A Domestic Violence Order is an order that can protect a person from domestic and family violence by setting out rules that the other person must follow. It can help to keep you safe by making it illegal for that person to break those rules or to use or threaten to use domestic and family violence against you.
Each State and Territory has different names, procedures and laws about Domestic Violence Orders.
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- Australian Capital Territory – Family Violence Orders
- New South Wales – Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders
- Northern Territory – Domestic Violence Orders
- Queensland – Domestic Violence Orders
- South Australia – Intervention Orders
- Tasmania – Family Violence Orders or Restraint Orders
- Victoria – Family Violence Intervention Orders
- Western Australia – Family Violence Restraining Orders
For more information about the laws in your State or Territory, see resources.
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Domestic Violence Orders are civil orders. This means the order is not a criminal charge against the other person. However, if the other person breaks the order, this is against the law and they can be charged with a criminal offence. For more information, see having a Domestic Violence Order against you.
If a person is charged with a criminal offence, like assault – they may get a Domestic Violence Order against them as well as the criminal charge.
Sometimes the police apply for a Domestic Violence Order to protect someone and their children. It may not be up to the protected person whether the Domestic Violence Order goes ahead or not.
For more information, see resources.
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In the Australian Capital Territory, Domestic Violence Orders are known as Family Violence Orders or FVOs.
The law that covers Family Violence Orders is the Family Violence Act 2016 (ACT).
The ACT Magistrates Court usually sits as the Family Violence Court to deal with Family Violence Orders.
The ACT Children’s Court can also make or change a Family Violence Order in some child protection cases.
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In New South Wales, Domestic Violence Orders are known as Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders, or ADVOs.
The law that covers Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders is the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007 (NSW).
The NSW Local Court usually deal with Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders.
The NSW Children’s Court can also make or change an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order in some child protection cases.
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In the Northern Territory, they are called Domestic Violence Orders or DVOs.
The law that covers Domestic Violence Orders is the Domestic and Family Violence Act 2007 (NT).
The NT Local Court usually deal with Domestic Violence Orders.
Video
- Central Australian Women’s Legal Service – A lawyer can help
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In Queensland, they are called Domestic Violence Orders or DVOs.
The law that covers Domestic Violence Orders is the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 (Qld).
The Qld Magistrates Court usually deal with Domestic Violence Orders.
The Qld Childrens Court can also make or change a Domestic Violence Order in some child protection cases.
Video
- Qld Courts – What is a Domestic Violence Order? – video available in Auslan, Arabic, Mandarin, Persian/Farsi, Spanish, Thai and Vietnamese
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In South Australia, Domestic Violence Orders are known as Intervention Orders or IVOs.
The law that covers Intervention Orders is the Intervention Orders (Prevention of Abuse) Act 2009 (SA).
The SA Magistrates Court usually sits as the Family Violence Court to deal with Intervention Orders.
The Youth Court in SA can also make or change a Domestic Violence Order in some child protection cases.
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In Tasmania, Domestic Violence Orders are known as Family Violence Orders or Police Family Violence Orders. Orders against other people are called Restraint Orders.
The law that covers Family Violence Orders and Police Family Violence Orders is the Family Violence Act 2004 (Tas).
The Magistrates Court of Tasmania usually deal with Family Violence Orders, Family Violence Orders, Police Family Violence Orders and Restraint Orders.
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In Victoria, Domestic Violence Orders are known as Family Violence Intervention Orders.
The law that covers Family Violence Intervention Orders is the Family Violence Protection Act 2008 (Vic).
The Magistrates’ Court of Victoria usually deal with Family Violence Intervention Orders.
The Children’s Court of Victoria can also make or change Family Violence Intervention Orders in some child protection cases.
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In Western Australia, Domestic Violence Orders are known as Family Violence Restraining Orders or FVROs.
The law that covers Family Violence Restraining Orders is the Restraining Orders Act 1997 (WA).
The Magistrates Court of WA usually deal with Family Violence Restraining Orders.
The Family Court of WA, the Children’s Court of WA and criminal courts can also make Family Violence Restraining Orders in some family law, child protection and criminal cases.
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