Migration Law
Migration law is the law about people entering and remaining in Australia. You might need to seek help with migration law if you have questions about your visa or want to know if your visa will be affected by separation, family violence, or other changes to your family situation.
There are special rules about who can give migration law advice – if you need migration law advice, you should see a migration lawyer (including TEWLS) or a registered migration agent.
Free legal help for women & non-binary persons
Migration law and domestic, family, and sexual violence
The Australian Government has zero tolerance for domestic, family, and sexual violence against anyone, including permanent and temporary visa holders.
No one has to remain in a violent or dangerous relationship for a visa outcome.
Getting help and telling people about your experiences of domestic and family violence will not cancel or cause problems for your visa.
The perpetrator of domestic and family violence cannot deport you or cancel your visa.
You can learn more about visas and domestic, family and sexual violence by reading our factsheet here.
Who can we help?
TEWLS can help women and non-binary persons in the Northern Territory who:
- Hold a temporary visa or have no visa; AND
- Are experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence.
How can we help?
TEWLS can provide free legal help for problems about migration law, family law, and domestic, family, and sexual violence, as well as any other related civil law issues. This can include legal advice, ongoing representation (including court work), and referrals if necessary.
For migration matters, we can help with:
- Letting you know your visa options and pathways
- Visa applications
- Representation in matters involving the Department of Home Affairs, including tribunal and court matters
- Requests for Ministerial Intervention.
The TEWLS Temporary Visa Holders Experiencing Violence Pilot (the Pilot)
As part of an Australia-wide Pilot, TEWLS is funded by the Commonwealth Department of Social Services to support women across the Northern Territory with migration law issues.
Financial assistance by the Red Cross
Under the Pilot, the Red Cross can provide grants of up to $5,000.00 in financial assistance to cover immediate expenses.
For more information about the Migration and Family and Domestic Violence Financial Assistance Program, please see here.
How can I refer someone, including myself, into the Pilot?
To make a referral to the Pilot, including self-referrals, please complete the Pilot referral form here and email it to TEWLS’ Pilot team at intake.visas@tewls.org.au.
If you need help completing the referral or have any questions about the Pilot, you can contact TEWLS by email to admin@tewls.org.au or phone on (08) 8982 3000.
When should I get help with migration law?
You might want to seek legal help if you answer ‘yes’ to any of the below questions:
- Are you on a temporary visa or have no visa and are experiencing domestic, family, and sexual violence?
- Do you want to separate from your partner, but are worried this will affect your visa status?
- Are you a secondary visa holder and the primary visa holder is threatening to cancel your visa or have you deported?
Free legal help for women & non-binary persons
