Queensland’s Strengthened Domestic and Family Violence Laws: What They Mean for You

A Stronger Legal Response to Domestic and Family Violence

In 2025, Queensland took a significant step forward in strengthening its domestic and family violence laws. These reforms reflect a growing understanding of the complex and often hidden nature of abuse, particularly coercive control, and aim to provide better protection and long-term safety for victim-survivors and their families.

At Wonderley and Hall Family Law Toowoomba, we work closely with individuals and families across Toowoomba and the Darling Downs to help them understand how these legal changes apply to their personal circumstances, and what they mean for their rights, responsibilities and future.

Queensland’s 2025 reforms focus on improving early intervention, accountability and safety. Importantly, the law now places greater emphasis on recognising patterns of behaviour, not just isolated incidents. This includes non-physical forms of abuse such as intimidation, isolation, financial control and emotional manipulation, all hallmarks of coercive control.

These changes are designed to:

• Better protect victim-survivors and children

• Improve the effectiveness of protection orders

• Support courts in identifying ongoing risk

• Ensure perpetrators are held accountable for sustained abusive behaviour

How these changes may affect your situation.

Understanding how the law applies in real life can feel overwhelming, particularly if you are already dealing with fear, uncertainty or conflict.

The 2025 reforms may affect:

• Applications for domestic violence protection orders

• Responding to or contesting allegations of domestic violence

• Parenting arrangements and family law proceedings

• Evidence required by the court to demonstrate risk or patterns of control

Family law and domestic violence matters are often closely connected. Allegations or findings of domestic violence can influence parenting decisions, living arrangements and long-term outcomes for children. That’s why receiving timely, informed legal advice is so important.

Compassionate guidance and clear advice. Speak with a Toowoomba Family Lawyer today.

At Wonderley and Hall Family Law Toowoomba, we understand that no two situations are the same. Our role is to help you make sense of the law in plain language, explain your options, and support you to make decisions that prioritise safety and wellbeing.

Our team provides clear, compassionate and practical advice, every step of the way. We approach these matters with care, discretion and respect, understanding the emotional weight they often carry.

If you need legal advice or guidance about domestic and family violence laws in Queensland, or how the 2025 reforms may affect you or your family, we are here to help.