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.

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.

National support services

There are organisations to help you with counselling, support and advice. They can help you with housing, finances, food, medical needs and 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.

Counselling services and helplines

Counselling services and helplines can help you identify what you can do and find the right services or support for 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.

Legal services

Legal services can help you with family court, police and 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, contact Family Violence Law Help.

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.

Financial help

The Australian Red Cross helps people on temporary visas, or with uncertain visa status, living in Australia who are experiencing domestic and family violence and financial hardship through their Family and Domestic Violence Financial Assistance program.

Uniting Care helps Australian citizens, permanent residents or holders of a protected special category visa living in Australia to leave violent relationships through their Escaping Violence Payment program. You can call Uniting Care on 1800 387 387.

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. The MyAus app includes information about:

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

The MyAus App can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play from your mobile phone. 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 language.

For information about services and support in Australia in many languages, see Beginning a life in Australia.

State and territory support services

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