The Family Advocacy and Support Services (FASS) supports people who are affected by family violence and have a family law issue. Our lawyers and support workers can help you if you:
- have experienced family violence, or
- someone says you have used violence.
Other family members like grandparents can also use our services.
Our lawyers can helo with:
- sorting out arrangements for children
- getting an ADVO
- sorting out property after separation
- getting a divorce
- getting child support
- sorting out problems with Community Services (FaCS)
- getting victims support
- sorting out other legal problems you have because of family violence
We can:
- give you legal advice
- help with court documents
- appear for you in court in some cases
- find you a lawyer if you need help for an ongoing case
We can work with your support worker to support you with your case and improve your safety.
We can help you even if your ex-partner is getting help from another part of Legal Aid NSW. We can’t share the information you give us unless you tell us we can.
Our support workers can help you to better understand your legal problem and the choices you have.
We can:
- work out what you need help with and connect you with other services
- help you to better understand your legal problem and the choices you have
- give you information and support during your family law case
- advocate for you with organisations like the Police, Housing and Victims Services
- sort out practical problems like getting you Centrelink
- help you get an ADVO
- help you plan for your safety at home and at court
- talk to the Family Law Courts about your safety at court
- connect you with behaviour change programs or other services.
- work with your lawyer to support you with your case and improve your safety
Our support workers can help you even if you have a private lawyer, a lawyer from a community legal centre or Legal Aid NSW or even if you don’t have a lawyer.
Our duty lawyers and support workers are available at all Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) locations in NSW.
We have duty lawyers and support workers available in person Monday to Friday at the following FCFCOA locations:
| Parramatta Level 2, 1–3 George Street PARRAMATTA NSW 2150 | Sydney Level 4, 97–99 Goulburn Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 | Newcastle Level 4, 61 Bolton Street NEWCASTLE NSW 2300 | Wollongong Level 1, 43 Burelli Street WOLLONGONG NSW 2500 |
At other locations across NSW, our duty lawyers and support workers are available in person when the FCFCOA is sitting at that location. At other times, we can help you by telephone.
You can contact a duty lawyer by calling 1800 551 589.
You can contact a social support worker for women by calling 1800 11 FASS (1800 11 3277).
You can contact a social support worker for men by calling 1300 00 FASS (1300 00 3277).
If you need an interpreter, call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450 (9am – 5pm) and ask for LawAccess NSW.
If you find it hard to hear or speak, call the National Relay Service (NRS) on 133 677 and ask for LawAccess NSW or visit www.relayservice.gov.au
We have Aboriginal workers and workers from diverse backgrounds at some locations. Ask us about this.
Transgender or gender diverse people are welcome to access our service for women or our service for men.
If you are worried about your safety at court or about going to court, please call us before your court date.
Where can I get more help?
| Organisation | Information | Contact details |
|---|---|---|
| Family Violence Law | For more information about AVOs, family law and child protection. | Website: www.familyviolencelaw.gov.au |