Factsheets 2023-03-13T15:00:48+09:30

TEWLS has produced two series of factsheets to give general information about Family and Civil Law, including domestic and family violence.

The TEWLS Family Law Factsheets explain four key areas of family law; separation, divorce, parenting arrangements and property arrangements. Their purpose is to provide legal information and answers to commonly asked questions for women experiencing or about to experience these matters.

TEWLS are grateful to Madeline Tzevakos for her assistance in designing the TEWLS Family Law Factsheets.

The TEWLS Civil Law Factsheets explain four key areas of civil law; domestic violence orders (DVOs), personal violence restraining orders (PVROs), victims of crime compensation, and visas and domestic and family violence. Their purpose is to provide legal information and answers to commonly asked questions for women experiencing or about to experience these matters.

These factsheets are not intended to be a substitute for legal advice – if you need legal advice about Family and/or Civil Law matters, you can Contact Us for an appointment or Make an Appointment via our website.

TEWLS Family Law Factsheet – Separation

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TEWLS Family Law Factsheet – Divorce

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TEWLS Family Law Factsheet – Parenting Arrangements

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TEWLS Family Law Factsheet – Property Arrangements

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TEWLS Civil Law Factsheet – Domestic Violence Orders (DVOs)

Download this factsheet

TEWLS Civil Law Factsheet – Personal Violence Restraining Orders (PVROs)

Download this factsheet

TEWLS Civil Law Factsheet – Victims of Crime Compensation (VOCC)

Download this factsheet

TEWLS Civil Law Factsheet – Visas and domestic and family violence

Download this factsheet

External Resources

The following external service providers have produced helpful factsheets in a range of legal areas, including employment law.

These factsheets are not intended to be a substitute for legal advice – if you need legal advice about civil and family law matters, you can Contact Us for an appointment or Make an Appointment via our website.

Women and Work Fact Sheets

NT Working Women’s Centre (NTWWC)

These fact sheets provide general information about rights and entitlements, as well as responsibilities, and an overview of employment law.

You can access these fact sheets via the NTWWC here.

Marriage, Families and Separation (prescribed brochure)

Federal Circuit Court of Australia and Family Court of Australia

This brochure provides information for people considering, or affected by separation or divorce.

To access this brochure, please go to the Federal Circuit Court of Australia website here.

Information Sheets

Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NTCAT)

NTCAT provides a forum for reviewing a wide range of administrative decisions and for resolving certain civil disputes (such as residential tenancy matters and small claims up to an amount of $25,000). NTCAT also exercises jurisdiction in relation to the regulation of particular professions and the protection of civil rights, for example by appointing guardians for vulnerable adults. In all its jurisdictions NTCAT aims to achieve outcomes that are prompt, fair and inexpensive.NTCAT is much less formal than a court and its procedures are less complicated. Lawyers are permitted in most cases but usually are not necessary.

NTCAT has a range of information sheets to explain specific NTCAT processes and procedures, including compulsory conferences, enforcing an NTCAT order, and challenging a NTCAT order.

You can access these information sheets via the NTCAT website here.

Publications, Brochures and Fact Sheets

Federal Circuit Court of Australia

The Federal Circuit Court has produced a range of Publications, Brochures and Fact Sheets for the Family Law jurisdiction, including information for people wanting to apply to the Court for orders, information about separation and stress, and dispute resolution in family law proceedings.

To access the Publications, Brochures and Fact Sheets, you can visit the Federal Circuit Court of Australia website here.

“Quick Exit” button

The TEWLS website has a “quick exit” button in the top right-hand corner of the page.

This button will close the TEWLS website and open the Bureau of Meteorology website. You may need to use this button if you are worried that someone is watching you use the computer or that you have been looking at the TEWLS website.

The “quick exit” button does not delete your browse history. This means that if someone checks your browser history, they will be able to see that you have visited then TEWLS website.

Do you speak a language other than English?

If you would like to speak to TEWLS with an interpreter:

You can call TEWLS on 1800 234 441 and ask to speak to us with an interpreter. We can organise this for free.You will need to tell us your name, your phone number and the language that you speak. We will then call you back with an interpreter on the phone.

TEWLS are able to organise interpreters for most languages, including Aboriginal languages and Auslan.

You can also organise for TEWLS to contact you:

To organise for TEWLS to contact you, please complete the form through the “Make an Appointment” button on the TEWLS home page.

Do you want to access the TEWLS website in a language other than English?

If you would like to listen to the TEWLS website in an
Aboriginal language:

TEWLS has had four Top End Aboriginal languages recorded for this website. You can click the “play” button to listen to these recordings.

The languages that are currently available are:

  • – Murrinh-Patha
  • – Tiwi
  • – Warlpiri
  • – Yolngu Matha

If you would like to read the TEWLS website in a language other than English:

The TEWLS website is able to be translated to lots of different languages. To change the language settings, press “Select Language” in the top bar and choose the language that you speak.

More about hiding your history

Remember, deleting large parts of your internet history may be dangerous. This is because it may tell someone that you do not want your internet history to be found.

If you need help with online safety and/or technological safety, you can visit the eSafety Commissioner website here or you can call 1800 RESPECT on their 24-hour telephone counselling and support service. If you are in danger, you should call the Police on 000.