Who We Are 2019-06-24T12:45:30+09:30

The Top End Women’s Legal Service (TEWLS) is a community legal centre focused on the advancement of women’s rights.

Established in 1996 following the Australian Law Reform Commission’s Inquiry into Equality before the Law, TEWLS is a not for profit specialist women’s legal service providing free legal services for women in the Top End of the Northern Territory. Our purpose is to advocate to achieve justice for women, to promote women’s human rights, and to redress inequalities experienced by women.

TEWLS is funded by the Commonwealth Department’s of the Attorney General and Prime Minister and Cabinet, with additional contributions received from the Northern Territory Government and via pro bono partnerships. We provide high quality, responsive and culturally appropriate legal advice, casework and representation, community legal education, and advocacy in the areas of civil and family law to women living in the Greater Darwin region. TEWLS is able to provide free legal advice to all women, or persons identifying as women, regardless of their circumstances.

TEWLS’ vision is a community in which women enjoy and are entitled to legal and social justice. 

TEWLS provides a vital role for women in the Top End. At an individual level, the service responds to and facilitates women’s experiences and realities on a personal basis, with specialist holistic information, referral, advice, casework and community legal education services. At a systemic level, client’s collective experiences establish a salient foundation and platform for informed service advocacy and systemic improvement via law reform submissions.

About our Website Artwork

Yams and Berries – Muluymuluy Wirrpanda

Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre, Yirrkala NT

Muluymuluy holds extensive knowledge of native plants of North East Arnhem Land and her artwork embodies this knowledge.

There are four plant species represented in this print, all berries or yams and edible species. They are Buwakul (Dhuwa – native grape), Dilminyin (Yirritja – scaly ash), and Ganguri/Manmuna (Dhuwa – long yam).

Photo: Kristy Brown

“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.