Frequently asked questions

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 on 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 or are in receipt of a current grant of Legal Aid.

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 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.

Our services are free to eligible women. For information on our services visit Get Help.

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 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.

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.

The Monday evening legal advice clinic is run at our Annerley office at 5 Ponsonby St, Annerley from 5.30pm to 8:00pm. Appointments can be booked through our Statewide Helpline on 1800 957 957, 9:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.

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.

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.

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:

• Correspondence with you and the other people involved in your case;
• Court documents;
• Documents provided by you, other parties or other documents excluding internal WLSQ records including file note.

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.

Annerley office: Visitor parking is available at 8 Ponsonby St and on the surrounding streets if the car park is full. Please note that street parking is limited to two hours.

Caboolture and Southport offices: Parking is available nearby our Caboolture and Southport Offices. Please ask our team for more information about parking when your appointment is booked.

Annerley office: Our Annerley office is within walking distance of several bus stops on Ipswich Road and Annerley Road. The office is approximately a 10 to 15 minute walk (uphill) from the Fairfield train station (on the Beenleigh line).

Caboolture and Southport offices: Our Caboolture and Southport officers are within walking distance of several public transport options. Please ask our team for more information about public transport options when your appointment is booked.

For current transport and timetable details, please contact Translink or use the Journey Planner at https://translink.com.au/.

Yes. All WLSQ offices are wheelchair accessible.