Due to the severe weather conditions currently forecast, Women’s Legal Service Queensland (WLSQ) offices and Statewide Helpline will be closed on Friday 7 March 2025 and emails will not be monitored during this time. We currently anticipate returning to remote working arrangements from Monday 10 March 2025, however timeframes for email responses may be impacted by any interruptions to electricity and/or internet services.
Guide for those impacted by Cyclone Alfred
Women’s Legal Service Queensland has produced this guide to provide general information regarding family law and domestic and family violence matters during this severe weather event.
This is general information only. It is not legal advice and is not a substitute for legal advice specific to your circumstances.
If you are in danger or otherwise worried for your safety, including any concerns regarding domestic violence, please contact the Queensland Police Service or the Queensland Ambulance Service for assistance on Triple Zero (000) for emergencies or the Police via Police Link on 131 444 for non-emergency situations.
If you need storm or flood emergency assistance, contact the State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500.
Emergency services may also be impacted by the severe weather.
Contact DVConnect on 1800 811 811 or 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 for 24/7 counselling and safety planning support.
You can also access 1800RESPECT via a 24hr webchat link if you are not able to speak to them via telephone: https://chat.1800respect.org.au/#/welcome
If you need urgent support please contact Lifeline Crisis Support on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders community members please contact 13YARN- Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Support on 13 92 76 or MobLink on 1800 254 354.
13HEALTH (13 43 25 84) can be contacted for health advice.
Local Council websites have helpful information, including details regarding:
If you have parenting court orders, the severe weather event may create challenges in complying with those orders.
The general rule is that orders must be complied with. If there are genuine safety reasons due to the weather that mean it is not possible, practical or safe to comply with orders you may wish to:
When orders are not complied with the other party may start a Court process, known as Contravention proceedings. The Court will then decide if a contravention of the orders has occurred and if so, if the person had a reasonable excuse for contravening the order. Further information regarding contravention proceedings can be found here: Compliance with parenting or other child-related orders
If you have a solicitor acting on your behalf you should contact them to seek advice.
If you are concerned about a child’s safety contact the Child Safety after hours service on 1800 177 135.
If you have a visit scheduled with your children that was organised by Child Safety this may be impacted by this severe weather event. To find out if your visit will proceed as scheduled you may wish to contact the relevant Child Safety Service Centre the Child Safety After Hours Service (if the Child Safety Service Centre is closed) on 1800 177 135.
If you are seeking to apply for an urgent Protection Order under the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act (Qld) 2012 and your local Magistrates Court is not open, you can attend a Queensland Police Station to seek assistance. Details of the nearest 24-hour police station can be obtained by calling 131 444.
If you are in immediate danger or require urgent assistance, please contact Queensland Police Service on Triple Zero (000).
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Brisbane Registry is closed on 7 March 2025. Updates will be made on the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia website which can be accessed here: Home | Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia can also be contacted via the National Enquiry Centre on 1300 352 000. The National Enquiry Centre is open from 8:30am to 5:00pm (AEST) Monday through to Friday.
The Supreme, District and Magistrates Courts in areas affected by Cyclone Alfred are closed 7 March 2025. Updates will be made on the Queensland Courts website which can be accessed here: All courthouses | Queensland Courts
We extend our best wishes to our clients and the communities impacted by this severe weather event.
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.
Click here or press the ‘esc’ key to exit this site quickly.
