Domestic and family violence and your visa Where to get help

​​​​​​​​​​​​If you’re affected by domestic and family violence, you’re not alone. There is support available, regardless of your visa status. You have the right to a safe environment in Australia.

National support services

There are organisations to help you with counselling, support and advice. They can also help you with:

• housing
• finances
• food
• medical needs
• legal matters.

Most helplines are free from a landline, payphone and most mobile phones. The phone number will still appear on your phone bill. This means that anyone who can see your phone bill will be able to see that a call was made to the number.

We recommend using any website in private browsing mode where possible. If not, you should clear your browsing history. 

For information about staying safe online, see online security and our website.

For tips on improving your online safety, check the eSafety Commissioner’s online safety checklist.

Help in your language

If you need a free interpreter, call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450. For more information, go to TIS National.

For information in multiple languages about Australia’s laws and services, download the  MyAus App. 

• domestic and family violence
• sexual assault
• forced marriage.

You can download the MyAus App from the App Store or Google Play. There is no cost to download and use the MyAus App.

Services Australia helps migrant and refugee communities connect with Centrelink and Medicare through their Multicultural Service Officers. You can call Services Australia on 131 202. They also provide Services Australia information in your la​nguage.

For information about services and support in Australia in many languages, see Settle​ in Australia.

We also have information on​ how the department can help you in other languages.

Counselling services and helplines

Counselling services and helplines can help you find out what you can do and the right services to support you. You don’t have to give your name or any other identifying information. You can choose to remain anonymous, or use a fake name. How much information you give is up to you.​

For confidential counselling, information and support, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732. You can also visit the 1800RESPECT website.

For confidential counselling and crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 44. You can also visit the Lifeline website.

For free counselling services for young people aged 5 to 25, call Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800. You can also visit the Kids Helpline website.

For advice about relationship or separation issues, you can call the Family Relationship Advice Line on 1800 050 321. You can also visit the Family Relationship Advice Line website.

For free phone counselling, information and referral service to help men to stop using violence, call the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491. You can also visit the No to Violence website.

For specialist help for men affected by domestic and family violence, call MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978. You can also visit the MensLine Australia website.

If you are outside Australia, you can find advice about local support groups and help at​​ United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. 

If you need help with passports or documents to travel to Australia, contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Legal services

Legal services can help you with: ​

• family court
• police matters
• immigration matters.

Depending on your financial circumstances and the details of your case, you may be entitled to public funding (also known as legal aid).

For legal information and help visit the Family Violence Law Help website.

We encourage you to seek independent immigration assistance from a registered migration agent or legal practitioner. See who can help with your application.

For free legal advice and support for people experiencing forced marriage and other forms of modern slavery in Australia, call My Blue Sky on 02 9514 8115. You can also visit the My Blue Sky website.

If you are concerned your child may be taken overseas without your consent, you can place them on the Family Law Watchlist while they are still in Australia. For more information you can visit the ​ ​Family Law Watchlist and the Australian Federal Police website.

Financial help

The Leaving Violence Program supports eligible victim-survivors aged 18 years or older to leave a violent intimate partner relationship. Eligibility does not depend on your visa status. Support includes:

• risk and need assessments
• safety planning
• referrals to other services
• up to $5,000 in financial support ($1,500 in cash and $3,500 in goods and services).
  

To access the program, you can call 1800 2 LEAVE on 1800 253 283. You can also visit the Leaving Violence Program website.

Protection orders

If you are experiencing domestic and family violence, you can apply for a protection order.

Protection orders are nationally recognised. You can ask the police or your local court about getting a protection order to protect you and your family.

Each state and territory has specific laws for the making of protection orders. Depending on which state or territory you are in, a protection order might be called:

• an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order
• a Domestic Violence Order
• a Family Violence Intervention Order
• a Family Violence Order
• a Family Violence Restraining Order
• an Intervention Order.​

State and territory support services

There are support services available that can help you in your state or territory.