Women’s Legal Service Queensland (WLSQ) is a community legal centre offering free legal assistance to women. We have offices in Brisbane (Annerley), Caboolture, Ipswich and at the Gold Coast (Southport).
We provide legal advice and support with domestic and family violence, family separation or divorce, parenting, child safety and protecting counselling notes in sexual assault matters.
WLSQ does not regularly represent clients in ongoing matters, and you cannot ‘employ’ us as we are a not-for-profit organisation.
You can contact us by calling our Helpline on 1800 957 957 and speaking to our intake team, all of whom are specially trained. When you contact the WLSQ Helpline you will always speak to a female.
You can also book an appointment to our evening legal advice clinic or find our domestic violence duty lawyers at the Ipswich, Holland Park and Caboolture Magistrates Courts.
If you are receiving legal advice from WLSQ we may also be able to help you speak to a social worker or financial counsellor from our service or suggest other suitable organisations for you to contact.
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.
If you are in immediate danger, please call ‘000’.
If you are not in immediate danger, you can access our list of helpful numbers and services. These services can support you to stay safe, including talking you through ‘safety planning’ over the phone. Safety planning is about the practical things you can do to stay safe. If you do not think you need legal advice, contact one of these services.
Our lawyers can give you free advice about your legal options if you feel afraid of your partner or ex-partner. This may include legal advice on how to obtain a domestic violence order in Queensland.
Call the WLSQ Helpline on 1800 957 957, 9:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday, to speak with our specially trained team of female intake officers who can provide information and referrals to women and, if appropriate, arrange a legal advice appointment with a lawyer.
If you are not sure if you need legal advice or practical safety planning, please give us a call. WLSQ has social workers who can provide practical support, or we can refer you to an appropriate service who may be able to help.
Divorce can mean many things. Legally speaking, divorce refers to changing your marital status from married to not married.
Sometimes when you are ‘getting divorced’ you also need to deal with finances, property, parenting arrangements, child support or safety issues (for yourself and/or your children). Our separation and divorce resources may help you to understand where to start.
Our lawyers can provide free legal advice to help navigate these issues.
In some circumstances you may be eligible for assistance from our Divorce Clinic which can assist women to complete their divorce application. You will need to call our Helpline to assess if you are eligible.
Call the WLSQ Helpline on 1800 957 957, 9:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday, to speak with our specially trained team of female intake officers who can provide information and referrals to women and, if appropriate, arrange a legal advice appointment with a lawyer.
Separation can mean there are many things to work out which might include: dealing with finances, property, parenting arrangements, child support or safety issues (for yourself and/or your children). Our separation and divorce resources may help you to understand where to start.
If you have questions about any of these things our lawyers can provide free legal advice to help navigate these issues.
Call the WLSQ Helpline on 1800 957 957, 9:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday, to speak with our specially trained team of female intake officers who can provide information and referrals to women and, if appropriate, arrange a legal advice appointment with a lawyer.
If you are in immediate danger or need immediate medical help, please call ‘000’.
If you are not in immediate danger but want to report a crime, call PoliceLink on 131 444, report the crime online or go to your local police station in person.
You can also access our list of helpful numbers and services to find support services that may be able to assist.
If you have been assaulted by a partner, ex-partner or family member and would like legal advice on your options for future protection, including applying for a domestic violence order, WLSQ can provide you with free legal advice.
Call the WLSQ Helpline on 1800 957 957, 9:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday, to speak with our specially trained team of female intake officers who can provide information and referrals to women and, if appropriate, arrange a legal advice appointment with a lawyer.
We provide free legal advice, assistance, and representation to protect the counselling records of victim-survivors of sexual assault or alleged sexual assault.
Call the WLSQ Helpline on 1800 957 957, 9:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday, to speak with our specially trained team of female intake officers who can provide information and referrals to women and, if appropriate, arrange a legal advice appointment with our Counselling Notes Protect team.
You can also get legal advice about protecting your counselling records from Legal Aid Queensland by calling 1300 267 762.
If you or your children are in immediate danger, please call ‘000’.
If you or your children are not in immediate danger, you can access our list of emergency numbers to find support services that may be able to assist.
If you are worried about the safety of your children when spending time with their other parent or carer, or another family member, you should seek legal advice.
If you reasonably believe your child may have suffered harm it is important to be aware of your mandatory reporting requirements.
Our lawyers provide free legal advice on how to navigate arrangements for children, regardless of whether the matter is before the court.
Call the WLSQ Helpline on 1800 957 957, 9:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday, to speak with our specially trained team of female intake officers who can provide information and referrals to women and, if appropriate, arrange a legal advice appointment with a lawyer.
If the Department of Child Safety are involved with your children and you have been given a court date already you may be able to access legal assistance from the free duty lawyer service on the day. You should call the courthouse you are appearing in to enquire about duty lawyer options.
Women experiencing domestic and family violence may also experience financial abuse.
You may be struggling with debts because of an abusive relationship even if that relationship is over.
Our financial abuse resources may help you to understand what financial abuse is and your options.
Call the WLSQ Helpline on 1800 957 957, 9:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday, to speak with our specially trained team of female intake officers who can provide information and referrals to women and, if appropriate, arrange a legal advice appointment with a lawyer.
If you receive legal advice from us and may benefit from assistance from a financial counsellor or with debt, we can organise a referral to our Financial Abuse Prevention Unit.
You can also call the National Debt Helpline to talk to a free financial counsellor by calling 1800 007 007.
If you are in Australia on a temporary visa and are worried about how this might impact issues you are having with your safety in your relationship or separation/divorce you can call us for help.
We have partnered with Refugee and Immigration Legal Service (RAILS) to provide free legal assistance in relation to your visa and your safety or family issue.
Call the WLSQ Helpline on 1800 957 957, 9:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday, to speak with our specially trained team of female intake officers who can provide information and referrals to women and, if appropriate, arrange a legal advice appointment with a lawyer.
If you only need advice on your visa, it is best to call RAILS on (07) 3846 9300.
We provide legal advice to women all over Queensland in domestic and family violence, family separation or divorce, parenting, child safety and protecting your counselling notes in sexual assault matters.
If you live outside of southeast Queensland, you can call our Rural, Regional and Remote advice line Monday to Friday between 9:00am to 4:30pm. Where available, you will be prioritised for an appointment.
Alternatively, call the WLSQ Helpline on 1800 957 957, 9:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday, to speak with our specially trained team of female intake officers who can provide information and referrals to women and, if appropriate, arrange a legal advice appointment with a lawyer.
If you are in north Queensland, you can also contact the North Queensland Women’s Legal Service (NQWLS) on 1800 244 504.
Yes. Domestic and family violence matters are state based, and we can give advice on matters in Queensland. Even if you are in another state, we can provide legal advice about your Queensland domestic and family violence matter.
Call the WLSQ Helpline on 1800 957 957, 9:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday, to speak with our specially trained team of female intake officers who can provide information and referrals to women and, if appropriate, arrange a legal advice appointment with a lawyer.
WLSQ can provide free legal advice if you are going to court for a family law matter, a domestic and family violence matter, a matter with the Department of Child Safety, or because someone is trying to access your counselling notes in a sexual assault matter.
We generally cannot appear for you in court, however we can give you advice on what services may be able to represent you in court, 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.
Call the WLSQ Helpline on 1800 957 957, 9:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday, to speak with our specially trained team of female intake officers who can provide information and referrals to women and, if appropriate, arrange a legal advice appointment with a lawyer.
*Please note, we do not attend the Ipswich Magistrates Court on a Wednesday or Thursday. If you are appearing on these days please call the WLSQ Helpline.
Legal Aid Queensland is a government funded organisation which provides legal help to financially disadvantaged people. You may receive a one-off advice from Legal Aid Queensland; Legal Aid Queensland may represent you (in certain matters); or you may get funding from Legal Aid Queensland to receive help from approved private lawyers who will be paid by Legal Aid Queensland.
We are not the same entity as Legal Aid Queensland and we cannot receive funding from Legal Aid Queensland to represent you.
If you are receiving advice from our service, we might suggest that you apply for support from Legal Aid Queensland, and in some circumstances, we can assist you to apply.
If you are not sure if you need funding from Legal Aid Queensland or advice from us, please call the WLSQ Helpline on 1800 957 957, 9:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday, and we can discuss your options with you.
WLSQ has Health Justice Partnerships at several hospitals to link women experiencing domestic and family violence with lawyers to provide legal advice.
You may have been referred by hospital social work staff or a health practitioner, or you can self-refer by calling our Helpline on 1800 957 957, 9:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.
Our lawyers can provide you with free legal advice about any family law, domestic and family violence or child safety matter through this service.
The current hospitals WLSQ have partnerships with are:
We provide free legal assistance to women at the Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre (in Wacol) and the Southern Queensland Correctional Centre (in Gatton). WLSQ only provide legal advice to women at these centres in relation to family law, domestic and family violence and child safety matters.
WLSQ do not provide advice in relation to criminal law matters, including breaches or alleged breaches of DVOs.
You can request an appointment through offender development or find out more about the support we provide here.
Our lawyers can give you free advice on how to prepare for mediation in relation to organising your property or parenting arrangements.
If your mediation is being held through the Mt Gravatt Family Relationship Centre or the Logan Family Relationship Centre you may be able to make an appointment through the centres for legal advice prior to your scheduled mediation. Speak to the team at either Mt Gravatt or Logan Family Relationship Centre to arrange an appointment or find out more about the support we provide here.
Alternatively, call the WLSQ Helpline on 1800 957 957, 9:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday, to speak with our specially trained team of female intake officers who can provide information and referrals to women and, if appropriate, arrange a legal advice appointment with a lawyer.
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 WLSQ 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 solicitors 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.
Every Monday, we have by appointment evening legal advice sessions for women with family law, domestic violence and/or child safety matters. You can book through our Statewide Helpline on 1800 957 957, 9:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.
We provide free legal advice to clients at Mt Gravatt and Logan Family Relationship Centres for clients who are going through the mediation process. Appointments are booked through the Family Relationship Centres.
Every week, our lawyers provide free assistance to women at the domestic and family violence callover at Ipswich Magistrates Court, Holland Park Magistrates Court and Caboolture Magistrates Court.
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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