Lawyers have warned migrants may be more reluctant to report family violence under a government proposal to make it easier to deport foreign criminals.
The Senate's legal affairs committee is scrutinising proposed laws to lower the bar for criminals' visas to be cancelled.
Designated crimes would include violent offences, as well as common assault, sharing of indecent images and breaches of protection orders.
The Law Council of Australia's Carina Ford said there would be unintended consequences for victims of domestic violence.
"Fewer migrants being willing to seek the protection of the law due to fears of visa cancellation such as victims of family violence," Ms Ford told the committee in Canberra.
Concerns were raised that women who are victims of domestic violence could also risk deportation if they are charged with aiding and abetting the breaking of one of the designated laws.
