Top End Women's Legal Service Inc.

13/10/2026

The Northern Territory Legal Assistance Forum (NTLAF) calls on the NT government to put victims’ voices and safety at the centre of any changes to suppression laws for sexual offences.

We are concerned about Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro’s announcement that her government intends to introduce legislation to lift suppression orders preventing the identification of people charged with serious sexual offences.

NTLAF warns that rushing through legislative changes based on one or two high-profile cases often leads to bad laws and unintended consequences.

Lifting suppression orders can give victims power over their own stories. For some victims, being able to speak publicly and see the accused named can be an important part of reclaiming control and seeking accountability. For others, public identification can bring exposure and risks they have not chosen.

04/09/2026

15/07/2026

❗️The AusAlert national test is coming soon on Monday 27 July 2026 at 1:30pm NT time❗️

AusAlert is Australia's new national emergency warning system - it will send emergency alerts directly to mobile phones, smart watches and tablets (even ones without a sim) during disasters and emergencies. An emergency alert will include vibrations and a loud siren-like sound for about 10 seconds, as well as an emergency message.

The AusAlert system will be tested this month. This is only a test - you will not need to do anything about the message. In the NT, this will happen on Monday 27 July 2026 at 1:30pm NT time.

This means that if you have a hidden device, you should:

✅ Discuss a safety plan with support services ahead of the test, if relevant for you
✅ Turn any hidden devices off or on airplane mode for at least one (1) hour, and ideally, up to 24 hours before the test
✅ Prepare children for the loud sound, which may be startling

If you need support or have concerns about safety planning, you can contact TEWLS for more information:

📞 (08) 8982 3000 or freecall 1800 234 441
📧 [email protected]
💻 www.tewls.org.au

19/05/2026

We're hiring: Principal Lawyer

📍 Darwin | Full time, Permanent and Ongoing

TEWLS has a new and exciting opportunity to join our service, leading and operating our Legal and Client Support Practices.

In this role, you'll:
✅ oversee and ensure the quality of legal and client support work undertaken by the service
✅ hold and maintain a strong level of technical competence in TEWLS’ core practice areas, including court representation at Northern Territory and Federal Courts, negotiations, and alternative dispute resolution processes
✅ lead and work collaboratively within the TEWLS Legal Practice, comprising the Family and Civil Law Practice and Sexual Assault Legal Service, and more broadly, the TEWLS team, including client support workers, to ensure legal and client support services are trauma-informed and well-integrated to meet client need
✅ alongside the TEWLS CEO, lead and contribute to the strategic goals and operations of the service, including involvement in community legal education and law reform work

📆 Applications close 31 May 2026

👉 Apply now: https://www.ethicaljobs.com.au/members/tewls/principal-lawyer-2?categories=35&locations=13

Join us to work towards a Top End Region where women and non-binary people have equitable access to justice, are empowered, and are able to live their lives free from violence - we look forward to hearing from you!

18/05/2026

Proposed laws that increase government intervention into family life do not address underlying issues placing families under pressure and should be scrapped, a coalition of Northern Territory legal services warns.

Quote attributable to TEWLS CEO and Principal Lawyer Caitlin Weatherby-Fell: “The Bill recognises domestic and family violence as a risk factor, but it does not clearly distinguish between people using violence and victim-survivors experiencing violence, and the recent budget has in fact reduced the capacity of the Domestic and Family Violence system.”

👉 Read more here: https://www.naaja.org.au/joint-mr-scrap-the-bill/?fbclid=IwY2xjawR3atFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF6a21mS0RVdXlkTE9NRzZBc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHld80UwUEwcdFXSOETkuVtYQ5DcFIqyQ0DR5ZpD_ea32txBPKHDb2SU_PyPw_aem_PQlPmdmrDoyDv357wa-voQ

13/05/2026

12/05/2026

Recent public reporting concerning child protection matters in the Northern Territory has raised serious concerns about the publication and circulation of allegations involving children and families.

Under Northern Territory law, it is a criminal offence to disclose or publish identifying or confidential information connected to child protection matters. Breaches can carry penalties of up to two years imprisonment.

These laws exist for an essential reason: to protect children.

👉 Read more on North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency’s website from a coalition of NT legal services: https://www.naaja.org.au/publication-breaches-nt-law/

08/05/2026

We're hiring: Senior Lawyer (SALS), x2 Lawyers (SALS)

📍 Darwin or Nhulunbuy based | Full time until 31 December 2027

TEWLS has three (3) exciting opportunities to join our new Sexual Assault Legal Service (SALS) practice working with women and non-binary people who have experienced sexual violence

In this role, you'll:
✅ deliver specialist legal advice and representation services as part of a team of Lawyers and Client Support staff holistically supporting victim-survivors through the civil and criminal justice systems
✅ develop and/or maintain a strong level of technical competence in SALS’ practice areas, including court representation at Northern Territory and Federal Courts, negotiations, and alternative dispute resolution processes
✅ service the Top End and East Arnhem Regions alongside SALS partners, Ruby Gaea Darwin Centre Against Sexual Violence Inc and ARDS Aboriginal Corporation

✈️ Remote travel is an essential component of these roles

📆 Applications close 31 May 2026

👉 Apply now: https://www.ethicaljobs.com.au/members/tewls/senior-lawyer-sexual-assault-legal-service?categories=35&locations=13,14; https://www.ethicaljobs.com.au/members/tewls/lawyers-x2-sexual-assault-legal-service?categories=35&locations=13,14

Join us to deliver this critical and much-needed service - we look forward to hearing from you!

24/04/2026

Women supporting women 💜💜

Last month, TEWLS was honoured to be the funding recipient of the CWA Darwin’s International Women’s Day event - a celebration of women, and a call to “Balance the Scales” for justice, safety, and equity for women, and all of our community, before the law.

With stories shared by Chief Judge Elizabeth Morris and TEWLS’ own Sue Phoo, an incredible $6,000 was raised to support our ongoing work in the community 🙌🏽🙌🏿🙌🏼

We extend our sincere thanks to all who attended the event, and particularly to the wonderful women of the CWA - thank you for supporting us!

08/04/2026

Wondering how TEWLS can help you? 🤔

TEWLS provides free and confidential legal advice to all women and non-binary persons in the Top End. We provide legal help in civil, family and migration law, including separation and parenting, domestic, family and sexual violence, personal violence, sexual harassment and discrimination, complaints, migration law, and debts. Our team can also help with wrap-around non-legal supports.

Appointments can be in-person at our Darwin office or any of our clinic locations (🗺️), by phone, or by Teams.

For more information or to make an appointment with one of our lawyers or client support workers, please call us on (08) 8982 3000 or email to [email protected].