Not all abuse is visible. For many Queenslanders, the harm done in a relationship isn’t just physical. It can also be psychological, emotional or financial. Fortunately, the law is changing to better reflect this reality.

In 2025, several important reforms are coming into effect that recognise and respond to domestic violence and financial abuse in new and meaningful ways. Whether you’re going through a separation, concerned for your safety, or just looking for clarity on your rights, it’s important to understand what these changes mean and how they might affect you or someone you care about.

At JP Family Law & Mediation, we support clients with complex relationship breakdowns with care, empathy and expert legal advice. Here’s what you need to know.

What is Financial Abuse?

Financial abuse is a form of domestic violence where one person uses money, resources or financial control to dominate another. It’s more common than many people realise, and it often happens slowly over time.

Financial abuse can look like

  • Controlling all the household finances and denying access to money
  • Monitoring or restricting spending
  • Stopping someone from working or sabotaging their employment
  • Forcing a partner to take out debt in their name
  • Hiding assets during separation or divorce

These behaviours create power imbalances that can leave someone feeling trapped, dependent and vulnerable, especially when a relationship ends. Recognising financial abuse is the first step in responding to it, and upcoming changes to the law reflect just how seriously it’s now being taken.

Changes to Domestic Violence Laws in Queensland (2025)

The Queensland Government is rolling out major reforms aimed at improving how the justice system responds to domestic violence. These changes to domestic violence laws include new offences, enhanced police powers and stronger protections for victims, especially in high-risk situations.

Coercive Control Becomes a Criminal Offence

From 26 May 2025, coercive control will be a criminal offence in Queensland. This includes repeated behaviours that isolate, manipulate or control another person, often without physical violence. Examples include:

  • Monitoring someone’s movements or communications
  • Controlling who they can see or speak to
  • Restricting access to money or financial independence
  • Threats or emotional abuse that instil fear or compliance

Coercive control laws will help victims who have historically struggled to prove abuse in the absence of physical violence. It also gives police and courts greater tools to intervene earlier and more effectively.

Police-Issued Protection Orders

Police will soon have the power to issue on-the-spot domestic violence protection orders, valid for up to 12 months. These orders are designed to give immediate protection in high-risk situations, without requiring a court appearance. This change will help people get urgent help faster and reduce the delays that have previously put some at risk.

Control Orders for High-Risk Offenders

Another proposed reform includes control orders for repeat or high-risk domestic violence offenders. These may include:

  • Bans on using dating apps
  • Mandatory sharing of passwords and devices
  • GPS tracking to monitor movement
  • Exclusion zones and restrictions on nightlife venues

These measures aim to prevent reoffending and make it harder for perpetrators to continue patterns of abuse after police involvement.

How Financial Abuse Is Addressed in Separation and Divorce

While Queensland’s domestic violence laws are changing, so too are the rules around how property and financial matters are handled after a relationship ends. From 10 June 2025, changes to the Family Law Act 1975 will introduce several new protections for those impacted by financial abuse.

Family Violence Recognised in Property Settlements

The court must now explicitly consider the impact of family violence, including financial abuse, when dividing property. This means if a person has been left with fewer assets or earning capacity due to abuse, the court can take that into account.

Codified Property Settlement Process

A new, clearer step-by-step framework for how courts decide property settlements will be introduced. The goal is to ensure more consistent and equitable outcomes across cases, particularly when one party has been financially disadvantaged or manipulated.

Enhanced Financial Disclosure

Each party will now have stronger duties of disclosure, meaning all assets, debts and financial details must be shared fully and transparently. This helps prevent situations where one person hides money or fails to declare key financial information.

Pets and Property Settlements

One of the more personal changes includes guidance on who keeps family pets. The courts can now consider factors such as attachment, daily care and any concerns about animal welfare or abuse when deciding who retains custody of pets during a property split.

Why These Changes Matter

These reforms are a big step forward for victim-survivors of domestic and financial abuse. They provide:

  • Better legal recognition of non-physical forms of abuse
  • More protection during and after separation
  • Fairer outcomes in property and financial settlements
  • Faster intervention when someone is at risk

Most importantly, they reflect a legal system that is evolving. One that sees, understands and responds more sensitively to the complex dynamics of abuse.

How JP Family Law & Mediation Can Help

If you’re experiencing domestic violence or believe you’ve been impacted by financial abuse, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to go through the legal process by yourself. At JP Family Law & Mediation, we have extensive experience in supporting individuals through difficult family law matters, including financial settlements involving abuse. We provide tailored advice, calm guidance and a genuine commitment to achieving outcomes that prioritise your safety and wellbeing. Whether you’re ready to take legal action or just want to understand your options, we’re here when you’re ready. Contact us today for confidential, expert advice.

FAQs

Financial abuse involves controlling a person’s access to money or financial independence in a way that harms or manipulates them. It can include withholding money, limiting access to bank accounts, sabotaging employment or hiding assets.

From 2025, coercive control will become a criminal offence, police will have new powers to issue protection orders on the spot and high-risk offenders may face control orders, including GPS tracking and bans from dating apps.

The Family Law Act now requires courts to consider financial abuse as a form of family violence when deciding property divisions. This helps ensure fairer outcomes for those who’ve been economically disadvantaged by their partner’s behaviour.

Yes. If financial abuse is part of a broader pattern of domestic violence, the court may consider it when making decisions about parenting arrangements to ensure the best interests and safety of the child.