Legal rights & options.
Understanding your options doesn't mean you have to act on them yet.
Knowing where you stand legally can feel like one of the most overwhelming parts of a difficult situation. This page is here to make it simpler, written in plain language, without the jargon or the pressure to do anything before you're ready.
You don't need to understand the legal system to be here. You just need to be curious about what's possible.
You might be here because
There's no wrong reason to want to understand your situation better.
You might be here because:
- You're thinking about separating and want to know what that actually involves
- You feel unsafe and want to understand what protection is available to you
- You're dealing with ongoing conflict and don't know what your rights are
- Something has happened and you're not sure what, if anything, you can do
- You just want to feel more informed before you decide anything at all
Your situation is valid, whatever brought you here.
Where would you like to start?
Choose what feels most relevant to where you are right now.
What legal support actually looks like
Most women imagine courts and confrontation. The reality is usually much gentler than that.
Legal support might look like:
- A free phone call with a community legal centre in your state
- An online chat with a women's legal service
- A single appointment to understand your rights, with no obligation to do anything next
- Reading a plain-language guide like this one
You don't have to be in crisis to ask for help.
You don't have to have decided anything yet.
Free legal services in Australia
Find free, confidential support in your state or territory.
All services listed are free and confidential. Select your state or territory below to find the right service for you. If you're not sure where to start, Women's Legal Services Australia can help connect you with your nearest service.
There's no perfect moment to seek legal advice.
Many women wish they'd looked into their rights earlier. Not to take action, but simply to feel less uncertain.
Getting information is not the same as starting a legal process. You can read, ask questions, and still decide to wait. That is completely okay. In fact, understanding your options is one of the most empowering things you can do, regardless of what you decide next.
Common questions
Things women often want to know.
Do I need a lawyer to separate?
No. Many separations are resolved without a lawyer involved at all, through direct agreement between parties or with the help of a mediator. A lawyer becomes more useful when things are complex or contested, or when you need someone to advocate for you. Free legal services can help you understand when that point is.
What is an intervention order and do I need one?
An intervention order is a legal order made by a court that places legally enforceable conditions on another person's behaviour — restricting them from contacting or approaching you, coming near your home or workplace, or asking others to contact you on their behalf. You don't need to have experienced physical violence to apply. Threatening behaviour, coercive control, intimidation and repeated unwanted contact can all be grounds.
If a situation is urgent, police can apply for a temporary interim order on your behalf immediately — providing protection while the situation is assessed further. If the order is breached, it becomes a criminal matter and police can act. The Women's Legal Service in your state can walk you through the process, or you can contact your local police station directly. See our full guide: What is an intervention order — and should I consider one? →
What happens to our shared property?
Property settlements consider contributions — financial and non-financial — future needs, and what's fair. This includes assets built up over the relationship, not just what's in your name. Speaking with a free legal service is the best way to understand what you may be entitled to.
We're not married — do I still have legal rights?
Yes. De facto couples have many of the same rights as married couples under Australian law, including in relation to property and parenting arrangements. The length of the relationship and whether there are children are both relevant factors.
Can I get legal help without it becoming a formal process?
Absolutely. Getting legal information or advice is not the same as starting proceedings. You can call a Women's Legal Service, attend a free appointment, ask questions, and then decide to do nothing further. That is completely valid — and it happens all the time. Knowledge is not commitment.