NQ Women's Legal Service

Update from our Migration Lawyer: Higher priority processing will apply to Student visa applications associated with providers in the higher education and vocational education and training sectors, who have not yet reached their prioritisation threshold based on PRISMS information, which is 80% of their 2025 indicative allocation of new overseas student commencements. Be ready for many refusals of offshore student visas based on these new directions and parameters. More information below:

This year, we’ve walked alongside so many incredible women and their children as they navigate legal issues and life challenges. And yet there were some women who couldn't access help because of capacity restraints. A heartfelt thank you to our supporters who made it possible to continue our vital work. Here’s to creating even more impact in 2025! Merry Christmas, from the North Queensland Women's Legal Service Team 🎄

#16daysofactivism gave us the opportunity to collaborate virtually with many organisations to share the message that women should be safe everywhere always. Thank you to everyone who created thought-provoking campaigns, took to the streets to walk for women, hosted or attended a high tea, fundraised for women's services, or donated to women's services. Next year will be bigger and better! Watch this space 👀

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE Economic Abuse Working Group Welcomes Committee Recommendations to Reform Child Support System   The 'Non-Payment of Child Support as a Form of Economic Abuse Working Group' (Working Group) commends the recent recommendations made by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services following the conclusion of the inquiry into the financial services’ regulatory framework in relation to financial abuse. Please see attached the full response from the Working Group. ⚖️

🎄 The Cairns Community Christmas Lunch provides a free Christmas lunch to those who have nowhere else to go on Christmas Day. No family or friends with whom they can share time, or else cannot afford a traditional Christmas meal for their family. 🍽️ The Cairns Community Christmas Lunch will provide not only food, but companionship and Christmas cheer. The meal is totally free of charge, there is no preaching and no strings attached. If your business would like to donate to this wonderful cause, please see the details below. Thank you for your generosity! Merry Christmas 🎄 Cairns Community Legal Centre Cairns Community Legal Centre Inc Cairns Community Kindergarten Cairns Airport Oasis Magazine - Cairns and TNQ Cairns Health Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service Cairns Port Development Inc 2Pass Driving School Cairns Digital Enterprise Program - Cairns and Tropical North Queensland Cairns Regional Council Cairns Counselling Cairns Jockey Club Evolution Mining and Civil (EVMC) South32

📢Recent Changes to Family Violence Provisions for Skilled Visas The Australian Government recently broadened these protective provisions to include specific skilled visa subclasses. This significant update means secondary applicants (spouses or de facto partners) of skilled visa holders can now stay in Australia under the family violence provisions if their relationship ends due to abuse. For more info, see below ⬇️ Don't hesitate to contact us should you need legal support 1800 244 504 Australian Labor Party Australian Government DVConnect Migration Institute of Australia

📣 North Queensland Women’s Legal Service strongly opposes the Albanese Government’s recent Migration Amendment Bill. 🙅🏽♀️ We are deeply concerned about the impact that these changes will have on an already disadvantaged minority group. 🗣️ We will stand up and speak out for our women. 📑Here is our official response. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) 7NEWS Australia Townsville City Council Townsville Chamber of Commerce Cairns Regional Council Multicultural Australia Townsville Multicultural Support Group Australian Human Rights Commission Far North Queensland Law Association Queensland Law Society Queensland Law Reform Commission

16 Days of Activism starts on the 25th November, the International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls and ends on the 10th December, International Human Rights Day. We are on a mission to #turnNQOrange You will be seeing us around. Walking. Jogging. Rolling. Sharing. Caring. And talking about how women deserve to be #SafeEverywhereAlways. So get your people together. Tag a business you’d like to see #turnorange to #endviolenceagainstwomen Ready to #WalkWithUs? There are plenty of ways you and your business can get involved. Here are some of our ideas, keen to hear yours? #16daysofactivism #16daysofactivismagainstgenderbasedviolence #TurnNorthQueenslandOrange Adam Baillie LNP for Townsville Townsville City Council Soroptimist International TownsvilleBreakwater Townsville Enterprise (TEL) Townsville Chamber of Commerce Cairns Airport Oasis Magazine - Cairns and TNQ Cairns Regional Council Mackay Cutters Mackay Sugar Mackay Airport Townsville Airport Mt Isa Carriers Nick Dametto Queensland Country Bank Rural Financial Counselling Service North Queensland

TW: The following text and infographic contains information/mentions Domestic and Family Violence and violence towards animals. Paws for thought... What happens if a woman is escaping an abusive home with her pets? Pets are often considered a member of the family and many victim-survivors of domestic and family violence find comfort in the relationship they have with their animals. People who choose violence often use pets in their tactics for control. There are organisations throughout North Queensland that can help. Your safety and that of your colleagues is paramount. If you believe someone is in immediate danger, you should call 000. NQWLS free legal advice line: 1800 244 504 DVConnect 24 hour Domestic Violence Helpline: 1800 811 811 The information below has been sourced from Women's Legal Service NSW: https://lnkd.in/gy9Urynv For further reading, 'Violence against family animals in the context of intimate partner violence' policy and practice paper from the Australian Institute of Family Studies can be found here: https://lnkd.in/gpDdNgkX North Queensland Domestic Violence Resource Service Townsville City Council RSPCA Queensland Cairns Regional Domestic Violence Service DVConnect Petbarn Petbarn Foundation

Alleged domestic violence deaths are at the top of the news today as North Queensland Domestic Violence Resource Service’s Domestic Violence Specialist Manager Skye Monk talks with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on the recent deaths of North Queensland women. Red Rose Rally’s were also held today in Townsville and Cairns with NQWLS staff attending the silent vigils, held in remembrance of those who have lost their lives as a result of domestic and family violence in Queensland. We come together as a community to remember, pay respects, to protest and raise awareness of the crisis that our country is currently facing.