Family and Domestic Violence Support in Australia — 1800RESPECT, Protection Orders, Visa FVP

Family and domestic violence support — 1800RESPECT, protection orders, and the visa Family Violence Provisions

In immediate danger, call 000; for 24-hour counselling, call 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732). From applying for protection orders to the visa Family Violence Provisions, this guide shows the paths to help that are open to you regardless of your visa status.

Family violence is not something you have to endure alone

Family and domestic violence means any behaviour by a spouse, partner, or family member that hurts, frightens, or controls another person, and it is treated as an extremely serious issue in Australia. It can happen to anyone regardless of gender, age, culture, or visa status, and it is never the victim's fault — the responsibility lies with the perpetrator. Australia has systematic support in place, from 24-hour counselling, emergency accommodation, and legal protection to visa relief measures. Note: your search history may remain on devices the perpetrator can access, so open this page on a safe device if possible.

It is not only physical violence — economic abuse and coercive control

In Australia, family violence is not limited to physical violence. Emotional abuse such as threats and insults, economic abuse such as controlling money and preventing you from working, coercive control such as cutting you off from people you know and monitoring your every move, and visa threats like 'if you report me, your visa will be cancelled' all count as abuse. Some states, including NSW, have made coercive control itself a criminal offence. Even if you are not sure whether what you are experiencing 'counts as violence', you can talk to 1800RESPECT.

Get help now — 000 and 1800RESPECT

If you are in danger right now, call 000 (police, ambulance, fire). If it is not an emergency but you need counselling, information, or referrals to local services, call the national 24-hour counselling service 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or use the online chat on its official website. Professional counsellors will listen confidentially and guide you to the services you need, from safety planning to emergency accommodation, legal, and financial support.

Limited English is okay — interpreter services

With 000 you can ask for an interpreter once connected, and 1800RESPECT also arranges interpreter support. You can also call the government interpreting service TIS National (131 450) and speak to the organisation you need through an interpreter in your language. Even with limited English, words like 'help', 'police', and 'interpreter' are enough to start asking for help.

In danger right now → 000 (you can ask for an interpreter once connected)
Counselling, information, service referrals → 1800RESPECT 1800 737 732 (24 hours, online chat available)
Contact organisations through an interpreter in your language → TIS National 131 450

Digital safety: be careful about search and call history on devices the perpetrator can access. Many support organisation websites have a 'Quick Exit' button that leaves the page instantly. Where possible, use a safe device at a library, at work, or at a trusted friend's place.

Protection orders — the law can protect you

A protection order is a legal mechanism by which a court imposes conditions on the perpetrator, such as bans on approaching or contacting you. The name differs by state: in NSW it is an ADVO (Apprehended Domestic Violence Order), in VIC an FVIO (Family Violence Intervention Order), and in QLD a DVO (Protection Order), among others. When you report to the police, they will often apply on the victim's behalf, or you can apply directly at your Local/Magistrates Court. Breaching a protection order is a criminal offence, and the perpetrator can be arrested and prosecuted for a breach.

Check the name of the protection order in your state and the application procedure on your state government and court official websites
When police are involved, an interim protection order is often applied for quickly — protection is possible even before the court's final decision
Record every breach of the order, however minor it seems, and report it to the police immediately — a breach is the perpetrator's crime, and reporting protects your safety

This is not legal advice. Free legal advice, with interpreter support, is available from Legal Aid and community legal centres in each state. Details differ by state, so always check officially.

Support for your situation

Support does not end with counselling and reporting. Official support is available for each situation, covering visas, living costs, somewhere to stay, and work issues. If you are not sure which of the items below applies to you, tell a 1800RESPECT counsellor about your situation and ask for a referral.

Temporary visa holders — visa concerns

Partner visa applicants (subclass 820/801 etc.) may be able to continue the permanent residence process under the Family Violence Provisions even if the relationship ends because of family violence. The claim that 'you have to put up with it because of your visa' may not be true. The eligibility and evidence requirements are complex, so consulting an OMARA registered migration agent or Legal Aid is essential.

Financial support — when you have no money right now

If you meet the requirements, you may receive the Crisis Payment from Services Australia (a one-off payment, generally with conditions such as claiming within 7 days of the event). A separate government support program operates for temporary visa holders — ask 1800RESPECT for a referral. In situations of economic abuse, you can also be connected to free financial counselling.

Emergency accommodation — when you need somewhere to stay

Crisis accommodation (refuges) and government-supported emergency accommodation (such as the Safe Places program) are available when you need to leave home. You can be referred through 1800RESPECT or your state's housing crisis support service.

Workplace support — paid family and domestic violence leave

Under the NES (National Employment Standards), all employees including casuals can take 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave per year. Employers must treat related information confidentially and cannot show the leave reason on payslips. See the Fair Work Ombudsman for details.

Safety plan checklist

Experts advise that a safety plan prepared in advance can make a real difference in a crisis. If it is hard to make one on your own, you can create it together with a 1800RESPECT counsellor. Below are the key things to prepare.

Keep important documents (with copies) — passport, visa documents, Medicare card, bank cards — in a safe place. Even if the perpetrator has taken your documents, they can be reissued, so do not give up
Tell someone you trust (a friend or colleague) about your situation, and agree on a short code signal to send when you are in danger
Prepare an emergency bag (medications, spare clothes, cash, children's items) and keep it in a safe place
Store evidence such as medical certificates, police report records, messages, and photos in an email or cloud account the perpetrator cannot access — this helps prove a protection order application and a Family Violence Provisions claim
Set up safe ways to be contacted, such as a new email address and phone number, and check your phone's location-sharing and shared account settings

Things to keep in mind

These are things worth knowing as you seek help. None of them mean the victim is at fault — they are guidance for getting support more safely.

Watch your digital footprint — even incognito mode is not fully safe on shared devices or devices the perpetrator can access. Use a safe device and make use of the Quick Exit button on support websites
Do not simply believe threats like 'if you report me, you'll be deported' — you can use the police and support services regardless of your visa status, and relief measures such as the Family Violence Provisions exist. Get an accurate assessment from a registered professional
Only OMARA registered migration agents or lawyers can legally provide migration advice — beware of exaggerated advertising from unregistered brokers promising 'guaranteed permanent residence'
After a protection order is made, do not let a breach slide 'just this once' — a breach is the perpetrator's criminal offence, and recording and reporting every breach protects your safety
Recovery is possible — many victims have rebuilt safe lives with counselling, legal protection, and community support. Do not endure it alone; connect with professional services

Useful official links

Frequently Asked Questions

My English is limited — can I still get counselling or make a report?▾

Yes. When you call 000, you can ask for an interpreter once connected, and 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) can also arrange interpreter support. If you need an interpreter directly, call TIS National (131 450) and they can connect you to the organisation you need through an interpreter in your language. You do not have to give up on getting help because of language.

My visa depends on my partner (sponsor) — if I report them, will my visa be cancelled and will I be deported?▾

That fear is something perpetrators often exploit as a means of control. Australian migration law includes the Family Violence Provisions, which can allow partner visa applicants (subclass 820/801 etc.) to continue the permanent residence process even when the relationship has broken down because of family violence, provided the requirements are met. Your visa is not automatically cancelled simply because you made a report. However, the applicable visa types and evidence requirements are complex, so be sure to consult an OMARA registered migration agent or Legal Aid first.

How do I apply for a protection order?▾

Names and procedures differ by state (ADVO in NSW, FVIO in VIC, etc.). If you report to the police, they will often apply for a protection order on the victim's behalf, or you can apply directly at your local court. If the perpetrator breaches an order once it is made, that is a criminal offence — report it to the police immediately. Check the detailed procedure on your state's court and police official websites; free legal advice is available from Legal Aid in each state.

Can men also get victim support?▾

Yes. Family and domestic violence can affect anyone regardless of gender, and 1800RESPECT supports victims of all genders. Counselling services for men include MensLine Australia (1300 78 99 78). Asking for help is never something to be ashamed of.

My spouse controls all the money and I have no money to leave. Is financial abuse also family violence?▾

Yes. Economic (financial) abuse — controlling money, preventing you from working, or forcing debts onto you — is recognised as a form of family violence in Australia. If you meet the requirements, you may be connected to one-off support such as the Crisis Payment, free financial counselling, and emergency material assistance, so tell 1800RESPECT about your situation and ask to be referred to local services.

I hold a temporary visa (working holiday, student, etc.) — can I get Centrelink support?▾

The Crisis Payment has requirements such as being eligible for a Centrelink income support payment, so most temporary visa holders do not qualify. However, a separate government-funded family violence support program for temporary visa holders (financial assistance, referrals to migration legal advice, etc.) is in operation — ask 1800RESPECT for a referral. Program details and requirements may change, so check the latest information officially.

I need time off work for my safety and to attend court — can I take leave?▾

Yes. Under Australia's National Employment Standards (NES), all employees, including casuals, can take 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave per year. Confidentiality protections also apply, such as rules preventing the leave reason from appearing on payslips. Check the detailed rules on the Fair Work Ombudsman official website.