Emergency — 000

Immediate danger - Police, Emergency

1800RESPECT — 1800 737 732

Free 24/7 National Domestic and Family Violence Support

Important: Protect Your Privacy and Online Safety

If you are concerned that someone may be monitoring your phone, computer, or internet activity, please consider your safety before continuing.

Private or Incognito browsing can prevent some information from being saved in your browser history, but it does not guarantee privacy. Someone with access to your device, monitoring software, or certain accounts may still be able to see your activity.

  • Use a Safer Device: If possible, access information from a device that the person you are concerned about cannot monitor, such as a trusted friend's phone or a computer at a public library.
  • Be Careful with Browsing History: Clearing your history may remove some records, but it does not eliminate every trace of your activity. Sudden changes to browsing history may also raise suspicion.
  • Private Browsing: Incognito or Private mode offers limited privacy protection. It does not prevent monitoring by spyware or other tracking methods.
  • Leaving This Page: Closing a browser tab may hide the page from immediate view, but it does not necessarily remove it from your browsing history or other records.

If you are unsure whether your device is safe, consider using another device before researching support services or contacting organisations.

For additional information, visit 1800RESPECT and look for its online safety guidance.

Moving to a new country can bring opportunities and new beginnings. However, for some migrants, settling in Australia is complicated by domestic or family violence.

People experiencing abuse may feel particularly vulnerable when they are unfamiliar with Australian laws, have limited English-language skills, or depend on a partner or family member for financial support or immigration sponsorship.

Some migrants fear that reporting violence or leaving an abusive relationship could result in losing their visa or being forced to leave Australia.

Domestic and family violence is taken seriously under Australian law, and protection and support services are available regardless of a person's nationality or visa status.

However, the immigration consequences of ending a relationship depend on individual circumstances and the type of visa involved.

This guide explains what constitutes domestic and family violence in Australia, the protections available to migrants, how visa-related family violence provisions work, and where to find appropriate support.

What Is Domestic and Family Violence in Australia?

Domestic and family violence is not limited to physical assaults or visible injuries.

Under section 4AB of the Family Law Act 1975, family violence includes violent, threatening, or other behaviour that coerces or controls a family member or causes that person to be fearful.

Family violence can take many forms, including:

  • Physical Violence: Hitting, slapping, pushing, choking, restraining, or otherwise physically harming another person.
  • Sexual Violence: Forcing or pressuring someone into sexual activity without their consent.
  • Emotional and Psychological Abuse: Repeated humiliation, intimidation, threats, manipulation, or behaviour intended to undermine a person's confidence and independence.
  • Financial and Economic Abuse: Controlling access to money, preventing someone from working, taking their earnings, or withholding funds needed for essential living expenses.
  • Social Isolation: Preventing someone from maintaining relationships with friends, relatives, or members of their community.
  • Threats Involving Children or Pets: Threatening to harm children, animals, or other family members as a means of control.
  • Monitoring and Controlling Behaviour: Tracking someone's movements, monitoring communications, restricting access to devices, or controlling personal activities.
  • Visa-Related Threats: Threatening to withdraw sponsorship, cancel someone's visa, or have them deported in order to intimidate or control them.

Domestic and family violence can occur in marriages, de facto relationships, and other family relationships.

A person does not need to experience physical violence for other controlling, threatening, or abusive behaviour to be relevant under Australian family violence laws.

The precise legal definitions and available protections may also differ between states and territories.

Domestic Violence Protection for Migrants and Visa Holders

Australian laws provide protection against domestic and family violence regardless of a person's nationality or immigration status.

Temporary visa holders, international students, permanent residents, and other migrants can seek assistance from police and domestic violence support services.

Your partner or family member cannot personally cancel your Australian visa. Visa cancellation decisions are made by authorised Australian government decision-makers under immigration law.

However, if your visa depends on a relationship or sponsorship arrangement, a separation may affect your immigration circumstances.

It is therefore important to seek qualified immigration advice when deciding how to manage your visa situation.

Can You Contact the Police on a Temporary Visa?

Yes. If you are experiencing domestic or family violence, you can contact the police regardless of your visa status.

The immediate priority in an emergency is your safety and the safety of others who may be at risk.

However, contacting police should not be described as a guarantee that there will never be immigration consequences. A person's visa circumstances may involve separate legal issues requiring individual advice.

If you are concerned about your visa, a qualified migration lawyer or registered migration agent can help explain your options.

Family Violence Provisions: Can You Keep Your Visa After Leaving an Abusive Relationship?

Australian immigration law includes specific Family Violence Provisions designed to assist certain visa applicants and holders who have experienced domestic or family violence.

These provisions may allow eligible individuals to continue pursuing permanent residency even when the relationship connected to their visa has ended because of family violence.

However, eligibility is not automatic, and the provisions do not apply to every Australian visa.

Partner Visas

Family Violence Provisions may be available to certain applicants or holders of eligible partner visas, including:

  • Temporary Partner visa (subclass 820).
  • Provisional Partner visa (subclass 309).
  • Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300), subject to additional requirements.

Applicants must meet the relevant conditions, including requirements relating to the former relationship, the alleged perpetrator, and the family violence experienced.

Specific rules apply to each visa subclass.

Other Eligible Visa Categories

Family Violence Provisions may also apply to certain secondary applicants under selected skilled, business, and family visa categories.

Eligibility depends on the particular visa, the relationship between the primary and secondary applicants, and other requirements.

Not everyone who experiences family violence will qualify for these immigration provisions.

However, people who are not eligible for the Family Violence Provisions can still seek protection and assistance through other services.

For official eligibility information, visit the Department of Home Affairs — Family Violence Provisions.

What Evidence May Be Required for a Family Violence Claim?

For eligible visa applicants relying on the Family Violence Provisions, the Department of Home Affairs may require evidence supporting the claim.

The specific requirements depend on the applicable immigration procedure.

Depending on the circumstances, relevant evidence may include:

  • Police Records: Reports, statements, or other records relating to family violence incidents.
  • Medical Evidence: Reports or letters from doctors, nurses, or other eligible healthcare professionals.
  • Psychological Evidence: Reports from psychologists or other relevant professionals.
  • Social and Community Services: Certain documents prepared by eligible professionals who have provided assistance.
  • Other Supporting Documents: Evidence that meets the Department's specified requirements for the relevant type of claim.

Not every type of document will satisfy the relevant evidence requirements. Some claims require particular forms of evidence, declarations, or documents from specified professional categories.

Important: Do not put yourself or your children at risk in order to collect evidence. Your immediate safety should take priority.

For detailed information, visit the Department of Home Affairs — Family Violence Evidence.

Where to Get Help for Domestic and Family Violence in Australia

Free and confidential support services are available throughout Australia for people experiencing domestic, family, or sexual violence.

You do not need to wait until physical violence occurs before asking for help.

1. Immediate Danger — Call 000

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000 and request police, ambulance, or fire services as appropriate.

If you have difficulty communicating in English, tell the operator which language you speak and follow their instructions.

Interpreter assistance may be arranged where available. However, obtaining an interpreter can take time, so provide any essential information you can, particularly your location and the nature of the emergency.

2. 1800RESPECT — National Domestic and Family Violence Support

1800RESPECT is Australia's national domestic, family, and sexual violence counselling and support service.

The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

1800RESPECT provides confidential support, information, safety planning assistance, and referrals to other appropriate services.

Support is free, and interpreter assistance can be arranged.

If you are concerned that someone monitors your communications, consider using a safer device before calling, sending messages, or accessing the website.

3. Interpreter Assistance — TIS National

If English is not your preferred language, you can request an interpreter when contacting 1800RESPECT.

There are two options:

  • Call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 and ask the counsellor to arrange an interpreter.
  • Call TIS National on 131 450, request your preferred language, and ask to be connected to 1800RESPECT.

Interpreter assistance for calls to 1800RESPECT is available free of charge.

For more information, visit 1800RESPECT — Accessibility and Language Support.

4. Legal and Immigration Assistance

If domestic or family violence affects your visa, living arrangements, finances, or family circumstances, you may need legal advice.

Depending on your situation, assistance may be available through:

  • Legal Aid Commissions: Government-funded legal assistance in each Australian state and territory, subject to eligibility requirements.
  • Community Legal Centres: Free legal information and advice for eligible individuals, including assistance with certain family violence matters.
  • Specialist Domestic Violence Legal Services: Organisations providing legal support to people affected by domestic and family violence.
  • Qualified Migration Professionals: Lawyers or registered migration agents who can advise on visa-related consequences and the Family Violence Provisions.

Services and eligibility requirements vary depending on the state or territory and the nature of the legal issue.

Practical Safety Considerations

If you are concerned about your safety or the safety of your children, a specialist domestic violence support service can help you discuss your circumstances and consider appropriate safety measures.

Depending on your situation, these discussions may involve:

  • Identifying a safe way to contact support services.
  • Considering whether your phone, online accounts, or location are being monitored.
  • Discussing emergency accommodation and other practical assistance.
  • Understanding options for protecting children or other family members.
  • Finding suitable legal, financial, and community support.

Every situation is different. Actions such as leaving a relationship, changing passwords, or confronting an abusive person may increase risk in some circumstances.

Where possible, seek individual safety planning advice from a specialist service rather than relying on general online instructions.

How Pravo Consult Can Help

Understanding Australian legal and immigration procedures can be particularly difficult when dealing with domestic or family violence, especially if English is not your first language.

At Pravo Consult, we aim to help Russian-speaking individuals across Australia find information about their rights and identify appropriate sources of assistance.

Our community information and referral support may include:

  • Understanding Available Support: Helping individuals identify relevant government and community services.
  • Information About Legal Options: Providing general information about legal aid, specialist family violence services, and available complaint or protection mechanisms.
  • Referrals to Qualified Professionals: Helping individuals locate appropriate lawyers, registered migration agents, and specialist support organisations.
  • Community Information: Making information about Australian support services more accessible to Russian-speaking residents.

Pravo Consult is not an emergency service. If you are in immediate danger, call 000. For specialist domestic and family violence support, contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.

If it is safe for you to contact us, you can reach Pravo Consult using the details below:

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about domestic and family violence, migrant rights, and relevant support services in Australia as of October 2026. Family violence laws, immigration provisions, and available services may vary depending on individual circumstances and jurisdiction. This information does not constitute legal, migration, or individual safety advice. For assistance with your circumstances, contact an appropriate specialist service or qualified professional.