Family Advocacy and Support Service (FASS)

The Family Advocacy and Support Service (FASS) is an integrated duty lawyer and social worker service for those affected by family violence. This is a holistic service that will help clients turn their lives around by treating both the legal problem and by addressing the underlying causes of the legal problem.

We can help if you are affected by family violence and have a family law issue. Our lawyers and support workers can help you if you:

• have experienced family violence, or
• someone says you have used violence.

Other family members like grandparents can also use our services.

Duty lawyers

We can help with problems like:

• sorting out arrangements for children
• getting an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order
• getting a divorce
• getting child support
• sorting out problems with Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ, formerly FACS and DOCS)
• getting victims support
• sorting out other legal problems you have because of family violence.

We can:

• give you legal advice
• help with court documents
• appear for you in court in some cases
• find you a lawyer if you need help for an ongoing case.

We can work with your support worker to support you with your case and improve your safety.

We can help you even if your ex-partner is getting help from another part of Legal Aid NSW.

We can’t share the information you give us unless you tell us we can.

 Social Support Worker Service

We can work with you to:

• work out what you need help with and connect you with other services
• help you to better understand your legal problem and the choices you have
• give you information and support during your family law case
• advocate for you with organisations like the Police, Housing, Centrelink and Victims Services
• sort out practical problems like getting you Centrelink
• help you get an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order
• help you plan for your safety at home and at court
• talk to the Family Law Courts about your safety at court
• connect you with behaviour change programs or other services.

We can help you if you have a private lawyer, a lawyer from a Community Legal Centre or Legal Aid NSW or even if you don’t have a lawyer. We can help you if you have a matter in court or not. 

We have Aboriginal workers and workers from diverse backgrounds at some locations. Ask us about this.

Duty lawyers and social support workers are available at the following locations:

• Albury Registry
• Armidale (circuit location)
• Broken Hill (circuit location)
• Coffs Harbour (circuit location)
• Dubbo Registry
• Forster (circuit location)
• Gosford (circuit location)
• Gunnedah (circuit location)
• Lismore Registry
• Newcastle Registry
• Orange (circuit location)
• Parramatta Registry
• Sydney Registry
• Tamworth (circuit location)
• Wagga Wagga (circuit location)
• Wauchope (circuit location)
• Wollongong Registry

Duty lawyers and social support workers are available in person Monday to Friday at the following FCFCOA Locations:

• Newcastle
• Parramatta
• Sydney
• Wollongong

At other locations across NSW, duty lawyers and social support workers are available in person when the FCFCOA is sitting at that location. At other times we can help by telephone.

• You can contact a duty lawyer by calling 1800 551 589
• You can contact a social support worker for women by calling 1800 11 FASS (1800 11 3277)
• You can contact a social support worker for men by calling 1300 00 FASS (1300 00 3277)

If you are transgender or gender diverse just let us know which service you’d prefer to work with.

If you are worried about your safety at court or about going to court please call our support service before your court date.