
9:00am – 4:30pm
Monday to Friday
We are committed to having a safe workplace for all staff. Any form of abuse or aggressive behaviour will not be tolerated and may impact our service to you.
Rural, regional & remote callers can call this line and, where available, be prioritised for appointments between 9:00am – 4:30pm on Monday to Friday.
9:00am – 4:30pm
Monday to Friday
Book an appointment through our Helpline to visit our Brisbane office on Monday evenings for free in-person legal advice for women in Queensland in relation to domestic violence and, family law matters.
WLSQ Head office,
8 Ponsonby Street (corner of Ipswich Road), Annerley
Entry via Ponsonby Street
5:30pm – 8:00pm
Mondays only
Do you mainly speak a language other than English?
Call WLSQ on 1800 957 957 and ask for an interpreter. State your name, phone number and the language you speak. We will organise an interpreter for you.
Do you have difficulty speaking or hearing?
You can contact us through the National Relay Service (NRS) in two steps:
Do you need assistance accessing this website?
We’ve added the Recite Me web accessibility and language toolbar to our website to make it accessible and inclusive for as many people as possible.
You can open the Recite Me Accessibility Toolbar by clicking on the “Speak or translate” button in the top right corner of the page.
Find out more about using the Recite Me toolbar on the WLSQ website: Accessibility
Our experienced team provides legal advice and support with domestic and family violence, family separation or divorce, parenting and child safety. This includes arrangements for property settlements, financial counselling, child support, child protection and protecting your counselling notes in sexual assault matters.
Our Helpline is staffed by a specially trained team of intake officers who provide information and referrals to women and, if appropriate, arrange a confidential legal advice appointment with an experienced lawyer.
Women who are offered an appointment will have a choice of day or evening, by phone or in person, subject to availability. If there are safety concerns our lawyers can also make referrals to our social work team. If we are unable to assist, our team will do our best to direct you to a service which can help.
Find out if Women’s Legal Service Queensland (WLSQ) is a suitable service for you, see some of our frequently asked questions, simply click on the question to expand, and read the answer.
WLSQ is a specialist community legal centre which provides free legal advice to women in Queensland in the areas of domestic and family violence, family separation or divorce, child safety and if someone is trying to access your counselling records in a sexual assault Court matter.
Call the WLSQ Helpline on 1800 957 957 to speak with our specially trained team of female intake officers who can provide information and referrals to all women and, if appropriate, arrange a legal advice appointment with a WLSQ lawyer. For more information about the WLSQ Helpline visit the Get Help page.
Our rural, regional and remote (RRR) line provides priority access, where possible, to the service for women who are outside Southeast Queensland Monday to Friday between 9:00am to 4:30pm. For more information about the RRR Priority Line visit the Get Help page.
Please note that we are not able to offer second opinions when you already have a lawyer.
When you contact Women’s Legal Service Queensland (WLSQ) seeking assistance, you may be advised that we cannot assist. For more information about reasons why we may not be able to assist you, including our eligibility criteria, please download the If WLSQ Cannot Assist You factsheet. If we cannot assist, our team will do our best to direct you to a service which can help.
For any other legal matter please visit the Community Legal Centres Queensland website to find a community legal centre in your area that may be able to offer free legal advice. If you are unsure about where to start, please contact our Helpline on 1800 957 957 and our intake officers can provide you with information and/or appropriate referrals depending on the legal issue you are experiencing.
No. We need to speak directly to the woman seeking advice so that we can collect the relevant information and provide accurate and complete advice.
If you mainly speak a language other than English: Call WLSQ on 1800 957 957 and ask for an interpreter. State your name, phone number and the language you speak. We will organise an interpreter during the call.
If you experience challenges speaking or hearing: Call the National Relay Service (NRS). Give NRS the WLSQ phone number, 1800 957 957.
For more information, visit Get Help.
If you are going to court for a family law, domestic violence or child protection you can call the WLSQ Helpline on 1800 957 957 for free legal advice.
We generally cannot appear for you in court, however we can provide advice regarding services that may be able to assist, or about how to prepare to represent yourself.
If you are attending a domestic and family violence matter at the Ipswich Magistrates Court*, Holland Park Magistrates Court, or Caboolture Magistrates Court we may be able to represent you through the free duty lawyer service. You do not need to call for an appointment first. When attending court, you can ask to see a duty lawyer and you will be guided through the process on the day.
*Please note, we do not attend the Ipswich Magistrates Court on Wednesdays or Thursdays. If you are appearing on these days, please call the WLSQ Helpline on 1800 957 957, 9:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.
For eligible women, the WLSQ Helpline team can arrange a free 30-minute appointment with an experienced solicitor. If you are eligible for an appointment, you can nominate a day or evening appointment, by phone or in person, subject to availability. For more information see our Get Help page.
You should provide WLSQ with copies of the documents you are seeking legal advice about or that are relevant to your case.
You should consider writing a list of questions for the lawyer.
WLSQ provides a welcoming environment, however we generally cannot accommodate children being taken into your appointment. If you are bringing children with you, we recommend you bring a female support person to supervise them during your appointment.
WLSQ is committed to the provision of a safe environment for our clients to discuss their legal matter with our team. If you want a support person to attend your appointment with you, WLSQ will discuss this with you. We are focused on ensuring clients feel safe and supported during their appointments and that their privacy is maintained.
You can ask for access to your file in writing by letter or email to WLSQ.
We will ask you to verify your identity before we provide you with a copy of your file.
The documents you may receive copies of include:
We will not provide copies of these documents to anyone else unless we have your written consent to do so or we are required by law.
Do you have questions about WLSQ? Look at the full list of frequently asked questions on our FAQs page.
Find a range of useful fact sheets and videos with tips and key information to read or share with others.
WLSQ acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live and work, particularly the Turrbul, Yuggera, Kabi Kabi/Gubbi Gubbi, Ugarapul peoples and the Yugambeh Language Region on whose lands our offices sit. We recognise their continuing connection to this Country, its waters, and culture. We acknowledge that their sovereignty was never ceded. We pay our respects to Elders, past and present, and we especially honour First Nations women and the traditions they carry.
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