An Act to protect persons from domestic and personal violence; to repeal Part 15A of the Crimes Act 1900; and to make consequential amendments to other Acts and instruments.
Part 1 Preliminary
1 Name of Act
This Act is the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007.
2 Commencement
This Act commences on a day or days to be appointed by proclamation.
3 Definitions
(1) In this Act—applicant officer—see section 25.apprehended domestic violence order means an order under Part 4.apprehended personal violence order means an order under Part 5.apprehended violence order means—(a) a final apprehended violence order, or(b) an interim apprehended violence order.apprehended violence order proceedings means proceedings under this Act in relation to an apprehended violence order or an application for an apprehended violence order.has the same meaning as in the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 and includes the Registrar of the Children’s Court.child means a person under the age of 16 years.Children’s Magistrate includes the President of the Children’s Court.Commonwealth Criminal Code means the Criminal Code set out in the Schedule to the Criminal Code Act 1995 of the Commonwealth.court means—(a) the Local Court, or(b) the Children’s Court,exercising jurisdiction under section 91.(c) (Repealed)defendant means the person against whom an apprehended violence order is made or is sought to be made.domestic abuse—see section 6A.domestic relationship—see section 5.domestic violence offence—see section 11.final apprehended violence order means an apprehended domestic violence order or an apprehended personal violence order.interim apprehended domestic violence order means an interim apprehended domestic violence order made by a court or Registrar under Part 6 or an authorised officer or senior police officer under Part 7.interim apprehended personal violence order means an interim apprehended personal violence order made by a court or Registrar under Part 6 or an authorised officer under Part 7.interim apprehended violence order means an interim court order or a provisional order.interim court order means an interim apprehended domestic violence order or an interim apprehended personal violence order made by a court or registrar of a court under Part 6.intimidation—see section 7.issuing officer—see section 25.non-local domestic violence order means a non-local DVO within the meaning of Part 13B.parent has the same meaning as in the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998.personal violence offence—see section 4.property recovery order means a property recovery order made under section 37.protected person means the person for whose protection an apprehended violence order is sought or made.provisional order means an interim apprehended domestic violence order or an interim apprehended personal violence order made under Part 7.Registrar means a Registrar of the Local Court or the Registrar of the Children’s Court.relative—see section 6.senior police officer means a police officer of or above the rank of sergeant.stalking—see section 8.Note.The Interpretation Act 1987 contains definitions and other provisions that affect the interpretation and application of this Act.(2) If an apprehended violence order is varied, a reference in this Act to the order is a reference to the order as so varied.(3) A reference in this Act to a person being present in court includes a reference to a person being present in court by way of audio visual link, being facilities (including closed-circuit television) that enable audio and visual communication between persons at different places.(4) A reference in this Act to a finding of guilt includes a reference to the making of an order under section 10 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999.(5) Notes included in this Act do not form part of this Act.s 3: Am 2008 No 53, Sch 8 [1] [2]; 2013 No 87, Sch 1 [1]–[3]; 2016 No 33, Sch 1 [1]; 2017 No 44, Sch 1.6 [1]; 2018 No 30, Sch 5.3[1A]; 2022 No 65, Sch 2[1].
4 Meaning of “personal violence offence”
In this Act, personal violence offence means—(a) an offence under, or mentioned in, section 19A, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 33A, 35, 35A, 37, 38, 39, 41, 43, 43A, 44, 45, 45A, 46, 47, 48, 49, 58, 59, 61, 61B, 61C, 61D, 61E, 61I, 61J, 61JA, 61K, 61KC, 61KD, 61KE, 61KF, 61L, 61M, 61N, 61O, 65A, 66A, 66B, 66C, 66D, 66DA, 66DB, 66DC, 66DD, 66DE, 66DF, 66EA, 73, 73A, 78A, 80A, 80D, 86, 87, 91P, 91Q, 91R, 93G, 93GA, 110, 195, 196, 198, 199, 200, 562I (as in force before its substitution by the Crimes Amendment (Apprehended Violence) Act 2006) or 562ZG of the Crimes Act 1900, or(b) an offence under section 13 or 14 of this Act, or(b1) an offence under section 109, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115 or 308C of the Crimes Act 1900, but only if the serious indictable offence or indictable offence referred to in those sections is an offence referred to in paragraph (a) or (b), or(b2) an offence under section 93AC (Child forced marriage) of the Crimes Act 1900 or the Commonwealth Criminal Code, section 270.7B (Forced marriage offences), or(c) an offence of attempting to commit an offence referred to in paragraph (a), (b), (b1) or (b2).s 4: Am 2008 No 119, Sch 1 [1]; 2014 No 2, Sch 6.1 [1]; 2016 No 33, Sch 1 [2]–[6]; 2017 No 29, Sch 2.2; 2018 No 30, Sch 5.3[1] [2]; 2018 No 33, Sch 5.4 [1]–[3].
5 Meaning of “domestic relationship”
(1) For the purposes of this Act, a person has a domestic relationship with another person if the person—(a) is or has been married to the other person, or(b) is or has been a de facto partner of that other person, or(c) has or has had an intimate personal relationship with the other person, whether or not the intimate relationship involves or has involved a relationship of a sexual nature, or(d) is living or has lived in the same household as the other person, or(e) is living or has lived as a long-term resident in the same residential facility as the other person and at the same time as the other person (not being a facility that is a correctional centre within the meaning of the Crimes (Administration of Sentences) Act 1999 or a detention centre within the meaning of the Children (Detention Centres) Act 1987), or(f) has or has had a relationship involving his or her dependence on the ongoing paid or unpaid care of the other person (subject to section 5A), or(g) is or has been a relative of the other person, or(h) in the case of an Aboriginal person or a Torres Strait Islander, is or has been part of the extended family or kin of the other person according to the Indigenous kinship system of the person’s culture.Note.“De facto partner” is defined in section 21C of the Interpretation Act 1987.(2) Two persons also have a domestic relationship with each other for the purposes of this Act if they have both had a domestic relationship of a kind set out in subsection (1)(a), (b) or (c) with the same person.Note.A woman’s ex-partner and current partner would therefore have a domestic relationship with each other for the purposes of this Act even if they had never met.s 5: Am 2010 No 19, Sch 3.30 [1] [2]; 2016 No 33, Sch 1 [7]; 2018 No 87, Sch 1.11 [1].
5A Special provisions—carers and their dependants
(1) A person (a dependant) who has or has had a relationship with another person involving the person’s dependence on the ongoing paid care of the other person (a paid carer) is treated as having a domestic relationship with the paid carer only for the purposes of the protection of the dependant.(2) Accordingly—(a) a paid carer and a dependant are to be treated as having a domestic relationship for the purposes of any offence committed by a paid carer against a dependant, but not for the purposes of an offence committed by a dependant against a paid carer, and(b) an apprehended domestic violence order may be made against a paid carer for the protection of a dependant (or for the protection of two or more persons at least one of whom is a dependant), but not against a dependant for the protection of a paid carer.(3) This section does not limit or otherwise affect the application of this Act to a relationship between a dependant and an unpaid carer, or to a relationship between a dependant and a carer that, disregarding section (5)(1)(f), would be a domestic relationship under section 5.Note.For example, if a dependant and a paid carer are relatives, they will be treated as having a domestic relationship under section 5(1)(g) and an apprehended domestic violence order could be made against the dependant for the protection of the paid carer.(4) To avoid doubt, an apprehended personal violence order may be made against a dependant for the protection of a paid carer if the paid carer and dependant do not have a domestic relationship.s 5A: Ins 2018 No 87, Sch 1.11 [2].
6 Meaning of “relative”
For the purposes of this Act, a person is a relative of another person (the other person)—(a) if the person is—(i) a father, mother, grandfather, grandmother, step-father, step-mother, father-in-law or mother-in-law, or(ii) a son, daughter, grandson, grand-daughter, step-son, step-daughter, son-in-law or daughter-in-law, or(iii) a brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, step-brother, step-sister, brother-in-law or sister-in-law, or(iv) an uncle, aunt, uncle-in-law or aunt-in-law, or(v) a nephew or niece, orof the other person, or(vi) a cousin,(b) where the person has a de facto partner (the person’s partner)—if the other person is—(i) a father, mother, grandfather, grandmother, step-father or step-mother, or(ii) a son, daughter, grandson, grand-daughter, step-son or step-daughter, or(iii) a brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, step-brother or step-sister, or(iv) an uncle or aunt, or(v) a nephew or niece, orof the person’s partner.(vi) a cousin,s 6: Am 2010 No 19, Sch 3.30 [3].
6A Meaning of “domestic abuse”
(1) In this Act, domestic abuse means any of the following behaviours directed by one person (the first person) against another person (the second person) with whom the first person has a domestic relationship—(a) violent or threatening behaviour,(b) behaviour that coerces or controls the second person,(c) behaviour that causes the second person to fear for the person’s safety or wellbeing or the safety and wellbeing of others.(2) Without limiting subsection (1), engaging in, or threatening to engage in, the following behaviour may constitute domestic abuse—(a) behaviour that is physically abusive or violent,(b) behaviour that is sexually abusive, coercive or violent,(c) behaviour that is economically or financially abusive,Examples—• withholding financial support necessary for meeting the reasonable living expenses of a person, or another person living with or dependent on the person, in circumstances in which the person is dependent on the financial support to meet the person’s living expenses• preventing, or unreasonably restricting or regulating, a person seeking or keeping employment or having access to or control of the person’s income or financial assets, including financial assets held jointly with another person(d) behaviour that is verbally abusive,(e) behaviour that shames, degrades or humiliates,(f) behaviour that is intimidation,(g) behaviour that is stalking, or that directly or indirectly harasses a person, or monitors or tracks a person’s activities, communications or movements, whether by physically following the person, using technology or in another way,(h) behaviour that damages or destroys property,(i) behaviour that causes death or injury to an animal, or otherwise makes use of an animal to threaten a person,(j) behaviour that prevents the second person from doing any of the following or otherwise isolates the person—(i) making or keeping connections with the person’s family, friends or culture,(ii) participating in cultural or spiritual ceremonies or practice,(iii) expressing the person’s cultural identity,(k) behaviour that deprives the second person of liberty, restricts the second person’s liberty or otherwise unreasonably controls or regulates a person’s day-to-day activities,Examples—• making unreasonable demands about how a person exercises the person’s personal, social or sexual autonomy and making threats of negative consequences for failing to comply with the demands• denying a person access to basic necessities including food, clothing or sleep• withholding necessary medical or other care, support, aids, equipment or essential support services from a person or compelling the person to take medication or undertake medical procedures(3) Domestic abuse includes behaviour by the first person that causes a child to hear or witness, or otherwise be exposed to the effects of, behaviour mentioned in subsection (1).(4) Domestic abuse may, in the context of the relationship, be constituted by—(a) a single act, omission or circumstance, or(b) a combination of acts, omissions or circumstances over a period of time.(5) Behaviour mentioned in subsection (1) or (2) may constitute domestic abuse even if the behaviour does not constitute a criminal offence.s 6A: Ins 2022 No 65, Sch 2[2].
7 Meaning of “intimidation”
(1) For the purposes of this Act, intimidation of a person means—(a) conduct (including cyberbullying) amounting to harassment or molestation of the person, orExample of conduct that may amount to harassment of a person—(1) Intentionally disclosing or threatening to disclose any of the following about a person without the person’s consent, known as “outing”—(a) the person’s sexual orientation,(b) the person’s gender history,(c) that the person has a variation of sex characteristics,(d) that the person lives with HIV,(e) that the person is, or has been, a sex worker.(2) For subsection (1)(b) of this example, gender history means the sex recorded at birth for the person is different to the sex the person identifies with, lives in or seeks to live in, whether or not the person’s record of sex is altered under—(a) the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1995, Part 5A, or(b) the corresponding provisions of a law of another State or Territory or a jurisdiction outside Australia.Note.An example of cyberbullying may be the bullying of a person by publication or transmission of offensive material over social media or via email.(b) an approach made to the person by any means (including by telephone, telephone text messaging, e-mailing and other technologically assisted means) that causes the person to fear for his or her safety, or(c) conduct that causes a reasonable apprehension of—(i) injury to the person or to another person with whom the person has a domestic relationship, or(ii) violence to any person, or(iii) damage to property, or(iv) harm to an animal that belongs or belonged to, or is or was in the possession of, the person or another person with whom the person has a domestic relationship, or(d) conduct amounting to the coercion or deception of, or a threat to, a child to enter into a forced marriage within the meaning of the Crimes Act 1900, section 93AC, or(e) conduct amounting to the coercion or deception of, or a threat to, a person to enter into a forced marriage within the meaning of the Commonwealth Criminal Code, section 270.7A (Definition of forced marriage).(2) For the purpose of determining whether a person’s conduct amounts to intimidation, a court may have regard to any pattern of violence (especially violence constituting a domestic violence offence) in the person’s behaviour.s 7: Am 2018 No 30, Sch 5.3[3]; 2018 No 84, Sch 1 [1] [2]; 2020 No 36, Sch 1[1]; 2024 No 71, Sch 3[1].
8 Meaning of “stalking”
(1) In this Act, stalking includes the following—(a) the following of a person about,(b) the watching or frequenting of the vicinity of, or an approach to, a person’s place of residence, business or work or any place that a person frequents for the purposes of any social or leisure activity,(b1) the monitoring or tracking of a person’s activities, communications or movements—(i) whether by using technology or in another way, and(ii) whether or not the monitoring or tracking involves contacting or otherwise approaching the person,(c) contacting or otherwise approaching a person using the internet or any other technologically assisted means.(2) For the purpose of determining whether a person’s conduct amounts to stalking, a court may have regard to any pattern of violence (especially violence constituting a domestic violence offence) in the person’s behaviour.s 8: Am 2018 No 84, Sch 1 [3]; 2024 No 59, Sch 1[3].
Part 2 Objects of Act in relation to domestic and personal violence
9 Objects of Act in relation to domestic violence
(1) The objects of this Act in relation to domestic violence are—(a) to ensure the safety and protection of all persons, including children, who experience or witness domestic violence, and(b) to reduce and prevent violence by a person against another person where a domestic relationship exists between those persons, and(c) to enact provisions that are consistent with certain principles underlying the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, and(d) to enact provisions that are consistent with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.(2) This Act aims to achieve those objects by—(a) empowering courts to make apprehended domestic violence orders to protect people from domestic violence, intimidation (including harassment) and stalking, and(b) ensuring that access to courts is as safe, speedy, inexpensive and simple as is consistent with justice.(3) In enacting this Act, Parliament recognises—(a) that domestic violence, in all its forms, is unacceptable behaviour, and(b) that domestic violence is predominantly perpetrated by men against women and children, and(c) that domestic violence occurs in all sectors of the community, and(d) that domestic violence extends beyond physical violence and may involve the exploitation of power imbalances and patterns of abuse over many years, and(e) that domestic violence occurs in traditional and non-traditional settings, and(f) the particularly vulnerable position of children who are exposed to domestic violence as victims or witnesses, and the impact that such exposure can have on their current and future physical, psychological and emotional well-being, and(f1) the particular impact of domestic violence on Aboriginal persons and Torres Strait Islanders, persons from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, persons from gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex communities, older persons and persons with disabilities, and(f2) the intersection between animal abuse and domestic violence, and(g) that domestic violence is best addressed through a co-ordinated legal and social response of assistance and prevention of violence and, in certain cases, may be the subject of appropriate intervention by the court.(4) A court that, or person who, exercises any power conferred by or under this Act in relation to domestic violence must be guided in the exercise of that power by the objects referred to in this section.s 9: Am 2016 No 33, Sch 1 [8]; 2020 No 36, Sch 1[2].
10 Object of Act in relation to personal violence
(1) The object of this Act in relation to personal violence is to ensure the safety and protection of all persons who experience personal violence outside a domestic relationship.(2) This Act aims to achieve that object by—(a) empowering courts to make apprehended personal violence orders in appropriate circumstances to protect people from violence, intimidation (including harassment) and stalking, and(b) ensuring that access to courts is as safe, speedy, inexpensive and simple as is consistent with justice, and(c) ensuring that other avenues of dispute resolution are encouraged where appropriate.
Part 3 Domestic violence and other offences
11 Meaning of “domestic violence offence”
(1) In this Act, domestic violence offence means an offence committed by a person against another person with whom the person who commits the offence has (or has had) a domestic relationship, being—(a) a personal violence offence, or(b) an offence (other than a personal violence offence) that arises from substantially the same circumstances as those from which a personal violence offence has arisen, or(b1) an offence under the Crimes Act 1900, section 54D(1), or(c) an offence, other than a personal violence offence or an offence mentioned in paragraph (b1), in which the conduct that constitutes the offence is domestic abuse.(2) In this section, offence includes an offence under the Criminal Code Act 1995 of the Commonwealth.s 11: Subst 2016 No 33, Sch 1 [9]. Am 2022 No 65, Sch 2[3]–[5].
12 Recording of domestic violence offences
(1) The charge in respect of an offence may indicate that the offence is a domestic violence offence.(2) If a person pleads guilty to an offence or is found guilty of an offence and the court is satisfied that the offence was a domestic violence offence, the court is to direct that the offence be recorded on the person’s criminal record as a domestic violence offence.(3) If the court makes a direction under this section to record an offence as a domestic violence offence, the prosecution may make an application to the court requesting that the court direct that specified offences in respect of which the person has previously pleaded guilty or been found guilty be recorded as domestic violence offences.(4) Any such application is to include sufficient information in support of the request to enable the court to make a decision as to whether such a recording is appropriate.(5) The court may require the prosecutor to provide further information to enable it to make a determination as to whether to direct a recording to be made under this section.(6) If satisfied after considering an application under subsection (3) that an offence referred to in the application was a domestic violence offence, the court is to direct that the offence be recorded on the criminal record of the person concerned as a domestic violence offence.(7) A victim of an offence is not compellable in any proceedings before the court to determine whether the court should make a direction under this section to record an offence as a domestic violence offence.(8) A court that directs a recording to be made under this section or is required to take such a recording into account may, on application or on its own motion, correct the recording if it considers that there is an error in the recording.(9) Regulations may be made for or with respect to the recording of offences under this section, including the manner in which and time within which such recordings are to be made.Note.An indication in the charge for an offence that a person has committed a domestic violence offence will be relevant in bail proceedings. The recording on a person’s criminal record that an offence is a domestic violence offence will be relevant to sections 7 and 8 of this Act, where previous behaviour constituting a domestic violence offence is taken into account for the purpose of determining whether a person’s behaviour amounts to intimidation or stalking, and to sections 27 and 49 of this Act, which require police to make applications for apprehended domestic violence orders in situations where the person in question has already committed a domestic violence offence. Section 21A of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 provides that a record of previous convictions is an aggravating factor to be taken into account when determining the appropriate sentence for an offence.
13 Stalking or intimidation with intent to cause fear of physical or mental harm
(1) A person who stalks or intimidates another person with the intention of causing the other person to fear physical or mental harm is guilty of an offence.Maximum penalty—Imprisonment for 5 years or 50 penalty units, or both.(2) For the purposes of this section, causing a person to fear physical or mental harm includes causing the person to fear physical or mental harm to another person with whom he or she has a domestic relationship.(3) For the purposes of this section, a person intends to cause fear of physical or mental harm if he or she knows that the conduct is likely to cause fear in the other person.(4) For the purposes of this section, the prosecution is not required to prove that the person alleged to have been stalked or intimidated actually feared physical or mental harm.(5) A person who attempts to commit an offence against subsection (1) is guilty of an offence against that subsection and is punishable as if the offence attempted had been committed.s 13: Am 2009 No 27, Sch 1.4 [1].
14 Offence of contravening apprehended violence order
(1) A person who knowingly contravenes a prohibition or restriction specified in an apprehended violence order made against the person is guilty of an offence.Maximum penalty—Imprisonment for 2 years or 50 penalty units, or both.(2) A person is not guilty of an offence against subsection (1) unless—(a) in the case of an apprehended violence order made by a court, the person was served with a copy of the order or was present in court when the order was made, or(b) in any other case, the person was served with a copy of the apprehended violence order.(3) A person is not guilty of an offence against subsection (1) if the contravention of the prohibition or restriction concerned—(a) was necessary in order to attend mediation under section 21, or(b) was done in compliance with the terms of a property recovery order.(4) Unless the court otherwise orders, a person who is convicted of an offence against subsection (1) must be sentenced to a term of imprisonment if the act constituting the offence was an act of violence against a person.(5) Subsection (4) does not apply if the person convicted was under 18 years of age at the time of the alleged offence.(6) Where the court determines not to impose a sentence of imprisonment, it must give its reasons for not doing so.(7) A person is not guilty of an offence of aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring the commission of an offence against subsection (1) if the person is a protected person under the order concerned.(8) A police officer is to make a written record of the reasons for—(a) a decision by the police officer not to initiate criminal proceedings against a person for an alleged contravention of subsection (1) or (9) (whether or not the person is arrested), orif the police officer or another police officer suspects on reasonable grounds that the person has committed an offence against either subsection or if an alleged contravention of either subsection by the person has been reported to the police officer or another police officer.(b) a decision by the police officer not to proceed with criminal proceedings against a person for an alleged contravention of subsection (1) or (9),(9) A person who attempts to commit an offence against subsection (1) is guilty of an offence against that subsection and is punishable as if the offence attempted had been committed.Note.The Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 contains powers of police officers in relation to suspected offences, including a power to arrest a person, without warrant, if the police officer suspects on reasonable grounds that a person has committed an offence.s 14: Am 2009 No 27, Sch 1.4 [2]–[4].
Part 4 Apprehended domestic violence orders
15 Application for making of apprehended domestic violence order by court
(1) An application may be made in accordance with Part 10 for an apprehended domestic violence order for the protection of—(a) a person against another person with whom he or she has or has had a domestic relationship, or(b) two or more persons against another person with whom at least one of those persons has or has had a domestic relationship.(2) An application is to be treated as an application for an apprehended personal violence order if none of the persons for whose protection the order would be made has or has had a domestic relationship with the person against whom it is sought.(3) Subsection (2) does not apply to a provisional order that is made by a senior police officer and treated as an application for an order pursuant to section 29.s 15: Am 2013 No 87, Sch 1 [4].
16 Court may make apprehended domestic violence order
(1) A court may, on application, make an apprehended domestic violence order if it is satisfied on the balance of probabilities that a person who has or has had a domestic relationship with another person has reasonable grounds to fear and in fact fears—(a) the commission by the other person of a domestic violence offence against the person, or(b) the engagement of the other person in conduct in which the other person—(i) intimidates the person or a person with whom the person has a domestic relationship, orbeing conduct that, in the opinion of the court, is sufficient to warrant the making of the order.(ii) stalks the person,(2) Despite subsection (1), it is not necessary for the court to be satisfied that the person for whose protection the order would be made in fact fears that such an offence will be committed, or that such conduct will be engaged in, if—(a) the person is a child, or(b) the person is, in the opinion of the court, suffering from an appreciably below average general intelligence function, or(c) in the opinion of the court—(i) the person has been subjected on more than one occasion to conduct by the defendant amounting to a personal violence offence, and(ii) there is a reasonable likelihood that the defendant may commit a personal violence offence against the person, and(iii) the making of the order is necessary in the circumstances to protect the person from further violence, or(d) the court is satisfied on the balance of probabilities that the person has reasonable grounds to fear the commission of a domestic violence offence against the person.(2A) An apprehended domestic violence order that is made in reliance on subsection (2)(d) cannot impose prohibitions or restrictions on the behaviour of the defendant other than those prohibitions that are taken to be specified in the order by section 36.(3) For the purposes of this section, conduct may amount to intimidation of a person even though—(a) it does not involve actual or threatened violence to the person, or(b) it consists only of actual or threatened damage to property belonging to, in the possession of or used by the person.Note.Part 8 provides for the matters that may be included in orders. Part 9 contains additional provisions relevant to the making of orders.s 16: Am 2016 No 33, Sch 1 [10]–[13].
17 Matters to be considered by court
(1) In deciding whether or not to make an apprehended domestic violence order, the court must consider the safety and protection of the protected person and any child directly or indirectly affected by the conduct of the defendant alleged in the application for the order.(2) Without limiting subsection (1), in deciding whether or not to make an apprehended domestic violence order, the court is to consider—(a) in the case of an order that would prohibit or restrict access to the defendant’s residence—the effects and consequences on the safety and protection of the protected person and any children living or ordinarily living at the residence if an order prohibiting or restricting access to the residence is not made, and(b) any hardship that may be caused by making or not making the order, particularly to the protected person and any children, and(c) the accommodation needs of all relevant parties, in particular the protected person and any children, and(d) any other relevant matter.(3) When making an apprehended domestic violence order, the court is to ensure that the order imposes only those prohibitions and restrictions on the defendant that, in the opinion of the court, are necessary for the safety and protection of the protected person, and any child directly or indirectly affected by the conduct of the defendant alleged in the application for the order, and the protected person’s property.(4) If an application is made for an apprehended domestic violence order that prohibits or restricts access by the defendant to any premises or place and the court hearing proceedings in respect of the application decides to make an order without the prohibition or restriction sought, the court is to give reasons for that decision.
Part 5 Apprehended personal violence orders
18 Application for making of apprehended personal violence order by court
(1) An application may be made in accordance with Part 10 for an apprehended personal violence order for the protection of one or more persons against another person.(2) An application is to be treated as an application for an apprehended domestic violence order if one or more of the persons for whose protection the order would be made has or has had a domestic relationship with the person against whom it is sought.
19 Court may make apprehended personal violence order
(1) A court may, on application, make an apprehended personal violence order if it is satisfied on the balance of probabilities that a person has reasonable grounds to fear and in fact fears—(a) the commission by the other person of a personal violence offence against the person, or(b) the engagement of the other person in conduct in which the other person—(i) intimidates the person, orbeing conduct that, in the opinion of the court, is sufficient to warrant the making of the order.(ii) stalks the person,(2) Despite subsection (1), it is not necessary for the court to be satisfied that the person for whose protection the order would be made in fact fears that such an offence will be committed, or that such conduct will be engaged in, if—(a) the person is a child, or(b) the person is, in the opinion of the court, suffering from an appreciably below average general intelligence function.(3) For the purposes of this section, conduct may amount to intimidation of a person even though—(a) it does not involve actual or threatened violence to the person, or(b) it consists only of actual or threatened damage to property belonging to, in the possession of or used by the person.Note.Part 8 provides for the matters that may be included in orders. Part 9 contains additional provisions relevant to the making of orders.
20 Matters to be considered by court
(1) In deciding whether or not to make an apprehended personal violence order, the court must consider the safety and protection of the person seeking the order and any child directly or indirectly affected by the conduct of the defendant alleged in the application for the order.(2) Without limiting subsection (1), in deciding whether or not to make an apprehended personal violence order, the court is to consider—(a) in the case of an order that would prohibit or restrict access to the defendant’s residence—the effects and consequences on the safety and protection of the protected person and any children living or ordinarily living at the residence if an order prohibiting or restricting access to the residence is not made, and(b) any hardship that may be caused by making or not making the order, particularly to the protected person and any children, and(c) the accommodation needs of all relevant parties, in particular the protected person and any children, and(d) any other relevant matter.(3) When making an apprehended personal violence order, the court is to ensure that the order imposes only those prohibitions and restrictions on the defendant that, in the opinion of the court, are necessary for the safety and protection of the protected person, and any child directly or indirectly affected by the conduct of the defendant alleged in the application for the order, and the protected person’s property.(4) If an application is made for an apprehended personal violence order that prohibits or restricts access by the defendant to any premises or place and the court hearing proceedings in respect of the application decides to make an order without the prohibition or restriction sought, the court is to give reasons for that decision.
21 Referral of matters to mediation
(1) If an application for an apprehended personal violence order is made to a court, the court—(a) when considering whether to make the order—is to refer the protected person and the defendant for mediation under the Community Justice Centres Act 1983 unless it is satisfied that there is good reason not to do so, and(b) at any other time—may refer the protected person and the defendant for mediation under that Act.(2) Without limiting subsection (1), in determining whether there is good reason not to refer a matter to mediation, the court is to consider whether—(a) there has been a history of physical violence to the protected person by the defendant, or(b) the protected person has been subjected to conduct by the defendant amounting to a personal violence offence, or(c) the protected person has been subjected to conduct by the defendant amounting to an offence under section 13, or(d) the defendant has engaged in conduct amounting to harassment relating to the protected person’s race, religion, homosexuality, transgender status or disability, or(d1) the defendant has engaged in conduct amounting to harassment relating to the protected person being a person living with HIV/AIDS, or(e) there has been a previous attempt at mediation in relation to the same matter and the attempt was not successful.(2A) The existence of any one or more of the factors referred to in subsection (2) does not prevent a court from referring a matter to mediation.(3) Nothing in this section affects section 24 of the Community Justice Centres Act 1983.Note.Section 24 of the Community Justice Centres Act 1983 enables the Director of Community Justice Centres to decline to consent to the acceptance of a dispute for mediation and enables the Director or a mediator to terminate a mediation session at any time.(4) The Director of Community Justice Centres is to provide a written report on the outcome of the mediation or attempted mediation to the court that referred the matter for mediation.(5) On receiving a report under subsection (4), the court is to take such action in accordance with this Act as it considers appropriate in relation to the matter concerned and in doing so may take into account the contents of the report.(6) If a matter is referred to mediation under this section without an order having been made, any proceedings in relation to the application are taken to have been stayed until a report is provided under subsection (4).(7) If the Director of Community Justice Centres provides a report under subsection (4) or a mediator conducts a mediation of a matter referred under this section, the Director or the mediator is taken, for the purposes of the provisions of the Community Justice Centres Act 1983, to be exercising those functions for the purpose of executing that Act.s 21: Am 2013 No 87, Sch 2 [1]–[3]; 2024 No 71, Sch 3[2] [3].
Part 6 Interim court orders
22 Interim court orders
(1) A court may, on application made in accordance with Part 10, make an interim apprehended domestic violence order or an interim apprehended personal violence order if it appears to the court that it is necessary or appropriate to do so in the circumstances.(2) An interim apprehended domestic violence order or an interim apprehended personal violence order made on application under this Part is referred to in this Act as an interim court order.(3) An interim court order may be made by a court whether or not—(a) the defendant is present at the proceedings, or(b) the defendant has been given notice of the proceedings.(4) A court may, in deciding whether to make an interim court order, admit affidavit evidence or a written statement by a police officer that is tendered on behalf of the person for whose protection the order would be made if—(a) the person is unable, for any good reason, to be present at the proceedings, and(b) the court is satisfied that the matter requires urgent consideration by the court.(5) If an interim court order is made by a court—(a) the court is to require the defendant to appear at a further hearing of the matter by the court as soon as practicable after the interim court order is made, and(b) the court may, at the further hearing or an adjourned further hearing, make a final apprehended violence order in the same terms as the interim court order or with variations or may revoke the interim court order (whether or not the defendant appears at any such further hearing).(6) An interim court order has, while it remains in force, the same effect as a final apprehended violence order.
23 Interim court orders made by Registrar with consent
(1) A Registrar may, on application, make an interim apprehended domestic violence order or an interim apprehended personal violence order if satisfied that the protected person and the defendant consent to the making of the order.(2) Section 78 (Orders made with consent of parties) applies in relation to the making of an order by a Registrar under this section in the same way as it applies to the making of an interim court order by a court.(3) If an interim court order is made by a Registrar—(a) the Registrar is to require the defendant to appear at a further hearing of the matter before a court as soon as practicable after the interim court order is made, and(b) the court may, at the further hearing or an adjourned hearing, make a final apprehended violence order in the same terms as the interim court order or with variations or may revoke the interim court order.(4) An interim court order made by a Registrar of a court under this section is taken to have been made by the court and has effect accordingly.(5) Section 76 applies to a Registrar who makes an interim court order under this section.
24 Interim court order ceases when final court order made or served
(1) An interim court order remains in force until—(a) it is revoked, or(b) it ceases to have effect under subsection (2), orwhichever first occurs.(c) the application for a final apprehended violence order is withdrawn or dismissed,(2) If a final apprehended violence order is made in respect of an interim court order (whether with or without variation), the interim court order ceases to have effect—(a) in a case where the defendant is present at court—when the final apprehended violence order is made, or(b) in any other case—when the defendant is served in accordance with this Act with a copy of the final apprehended violence order.
24A Referral of matters to mediation
Section 21 applies in relation to an interim apprehended personal violence order in the same way as it applies in relation to an apprehended personal violence order.s 24A: Ins 2013 No 87, Sch 2 [4].
Part 7 Provisional orders
25 Application by telephone, facsimile or other communication device
(1) A police officer may apply by telephone, facsimile or other communication device—(a) to an authorised officer or senior police officer for an interim apprehended domestic violence order, or(b) to an authorised officer for an interim apprehended personal violence order.(2) In this Act—(a) an interim apprehended domestic violence order or an interim apprehended personal violence order made on an application under this section is referred to as a provisional order, and(b) the police officer who applies for a provisional order is referred to as the applicant officer, and(c) the authorised officer or senior police officer who makes a provisional order is referred to as the issuing officer.(3) An application for a provisional order—(a) may be made at the request of the protected person or on the applicant officer’s own initiative, and(b) may be transmitted to the authorised officer or senior police officer by another person on behalf of the applicant officer if it is not practicable for the application to be made by the applicant officer by telephone, facsimile or other communication device directly to the authorised officer or senior police officer.s 25: Subst 2013 No 87, Sch 1 [5].
26 When application may be made
(1) An application may be made by telephone, facsimile or other communication device if—(a) an incident occurs involving the person against whom the provisional order is sought to be made and the person who would be protected by the provisional order, and(b) a police officer has good reason to believe a provisional order needs to be made immediately to ensure the safety and protection of the person who would be protected by the provisional order or to prevent substantial damage to any property of that person.(2) An application may be made at any time and whether or not the court is sitting.
27 Obligation to apply for provisional order in certain circumstances
(1) An application must be made for a provisional order if—(a) a police officer investigating the incident concerned suspects or believes that—(i) a domestic violence offence or an offence against section 13 has recently been or is being committed, or is imminent, or is likely to be committed, against the person for whose protection an order would be made, or(ii) an offence under section 227 (Child and young person abuse) of the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 (but only in relation to a child) has recently been or is being committed, or is imminent, or is likely to be committed, against the person for whose protection an order would be made, or(iii) proceedings have been commenced against a person for an offence referred to in subparagraph (i) or (ii) committed against the person for whose protection an order would be made, and(b) the police officer has good reason to believe an order needs to be made immediately to ensure the safety and protection of the person who would be protected by the order or to prevent substantial damage to any property of that person.(2) The application may be made by any police officer.(3) An application need not be made in the circumstances referred to in subsection (1) if an apprehended violence order is already in force against the defendant for the protection of the person concerned.(3A) However, subsection (3) does not prevent an application being made.(4) An application need not be made in the circumstances referred to in subsection (1) if the person for whose protection an order would be made is at least 16 years of age at the time of the incident and a police officer investigating the incident believes—(a) that the person intends to make an application for an apprehended violence order, or(b) that there is good reason not to make the application.(5) However, if the police officer investigating the incident believes that there is good reason not to make the application, the police officer must make a written record of the reason.(6) For the purposes of subsection (4), the reluctance of the person to make an application does not, on its own, constitute a good reason for a police officer not to make an application if the police officer reasonably believes that—(a) the person has been the victim of violence or there is a significant threat of violence to the person, or(b) the person has an intellectual disability and has no guardian.s 27: Am 2020 No 36, Sch 1[3].
28 Making of provisional order by authorised officer
(1) An authorised officer to whom an application is made for a provisional order may, if satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for doing so, make the provisional order.(2) Section 21 (Referral of matters to mediation) applies to an authorised officer when considering whether to make a provisional order that is an interim apprehended personal violence order or after making such an order in the same way as it applies to a court.(3) Section 81 applies to the making of a provisional order by an authorised officer in the same way as that section applies to other orders.s 28: Am 2013 No 87, Sch 1 [6]; 2016 No 55, Sch 3.6.
28A Making of provisional order by senior police officer
(1) A senior police officer to whom an application is made for a provisional order may, if satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for doing so, make the provisional order.(2) However, a senior police officer may not make a provisional order in circumstances where he or she is the applicant officer.(3) The provisional order is to contain the address or facsimile number of the Police Area Commander or Police District Commander at which the defendant may serve an application for variation or revocation of the order.s 28A: Ins 2013 No 87, Sch 1 [7]. Am 2018 No 29, Sch 2.4.
28B Interaction with existing orders
(1) This section applies if an apprehended violence order is already in force against the defendant for the protection of the person concerned (an existing order).(2) An issuing officer must not make a prohibition or restriction in a provisional order that would be inconsistent with a prohibition or restriction in the existing order if the effect would be to decrease the protection afforded to the protected person under the existing order.(3) A prohibition or restriction specified in a provisional order that is inconsistent with a prohibition or restriction specified in the existing order in a way that would decrease the protection afforded to the protected person under the existing order is of no effect.Note—See section 81A for the effect of concurrent orders if there is an inconsistency between 2 or more concurrent orders.s 28B: Ins 2020 No 36, Sch 1[4].
29 Provisional order taken to be application for court order
(1) A provisional order is taken, for the purposes of this Act, to be an application by the applicant officer under Part 10.(1A) If the application taken to be made under Part 10 is withdrawn or dismissed, the provisional order is revoked.(2) The provisional order is to contain a direction for the appearance of the defendant at a hearing of the application by an appropriate court on a date specified in the order by the issuing officer.(3) The specified date must be—(a) the next date on which the matter can be listed on a domestic violence list at the appropriate court, and(b) in any case, a date that is not more than 28 days after the making of the provisional order.(3A) Failure to comply with the requirement under subsection (3)(b) does not affect the validity of the provisional order if the failure is due to court sitting arrangements that prevent the matter from being heard by the appropriate court.(4), (5) (Repealed)s 29: Am 2013 No 87, Sch 1 [8]; 2020 No 1, Sch 2.6; 2020 No 36, Sch 1[5] [6]; 2023 No 7, Sch 2.16; 2024 No 3, Sch 3[1].
30 Recording of provisional order
(1) The issuing officer who makes a provisional order is to inform the applicant of the terms of the order and the date and time when the order was made.(2) The applicant is to complete a form of order in the terms so indicated and write on it the name of the issuing officer, the date and time when the order was made and the date of the hearing of the application.(3) When the form of order is completed, it is taken to be a provisional order.(4) An issuing officer may, instead of proceeding under subsection (1), furnish the provisional order to the applicant.(5) An applicant who is furnished with a provisional order under subsection (4) is to include in the order the date of the hearing of the application.s 30: Am 2013 No 87, Sch 1 [9].
31 Service
(1) A provisional order is to be served personally on the defendant by a police officer as soon as practicable after it is made.(2) A provisional order is to be served personally on the protected person by a police officer as soon as practicable after it is made unless it is impractical to do so.s 31: Am 2008 No 119, Sch 1 [2].
32 Powers of court in relation to provisional order
(1) On the first return date, if a provisional order is in force, the court may—(a) dismiss the application taken to be made under Part 10, or(b) revoke the provisional order, or(c) make, in the same terms as the provisional order or with variations—(i) an interim court order, or(ii) a final apprehended violence order.(2) If the court does none of the things in subsection (1)(a)–(c)—(a) the provisional order becomes an interim court order—(i) made on the first return date, and(ii) on the same terms as the provisional order, and(b) further service of the order is not required.(3) If the court makes an interim court order or a final apprehended violence order, the provisional order is revoked.(4) Revocation of a provisional order under subsection (3) occurs—(a) if the defendant is present at court—when the interim court order or final apprehended violence order is made, or(b) otherwise—when the defendant is served, in accordance with this Act, with a copy of the interim court order or final apprehended violence order.s 32: Subst 2016 No 33, Sch 1 [14]. Am 2020 No 36, Sch 1[7]. Subst 2024 No 3, Sch 3[2].
33 Variation or revocation of provisional order on application of police officer
(1) A provisional order made by an authorised officer may be varied or revoked by—(a) the authorised officer who made it or any other authorised officer, or(b) any court dealing with an application for an apprehended violence order, or variation of an apprehended violence order, against the same defendant.(2) A provisional order may be varied—(a) by amending or deleting any prohibitions or restrictions specified in the order, or(b) by specifying additional prohibitions or restrictions in the order.(3) An application for a variation or the revocation of a provisional order under this section may be made only by a police officer.(4) If there is more than one protected person under a provisional order, the order may be varied or revoked in its application to all of the protected persons or in relation to any one or more of the protected persons.(5) Notice of the variation or revocation is to be served on the defendant, each protected person affected by the variation or revocation and the Commissioner of Police.(6) (Repealed)(7) This section does not apply to the variation or revocation of a provisional order in accordance with section 33A.s 33: Am 2013 No 87, Sch 1 [10]–[12]; 2016 No 33, Sch 1 [15]; 2020 No 36, Sch 1[8].
33A Variation or revocation of provisional order on application of defendant
(1) A provisional order made by a senior police officer may be varied or revoked on the application of the defendant by any court that deals, or is to deal, with an application for an apprehended violence order, or variation of an apprehended violence order, against that defendant.(2) Despite subsection (1), an application for variation or revocation of a provisional order must be made by a police officer if the protected person or one of the protected persons under the order is a child at the time of the application.(3) Sections 73(1), (2), (4) and (6), 74(1) and (2), 76(2), (4) and (5) and 77(2)–(8) apply to the variation or revocation of a provisional order under this section in the same way as they apply to the variation or revocation of a final apprehended violence order or interim court order.(4) In addition to the requirements of section 73(4), a provisional order is not to be varied or revoked on the application of the defendant under this section unless notice of the application has been served on the Police Area Commander or Police District Commander.(5) The applicant officer or another police officer is entitled to appear in proceedings for a variation or revocation of the provisional order under this section.s 33A: Ins 2013 No 87, Sch 1 [13]. Am 2018 No 29, Sch 2.4; 2020 No 36, Sch 1[9].
34 Purported renewal or continuance
(1) A provisional order may not be renewed and a further provisional order may not be made in respect of the same incident.(2) (Repealed)s 34: Am 2024 No 3, Sch 3[3].
34A Defects in interim apprehended domestic violence orders
(1) This section applies if a senior police officer has, in good faith, purported to make a provisional order as an interim apprehended domestic violence order but none of the persons for whose protection the order was made has or has had a domestic relationship with the person against whom the order was sought.(2) If a provisional order has such a defect, no action lies against any police officer or any other person merely because of that defect in respect of anything done or omitted to be done by the police officer or other person in good faith in reliance on the provisional order or any ancillary property recovery order.s 34A: Ins 2013 No 87, Sch 1 [14].
Part 8 Content and effect of apprehended violence orders
35 Prohibitions and restrictions imposed by apprehended violence orders
(1) When making an apprehended violence order, a court may impose such prohibitions or restrictions on the behaviour of the defendant as appear necessary or desirable to the court and, in particular, to ensure the safety and protection of the person in need of protection and any children from domestic or personal violence.(2) Without limiting the generality of subsection (1), an apprehended violence order made by a court may impose any or all of the following prohibitions or restrictions—(a) prohibiting or restricting approaches by the defendant to the protected person,(b) prohibiting or restricting access by the defendant to any or all of the following—(i) to any premises occupied by the protected person from time to time or to any specified premises occupied by the protected person,(ii) to any place where the protected person works from time to time or to any specified place of work of the protected person,whether or not the defendant has a legal or equitable interest in the premises or place,(iii) to any specified premises or place frequented by the protected person,(c) prohibiting or restricting the defendant from approaching the protected person, or any such premises or place, within 12 hours of consuming intoxicating liquor or illicit drugs,(c1) prohibiting or restricting the defendant from locating or attempting to locate the protected person,(d) prohibiting or restricting the possession of all or any specified firearms or prohibited weapons (within the meaning of the Weapons Prohibition Act 1998) by the defendant,(e) prohibiting the defendant from interfering with the protected person’s property,(f) prohibiting or restricting specified behaviour by the defendant that might affect the protected person.(2A) Without limiting the generality of subsection (2)(f), an apprehended violence order may prohibit behaviour of the defendant that might coerce, threaten or deceive the protected person to enter into a forced marriage within the meaning of the Crimes Act 1900, section 93AC or the Commonwealth Criminal Code, section 270.7A (Definition of forced marriage).(3) A provisional order may impose any or all of the prohibitions or restrictions specified in subsection (2)(a)–(e) if the issuing officer is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for the order doing so and the defendant is not a child.(4) (Repealed)(5) A reference in this section to a court includes a reference to a Registrar.Note.Section 23 of the Firearms Act 1996 provides for the automatic suspension of a licence under that Act on the making of an interim apprehended violence order against the licence holder and section 24 of that Act provides for the automatic revocation of a licence on the making of a final apprehended violence order against the licence holder. Section 17 of the Weapons Prohibition Act 1998 provides for the automatic suspension of a permit under that Act on the making of an interim apprehended violence order against the permit holder and section 18 of that Act provides for the automatic revocation of a permit on the making of a final apprehended violence order against the permit holder. On the suspension or revocation of such licences or permits, the relevant firearms or weapons must be surrendered to the police and may be seized by the police.Note.Section 79 of the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 terminates the tenancy of a tenant or co-tenant under a residential tenancy agreement if a final apprehended violence order is made that prohibits the tenant or co-tenant from having access to the residential premises under the agreement.s 35: Am 2008 No 119, Sch 1 [3]–[5]; 2010 No 42, Sch 3.3; 2013 No 87, Sch 1 [15] [16]; 2016 No 33, Sch 1 [16]; 2018 No 30, Sch 5.3[4]; 2020 No 36, Sch 1[10].
36 Prohibitions taken to be specified in every apprehended violence order
Every apprehended violence order is taken to specify that the defendant is prohibited from doing any of the following—(a) assaulting or threatening the protected person or a person with whom the protected person has a domestic relationship,(b) stalking, harassing or intimidating the protected person or a person with whom the protected person has a domestic relationship,(c) intentionally or recklessly destroying or damaging any property, or harming an animal, that belongs to, or is in the possession of, the protected person or a person with whom the protected person has a domestic relationship.s 36: Subst 2016 No 33, Sch 1 [17]. Am 2020 No 36, Sch 1[11].
37 Ancillary property recovery orders may be made
(1) A property recovery order may be made by a court or authorised officer—(a) when making an apprehended domestic violence order or interim apprehended domestic violence order, or(b) in relation to an interim apprehended domestic violence order that has been made by a senior police officer.(1A) A court or authorised officer may make a property recovery order only if satisfied that—(a) the protected person has left personal property at premises which the defendant occupies, or(b) the defendant has left personal property at premises which the protected person occupies.(1B) A property recovery order may be made under this section—(a) on the motion of a court or authorised officer when making an apprehended domestic violence order or interim apprehended domestic violence order, or(b) on the application of a police officer, the protected person or the defendant.(1C) An application for a property recovery order made by a protected person or a defendant must include details of the following—(a) any relevant order with respect to property made under the Family Law Act 1975 of the Commonwealth (a family law property order) of which the applicant is aware,(b) any pending application for a family law property order of which the applicant is aware.(1D) Before making a property recovery order, a court or authorised officer is to—(a) make such inquiries of the parties about any relevant family law property orders as the court or officer considers to be appropriate, and(b) if any such order is brought to the attention of the court or authorised officer, take the order into consideration.(2) A property recovery order may do any or all of the following—(a) direct the person who occupies the premises concerned to allow access to the premises to the person who has left the personal property at the premises (and any police officer or person who is authorised by the order to accompany the person) to enable the removal of the property,(b) provide that the access to the premises concerned is to be at a time or times arranged between the occupier of the premises and a police officer (whether or not the order requires the person recovering the property to be accompanied by a police officer),(c) require the person who has left the personal property at the premises to be accompanied by a police officer when removing the property from the premises,(d) provide that the person who has left the personal property at the premises may be accompanied by any other specified person,(e) specify the type or types of property to which the order relates.(3) A property recovery order does not authorise entry to any premises by means of force.(4) A property recovery order does not confer any right on a person to take property that the person does not own or have a legal right to possess even if the type of property is specified in the order.(5) A property recovery order in respect of personal property left by the defendant on premises may not be made in the absence of the defendant.(6) A person must not, without reasonable excuse, contravene a property recovery order or obstruct a person who is attempting to comply with a property recovery order.Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.(7) The onus of proof of reasonable excuse in proceedings for an offence against subsection (6) lies on the person accused of the offence.s 37: Am 2008 No 119, Sch 1 [6]; 2013 No 87, Sch 1 [17]; 2016 No 33, Sch 1 [18].
Part 9 Additional measures for support and protection of children and others in proceedings
38 Apprehended violence orders made by court or authorised officer can also protect persons with whom person seeking protection has a domestic relationship
(1) The power of a court or an issuing officer under this Act to make an apprehended violence order for the protection of a person extends to authorise the making of such an order for the protection of a person with whom the person for whose protection the order was sought has a domestic relationship.(2) If the court makes an apprehended domestic violence order, or the court or issuing officer makes an interim apprehended domestic violence order, for the protection of a person of or above 18 years of age, the court or issuing officer must include as a protected person under the order any child with whom the person of or above 18 years of age has a domestic relationship.(3) A court or issuing officer is not required to comply with subsection (2) if satisfied that there are good reasons for not doing so. However, in that case the court or issuing officer is to give the reasons for not doing so.(4) For the avoidance of doubt, subsections (2) and (3) are subject to sections 41, 41AA and 42.(5) An apprehended violence order may be made by a court for the protection of a child in accordance with this section even though an application for the order was not made by a police officer.s 38: Subst 2008 No 119, Sch 1 [7]. Am 2013 No 87, Sch 1 [9]; 2018 No 88, Sch 2 [1].
39 Final order to be made on guilty plea or guilt finding for serious offence
(1) This section applies to a person who pleads guilty to, or is found guilty of, a serious offence.(1A) A court must make a final apprehended violence order for the protection of the person against whom the offence was committed whether or not—(a) an interim apprehended violence order has been made, or(b) an application for an apprehended violence order has been made.(2) However, the court need not make a final apprehended violence order if it is satisfied that it is not required (for example, because a final apprehended violence order has already been made against the person).(2A) For an apprehended domestic violence order imposed by a court under this section, subsections (2B)–(2D) apply if the person—(a) was at least 18 years of age at the time of the commission of the offence, and(b) is sentenced to a term of imprisonment, other than by way of intensive correction in the community, for the offence.(2B) Subject to subsection (2C), the court is to specify that the apprehended domestic violence order remains in force for—(a) the period of the term of imprisonment for the offence, and(b) an additional 2 years after the term of imprisonment ends.(2C) The court may specify a different period if, in the opinion of the court, there is a good reason to impose a different period.(2D) The date on which the apprehended domestic violence order comes into force may be a day before the day the person starts serving the person’s term of imprisonment.(3) In this section—court includes the District Court.serious offence has the same meaning as in section 40.s 39: Am 2014 No 2, Sch 6.1 [2]. Subst 2016 No 33, Sch 1 [19]. Am 2020 No 36, Sch 1[12] [13].
40 Interim apprehended violence order must be made on charge for certain offences
(1) When a person is charged with an offence that appears to the court to be a serious offence, the court must make an interim court order against the defendant for the protection of the person against whom the offence appears to have been committed whether or not an application for an order has been made.(2) If an interim court order is made by the court, the court is to summon the defendant to appear at a further hearing of the matter on the determination of the charge against the person (instead of as soon as practicable after the order is made, as required by section 22(5)(a)).(3) However, the court need not make an interim court order if it is satisfied that it is not required (for example, because an apprehended violence order has already been made against the person).(4) The transcript of proceedings and any evidence admitted in the District Court or the Supreme Court in respect of a serious offence is admissible in the Local Court or Children’s Court for the purposes of determining any one or more of the following—(a) an application for the variation or revocation of an interim court order made under this section in respect of the serious offence,(b) an application for a final apprehended violence order to be made in respect of any such interim court order,(c) an application for the variation or revocation of any such final apprehended violence order.(4A) In this section court includes the District Court and the Supreme Court.(5) In this section, a serious offence means—(a) attempted murder, or(b) a domestic violence offence (other than murder, manslaughter or an offence under section 25A of the Crimes Act 1900), or(c) an offence under, or mentioned in, the Crimes Act 1900, section 33 or 35, or(c1a) a prescribed sexual offence within the meaning of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986, or(c1) an offence under section 93AC (child forced marriage) of the Crimes Act 1900 or the Commonwealth Criminal Code, section 270.7B (Forced marriage offences), or(d) an offence of attempting to commit an offence referred to in paragraph (b), (c), (c1a) or (c1), or(e) an offence under section 13, or(f) an offence under the law of the Commonwealth, another State or a Territory or of another country that is similar to an offence referred to in paragraph (a), (b), (c), (cla), (c1), (d) or (e).s 40: Am 2014 No 2, Sch 6.1 [2]; 2016 No 33, Sch 1 [20]; 2018 No 30, Sch 5.3[5]–[7]; 2018 No 33, Sch 5.4 [4]–[5]; 2024 No 3, Sch 3[4]–[6].
40A Apprehended violence order may be made in care proceedings
(1) The Children’s Court may, during care proceedings, make an apprehended violence order for the protection of—(a) the child to whom the care proceedings relate, oror may vary or revoke any existing order that protects any of those persons.(b) any person who is a relative of, or who resides on the same property as, the child,(2) The Children’s Court may make, vary or revoke an order on the application of a party to the care proceedings or on its own motion if the Court considers that the circumstances justify making, varying or revoking the order.(3) The Children’s Court is not to make or vary an order under this section that protects a person if the Court is aware that the defendant is subject to criminal proceedings before another court and those criminal proceedings arose out of some or all of the circumstances that justify the making of the order.(4) Before making, varying or revoking an order under this section, the Children’s Court is to notify the Commissioner of Police and the Secretary of the Department of Family and Community Services and give the Commissioner and Secretary standing to appear in the proceedings.(5) Before varying or revoking a police-initiated order under this section the Children’s Court is to notify the Commissioner of Police and give the Commissioner standing to appear in the proceedings.(6) Sections 48(3) and 72B do not apply to an application made under subsection (2).(7) The parties to the care proceedings and the defendant against whom the apprehended violence order is proposed to be made all have standing to appear in respect of the making of the apprehended violence order.(8) Subject to the regulations, section 91 (Appeals) of the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 applies to an apprehended violence order made under this section.(9) In this section—care proceedings has the same meaning as in the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998.child includes a young person within the meaning of the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998.police-initiated order has the same meaning as in Part 10.relative of a child has the same meaning as in the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998.reside on a property has the same meaning as in the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012.s 40A: Ins 2016 No 33, Sch 1 [21]. Am 2018 No 34, Sch 3.4; 2020 No 36, Sch 1[14].
41 Measures to protect children in proceedings
(1) This section applies to the following proceedings or part of proceedings—(a) proceedings in which an apprehended violence order is sought or proposed to be made for the protection of a child,(b) proceedings in relation to an application for the variation or revocation of an apprehended violence order if the protected person or one of the protected persons is a child,(c) any part of proceedings in which an apprehended violence order is sought or proposed to be made in which a child appears as a witness,(d) any part of proceedings in relation to an application for the variation or revocation of an apprehended violence order in which a child appears as a witness,(e) any part of proceedings under Part 13B for the variation or revocation of a recognised non-local DVO or for a declaration that a DVO is a recognised DVO in which a child appears as a witness,(f) proceedings in which an apprehended violence order is sought or proposed to be made against a child,(g) proceedings in relation to an application for the variation or revocation of an apprehended violence order made against a child.(2) Proceedings or any part of proceedings to which this section applies are to be heard in the absence of the public unless the court hearing the proceedings otherwise directs.(3) Even if proceedings or a part of proceedings to which this section applies are open to the public, the court hearing the proceedings may direct any person (other than a person who is directly interested in the proceedings) to leave the place where the proceedings are being heard during the examination of any witness.(4) In any proceedings referred to in subsection (1)(a), (b), (c) or (d), a child should not be required to give evidence in any manner about a matter unless the court is of the opinion that it is in the interests of justice for the child to do so.(5) If a child is required to give evidence under this section, the evidence should be required to be given only in accordance with Divisions 3 and 4 of Part 6 of Chapter 6 of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986.(6) For the purposes of subsection (5), Division 3 of Part 6 of Chapter 6 of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986 applies to proceedings in relation to an application for an apprehended violence order, or a variation or revocation of such an order, in the same way as it applies to criminal proceedings.s 41: Am 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [3]; 2018 No 29, Sch 1.6.
41AA Measures to protect young persons in proceedings
(1) The following proceedings or parts of proceedings are to be heard in the absence of the public, unless the court hearing the proceedings otherwise directs—(a) proceedings in which an apprehended violence order is sought or proposed to be made for the protection of a young person,(b) proceedings in relation to an application for the variation or revocation of an apprehended violence order, if the protected person or one of the protected persons is a young person,(c) any part of proceedings in which an apprehended violence order is sought or proposed to be made in which a young person appears as a witness,(d) any part of proceedings in relation to an application for the variation or revocation of an apprehended violence order in which a young person appears as a witness,(e) any part of proceedings under Part 13B for the variation or revocation of a recognised non-local DVO or for a declaration that a DVO is a recognised DVO in which a young person appears as a witness,(f) proceedings in which an apprehended violence order is sought or proposed to be made against a young person,(g) proceedings in relation to an application for the variation or revocation of an apprehended violence order made against a young person.(2) In this section—young person means a person who is 16 years of age or over but who is under the age of 18 years.s 41AA: Ins 2018 No 88, Sch 2 [2].
41A Questioning child witness in apprehended domestic violence order proceedings
(1) A child who appears as a witness in any of the following proceedings cannot be questioned by a defendant directly but only by the defendant’s Australian legal practitioner or other Australian legal practitioner or a suitable person appointed by the court—(a) proceedings in which an apprehended domestic violence order is sought or proposed to be made,(b) proceedings in relation to an application for the variation or revocation of an apprehended domestic violence order.(2) This section applies in addition to the protections set out in section 41.s 41A: Ins 2016 No 33, Sch 1 [22].
42 Consideration of contact with children
(1) A person who applies for, or for a variation of, a final apprehended violence order or interim court order must inform the court of—(a) any relevant parenting order of which the person is aware, or(b) any pending application for a relevant parenting order of which the person is aware.The court is required to inform the applicant of the obligation of the applicant under this subsection.(2) In deciding whether or not to make or vary a final apprehended violence order or interim court order, the court is to consider the safety and protection of the protected person and any child directly or indirectly affected by domestic or personal violence.(3) Without limiting subsection (2), in deciding whether or not to make or vary a final apprehended violence order or interim court order, the court is to—(a) consider whether contact between the protected person, or between the defendant, and any child of either of those persons is relevant to the making or variation of the order, and(b) have regard to any relevant parenting order of which the court has been informed.(4) A final apprehended violence order or interim court order, or a variation of such an order, is not invalid merely because of a contravention of this section.(5) In this section, relevant parenting order means a parenting order (within the meaning of Division 5 of Part VII of the Family Law Act 1975 of the Commonwealth) that relates to contact between the protected person, or between the defendant, and any child of either of those persons.
43 Non-inclusion of protected person’s residential address in applications or orders
(1) The address at which the protected person resides must not be stated in an application for an apprehended domestic violence order or interim apprehended domestic violence order or an application under Part 13B for the variation or revocation of a recognised non-local DVO or for a declaration that a DVO is a recognised DVO unless—(a) where the protected person is of or above the age of 16 years—the protected person consents to the address being included in the application, or(b) where the application is made by a police officer—the police officer is satisfied that the defendant knows the address.(2) The address at which the protected person resides, or intends to reside, must not be stated in an apprehended domestic violence order or interim apprehended domestic violence order or in a declaration under Part 13B that a DVO is a recognised DVO unless the court or issuing officer is satisfied that—(a) the defendant knows the address, or(b) it is necessary to state the address in order to achieve compliance with the order and the personal safety of the protected person would not be seriously threatened, or damage would not be likely to be caused to any property of the protected person, by stating the address, or(c) where the protected person is of or above the age of 16 years—the protected person consents to the address being stated in the order.(3) A reference in this section to an apprehended domestic violence order or interim apprehended domestic violence order includes a reference to any other order relating to such an order.(4) In this section, court includes a Registrar.s 43: Am 2013 No 87, Sch 1 [9]; 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [4] [5].
44 Non-inclusion of health care provider’s residential address in application for apprehended personal violence order or in apprehended personal violence order
(1) The address at which a protected health care provider resides must not be stated in any application for an apprehended personal violence order or interim apprehended personal violence order unless—(a) the protected health care provider consents to the address being included in the application, or(b) if the application is made by a police officer—the police officer is satisfied that the defendant knows the address.(2) The address at which a protected health care provider resides, or intends to reside, must not be stated in an apprehended personal violence order or interim apprehended personal violence order unless the court or issuing officer is satisfied that—(a) the defendant knows the address, or(b) it is necessary to state the address in order to achieve compliance with the order and the personal safety of the protected health care provider would not be seriously threatened, or damage would not be likely to be caused to any property of the protected health care provider, by stating the address, or(c) the protected health care provider consents to the address being stated in the order.(3) If the address at which a protected health care provider resides or intends to reside must not be stated in an application or order because of this section, the address at which the protected health care provider ordinarily provides health care services is to be stated instead in the application or order.(4) A reference in this section to an apprehended personal violence order or interim apprehended personal violence order includes a reference to any other order relating to such an order.(5) In this section—court includes a Registrar.protected health care provider means a person who is employed or engaged to provide any care, treatment, advice or service in respect of the physical or mental health of any protected person.s 44: Am 2013 No 87, Sch 1 [9].
45 Publication of names and identifying information about children and other persons involved in proceedings
(1) The name of a person, being a child—(a) for whose protection or against whom an apprehended violence order is sought in any apprehended violence order proceedings, or(b) who appears, or is reasonably likely to appear, as a witness before a court in any apprehended violence order proceedings, ormust not be published or broadcast before the proceedings are commenced or after the proceedings have been commenced and before they are disposed of.(c) who is, or is reasonably likely to be, mentioned or otherwise involved in any apprehended violence order proceedings,(2) A court may direct that the name of a person (other than a child to whom subsection (1) applies)—(a) for whose protection or against whom an apprehended violence order is sought in any apprehended violence order proceedings, or(b) who appears, or is reasonably likely to appear, as a witness before a court in any apprehended violence order proceedings, ormust not be published or broadcast before the proceedings are commenced or after the proceedings have been commenced and before they are disposed of.(c) who is, or is reasonably likely to be, mentioned or otherwise involved in any apprehended violence order proceedings,(3) A person who publishes or broadcasts the name of a person in contravention of subsection (1) or in contravention of a direction under subsection (2) is guilty of an offence.Maximum penalty—Imprisonment for a period not exceeding 2 years, or 200 penalty units, or both (in the case of an individual) or 2,000 penalty units (in the case of a corporation).(4) This section does not prohibit—(a) the publication or broadcasting of an official report of the proceedings of a court that includes the name of any person the publication or broadcasting of which would otherwise be prohibited by this section, or(b) the publication or broadcasting of the name of a person with the consent of the person or of the court.(5) For the purposes of this section, a reference to the name of a person includes a reference to any information, picture or other material—(a) that identifies the person, or(b) that is likely to lead to the identification of the person.(6) The offence created by this section is an offence of strict liability.(7) A court may vary or revoke a direction given by a court under this section. However, only the District Court may vary or revoke a direction given by the District Court.(8) In this section—apprehended violence order proceedings include proceedings under Part 13B for the variation or revocation of a recognised non-local DVO or for a declaration that a DVO is a recognised DVO.court includes a Registrar.s 45: Am 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [6].
46 Right to presence of supportive person when giving evidence
(1) In this section, party to apprehended violence order proceedings means the person for whose protection the relevant order is sought or the defendant.(2) A party to apprehended violence order proceedings is entitled to choose a person whom the party would like to have present near him or her when giving evidence.(3) Without limiting a party’s right to choose such a person, that person—(a) may be a parent, guardian, relative, friend or support person of the party, and(b) may be with the party as an interpreter, for the purpose of assisting the party with any difficulty in giving evidence associated with a disability, or for the purpose of providing the party with other support.(4) To the extent that the court considers it reasonable to do so, the court must make whatever direction is appropriate to give effect to a party’s decision to have such a person present near the party, and within the party’s sight, when the party is giving evidence.(5) The court may permit more than one support person to be present with the party if the court thinks that it is in the interests of justice to do so.Note.Section 306ZK of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986 contains similar provisions to section 46 of this Act in relation to the giving of evidence in apprehended violence order proceedings by vulnerable persons, that is children and intellectually impaired persons.Section 294B of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986 enables a protected person in apprehended violence order proceedings who is the alleged victim of a prescribed sexual offence (within the meaning of that Act) by the defendant to give evidence from a place other than the courtroom by means of closed-circuit television facilities or other communication facilities or to give evidence in the courtroom if certain measures have been taken to restrict contact with the accused person.
Part 10 Applications for final apprehended violence orders and interim court orders and associated proceedings
Division 1 Preliminary
47 Definitions
In this Part—application—(a) for Division 5—see section 72, or(b) otherwise—for an order, means an application to a court for the making of a final apprehended violence order or an interim court order.application proceedings means proceedings in relation to an application for an order.has the same meaning as in the Criminal Procedure Act 1986 and includes the Registrar of the Children’s Court.court means the Local Court or the Children’s Court.Magistrate includes a Children’s Magistrate.police-initiated order means a final apprehended violence order or an interim court order where—(a) the application for the order was made by a police officer, or(b) a police officer was a party to the application proceedings for the order.s 47: Am 2020 No 36, Sch 1[15].
Division 2 Application for order
48 Making of application for an order
(1) An application for an order is to be made in accordance with this Part, despite any provision of any other Act or law (whether or not enacted or made before or after the commencement of this section).(2) An application for an order may be made only by—(a) a person for whose protection the order would be made, or(a1) the guardian of the person for whose protection the order would be made, in the case of a person in respect of whom a guardianship order within the meaning of the Guardianship Act 1987 is in force, or(b) a police officer, or(c) in the case of a child being subjected to coercion to enter into a forced marriage (within the meaning of section 93AC of the Crimes Act 1900 or the Commonwealth Criminal Code, section 270.7A (Definition of forced marriage)) for whose protection an order would be made—the Secretary of the Department of Communities and Justice or a person authorised by the Secretary to make applications under this section on the Secretary’s behalf or any other person prescribed by the regulations.(3) Despite subsection (2), an application for an order (other than an application under subsection (2) (c)) may be made only by a police officer if, at the time the application is made, each person for whose protection the order would be made is a child.(4) An application for an order—(a) may be made by more than one person, and(b) if made by a police officer, may be made on behalf of more than one person, and(c) if made by a person for whose protection the order would be made (the applicant), may also be made by the applicant on behalf of any other person with whom the applicant has a domestic relationship.(4A) A court may refer an application for an order to the Commissioner of Police at any time if—(a) the applicant is not a police officer, and(b) a person for whose protection the order would be made is a child at the time of the application, and(c) the court considers that it would be in the best interests of the child for a police officer to appear in the application.(5) A court may deal with an application even though the court has only a facsimile transmission or other copy of the application.(6) An applicant for an order who is 16 years of age or over, but under 18 years of age, has full capacity to make the application and to apply for a variation or revocation of the order.(7) A reference in sections 52, 55(2), 73(4), 77(7), 78(1) and 84(6) to a protected person includes a reference to the guardian of the person in the case of an application for an order made by the guardian of a person on the person’s behalf (as referred to in subsection (2)(a1)).s 48: Am 2008 No 119, Sch 1 [8], 2012 No 67, Sch 3.1 [1] [2]; 2016 No 33, Sch 1 [23] [24]; 2018 No 30, Sch 5.3[8] [9].
49 Circumstances in which police must make application for order
(1) An application for an order must be made if a police officer investigating the matter concerned suspects or believes that—(a) a domestic violence offence or an offence against section 13 has recently been or is being committed, or is imminent, or is likely to be committed, against the person for whose protection an order would be made, or(b) an offence under section 227 (Child and young person abuse) of the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 (but only in relation to a child) has recently been or is being committed, or is imminent, or is likely to be committed, against the person for whose protection an order would be made, or(c) proceedings have been commenced against a person for an offence referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) against the person for whose protection an order would be made.(2) The application may be made by any police officer.(3) An application need not be made in the circumstances referred to in subsection (1) if an apprehended violence order is already in force for the protection of the person concerned or if an application has been made for a provisional order for the protection of the person.(4) An application need not be made in the circumstances referred to in subsection (1) if the person for whose protection an apprehended violence order would be made is at least 16 years of age at the time and the police officer investigating the matter believes—(a) that the person intends to make the application, or(b) that there is good reason not to make the application.(5) However, if the police officer investigating the matter believes that there is good reason not to make the application, the police officer must make a written record of the reason.(6) For the purposes of subsection (4), the reluctance of the person to make an application does not, on its own, constitute a good reason for a police officer not to make an application if the police officer reasonably believes that—(a) the person has been the victim of violence or there is a significant threat of violence to the person, or(b) the person has an intellectual disability and has no guardian.
49A False or misleading applications for apprehended personal violence order
A person is guilty of an offence if—(a) the person makes a statement (whether orally, in a document or in any other way), and(b) the person does so knowing that the statement is false or misleading in a material particular, and(c) the statement is made to a Registrar or Magistrate for the purpose of making an application for an apprehended personal violence order under section 18.Maximum penalty—Imprisonment for 12 months or 10 penalty units, or both.s 49A: Ins 2013 No 87, Sch 2 [5].
Division 3 Commencement of application proceedings
50 Commencement of proceedings by application notice
(1) Application proceedings are to be commenced in a court by the issuing and filing of an application notice in accordance with this Division.(2) The regulations may make provision for or with respect to the form of an application notice for an apprehended violence order under this Division or for the information to be included in the application notice.(3) Without limiting subsection (2), the regulations may require inclusion of the following information in an application notice for an apprehended personal violence order—(a) whether there is an existing commercial relationship between the applicant and the defendant,(b) whether there is an outstanding debt owed by the defendant to the applicant or by the applicant to the defendant,(c) whether there have been previous civil or criminal proceedings between the applicant and the defendant,(d) that it is an offence under this Act to make a statement in the application that the applicant knows is false or misleading in a material particular.(4) Without limiting subsection (2), the regulations may require inclusion of the following information in an application notice for an apprehended domestic violence order—(a) whether there are any current proceedings under the Family Law Act 1975 of the Commonwealth that may be relevant to the application,(b) whether any property orders have been made or are being sought under that Act that may be relevant to the application and the terms of those orders,(c) if a parenting order has been made under that Act and the application may affect that order—the basis on which the parenting order was made and the reasons why the applicant believes that the court (to which the application is being made) should intervene.s 50: Am 2014 No 59, Sch 1.2; 2016 No 33, Sch 1 [25].
51 Commencement of proceedings by police officer
If an application for an order is made by a police officer, the police officer may commence the proceedings by issuing an application notice and filing the notice in accordance with this Division.
52 Commencement of proceedings by protected person
If an application for an order is made by a protected person, the person may commence the proceedings by issuing an application notice, signed by a registrar, and filing the notice in accordance with this Division.
52A Commencement of proceedings by Secretary of Department of Communities and Justice
If an application for an order is made by the Secretary of the Department of Communities and Justice, the Secretary may commence the proceedings by issuing an application notice, signed by a registrar, and filing the notice in accordance with this Division.s 52A: Ins 2018 No 30, Sch 5.3[10].
53 Discretion to refuse to issue process in apprehended personal violence order matters
(1) An authorised officer or a Registrar may, in accordance with this section, refuse to issue process where an application for an apprehended personal violence order is made unless the application was made by a police officer.(2) An authorised officer refuses to issue process by deciding not to issue a warrant referred to in section 88.(3) A Registrar refuses to issue process by deciding not to sign and file an application notice.(4) An authorised officer or a Registrar may refuse to issue process if satisfied that the application—(a) is frivolous, vexatious, without substance or has no reasonable prospect of success, or(b) could be dealt with more appropriately by mediation or other alternative dispute resolution.(5) Unless satisfied that there are compelling reasons for doing so, an authorised officer or a Registrar is not to refuse to issue process if the application discloses allegations of any of the following—(a) a personal violence offence,(b) an offence under section 13,(c) harassment relating to the protected person’s race, religion, homosexuality, transgender status, or disability,(d) harassment relating to the protected person being a person living with HIV/AIDS.(6) In determining whether or not to issue process, the authorised officer or Registrar must take the following matters into account—(a) the nature of the allegations,(b) whether the matter is amenable to mediation or other alternative dispute resolution,(c) whether the parties have previously attempted to resolve the matter by mediation or other means,(d) the availability and accessibility of mediation or other alternative dispute resolution services,(e) the willingness and capacity of each party to resolve the matter otherwise than through an application for an apprehended personal violence order,(f) the relative bargaining powers of the parties,(g) whether the application is in the nature of a cross application,(h) any other matters that the authorised officer or Registrar considers relevant.(7) If the authorised officer or Registrar refuses to issue process under this section, the authorised officer or Registrar must record the reasons for doing so in writing.(8) If a Registrar refuses to accept an application notice for filing, the question of whether the application notice is to be accepted for filing is to be determined by a Magistrate on the application of the applicant.s 53: Am 2013 No 87, Sch 2 [6]; 2024 No 71, Sch 3[4]; 2024 No 82, Sch 2.3.
54 Application notice to be for one matter only
An application notice may not relate to more than one matter.
55 Service of application notice
(1) An application notice issued by a police officer must be served by a police officer in accordance with the rules.(2) An application notice issued by a protected person must be served by a person authorised by the rules in accordance with the rules.(2A) An application notice issued by the Secretary of the Department of Communities and Justice must be served by a person authorised by the rules in accordance with the rules.(3) A copy of an application notice must be filed in the relevant court in accordance with the rules.s 55: Am 2018 No 30, Sch 5.3[11].
56 When proceedings commence
Application proceedings are taken to have commenced on the date on which an application notice is filed.
Division 4 Hearing of application proceedings
57 Time for hearing
(1) On the first return date for an application notice in any proceedings, or at such later time as the court determines, the court must set the date, time and place for hearing and determining the matter.(2) The court must notify the defendant of the date, time and place, if the defendant is not present.(3) However, if the defendant is not present at the first return date or at any subsequent mention of the proceedings, the court may proceed to hear and determine the matter on the first or subsequent day on which the matter is listed for mention at its discretion.(4) The court may not proceed to hear and determine the matter unless it is satisfied that the defendant had reasonable notice of the first return date or the date, time and place of the hearing.Note.The powers of the court to adjourn proceedings are set out in section 65.s 57: Am 2017 No 44, Sch 1.6 [2]–[4].
57A Procedure if party not present on hearing date
(1) In this section, party to application proceedings means the person for whose protection the relevant order is sought or the defendant.(2) If one or more parties to application proceedings are not present on the day and at the time and place set for the hearing of the matter (including a day to which the hearing has been adjourned), the court may proceed to hear and determine the matter in the absence of those parties if the court is satisfied that—(a) each absent party had reasonable notice of the first return date or the date, time and place of the hearing, and(b) it is otherwise in the interests of justice to do so.(3) Before determining the matter, the court must consider the grounds set out in the application notice (if any) and any written statement provided to the court by a police officer.s 57A: Ins 2016 No 33, Sch 1 [26].
58 Proceedings to be open to public unless defendant is under the age of 18 years
(1) Application proceedings before the court are to be heard—(a) in the absence of the public, if the defendant is under the age of 18 years, or(b) in open court, in any other circumstances.(2) If application proceedings are heard in the absence of the public, the court may, if the court considers it to be appropriate, permit persons who are not parties to the proceedings, or who are not Australian legal practitioners or other persons who represent the parties to the proceedings, to be present during the hearing of the proceedings.(3) This section is subject to Part 9 and the provisions of any other Act or law.s 58: Subst 2018 No 88, Sch 2 [3].
59 Change of venue
The court may make an order changing the venue of the proceedings if it thinks it appropriate in the circumstances.
60 Right to defend action
A defendant in application proceedings may defend the action and any proceedings ancillary to the action.
61 Right of representation
(1) An applicant or defendant may appear personally or by an Australian legal practitioner or other representative empowered by an Act or other law to appear for the applicant or defendant.(2) An applicant who is a police officer may appear personally or by a person permitted by subsection (1) or by a police prosecutor.
62 Conduct of case
(1) The applicant’s case may be conducted by the applicant or by the applicant’s Australian legal practitioner or any other representative permitted to appear for the applicant (whether under this or any other Act).(2) The defendant’s case may be conducted by the defendant or by the defendant’s Australian legal practitioner or any other representative permitted to appear for the defendant (whether under this or any other Act).
63 Evidence to be on oath
The usual oath must be administered to a witness before the witness is examined.Note.For the form of oaths and declarations see the Oaths Act 1900.
64 Recording of evidence
(1) The evidence of each witness in application proceedings must be recorded.(2) Rules may be made for or with respect to the manner in which the evidence may be recorded and the authentication of evidence or of transcripts of evidence given in proceedings.
65 Adjournments
(1) The court may at any stage of proceedings adjourn the proceedings to a specified time and place.(2) An adjournment of proceedings may be in such terms as the court thinks fit.
66 Irregularity
(1) If, in or in connection with application proceedings or the commencement of application proceedings, there is a failure to comply with any requirement of this Act or the rules, the failure is to be treated as an irregularity and does not nullify the proceedings or any step taken in the proceedings, or any judgment, document or order in the proceedings.(2) Subsection (1) applies to a failure to comply with a requirement relating to time, place, manner, form or content or any other failure.(3) In the case of an irregularity, the court may, on terms, set aside wholly or in part the proceedings or any step taken in the proceedings or any document, judgment or order in the proceedings or exercise its powers under the rules to allow judgments and to make orders dealing with the proceedings generally.(4) The court must not take action under subsection (3) on the application of a party unless that application is made within a reasonable time and before the party has taken any fresh step after becoming aware of the irregularity.
67 Power to dispense with rules
(1) In relation to particular application proceedings, the court may, if of the opinion that it is in the interests of justice to do so, dispense with or vary a requirement of the rules.(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the court may make directions as to the conduct of application proceedings.(3) The power conferred by this section does not extend to any rule declared by the rules to be mandatory.
68 Power to stay proceedings
(1) Subject to the rules, the court may at any time and from time to time, by order, stay any application proceedings before it, either permanently or until a specified day.(2) The power to stay proceedings includes power to order a stay of the enforcement of an order.
69 Arrest of defendant during proceedings
(1) A Magistrate may, at any time when or after a matter is first before the court and before it is finally disposed of by the court, issue a warrant to arrest a defendant if the defendant fails to appear personally or to appear by an Australian legal practitioner or other representative and the Magistrate is satisfied that the defendant had notice of the date, time and place of the proceedings.(2) A Magistrate, Registrar or authorised officer before whom a defendant is brought on arrest on a warrant issued under this section may, if bail is not dispensed with or granted, issue a warrant—(a) committing the defendant to a correctional centre or other place of security, and(b) ordering the defendant to be brought before the court at the date, time and place specified in the order.(3) The Magistrate, Registrar or authorised officer must give notice of the date, time and place set to the applicant.
70 Witnesses and production of evidence
The provisions of Part 3 of Chapter 4 of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986 apply, with any necessary modifications, to application proceedings in the same way as they apply to proceedings for summary offences under that Act.
71 Warrants of arrest and warrants of commitment
The provisions of Part 4 of Chapter 4 of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986 apply, with any necessary modifications, to warrants of arrest, or warrants of commitment, issued under this Act in the same way as they apply to warrants of arrest or warrants of commitment issued under that Act.
Division 5 Variation or revocation of final apprehended violence orders or interim court orders
72 Definitions
In this Division—application means an application for the variation or revocation of a final apprehended violence order or interim court order.interested party, in relation to an order, means each of the following—(a) each protected person under the order (whether or not the protected person made the application for the original order),(b) each guardian of a protected person under the order, in the case of a protected person in respect of whom a guardianship order within the meaning of the Guardianship Act 1987 is in force,(c) in the case of a protected person who is a child—(i) each parent of a protected person under the order, and(ii) the Secretary of the Department of Family and Community Services,(d) the defendant.s 72: Am 2008 No 119, Sch 1 [9]; 2012 No 67, Sch 3.1 [3]. Subst 2016 No 33, Sch 1 [27]. Am 2020 No 36, Sch 1[16].
72A Making of application—general
(1) An application may be made to a court at any time.(2) An application may be made only by a police officer or by an interested party in relation to the order.(3) An application must set out the grounds on which the application is made and, in the case of a variation, the nature of the variation sought. This subsection does not limit the powers of the court.ss 72A–72D: Ins 2016 No 33, Sch 1 [27].
72B Making of application—police-initiated order where protected person is child
(1) An interested party in relation to a police-initiated order requires leave of a court to make an application to the court in respect of the order if the protected person (or one of the protected persons) under the order is a child.(2) The court may grant leave for the interested party to make the application if the court is satisfied of any one or more of the following—(a) that there has been a significant change in circumstances since the order was made (or was last varied),(b) that the application is proposed to be made by the Secretary of the Department of Family and Community Services on the basis that a care plan (within the meaning of the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998) for the child is inconsistent with the police-initiated order,(c) that it is otherwise in the interests of justice to do so.(3) The court is not to grant leave if it is of the opinion that the application, if successful, would significantly increase the risk of harm to the child.ss 72A–72D: Ins 2016 No 33, Sch 1 [27].
72C Commissioner must be notified if application relates to police-initiated order
(1) The court must decline to hear an application in respect of a police-initiated order unless—(a) the application is made by a police officer, or(b) the court is satisfied that notice of the application has been served on the Commissioner of Police in accordance with the rules of the court.(2) The Commissioner of Police has standing to appear in proceedings for the variation or revocation of any police-initiated order.ss 72A–72D: Ins 2016 No 33, Sch 1 [27].
72D Notification of application if protected person is child
The court may notify an application to the Commissioner of Police and any interested party and give the Commissioner and interested party standing to appear in proceedings if the protected person (or one of the protected persons) under the order is a child at the time of the application and the court considers it to be in the best interests of the child to do so.ss 72A–72D: Ins 2016 No 33, Sch 1 [27].
73 Variation or revocation of final apprehended violence orders and interim court orders
(1) The court may, if satisfied that in all the circumstances it is proper to do so, vary or revoke a final apprehended violence order or interim court order.(2) In particular, a final apprehended violence order or interim court order may be varied under this section in any one or more of the following ways—(a) by extending or reducing the period during which the order is to remain in force,(b) by amending or deleting any prohibitions or restrictions specified in the order,(c) by specifying additional prohibitions or restrictions in the order.(3) The court may decline to hear an application in respect of an order if the court is satisfied that there has been no change in the circumstances on which the making of the order was based and that the application is in the nature of an appeal against the order.(4) A final apprehended violence order or interim court order is not to be varied or revoked on the application of the defendant unless notice of the application has been served on each protected person to whom the order relates.(5) A final apprehended violence order or interim court order is not to be varied or revoked on the application of the applicant for the original order or protected person unless notice of the application has been served on the defendant.(6) Notice of an application must be served personally or in such other manner as the court hearing the application directs.(7) Despite subsection (5), the court may make an order extending the period during which the final apprehended violence order or interim court order is to remain in force without notice of the relevant application having been served on the defendant, if the applicant lodged the application before the day on which the apprehended violence order or interim court order is due to expire.(8) If an application for the extension of a final apprehended violence order or interim court order is made before the order expires, the order is taken to continue in force until the application is dealt with by the court.(9) Unless sooner revoked, an order extended under subsection (7) ceases to have effect 21 days after the order extending it is made or on an earlier date specified in the order extending it. However, further orders may be made from time to time under that subsection before the extended order ceases to have effect.s 73: Am 2016 No 33, Sch 1 [28].
74 Variation or revocation of final apprehended violence orders and interim court orders where more than one protected person
(1) This section applies to a final apprehended violence order or interim court order if there is more than one protected person under the order.(2) An order to which this section applies may be varied or revoked in its application to all of the protected persons or in relation to any one or more of the protected persons.(3) If an application in respect of an order to which this section applies is made by one of the protected persons under the order, none of the other protected persons can be the subject of the variation or revocation unless the court is satisfied that he or she is at least 16 years of age and has consented to the variation or revocation.s 74: Am 2016 No 33, Sch 1 [29] [30].
75 Variation may be made on guilty plea or guilt finding for certain offences
(1) If a person pleads guilty to, or is found guilty of, a serious offence, the court may vary a final apprehended violence order or an interim court order for the purpose of providing greater protection for the person against whom the offence was committed whether or not an application to vary the order has been made under this Division.(2) In this section—court includes the District Court.serious offence has the same meaning as in section 40.s 75: Am 2017 No 44, Sch 1.6 [5] [6].
Division 6 Ancillary provisions
76 Explanation of final apprehended violence orders, interim court orders and variations
(1) A court that makes a final apprehended violence order or interim court order must explain to the defendant and the protected person (if either of them is present at the time the order is made)—(a) the effect of the order (including any prohibitions and restrictions imposed by the order), and(b) the consequences that may follow from a contravention of the order, and(c) the rights of the defendant and the protected person in relation to the order.(2) A court that varies a final apprehended violence order or interim court order must explain to the defendant and the protected person (if either of them is present at the time the variation is made)—(a) the effect of the variation, and(b) the consequences that may follow from a contravention of the order as varied.(3) A court that makes a final apprehended violence order or interim court order is also to cause a written explanation of the matters required to be explained under this section to be given to the defendant and protected person.(4) In so far as it is reasonably practicable to do so, an explanation under this section is to be given in a language that is likely to be readily understood by the person being given the explanation.(5) A failure to comply with this section in relation to an order does not affect the validity of the order.
77 Service of copy of apprehended violence order, interim court order or variation or revocation of any such order
(1) The Registrar of a court that makes a final apprehended violence order or interim court order is to prepare a written copy of the order.(2) The Registrar of a court that varies or revokes a final apprehended violence order or interim court order is to prepare a written record of the variation or revocation.(3) The Registrar of the court is to serve a copy of the order or of the record of the variation or revocation of the order personally on the defendant if the defendant is present in court.(4) If the defendant is not present at the time the order is made, the Registrar is to arrange for a copy of the order or the record of the variation or revocation to be served personally on the defendant by a police officer or such other person as the Registrar thinks fit.(5) If the defendant is present at the time the order is made but the Registrar is unable to serve a copy of the order or the written record of the variation or revocation personally on the defendant, the Registrar is to arrange for a copy of the order or record to be sent by post to the defendant or to such other person as the Registrar thinks fit.(6) Service on the defendant of the copy of the order or record concerned may be effected in such other manner as the court directs.(7) The Registrar of the court is to cause a copy of the order or record, and a copy of any application for an order or variation or revocation, to be forwarded to the Commissioner of Police and (unless it is impracticable or unnecessary to do so) to be given to or sent by post to each protected person.(8) The Commissioner of Police is to make a record of the details of the material forwarded to the Commissioner under this section and is to retain that record for at least 10 years after the order to which it relates ceases to be in force.
78 Orders made with consent of parties
(1) A court may make a final apprehended violence order, or an interim court order, without being satisfied as to the matters that are prerequisites to the making of those orders if the protected person and the defendant consent to the making of the order.(2) Such an order may be made whether or not the defendant admits to any or all of the particulars of the application.(3) Before making such an order, the court may conduct a hearing in relation to the particulars of the application but only if—(a) the order to be made by the court is a final apprehended violence order, and(b) the court is of the opinion that the interests of justice require it to conduct the hearing.(4) In this section—court includes the District Court.s 78: Am 2016 No 33, Sch 1 [31].
79 Duration of apprehended personal violence orders
(1) An apprehended personal violence order remains in force for such period as is specified in the order by the court.(2) The period specified in the order by the court is to be as long as is necessary, in the opinion of the court, to ensure the safety and protection of the protected person.(3) If the court fails to specify a period in the order, the order remains in force for a period of 12 months after the date that the order is made.(4) This section is subject to section 73 (Variation or revocation of final apprehended violence orders and interim court orders).s 79: Am 2018 No 83, Sch 1[4] (am 2019 No 20, Sch 1.8[2] [3]).
79A Duration of apprehended domestic violence orders
(1) An apprehended domestic violence order remains in force for—(a) the period specified in the order by the court, or(b) if the court fails to specify a period in the order, the default period.(2) The period specified is to be as long as is necessary, in the opinion of the court, to ensure the safety and protection of the protected person.(3) In forming the opinion, the court is to consider the following matters—(a) the circumstances of the protected person and that person’s views,(b) the circumstances of the defendant and, if the defendant was under 18 years of age when the application for the order was first made, the impact of the order if the duration of the order were to be more than the default period,(c) any material that the court relied on under sections 16 and 17 in deciding to make an apprehended domestic violence order,(d) any other matter that the court considers to be relevant.Note.Section 9(4) requires the court to be guided by the objects referred to in section 9 when exercising a power in relation to domestic violence. Section 9(3)(d) may be of particular relevance when determining the appropriate duration for an apprehended domestic violence order.(4) The court may form the opinion at the same time that it decides to make the order under Part 4.(5) This section is subject to sections 39 and 73.(6) In this section—default period means—(a) if the order relates to a defendant who was under 18 years of age when the application for the order was first made—1 year after the date the order is made, or(b) in any other case—2 years after the date the order is made.s 79A: Ins 2018 No 83, Sch 1[5] (am 2019 No 20, Sch 1.8[4]). Am 2020 No 36, Sch 1[17].
79B Apprehended domestic violence orders may be of indefinite duration
(1) A court, when determining the period of an apprehended domestic violence order under section 79A, may determine that the order remain in force for an indefinite period (an indefinite order) if the court is satisfied that—(a) the applicant has sought an indefinite order, and(b) the order relates to a defendant who was 18 years of age or older when the application for the order was first made, and(c) there are circumstances giving rise to a significant and ongoing risk of death or serious physical or psychological harm to the protected person or any dependants of the protected person, and(d) that risk cannot be adequately mitigated by an order of limited duration.(2) In determining whether there are circumstances giving rise to a significant and ongoing risk of death or serious physical or psychological harm to the protected person or any dependants of the protected person, the court must have regard to—(a) any prior conviction of the defendant for a domestic violence offence, including for a contravention of any other apprehended domestic violence order in relation to the protected person or any other person who was the protected person under that order, and(b) the conduct of the defendant in respect of the protected person that is relevant to the risk of death or serious physical or psychological harm, such as assaults, stalking, threats to kill or use of weapons, and(c) the nature, number and timing of the incidents involved in the conduct referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b).(3) If a court makes an indefinite order, the order remains in force until varied, revoked or set aside on appeal.(4) A person against whom an indefinite order is made may make an application for the variation or revocation of the order only by leave of the court.(5) The court may grant leave to make an application referred to in subsection (4) only if the court is satisfied that—(a) there has been a significant change in circumstances since the relevant order was made or last varied, or(b) it is otherwise in the interests of justice.(6) Subsections (4) and (5) do not apply in respect of a police-initiated order where the protected person, or 1 of the protected persons, is a child and leave must instead be sought under section 72B.s 79B: Ins 2018 No 83, Sch 1[5] (am 2019 No 20, Sch 1.8[5]). Am 2020 No 36, Sch 1[18].
80 Enforcement of orders for payment of money
An order for the payment of money by a party to application proceedings (including an order as to payment of costs) may be enforced in a court of competent jurisdiction as if it were a debt due to the person to whom the money is ordered to be paid.
81 Concurrent criminal proceedings
A court may make an apprehended violence order, and a senior police officer may make a provisional order, against a defendant even though proceedings have been commenced against the defendant for an offence arising out of the same conduct as that out of which the application for the order arose.s 81: Am 2013 No 87, Sch 1 [18].
81A Effect of concurrent orders
(1) This section applies if—(a) more than 1 apprehended violence order has been made in relation to a defendant, and(b) more than 1 of the orders applies to the same protected person.(2) If a prohibition or restriction specified in an order is inconsistent with, or contrary to, a prohibition or restriction specified in another order applying to the same protected person, the most recent prohibition or restriction prevails.(3) This section is subject to section 28B.s 81A: Ins 2020 No 36, Sch 1[19].
82 Arrangements regarding classification of orders
(1) If a court is at any time unable to determine whether to make an apprehended domestic violence order or an apprehended personal violence order, it may make whichever apprehended violence order it thinks fit.(2) If a court is at any time unable to determine whether an apprehended violence order was made, or should have been made, as an apprehended domestic violence order or apprehended personal violence order, it may treat the order as having been made as whichever type of apprehended violence order it thinks fit.(3) If an apprehended violence order is made or treated as having been made as an apprehended domestic violence order or an apprehended personal violence order but should have been made as another type of apprehended violence order, the order is not invalid on that ground and is taken to have been made as that other type of apprehended violence order.
83 Application of Bail Act 2013
If an application for a final apprehended violence order or interim court order is made, the Bail Act 2013 applies to the defendant as if—(a) where the defendant is arrested pursuant to a warrant issued under this Act or first appears before a court in answer to a direction to appear given under this Act—the defendant were an accused person charged with an offence, and(b) proceedings in respect of the application or order were proceedings in respect of an offence for which there is a right to release under Part 3 of the Bail Act 2013.s 83: Am 2014 No 5, Sch 2.11 [1] [2].
Division 7 Appeals
84 Review and appeal provisions concerning making etc of apprehended violence orders
(1) An application may be made under Part 2 of the Crimes (Appeal and Review) Act 2001 by the defendant for the annulment of an apprehended violence order made by the Local Court or the Children’s Court in the same way as an application may be made under that Part by a defendant for the annulment of a conviction arising from a court attendance notice dealt with under Part 2 of Chapter 4 of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986.(1A) A person who applied to the Local Court or the Children’s Court for an apprehended violence order may apply to the Court for the annulment of the dismissal of the application for the order by the Court, but only if the person was not in attendance before the Court when the application was dismissed.(1B) The Local Court or the Children’s Court may grant an application for an annulment made under subsection (1A) if it is satisfied that, having regard to the circumstances of the case, there is just cause for doing so. If such an application is granted, the Court may deal with the application for the apprehended violence order as if the application for the order had not been dismissed.(2) An appeal may be made to the District Court—(a) by the defendant against the making of an apprehended violence order by the Local Court or the Children’s Court, or(a1) by the applicant for an apprehended violence order (or, if the applicant was a police officer, either the applicant or the person for whose protection the order would have been made) against the dismissal of the application by the Local Court or the Children’s Court, or(b) by the applicant for an order or a defendant against the awarding of costs under section 99 of this Act, or(c) by a party to an apprehended violence order against the variation or revocation of the order by the Local Court or the Children’s Court, or(d) by a party to an apprehended violence order against a refusal by the Local Court or the Children’s Court to vary or revoke the order, or(e) by a party to a non-local domestic violence order against the variation or revocation of the order by the Local Court or the Children’s Court or against a refusal by the Local Court or the Children’s Court to vary or revoke the order.(3) An appeal under subsection (2)—(a) may be made under Part 3 of the Crimes (Appeal and Review) Act 2001 in the same way as an application may be made under that Part by a defendant against a conviction arising from a court attendance notice dealt with under Part 2 of Chapter 4 of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986, and(b) may be made only by leave of the District Court in the case of an appeal against the making of an apprehended violence order that was made with the consent of the defendant.(4) The Crimes (Appeal and Review) Act 2001 applies to an application or appeal arising under this section with such modifications as are made by or in accordance with the regulations under that Act.(5) For the purposes of this section and the Crimes (Appeal and Review) Act 2001, an order made by a Registrar of a court is taken to have been made by the court.(5A) Part 6 (Interim court orders) applies to proceedings with respect to an appeal to the District Court under subsection (2) in the same way as it applies to an application to the Local Court or the Children’s Court under Part 4 or 5.(5B) If the District Court allows an appeal made under this section against the refusal to annul an apprehended violence order and remits the matter to the Local Court or the Children’s Court, the District Court must, unless the District Court is satisfied that it is not necessary to do so, make an interim court order under Part 6 as if an application for such an order had been duly made.(6) In this section, party to an apprehended violence order means—(a) the protected person (whether or not the applicant), but only if the protected person is of or above the age of 16 years, or(b) if the applicant was a police officer, that or any other police officer, or(c) the defendant.s 84: Am 2008 No 53, Sch 8 [3] [4]; 2009 No 4, Sch 2.1 [1]–[3]; 2009 No 56, Sch 1.9; 2009 No 106, Sch 4.11 [1] [2]; 2017 No 44, Sch 1.6 [7].
85 Presumption against stay of order
(1) The lodging of a notice of appeal under section 84 does not have the effect of staying the operation of the order concerned.(2) The original court may, on application by the defendant, stay the operation of the order, if satisfied that it is safe to do so, having regard to the need to ensure the safety and protection of the protected person or any other person.(3) A stay on the operation of the order continues until the appeal is finally determined, subject to any order or direction of the District Court.(4) This section has effect despite section 84 of this Act and section 63 of the Crimes (Appeal and Review) Act 2001.(5) A stay on the operation of the order does not have effect if the appellant is in custody when the appeal is made, unless and until the appellant is entitled to be released on bail under section 14 of the Bail Act 2013 or bail is dispensed with under that Act. In the application of the Bail Act 2013 to the appellant, the appellant is taken to be an accused person who, because of the prohibitions and restrictions imposed by the order, is in custody.(6) In this section—original court, in relation to an order, means—(a) the Local Court, if the order was made by the Local Court or a Registrar of the Local Court, or(b) the Children’s Court, if the order was made by the Children’s Court or the Registrar of the Children’s Court.s 85: Am 2014 No 5, Sch 2.11 [3].
Division 8 Rules
86 Rules in application proceedings
(1) The rules may make provision for or with respect to the following matters relating to application proceedings—(a) the practice and procedure in the court and in proceedings before a Registrar,(b) the recording of evidence, including the manner in which the evidence may be recorded and the authentication of evidence or of transcripts of evidence given in proceedings,(c) the filing and service (including substituted service) of notices under this Act,(d) additional requirements for the form of warrants,(e) the functions of Registrars,(f) the hearing of proceedings, including the procedure to be followed and the orders to be made, when a party fails to attend,(g) empowering the court to dispense with rules of evidence for proving any matter that is not genuinely in dispute in any proceedings and to dispense with rules of evidence that might cause expense or delay in proceedings if those rules were applied in specified circumstances,(h) prescribing matters relating to expert evidence, including the disclosure, by providing copies of reports or otherwise, of the nature of expert evidence to be given, and including the exclusion of expert evidence in the case of non-compliance with the rules relating to expert evidence or with any order for disclosure of the nature of expert evidence,(i) providing for any matter relating to the costs of proceedings.(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the rules made for the purposes of this Act may adopt, with or without modification, the provisions of any rules made under the Civil Procedure Act 2005.(3) This section does not give power to make rules with respect to any matter relating to costs that is regulated by the legal costs legislation (as defined in section 3A of the Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Act 2014).s 86: Am 2015 No 7, Sch 2.9.
87 Forms
(1) The Chief Magistrate of the Local Court or the President of the Children’s Court—(a) may approve forms for documents to be used in connection with application proceedings, and(b) in the case of documents filed with the court, or issued by the court, by means of an ECM system within the meaning of the Electronic Transactions Act 2000, may approve the format in which such documents are to be filed or issued.(2) Copies of the approved forms are to be made available for public inspection at each registry of the court and on the court’s internet website.(3) If a form is approved in relation to a document to be used in connection with proceedings in the court, a document that is filed with or issued by the court is to be in that form.s 87: Am 2016 No 33, Sch 1 [32].
Part 11 Warrants and powers of police to detain defendants
88 Warrant for arrest of defendant in final apprehended violence order matters
(1) If an application for a final apprehended violence order is made, an authorised officer may issue a warrant for the arrest of the defendant.(2) The authorised officer may issue a warrant for the arrest of the defendant even though the defendant is not alleged to have committed an offence.(3) The authorised officer must issue a warrant for the arrest of the defendant if it appears to the authorised officer that the personal safety of the person for whose protection the order is sought will be put at risk unless the defendant is arrested for the purpose of being brought before the court.(4) A warrant may not be executed more than 12 months after the date on which it is issued, unless the court otherwise orders before the end of the 12-month period.
89 Detention of defendant for making and service of interim apprehended personal violence order
(1) A police officer who is making or is about to make an application for a provisional order that is an interim apprehended personal violence order may give either of the following directions to the person against whom the order is sought—(a) that the person remain at the scene where the incident occurred that was the reason for making the application,(b) in a case where the person has left the scene of that incident—that the person remain at another place where the police officer locates the person.(2) If a person refuses or fails to comply with a direction under this section, the police officer who gave the direction or another police officer may detain the person at the scene of the incident or other place, or detain the person and take the person to a police station.s 89: Subst 2013 No 87, Sch 1 [19].
89A Detention of defendant for making and service of interim apprehended domestic violence order
(1) A police officer who is making or is about to make an application for a provisional order that is an interim apprehended domestic violence order may give any of the following directions to the person against whom the order is sought—(a) that the person remain at the scene where the incident occurred that was the reason for making the application,(b) in a case where the person has left the scene of that incident—that the person remain at another place where the police officer locates the person,(c) that the person go to and remain at another place that has been agreed to by the person,(d) that the person go to and remain at a specified police station,(e) that the person accompany a police officer to a police station and remain at the police station,(f) that the person accompany a police officer to another place that has been agreed to by the person, or to another place (whether or not agreed to by the person) for the purpose of receiving medical attention, and remain at that other place.(2) If a person refuses or fails to comply with a direction under this section, the police officer who gave the direction or another police officer may detain the person at the scene of the incident or other place, or detain the person and take the person to a police station.(3) If a direction is given under subsection (1)(e) or (f), the police officer may detain the person in the vehicle in which the person accompanies the police officer to the police station or other place for so long as is necessary to transport the person to the police station or other place.(4) In considering whether to detain a person under subsection (3), a police officer may have regard to the following matters—(a) the need to ensure the safety of the person for whose protection the interim apprehended domestic violence order is sought, including the need to—(i) ensure the service of the order, and(ii) remove the defendant from the scene of the incident, and(iii) prevent substantial damage to property,(b) the circumstances of the defendant,(c) any other relevant matter.s 89A: Ins 2013 No 87, Sch 1 [19].
89B Detention of defendant where recognised domestic violence order may be in force
(1) A police officer who has grounds to make an application for a provisional order against a person may, for the purposes of ascertaining whether there is already a non-local domestic violence order in force against the person or obtaining a copy of any such order (or both), give any of the following directions to the person—(a) that the person remain at the scene where the relevant incident occurred,(b) in a case where the person has left the scene of that incident—that the person remain at another place where the police officer locates the person,(c) that the person go to and remain at another place that has been agreed to by the person,(d) that the person go to and remain at a specified police station,(e) that the person accompany a police officer to a police station and remain at the police station,(f) that the person accompany a police officer to another place that has been agreed to by the person, or to another place (whether or not agreed to by the person) for the purpose of receiving medical attention, and remain at that other place.(2) If a person refuses or fails to comply with a direction under this section, the police officer who gave the direction or another police officer may detain the person at the scene of the relevant incident or other place, or detain the person and take the person to a police station.(3) If a direction is given under subsection (1)(e) or (f), the police officer may detain the person in the vehicle in which the person accompanies the police officer to the police station or other place for so long as is necessary to transport the person to the police station or other place.(4) In considering whether to detain a person under subsection (3), a police officer may have regard to the following matters—(a) the need to ensure the safety of the person who would be protected by the provisional order, including the need to—(i) remove the defendant from the scene of the relevant incident, and(ii) prevent substantial damage to property,(b) the circumstances of the defendant,(c) any other relevant matter.s 89B: Ins 2017 No 44, Sch 1.6 [8].
90 Detention of defendant for service of order or variation
(1) A police officer who reasonably suspects that a person is the defendant in relation to an apprehended violence order may direct the person to remain where the person is for the purpose only of serving on the person a copy of the order, or a variation of the order, that is required to be served personally under this Act.(1A) A police officer who reasonably suspects that a person is a defendant under a non-local domestic violence order may direct the person to remain where the person is for the purpose only of serving on the person a copy of the order, or a variation of the order, if the law of the jurisdiction in which the order or variation was made requires the order or variation to be served personally.(2) If a person refuses or fails to comply with a direction under this section, the police officer who gave the direction or another police officer may detain the person at the place where the person is, or detain the person and take the person to a police station, for the purpose only of serving the order or variation on the person.Note.Division 1A of Part 3 of the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 enables a police officer to require the name of a person who the police officer suspects on reasonable grounds may be the defendant in relation to an apprehended violence order. Section 87 of that Act provides that if a police officer enters a dwelling under a power conferred by that Act and believes on reasonable grounds that a dangerous article or dangerous implement that may have been used or may be used to commit a domestic violence offence is in the dwelling, the police officer may search for the article or implement and seize and detain it.s 90: Am 2013 No 87, Sch 1 [20]; 2017 No 44, Sch 1.6 [9].
90A Period for which person may be directed to remain or be detained
(1) A person may be directed under this Part to remain at a place for as long as is reasonably necessary for—(a) in the case of a direction under section 89 or 89A—the application for the provisional order to be made and the provisional order to be served on the person, or(a1) in the case of a direction under section 89B—a police officer to ascertain whether a non-local domestic violence order is in force against the person or to obtain a copy of any such order (or both), or(b) in the case of a direction under section 90—a copy of the apprehended violence (or the non-local domestic violence order) order or variation of the order to be served on the person.(2) A person may be detained under this Part for no longer than—(a) the time it takes for—(i) in the case of detention under section 89 or 89A—the application for the provisional order to be made and the provisional order to be served on the person, or(ia) in the case of detention under section 89B—a police officer to ascertain whether a non-local domestic violence order is in force against the person or to obtain a copy of any such order (or both), or(ii) in the case of detention under section 90—a copy of the apprehended violence order (or the non-local domestic violence order) or variation of the order to be served on the person, orwhichever is the lesser.(b) 2 hours (excluding any reasonable amount of time for travel to the place or police station),s 90A: Ins 2013 No 87, Sch 1 [21]. Am 2017 No 44, Sch 1.6 [10]–[13].
90B Detention of person at police station or other place or in vehicle
(1) A person who is detained under this Part at a police station or other place or in a vehicle may be detained there by any police officer.(2) As far as is reasonably practicable, a person who is detained under this Part at a police station—(a) must be given an opportunity by the person in charge of the police station to contact a friend, relative, guardian or independent person (other than a protected person), and(b) must be kept separately from any person detained at the police station in connection with the commission or alleged commission of an offence, and(c) if the person is apparently under the age of 18 years—must be kept separately from any person over that age detained at the police station, and(d) must not be detained in a cell at the police station unless it is necessary to do so, and(e) must be provided with necessary food, drink, bedding and blankets appropriate to the person’s needs.(3) As far as is reasonably practicable, a person who is detained under this Part in a place other than a police station or vehicle—(a) must be given an opportunity by the person in charge of the place to contact a friend, relative, guardian or independent person (other than a protected person), and(b) must be provided with necessary food, drink, bedding and blankets appropriate to the person’s needs.(4) As far as is reasonably practicable, a person who is to be detained under this Part in a vehicle must be given an opportunity by the person in charge of the vehicle to contact a friend, relative, guardian or independent person (other than a protected person) before being detained in the vehicle.ss 90B–90D: Ins 2013 No 87, Sch 1 [21].
90C Searching detained persons
(1) A police officer by whom a person is detained under this Part may—(a) conduct a search of the person or of articles in the possession of the person that may include—(i) requiring the person to remove only his or her overcoat, coat or jacket or similar article of clothing and any gloves, shoes, socks and hat, and(ii) an examination of those items, and(b) take possession of any personal belongings found in the person’s possession.(2) A person is entitled to the return of the personal belongings taken from the person under this section when the person ceases to be detained under this Part.ss 90B–90D: Ins 2013 No 87, Sch 1 [21].
90D Records required to be kept
(1) Records must be made in accordance with the regulations in relation to the detention of a person under this Part.(2) A person who has custody of a record required to be made by this section must retain the record for a period of 3 years after it is made.(3) A person who has the custody of a record made under this section must, when required to do so by a person authorised by the Minister for the purposes of this subsection, make it available for inspection by that person.(4) This section does not require a person to make a record of a matter in relation to the detention or search of a person, if another person has already made a record of that matter as required by this section.ss 90B–90D: Ins 2013 No 87, Sch 1 [21].
Part 12 Jurisdiction of courts
91 Courts authorised to make orders and determine applications
(1) The following courts have jurisdiction (in the circumstances specified) to make orders and determine applications under this Act—(a) the Local Court—except where the defendant is less than 18 years of age at the time the application is made,(b) the Children’s Court—where the defendant is less than 18 years of age at the time the application is made.(c) (Repealed)(2) The Local Court has jurisdiction to vary or revoke an order made by it or any other court (except where the defendant is less than 18 years of age at the time the application for the variation or revocation is made).(3) The Children’s Court has jurisdiction to vary or revoke an order made by it irrespective of the age of the defendant at the time the application for variation or revocation is made.(4) An order made by the Local Court for the purposes of this Act is not invalid on the ground that it was made in the mistaken belief that the defendant was of or above 18 years of age at the time the application was made.(5) This section does not apply to provisional orders.s 91: Am 2008 No 53, Sch 8 [5].
92 Jurisdiction of Supreme Court under this Act
The jurisdiction conferred on the Supreme Court by this Act is conferred on the Court in its criminal jurisdiction.s 92: Rep 2008 No 53, Sch 8 [6]. Ins 2016 No 33, Sch [33].
93 Jurisdiction of District Court under this Act
The jurisdiction conferred on the District Court by this Act is conferred on the Court in its criminal jurisdiction.
Part 13 Registration of external protection orders
94 Definitions
In this Part—appropriate court, in relation to an external protection order, means—(a) the Local Court if the person against whom the order has been made is 18 or more years of age, oron the day on which an application is made under this Part for the registration of the order.(b) the Children’s Court if the person against whom the order has been made is less than 18 years of age,external protection order means—(a) an order made by a court of New Zealand that has been made to prevent a person from acting in a manner specified in section 16, or(b) an order made by a court of another State or Territory or New Zealand that has been made to prevent a person from acting in a manner specified in section 19, or(c) an order made by a court of another State or Territory or New Zealand that is of a kind prescribed by the regulations.registered external protection order means an external protection order registered under this Part.s 94: Am 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [7].
95 Application for registration of external protection order
(1) A person may apply to a Registrar of the appropriate court for the registration of an external protection order.(2) An application is—(a) to be made in a form approved by the Registrar of the appropriate court, and(b) to be accompanied by a copy of the external protection order, and(c) to be accompanied by such evidence of effective service of the external protection order on the person against whom it has been made as the Registrar considers appropriate.
96 Registration of external protection order
(1) On receipt of an application under section 95, the Registrar of the appropriate court must—(a) register the external protection order to which the application relates, or(b) refer the external protection order to a Magistrate (or a Children’s Magistrate if the appropriate court is the Children’s Court) for adaptation or modification.(2) On the referral of an external protection order, the Magistrate or Children’s Magistrate may do either or both of the following—(a) vary the period during which the order has effect in its operation in New South Wales,(b) make such other adaptations or modifications to the order as the Magistrate or Children’s Magistrate considers necessary or desirable for its effective operation in New South Wales.(3) The Registrar of the appropriate court must register an external protection order that has been adapted or modified under subsection (2).(4) On registering an external protection order, the Registrar of the appropriate court must provide the Commissioner of Police with a copy of the registered external protection order.(5) Notice of the registration of an external protection order is not to be served on the person against whom the order has been made unless the person who applied for that registration has consented to that service.(6) A registered external protection order is registered for the period during which the order, or the order as adapted or modified, is in force.
97 Effect of registration of external protection order
(1) An external protection order that has been registered under section 96—(a) has the same effect as an apprehended violence order made under this Act, and(b) may be enforced against a person as if it were an apprehended violence order which had been made under this Act and as if a copy of the order had been served on that person in accordance with section 77.(2) The variation or revocation of an external protection order by a court of the State, Territory or country in which it was made after the order has been registered under section 96 has no effect in New South Wales.(2A) Subsection (2) does not apply to a variation or revocation of an external protection order if the order is a recognised DVO under Part 13B and the variation or revocation is recognised in New South Wales under that Part.(3) An external protection order that has been registered under section 96 (and anything done to effect the registration of the order) is not invalid on the ground that the order has, due to the age of the defendant at the time the application was made, been registered in the wrong court.s 97: Am 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [8].
98 Variation etc of registered external protection orders
(1) In this section, prescribed person means—(a) a person for whose protection a registered external protection order has been made, or(b) a person against whom a registered external protection order has been made, or(c) a police officer, or(d) a person to whom the appropriate court in which the external protection order has been registered has granted leave to make an application under this section.(2) A prescribed person may apply to the appropriate court for one or more of the following—(a) the variation of a registered external protection order as it applies in New South Wales,(b) the extension or reduction of the period during which a registered external protection order has effect in its operation in New South Wales,(c) the revocation of the registration of a registered external protection order.(3) The appropriate court may determine the application by doing one or more of the following—(a) by varying the order as it applies in New South Wales,(b) by extending or reducing the period during which the order has effect in its operation in New South Wales,(c) by revoking the registration.(4) A registered external protection order is not to be varied or revoked on the application of a person referred to in subsection (1)(a), (c) or (d) unless notice of the application has been served on the person against whom the order has been made.(5) A registered external protection order is not to be varied or revoked on the application of the person against whom the order has been made unless notice of the application has been served on the person for whose protection the order has been made.(6) Notice of an application is to be served personally or in such other manner as the appropriate court hearing the application directs.(7) A registered external protection order varied under subsection (3)(a) or (b) is registered for the period during which the order, as varied, has effect in its operation in New South Wales.
Part 13A Information sharing
pt 13A: Ins 2013 No 28, Sch 1 [1].
Division 1 Preliminary
pt 13A, div 1, hdg: Ins 2013 No 28, Sch 1 [1] (am 2014 No 27, Sch 1 [1]).
98A Definitions
In this Part—agency means—(a) a public sector agency within the meaning of the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998, or(b) an organisation within the meaning of the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 to which that Act applies.associated respondent—see section 98B.central referral point means the Secretary of the Department of Justice.domestic violence support services means services (including welfare, health, counselling, housing and accommodation and legal assistance services) provided to persons in relation to the commission or possible commission of domestic violence offences against those persons.domestic violence threat means a threat to the life, health or safety of a person that occurs because of the commission or possible commission of a domestic violence offence.health information has the same meaning that it has in the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002.local co-ordination point means a support agency or non-government support service nominated as a local co-ordination point by the Minister under section 98O(4).non-government support service means a person or body (other than an agency) that provides domestic violence support services but does not include an individual.Note.The Interpretation Act 1987 defines person to include an individual, a corporation and a body corporate or politic.personal information has the same meaning that it has in the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998.primary person—see section 98B.privacy legislation means the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 or the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 and any regulation or code of practice made under either of those Acts.support agency means an agency that provides domestic violence support services and includes the central referral point and each local co-ordination point.s 98A: Ins 2013 No 28, Sch 1 [1] (am 2014 No 27, Sch 1 [2]). Am 2014 No 88, Sch 2.14.
98B Meaning of “primary person” and “associated respondent”
In this Part—(a) the primary person is—(i) in relation to an apprehended domestic violence order, the person for whose protection the order is sought or made, or(ii) in relation to a charge for a domestic violence offence, the person who is alleged to be the victim of the offence, and(b) the associated respondent is—(i) in relation to a primary person protected or sought to be protected by an apprehended domestic violence order—the person against whom the order is sought or made, or(ii) in relation to a primary person who is a victim, or an alleged victim, of a domestic violence offence for which a person has been charged—the person so charged.s 98B: Ins 2013 No 28, Sch 1 [1].
Division 2 General dealings with information
pt 13A, div 2, hdg: Ins 2013 No 28, Sch 1 [1] (am 2014 No 27, Sch 1 [4]).
98C Definition
(1) In this Division—contact purposes means contacting a primary person to seek the primary person’s consent to either or both of the following—(a) the provision of domestic violence support services to the primary person,(b) the further use and disclosure of information in relation to the provision of any such services to the primary person.(2) For the avoidance of doubt, a non-government support service that is also a local co-ordination point is taken, for the purposes of this Division, to be a support agency and not a non-government support service.ss 98C–98J: Ins 2013 No 28, Sch 1 [1] (am 2014 No 27, Sch 1 [4]).
98D Disclosure of information by all agencies in case of threat
(1) This section applies if an agency believes on reasonable grounds that a person (the threatened person) is subject to a domestic violence threat.(2) The agency may disclose personal information and health information about the threatened person and any person that the agency reasonably believes is a cause of the threat (the threatening person) to the central referral point or a local co-ordination point for contact purposes.(3) Any such disclosure requires the consent of the threatened person. No consent is required from the threatening person.(4) In such a case—(a) the threatened person is taken, for the purposes of this Division, to be a primary person, and(b) the threatening person is taken, for the purposes of this Division, to be an associated respondent.ss 98C–98J: Ins 2013 No 28, Sch 1 [1] (am 2014 No 27, Sch 1 [4]).
98E Disclosure by Local Court
(1) This section applies if an application is made to the Local Court for—(a) an interim apprehended domestic violence order (but only if the order is made), orby a person for whose protection the order would be made or by the guardian of such a person.(b) an apprehended domestic violence order,(2) The Local Court may disclose personal information or health information about a primary person and any associated respondent in respect of the application to the central referral point unless the primary person expressly objects to the disclosure. No consent is required from the associated respondent.ss 98C–98J: Ins 2013 No 28, Sch 1 [1] (am 2014 No 27, Sch 1 [4]).
98F Central referral point
(1) The central referral point may collect personal information or health information about a primary person and any associated respondent if the information is disclosed to the central referral point—(a) in accordance with section 98D or 98E, or(b) lawfully by the NSW Police Force for contact purposes.(2) The central referral point may disclose information that it is authorised to collect under this section without the consent of the primary person or associated respondent if the information is disclosed to a local co-ordination point for contact purposes.Note.The central referral point is a support agency, therefore section 98H also applies.ss 98C–98J: Ins 2013 No 28, Sch 1 [1] (am 2014 No 27, Sch 1 [4]).
98G Local co-ordination points
A local co-ordination point may collect personal information or health information about a primary person and any associated respondent if the information is disclosed to the local co-ordination point—(a) in accordance with section 98D or 98F, or(b) lawfully by the NSW Police Force for contact purposes.Note.Local co-ordination points are support agencies, therefore section 98H also applies.ss 98C–98J: Ins 2013 No 28, Sch 1 [1] (am 2014 No 27, Sch 1 [4]).
98H Support agencies
(1) A support agency may collect personal information or health information about a primary person and any associated respondent if the information is disclosed to the support agency—(a) in accordance with section 98D, or(b) lawfully by the NSW Police Force for contact purposes, or(c) by another support agency in accordance with this section, or(d) by the primary person (no consent is required from the associated respondent), or(e) by a non-government support service with the consent of the primary person (no consent is required from the associated respondent).(2) A support agency may use information that it is authorised to collect under this Division—(a) for contact purposes—without the consent of the primary person or the associated respondent, or(b) to provide domestic violence support services to the primary person—with the consent of the primary person (no consent is required from the associated respondent).(3) A support agency may disclose information that it is authorised to collect under this Division to another support agency, or to a non-government support service, for the purposes of that other agency or service providing domestic violence support services to the primary person, but only if—(a) the primary person consents to the disclosure (no consent is required from the associated respondent), and(b) it is reasonably necessary to disclose the information to the other agency or service for the provision of those services.ss 98C–98J: Ins 2013 No 28, Sch 1 [1] (am 2014 No 27, Sch 1 [4]).
98I Access to information collected under Division
An agency is not required to take any steps to make an associated respondent aware of any matter about any information that it is authorised to collect under this Division and it is not required to provide the associated respondent with any access to the information.ss 98C–98J: Ins 2013 No 28, Sch 1 [1] (am 2014 No 27, Sch 1 [4]).
98J Agency must comply with protocols
An agency that collects, uses or discloses information under this Division must comply with any protocols made by the Minister under section 98O.ss 98C–98J: Ins 2013 No 28, Sch 1 [1] (am 2014 No 27, Sch 1 [4]).
98K Relationship with other laws
(1) This Division has effect despite any provision of the privacy legislation.(2) Nothing in this Division restricts or prevents the disclosure of information under any other Act or law, including the privacy legislation or the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009.s 98K: Ins 2013 No 28, Sch 1 [1] (am 2014 No 27, Sch 1 [4]).
98KA Part has no effect on sexual assault communications privilege
(1) The collection, use or disclosure of information under this Part does not affect the application of Division 2 of Part 5 of Chapter 6 of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986 to any of that information that is a protected confidence.(2) This section applies whether or not a protected confider consents to the collection, use or disclosure of the information under this Part.(3) In this section, protected confidence and protected confider have the same meanings as they have in Division 2 of Part 5 of Chapter 6 of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986.s 98KA: Ins 2018 No 87, Sch 1.11 [3].
98L Regulations
(1) The regulations may prescribe additional circumstances in which an agency may, despite the privacy legislation, collect, use or disclose personal information or health information about a primary person and any associated respondent.(2) The Minister is to consult with the Privacy Commissioner before recommending the making of a regulation under this section. Failure to comply with this subsection does not invalidate the regulation.s 98L: Ins 2013 No 28, Sch 1 [1] (am 2014 No 27, Sch 1 [4]).
Division 3 Dealings where serious threat
pt 13A, div 3, hdg: Ins 2013 No 28, Sch 1 [1] (am 2014 No 27, Sch 1 [4]).
98M Dealings if serious domestic violence threat
(1) In this section—dealing with information means the collection, use or disclosure of the information.(2) An agency may, despite the privacy legislation, deal with information about a person without the consent of the person if the agency believes on reasonable grounds that—(a) the particular dealing is necessary to prevent or lessen a domestic violence threat to the person or any other person, and(b) the threat is a serious threat, and(c) the person has refused to give consent or it is unreasonable or impractical to obtain the person’s consent.s 98M: Ins 2013 No 28, Sch 1 [1] (am 2014 No 27, Sch 1 [4]).
98N Access to information collected in respect of serious threat
An agency that is authorised to collect information about a person under section 98M in respect of a threat is not required to take any steps to make the person aware of any matter about that information and it is not required to provide the person with any access to the information if the agency believes on reasonable grounds that the person is a cause of the threat.s 98N: Ins 2013 No 28, Sch 1 [1] (am 2014 No 27, Sch 1 [4]).
Division 4 Miscellaneous
pt 13A, div 4, hdg: Ins 2013 No 28, Sch 1 [1] (am 2014 No 27, Sch 1 [4]).
98O Protocols and other orders of Minister
(1) The Minister may, by order, make protocols dealing with any matter relating to the collection, use or disclosure by an agency of personal information or health information about a primary person or an associated respondent, including the following—(a) procedures for seeking consent from a primary person,(b) procedures for sharing information between agencies and between agencies and non-government support services,(c) complaint handling procedures,(d) compliance audits.(2) The protocols may contain recommended privacy standards for non-government support services and may prohibit the disclosure of information under Division 2 to services that do not adopt those standards.(3) The Minister is to seek the advice of the Privacy Commissioner when making protocols.(4) The Minister may, by order, nominate particular support agencies or non-government support services to be local co-ordination points for the purposes of this Part.(5) An order under this section is to be published in the Gazette.s 98O: Ins 2013 No 28, Sch 1 [1] (am 2014 No 27, Sch 1 [3] [5] [6]).
98P Delegation
The Secretary of the Department of Justice may delegate the exercise of any function of the Secretary under this Part (other than this power of delegation) to—(a) any member of staff of that Department, or(b) any person, or any class of persons, authorised for the purposes of this section by the regulations.s 98P: Ins 2013 No 28, Sch 1 [1] (am 2014 No 27, Sch 1 [7]). Am 2014 No 88, Sch 2.14.
98Q Review of Part
(1) The Minister is to review this Part to determine whether the policy objectives of the Part remain valid and whether the terms of the Part remain appropriate for securing those objectives.(2) The review is to be undertaken as soon as possible after the period of 2 years from the commencement of this Part.(3) A report on the outcome of the review is to be tabled in each House of Parliament within 12 months after the end of the period of 2 years.s 98Q: Ins 2013 No 28, Sch 1 [1] (am 2014 No 27, Sch 1 [7]).
Part 13B National recognition of domestic violence orders
pt 13B: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9].
Division 1 Preliminary
98R Object of Part
This Part establishes, in conjunction with the corresponding laws, a national recognition scheme for DVOs (or domestic violence orders).s 98R: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9].
98S Definitions
In this Part—corresponding law means a law of another jurisdiction that contains provisions that substantially correspond with this Part or a law of another jurisdiction that is declared by the regulations to be a corresponding law for the purposes of this Part.defendant means the person against whom a DVO is made.domestic violence concern—see section 98W.DVO (or domestic violence order) means a local DVO, an interstate DVO or a foreign order.final DVO means a DVO that is not an interim DVO.foreign order means a New Zealand DVO.general violence order means—(a) an intervention order under the Intervention Orders (Prevention of Abuse) Act 2009 of South Australia, or(b) a violence restraining order under the Restraining Orders Act 1997 of Western Australia, other than—(i) a violence restraining order made under section 11B of that Act, or(ii) a police order under that Act.interim DVO means a DVO that is of an interim or provisional nature and, to avoid doubt, includes the following—(a) any DVO made by a police officer,(b) (Repealed)(c) a temporary protection order under the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 of Queensland,(d) any DVO declared by the regulations to be an interim DVO.interstate DVO—see section 98U.interstate law enforcement agency means—(a) the police force of another jurisdiction, or(b) any other agency of another jurisdiction responsible for the enforcement of DVOs in that jurisdiction.means a court or person with power to make, vary or revoke a DVO under the law of a participating jurisdiction.issuing jurisdiction for a DVO means the jurisdiction in which the DVO is made.jurisdiction means a State or Territory.local DVO—see section 98T.local law enforcement agency means the NSW Police Force.make includes issue.New Zealand DVO means an order made under the Domestic Violence Act 1995 of New Zealand or under an Act repealed by that Act.non-local DVO means an interstate DVO or a foreign order.participating jurisdiction means the following jurisdictions—(a) New South Wales,(b) a jurisdiction in which a corresponding law is enacted.properly notified—see section 98ZE.protected person means a person for whose protection or benefit a DVO is made.recognised DVO—see sections 98Y and 98ZY.recognised variation—see section 98Z.registered foreign order—see section 98V.revoke includes cancel.vary a DVO includes the following—(a) amend or modify the DVO,(b) add further conditions, prohibitions or restrictions to the DVO or vary or delete conditions, prohibitions or restrictions,(c) extend or reduce the period in which the DVO remains in force.s 98S: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9] (am 2017 No 44, Sch 1.7 [2]).
98T Local DVO
(1) A local DVO means an apprehended domestic violence order or an interim apprehended domestic violence order made under this Act.(2) A registered foreign order is not a local DVO.s 98T: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9].
98U Interstate DVO
(1) Each of the following orders is an interstate DVO—(a) a family violence order under the Family Violence Act 2016 of the Australian Capital Territory,(b) a domestic violence order under the Domestic and Family Violence Act of the Northern Territory,(c) a domestic violence order, police protection notice or release conditions under the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 of Queensland,(d) an intervention order under the Intervention Orders (Prevention of Abuse) Act 2009 of South Australia that addresses a domestic violence concern,(e) a family violence order (FVO), interim FVO or police family violence order (PFVO) under the Family Violence Act 2004 of Tasmania,(f) a family violence intervention order or a family violence safety notice under the Family Violence Protection Act 2008 of Victoria,(g) the following orders under the Restraining Orders Act 1997 of Western Australia—(i) a violence restraining order made before 1 July 2017 that addresses a domestic violence concern,(ii) a family violence restraining order,(iii) a police order,(h) any order, notice or other thing declared by the regulations to be an interstate DVO.(2) A registered foreign order is not an interstate DVO.s 98U: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9] (am 2017 No 44, Sch 1.7 [3]–[6]).
98V Registered foreign order
A registered foreign order means a foreign order that is—(a) a registered external protection order under Part 13 of this Act that has been made to prevent a person acting in a manner specified in section 16, or(b) a registered foreign order under Part 9 of the Family Violence Act 2016 of the Australian Capital Territory, or(c) a registered external order under the Domestic and Family Violence Act of the Northern Territory, or(d) a registered foreign order under the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 of Queensland, or(e) a foreign intervention order registered under Part 4 of the Intervention Orders (Prevention of Abuse) Act 2009 of South Australia (other than an order declared under the regulations made under that Act not to be a foreign intervention order), or(f) an external family violence order registered under section 27 of the Family Violence Act 2004 of Tasmania, or(g) a corresponding New Zealand order registered under Part 10 of the Family Violence Protection Act 2008 of Victoria, or(h) a foreign restraining order registered under Part 7A of the Restraining Orders Act 1997 of Western Australia, or(i) any order declared by the regulations to be a registered foreign order.s 98V: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9] (am 2017 No 44, Sch 1.7 [7]–[9]).
98W Domestic violence concerns—SA and WA orders
(1) An intervention order under the Intervention Orders (Prevention of Abuse) Act 2009 of South Australia addresses a domestic violence concern if the order is made because the defendant has committed, or because it is feared the defendant will commit, an act of domestic abuse (within the meaning of that Act).(2) A violence restraining order under the Restraining Orders Act 1997 of Western Australia addresses a domestic violence concern if the order is made because the defendant has committed, or because it is feared the defendant will commit, an act of family and domestic violence (within the meaning of section 6 of that Act).(3) A general violence order is taken, for the purpose of this Part, to be an order that addresses a domestic violence concern if—(a) it is declared to be an order that addresses a domestic violence concern by the issuing authority that makes the order, or(b) a registrar of a court of the jurisdiction in which the order was made makes an order declaring the DVO to be a recognised DVO in that jurisdiction.(4) The regulations may prescribe circumstances in which an order made in a participating jurisdiction is taken, for the purpose of this Part, to be an order that addresses a domestic violence concern.s 98W: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9] (am 2017 No 44, Sch 1.7 [10]).
98X Special provisions for foreign orders
(1) For the purpose of this Part, a registered foreign order—(a) is taken to be made in the jurisdiction in which it is registered as a registered foreign order, and(b) is taken to be made when it becomes a registered foreign order in that jurisdiction.(2) A registered foreign order is varied or revoked, for the purpose of this Part, if its registration as a registered foreign order is varied or revoked.(3) A power conferred by this Part to vary or revoke a registered foreign order is a power to vary or revoke registration of the order as a registered foreign order.ss 98X–98ZA: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9].
Division 2 National recognition of DVOs
Subdivision 1 General principles
98Y Recognition of DVOs
(1) Each of the following DVOs is a recognised DVO in New South Wales—(a) a local DVO,(b) an interstate DVO made in a participating jurisdiction,(c) a foreign order that is a registered foreign order in any participating jurisdiction.Note.Recognition can also extend to DVOs made in jurisdictions that are not, or are not yet, participating jurisdictions. See Division 6.(2) A DVO becomes a recognised DVO when it is made.Note.A foreign order is taken to be made when it is registered as a registered foreign order.(3) A DVO is a recognised DVO, subject to this Part, for the period for which it remains in force in the jurisdiction in which it is made.ss 98X–98ZA: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9].
98Z Variations to DVO
(1) A variation to a recognised DVO that is done in New South Wales or another jurisdiction is a recognised variation in New South Wales in the circumstances provided for by this section.(2) A variation to a local DVO is a recognised variation in New South Wales if the variation is done—(a) in New South Wales by a court or any other person authorised to do so under this Act, or(b) in another participating jurisdiction by a court under a corresponding law.(3) A variation to an interstate DVO or foreign order is a recognised variation in New South Wales if the variation is done—(a) in the issuing jurisdiction by a court or any other person authorised to do so under the law of the issuing jurisdiction, or(b) in any participating jurisdiction by a court under this Part or a corresponding law.Note.The issuing jurisdiction for a foreign order is the jurisdiction in which the order is registered.(4) A variation is recognised from the time that it is made.ss 98X–98ZA: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9].
98ZA Revocation of recognised DVO
(1) A DVO ceases to be a recognised DVO if the DVO is revoked in New South Wales or another jurisdiction and that revocation is recognised in New South Wales.(2) A revocation of a local DVO is recognised in New South Wales if the revocation is done—(a) in New South Wales by a court or any other person authorised to do so under this Act, or(b) in another participating jurisdiction by a court under a corresponding law.(3) A revocation of an interstate DVO or foreign order is recognised in New South Wales if the revocation is done—(a) in the issuing jurisdiction by a court or any other person authorised to do so under the law of the issuing jurisdiction, or(b) in any participating jurisdiction by a court under this Part or a corresponding law.(4) The DVO ceases to be a recognised DVO from the time it is revoked.ss 98X–98ZA: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9].
98ZB Recognised DVO prevails over earlier comparable DVOs
(1) A recognised DVO that is enforceable against a defendant in New South Wales (a new DVO) supersedes—(a) any comparable recognised DVO made earlier than the new DVO, and(b) any comparable local DVO made earlier than the new DVO (whether or not the local DVO is a recognised DVO).(2) The earlier comparable DVO is superseded from the time the recognised DVO becomes enforceable against the defendant.(3) A recognised DVO that is superseded ceases to be a recognised DVO.(4) A local DVO that is superseded is revoked.(5) A DVO is not superseded to the extent that it relates to a protected person who is not a protected person under the new DVO.(6) Accordingly, a DVO continues to be a recognised DVO, and to have effect, to the extent that it relates to a person who is not a protected person under the new DVO.(7) A DVO made by a police officer does not supersede a comparable DVO made by a court (of any jurisdiction).(7A) A provisional order made under this Act by an authorised officer does not supersede a comparable DVO made by a court (of any jurisdiction).(8) A DVO is comparable with another DVO if—(a) the DVOs are made against the same defendant, and(b) the DVOs are made for the protection of one or more of the same protected persons.s 98ZB: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9] (am 2017 No 44, Sch 1.7 [11]).
98ZC Making of new orders
(1) Nothing in this Part prevents a person from applying for, or an issuing authority from making, a local DVO even though there is a recognised DVO in force that applies to the same defendant.(2) (Repealed)s 98ZC: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9] (am 2017 No 44, Sch 1.7 [12]).
Subdivision 2 Enforcement of recognised DVOs
98ZD Recognised DVOs and variations are enforceable against defendant
(1) A recognised DVO, or a recognised variation to a recognised DVO, is enforceable against the defendant in New South Wales.(2) A recognised DVO that is a local DVO becomes enforceable against the defendant in New South Wales when the defendant is properly notified of the making of the DVO under the law of New South Wales.(3) A recognised DVO that is a non-local DVO (other than a foreign order) becomes enforceable against a defendant in New South Wales when the defendant is properly notified of the making of the DVO under the law of the jurisdiction in which the DVO was made.(4) A recognised DVO that is a foreign order becomes enforceable against a defendant in New South Wales from the time it becomes a recognised DVO.(5) A recognised variation to a recognised DVO becomes enforceable against the defendant in New South Wales when the defendant is properly notified of the variation under the law of the jurisdiction in which the variation is done.ss 98ZD–98ZT: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9].
98ZE Properly notified—meaning
(1) The making of a local DVO is properly notified under the law of New South Wales if—(a) the DVO is made by a court and the defendant is present in court when the DVO is made, or(b) the defendant is served in accordance with this Act with a copy of the DVO.(2) The making of an interstate DVO is properly notified under the law of the jurisdiction in which it is made in the circumstances provided for by the corresponding law of that jurisdiction.(3) A variation to a recognised DVO that is done in New South Wales is properly notified under the law of New South Wales if—(a) the variation is done by a court and the defendant is present in court when the DVO is varied, or(b) the defendant is served in accordance with this Act with a copy of the variation.(4) A variation to a recognised DVO that is done in another jurisdiction is properly notified under the law of that jurisdiction in the circumstances provided for by the corresponding law of that jurisdiction.ss 98ZD–98ZT: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9].
98ZF Contravention of enforceable recognised DVO
(1) A non-local DVO that is a recognised DVO and which is enforceable against a defendant in New South Wales may be enforced in New South Wales—(a) as if it were a local DVO, and(b) as if the defendant had been properly notified of the making of the DVO under the law of New South Wales.(2) A recognised variation to a non-local DVO that is a recognised DVO and which is enforceable in New South Wales may be enforced in New South Wales as if it were a variation to a local DVO.(3) A recognised variation to a recognised DVO made in another jurisdiction that is enforceable against the defendant in New South Wales may be enforced as if the defendant had been properly notified of the variation under the law of New South Wales.(4) This section does not affect any law of New South Wales that requires a geographical nexus to exist between New South Wales and an offence for a person to be guilty of an offence under the law of New South Wales.ss 98ZD–98ZT: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9].
Subdivision 3 Enforcement of non-local DVOs
98ZG Non-local DVO to be treated as local DVO
(1) A recognised DVO that is a non-local DVO has the same effect in New South Wales as a local DVO.(2) A prohibition, restriction or condition imposed by a non-local DVO has the same meaning as it would have in the jurisdiction in which the DVO was made, but may be enforced in New South Wales as if it were a prohibition or restriction of a local DVO.Note.Section 14 of this Act creates an offence if a person contravenes a prohibition or restriction in an apprehended violence order. This means that a condition of a non-local DVO that is in the nature of a prohibition or restriction can be enforced in New South Wales. However, a condition of a non-local DVO that is not in the nature of a prohibition or restriction (for example, a condition that requires the defendant to attend an alcohol rehabilitation course) cannot be enforced.ss 98ZD–98ZT: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9].
98ZH Licences, permits and other authorisations
(1) A law of New South Wales (a relevant law) that restricts the grant of an authorisation, or that authorises or requires an authorisation to be suspended or revoked, if a person is or has been subject to a local DVO extends to a person who is or has been subject to any non-local DVO that is a recognised DVO (as if the non-local DVO were a local DVO).(2) For the purposes of a relevant law—(a) a non-local DVO that is a final DVO is to be treated in the same way as a local DVO that is a final DVO, and(b) a non-local DVO that is an interim DVO is to be treated in the same way as a local DVO that is an interim DVO.(3) In this section—includes a licence or permit.grant includes issue.ss 98ZD–98ZT: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9].
98ZI Recognition of disqualification to hold firearms licence
(1) If a non-local DVO that is a recognised DVO disqualifies a person from holding a non-local firearms licence, or type of non-local firearms licence, the person is also disqualified from holding a local firearms licence or local firearms licence of the same type (as the case requires).(2) The Commissioner of Police must revoke any local firearms licence held by a person, or refuse to issue a local firearms licence to a person, if the person is so disqualified from holding the firearms licence by a recognised DVO.(3) A recognised DVO disqualifies a person from holding a non-local firearms licence or type of non-local firearms licence if the DVO expressly—(a) disqualifies the person from holding a non-local firearms licence or type of non-local firearms licence, or(b) revokes or requires the person to surrender a non-local firearms licence or type of non-local firearms licence held by the person.(4) In this section—local firearms licence means a licence, permit or other authorisation under the Firearms Act 1996.non-local firearms licence means a licence, permit or other authorisation to possess a firearm (within the meaning of the Firearms Act 1996) issued under the law of another jurisdiction or country.ss 98ZD–98ZT: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9].
98ZJ Recognition of disqualification to hold weapons permit
(1) If a non-local DVO that is a recognised DVO disqualifies a person from holding a non-local weapons permit or type of non-local weapons permit, the person is also disqualified from holding a local weapons permit or local weapons permit of the same type (as the case requires).(2) The Commissioner of Police must revoke any local weapons permit held by a person, or refuse to issue a local weapons permit to a person, if the person is so disqualified from holding the weapons permit by a recognised DVO.(3) A recognised DVO disqualifies a person from holding a non-local weapons permit or type of non-local weapons permit if the DVO expressly—(a) disqualifies the person from holding a non-local weapons permit or type of non-local weapons permit, or(b) revokes or requires the person to surrender a non-local weapons permit or type of non-local weapons permit held by the person.(4) In this section—local weapons permit means a permit under the Weapons Prohibition Act 1998.non-local weapons permit means a licence, permit or other authorisation to possess a prohibited weapon (within the meaning of the Weapons Prohibition Act 1998) issued under the law of another jurisdiction or country.ss 98ZD–98ZT: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9].
98ZK Orders for costs
(1) A non-local DVO, to the extent that it requires the payment of money, cannot be enforced in New South Wales.(2) The recognition of a DVO made in another jurisdiction does not confer power on a court or tribunal of New South Wales to award costs in respect of any proceedings relating to the DVO that occurred in another jurisdiction.(3) This section does not prevent a court or tribunal awarding costs in respect of any proceedings in New South Wales relating to the variation or revocation of a recognised DVO.ss 98ZD–98ZT: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9].
Division 3 Variation and revocation of recognised non-local DVOs
98ZL Definition
In this Division—court means a court of New South Wales that has power to make local DVOs.ss 98ZD–98ZT: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9].
98ZM Power of court to vary or revoke recognised non-local DVOs
(1) A court may vary or revoke a recognised DVO that is a non-local DVO in accordance with this Division as if the DVO were a local DVO.(2) A court cannot vary or revoke a non-local DVO if it is a kind of DVO that cannot be varied or revoked by a court in the jurisdiction in which the DVO was made.(3) A variation to or revocation of a recognised DVO that is done under this Division is not limited in its operation to New South Wales.(4) This Division does not apply to the variation or revocation of a foreign order that is registered as a registered foreign order in New South Wales.Note.Locally registered foreign orders (which in Part 13 are referred to as registered external protection orders) can be varied or revoked under section 98.(5) To avoid doubt, if a court varies a recognised DVO that was made in another jurisdiction, the other jurisdiction continues to be treated, for the purpose of this Part, as the jurisdiction in which the DVO was made.ss 98ZD–98ZT: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9].
98ZN Application for variation or revocation of recognised non-local DVO
(1) An application for the variation or revocation of a recognised DVO that is a non-local DVO may be made to a court as if it were an application for variation or revocation of a local DVO by any person who would be able to make the application if the DVO were a local DVO.(2) An application—(a) is to be made to a court that would have power to hear the application if the DVO were a local DVO, and(b) is to be made in accordance with any requirements that would apply if the DVO were a local DVO, and(c) may be dealt with (subject to this Division) as if the DVO were a local DVO.ss 98ZD–98ZT: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9].
98ZO Decision about hearing of application
(1) A court that deals with an application for variation or revocation of a non-local DVO may decide to hear the application or decline to hear the application.(2) In making that decision, the court may consider the following matters (to the extent relevant)—(a) the jurisdiction in which the defendant and the protected person or persons under the DVO generally reside or are employed,(b) any difficulty the respondent to the proceedings may have in attending the proceedings,(c) whether there is sufficient information available to the court in relation to the DVO and the basis on which it was made,(d) whether any proceedings are being taken in respect of an alleged contravention of the DVO and the jurisdiction in which those proceedings are being taken,(e) the practicality of the applicant (if not the defendant under the DVO) applying for and obtaining a local DVO against the defendant with similar prohibitions or restrictions,(f) the impact of the application on children who are protected persons under the DVO,(g) any other matters the court considers relevant.(3) Without limiting the court’s power to decline to hear an application, the court may decline to hear the application if the court is satisfied that there has been no material change in the circumstances on which the making of the order was based and that the application is in the nature of an appeal against the order.(4) For the purpose of exercising its functions under this Division, a court may have regard to any information that the court considers relevant about the making or variation of a DVO that is provided by an issuing authority of any other jurisdiction.Note.Division 4 enables the court to obtain information about DVOs from other jurisdictions.(5) A court must refuse to hear an application for variation or revocation made by the defendant during any period in which, under the law of the issuing jurisdiction for the DVO, the defendant is not entitled to apply for the variation or revocation of the DVO in the issuing jurisdiction.(6) In this section, the respondent to an application for variation or revocation of a DVO means—(a) in the case of an application made by the defendant under the recognised DVO, the protected person or persons under the recognised DVO, and(b) in any other case, the defendant under the recognised DVO.ss 98ZD–98ZT: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9].
Division 4 Exchange of information
Note.
Section 25 of the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 provides that a public sector agency is not required to comply with a number of information protection principles (including those that restrict the use and disclosure of personal information) where non-compliance is permitted under an Act. The exchange of information in accordance with this Division is therefore not limited by those information protection principles.
98ZP Issuing authorities may obtain DVO information
An issuing authority of New South Wales may obtain information about a DVO from an issuing authority of another jurisdiction, or from a local or interstate law enforcement agency, and use that information for the purpose of exercising its functions under this Part.ss 98ZD–98ZT: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9].
98ZQ Issuing authorities must provide DVO information
(1) An issuing authority of New South Wales that makes, varies or revokes a DVO must provide to a court of any other participating jurisdiction any information about the DVO that the court reasonably requests for the purpose of exercising its functions under a corresponding law.(2) An issuing authority of New South Wales that makes, varies or revokes a DVO must provide to a local or interstate law enforcement agency any information about the DVO that the law enforcement agency reasonably requests for the purpose of exercising its law enforcement functions.ss 98ZD–98ZT: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9].
98ZR Law enforcement agencies may obtain DVO information
A local law enforcement agency may obtain information about a DVO from an issuing authority of New South Wales or another jurisdiction, or from an interstate law enforcement agency, and use that information for the purpose of exercising its law enforcement functions.ss 98ZD–98ZT: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9].
98ZS Information to be provided to law enforcement agencies
A local law enforcement agency must provide to an interstate law enforcement agency any information it holds about a DVO that the interstate law enforcement agency reasonably requests for the purpose of exercising its law enforcement functions.ss 98ZD–98ZT: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9].
Division 5 Miscellaneous
98ZT Certificate evidence—notification
(1) An authorised officer of New South Wales may issue a certificate in writing certifying any of the following matters—(a) that the making of a local DVO has been properly notified under the law of New South Wales,(b) that a variation to a DVO that was done in New South Wales has been properly notified under the law of New South Wales.(2) The certificate is admissible in evidence in any proceedings and is evidence of the matters certified.(3) A certificate in writing purporting to be signed by an authorised officer of another jurisdiction and certifying any of the following matters is admissible in evidence in any proceedings and is evidence of the matters certified—(a) that the making of a DVO in that jurisdiction has been properly notified under the law of that jurisdiction,(b) that a variation to a DVO that was done in that jurisdiction has been properly notified under the law of that jurisdiction.(4) In any document, the words “authorised officer” after a signature are evidence that the person whose signature it purports to be is in fact an authorised officer.(5) In this section—of another jurisdiction means a person (whether or not designated as an authorised officer) who is authorised under the law of another jurisdiction to issue a certificate certifying that the making or variation of a DVO has been properly notified under the law of that jurisdiction.of New South Wales means—(a) a registrar of a court of New South Wales, or(b) a police officer in the NSW Police Force of or above the rank of sergeant.Note.The meaning of authorised officer in this section is different from the meaning of that term in the rest of this Act or from the meaning that the term has in the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002.ss 98ZD–98ZT: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9].
98ZTA Protection from liability where local DVO varied or revoked outside NSW
(1) Anything done or omitted to be done by a police officer in relation to the enforcement of a local DVO that has been revoked or varied as a result of action in another jurisdiction is taken to be lawfully done or omitted if—(a) the police officer was not aware at the time the thing was done or omitted that the local DVO had been revoked or varied as a result of action in another jurisdiction, and(b) the police officer acted in good faith on the basis of the information available to the police officer at the time the thing was done or omitted, and(c) the thing would have been lawfully done or omitted if the local DVO had not been revoked or varied as a result of action in another jurisdiction.(2) For the purposes of this section, a local DVO is revoked or varied as a result of action in another jurisdiction if—(a) the local DVO is superseded under this Part by an interstate DVO made in another jurisdiction or a foreign order that is a registered foreign order in another jurisdiction, or(b) the local DVO is revoked by a court of another jurisdiction and that revocation is recognised in New South Wales under this Part, or(c) a variation to the local DVO is done in another jurisdiction and that variation is a recognised variation in New South Wales under this Part.s 98ZTA: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9] (am 2017 No 44, Sch 1.7 [13]).
Division 6 Provisions consequent on enactment of Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Amendment (National Domestic Violence Orders Recognition) Act 2016
Subdivision 1 Preliminary
98ZU Definition
In this Division, the commencement date means the date on which this Part commences.ss 98ZU–98ZZE: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9].
98ZV Enforcement of DVOs under other provisions
(1) This Part does not affect the enforceability in New South Wales, otherwise than under this Part, of any local DVO made before the commencement date, subject to subsection (3).(2) This Part does not affect the enforceability in New South Wales, otherwise than under this Part, of any interstate DVO or foreign order registered in New South Wales, before the commencement date, under Part 13, subject to subsection (3).(3) However, a DVO made in New South Wales before the commencement date can be superseded under section 98ZB, on or after the commencement date, by a recognised DVO that is made later.ss 98ZU–98ZZE: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9].
Subdivision 2 DVOs to which scheme applies
98ZW DVOs made in New South Wales
Division 2 applies to any local DVO or foreign order that is made in New South Wales on or after the commencement date.ss 98ZU–98ZZE: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9].
98ZX DVOs made in other jurisdictions
(1) Division 2 applies to any DVOs made in another participating jurisdiction that are recognised DVOs in that jurisdiction under the corresponding law for that jurisdiction.(2) To avoid doubt, section 98Y extends to the following DVOs—(a) any interstate DVO that was made in another participating jurisdiction before the commencement date that is a recognised DVO in that jurisdiction,(b) any foreign order that became a registered foreign order in another participating jurisdiction before the commencement date that is a recognised DVO in that jurisdiction.(3) Sections 98Z and 98ZA extend to any variation or revocation of a DVO referred to in subsection (2), that was done in a participating jurisdiction before the commencement date, as if the DVO were a recognised DVO.(4) However, a non-local DVO, and any variation to a non-local DVO, does not become enforceable against the defendant in New South Wales, under this Part, until the commencement date (even if the making of the DVO, or variation, was properly notified before that date).ss 98ZU–98ZZE: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9].
Subdivision 3 Extension of scheme to older DVOs
98ZY DVOs declared to be recognised DVOs
(1) Each of the following DVOs is also taken to be a recognised DVO—(a) any DVO that is declared by a registrar of a court of New South Wales to be a recognised DVO in New South Wales under Subdivision 4,(b) any DVO that is declared by a registrar of a court of another participating jurisdiction to be a recognised DVO in that jurisdiction under a corresponding law.(2) A recognised DVO referred to in subsection (1) becomes enforceable against the defendant in New South Wales, under this Part, when the declaration is made (despite section 98ZC).ss 98ZU–98ZZE: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9].
98ZZ DVOs declared to be recognised in other jurisdictions before commencement date
(1) To avoid doubt, section 98ZY extends to a DVO declared by a registrar of a court of another participating jurisdiction to be a recognised DVO before the commencement date.(2) Sections 98Z and 98ZA extend to any variation or revocation of a DVO referred to in subsection (1), that was done in a participating jurisdiction before the commencement date, as if the DVO were a recognised DVO.(3) However, the DVO, and any variation to the DVO, does not become enforceable against the defendant in New South Wales, under this Part, until the commencement date.ss 98ZU–98ZZE: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9].
Subdivision 4 Power to declare DVO to be recognised
98ZZA Definition
In this Subdivision—registrar means a registrar of a court of New South Wales that has power to make a local DVO.ss 98ZU–98ZZE: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9].
98ZZB Power to declare DVO to be recognised
(1) A registrar may, by order, declare any DVO made in any jurisdiction to be a recognised DVO in New South Wales.(2) A declaration may be made in relation to any DVO made in any jurisdiction that is in force in the issuing jurisdiction and is not a recognised DVO in New South Wales.(3) The jurisdiction in which the DVO was made does not have to be a participating jurisdiction.(4) A registrar must make a declaration under this section if an application for the declaration is made in accordance with this Subdivision, unless the registrar decides to refuse to make the declaration in the interests of justice.(5) Without limiting subsection (4), the registrar may refuse to make the declaration if the registrar is not satisfied that the defendant has been properly notified of the making of the DVO under the law of the jurisdiction in which the DVO was made.Note.Under section 98ZY, the DVO becomes enforceable against the defendant when the declaration is made. Subsection (7) of this section specifies that notice of the declaration is not to be served on the defendant unless the person making the application consents to service.(6) However, a registrar cannot declare a general violence order to be a recognised DVO in New South Wales.(7) Notice of a declaration is not to be served on the defendant unless the person who makes the application consents to service.Note.Under section 98X, a foreign order is taken to be made in any jurisdiction in which it is registered as a registered foreign order. Accordingly, this section extends to registered foreign orders.ss 98ZU–98ZZE: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9].
98ZZC Application for order
(1) An application for a declaration that a DVO is a recognised DVO in New South Wales may be made by any person who would be able to make an application for variation of the DVO if the DVO were a recognised DVO.(2) The application must—(a) be made in a form approved by the registrar, and(b) be accompanied by any information or evidence the registrar requires.Note.It is only necessary to make an application in one participating jurisdiction. Under section 98ZY, once a declaration is made in any participating jurisdiction the DVO will be treated as a recognised DVO in all participating jurisdictions.ss 98ZU–98ZZE: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9].
98ZZD Functions of registrar may be exercised by court
A court with power to make a local DVO may exercise any of the functions of a registrar of the court under this Subdivision.ss 98ZU–98ZZE: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9].
Subdivision 5 Existing registered external DVOs
98ZZE Registered interstate DVOs
(1) The registration under Part 13 of any order made by a court of another State or Territory that was registered under that Part as an external protection order before the commencement date is not affected by the commencement of this Part and this Act continues to apply in respect of the order as if this Part had not commenced.(2) The order is not a local DVO for the purposes of this Part (despite section 97(1)(a)).(3) The order ceases to be registered under Part 13 if the order becomes a recognised DVO in New South Wales. In that case, this Part applies to the order in the same way as it applies to any other recognised DVO that is a non-local DVO.Note.Under this provision, an interstate order registered under Part 13 before the start of the national recognition scheme will continue to be enforceable in New South Wales as provided for by that Part. If the interstate order becomes a recognised DVO by operation of section 98ZX or by declaration under section 98ZZB, the order ceases to be registered under that Part and the order will then be enforceable in New South Wales and nationally under the national recognition scheme.ss 98ZU–98ZZE: Ins 2016 No 9, Sch 1 [9].
Part 14 Miscellaneous
99 Costs
(1) In this section—professional costs means costs relating to professional expenses and disbursements (including witnesses’ expenses) in respect of proceedings before a court (but not court fees payable to a court).(2) Costs, other than professional costs, are not to be awarded in apprehended violence order proceedings.(3) A court may, subject to section 99A, award professional costs in apprehended violence order proceedings to the applicant for the order or decision concerned or the defendant in accordance with this section.(4) If professional costs are awarded against a person under this section, the costs must be paid by the person to the registrar of the court, for payment to—(a) the defendant, in the case of costs awarded against an applicant, or(b) the applicant, in the case of costs awarded against a defendant.(5) A court may make an order as to professional costs at the end of apprehended violence order proceedings or following the adjournment of the proceedings.(6) An order as to professional costs may be made following the adjournment of the proceedings only if the court is satisfied that the other party has incurred additional costs because of the unreasonable conduct or delays of the party against whom the order is made.(7) An order as to professional costs made following the adjournment of proceedings may be made whatever the result of the proceedings and may provide for the determination of the amount at the end of the proceedings.(8) An order as to professional costs may specify the amount of any professional costs payable or may specify that it is to be the amount as agreed or assessed.(9) The State is to indemnify a police officer, who acts in his or her capacity as a police officer in apprehended violence order proceedings, for any professional costs awarded against the police officer personally.(10) This section applies to apprehended violence order proceedings, including apprehended violence order proceedings conducted in the absence of one or more of the parties.s 99: Am 2008 No 53, Sch 8 [7]. Subst 2016 No 33, Sch 1 [34].
99A Limitations on professional costs being awarded
(1) A court cannot, in apprehended violence order proceedings, award professional costs against an applicant who is a protected person in respect of the order unless satisfied that the application was frivolous or vexatious.(2) A court cannot, in apprehended domestic violence order proceedings, award professional costs against an applicant who is a police officer unless satisfied that—(a) the applicant made the application knowing it contained matter that was false or misleading in a material particular, or(b) the applicant has deviated from the reasonable case management of the proceedings so significantly as to be inexcusable.(3) The mere fact that a protected person does any one or more of the following in relation to apprehended domestic violence order proceedings does not give rise to a ground to award costs against an applicant who is a police officer and who made the application in good faith—(a) indicating that he or she will give unfavourable evidence,(b) indicating that he or she does not want an apprehended domestic violence order or that he or she has no fears,(c) giving unfavourable evidence or failing to attend to give evidence.(4) This section has effect despite section 99 or any other provision of this or any other Act or law.(5) In this section—apprehended domestic violence order proceedings means proceedings under this Act in relation to an apprehended domestic violence order or an application for an apprehended domestic violence order.professional costs has the same meaning as in section 99.s 99A: Ins 2016 No 33, Sch 1 [34].
100 Parts 2 and 3 of Crimes (Appeal and Review) Act 2001
Except as expressly provided by this Act, nothing in this Act affects the operation that Parts 2 and 3 of the Crimes (Appeal and Review) Act 2001 would have if this Act had not been enacted.
101 Regulations
The Governor may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act, for or with respect to any matter that by this Act is required or permitted to be prescribed or that is necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.
102 Savings, transitional and other provisions
Schedule 1 has effect.
103 (Repealed)
s 103: Rep 2008 No 114, Sch 4.
104 Review of Act
(1) The Minister is to review this Act to determine whether the policy objectives of the Act remain valid and whether the terms of the Act remain appropriate for securing those objectives.(2) The review is to be undertaken as soon as possible after the period of 3 years from the date of assent to this Act.(3) A report on the outcome of the review is to be tabled in each House of Parliament within 12 months after the end of the period of 3 years.
Schedule 1 Savings, transitional and other provisions
(Section 102)
Part 1 General
1 Regulations
(1) The regulations may contain provisions of a savings or transitional nature consequent on the enactment of the following Acts—this Actany other Act that amends this Act(2) Any such provision may, if the regulations so provide, take effect from the date of assent to the Act concerned or a later date.(3) To the extent to which any such provision takes effect from a date that is earlier than the date of its publication in the Gazette, the provision does not operate so as—(a) to affect, in a manner prejudicial to any person (other than the State or an authority of the State), the rights of that person existing before the date of its publication, or(b) to impose liabilities on any person (other than the State or an authority of the State) in respect of anything done or omitted to be done before the date of its publication.
Part 2 Provisions consequent on enactment of this Act
2 Preliminary
(1) In this Part—commencement means the day on which this Act commences.old Part 15A means Part 15A of the Crimes Act 1900 as in force at any time before its repeal by this Act.(2) The provisions of this Part are subject to the regulations.
3 Existing apprehended violence orders and interim orders
(1) An apprehended domestic violence order made under the old Part 15A before the repeal of that Part by this Act is taken to have been made under this Act.(2) An apprehended personal violence order made under the old Part 15A before the repeal of that Part by this Act is taken to have been made under this Act.(3) An interim order made by a court or registrar under the old Part 15A before the repeal of that Part by this Act is taken to be an interim court order made under this Act.(4) A telephone interim order made under the old Part 15A before the repeal of that Part by this Act is taken to be a provisional order made under this Act.(5) An external protection order registered under Division 10 of the old Part 15A is taken to have been registered under Part 13 of this Act.(6) Any order taken by this clause to have been made under this Act has effect for the same period as it would have had under the provisions of the old Part 15A but may be varied or revoked in accordance with this Act.
4 Pending applications
An application for an order under the old Part 15A that has not been determined before the repeal of that Part by this Act is taken to be an application for the same type of order under this Act.
5 References to repealed provisions
(1) A reference in any other Act or instrument to Part 15A of the Crimes Act 1900 includes a reference to this Act.(2) A reference to this Act in any other Act or instrument includes a reference to old Part 15A.(3) A reference in this Act or any other Act or instrument to section 13 of this Act includes a reference to sections 545AB and 562AB of the Crimes Act 1900 (as in force before their repeal).(4) A reference in this Act or any other Act or instrument to section 14 of this Act includes a reference to sections 562I (as in force before its substitution by the Crimes Amendment (Apprehended Violence) Act 2006) and 562ZG (as in force before its repeal) of the Crimes Act 1900.(5) A reference in this or any other Act or instrument to a final apprehended violence order made under this Act includes a reference to a final order within the meaning of old Part 15A.(6) A reference in this or any other Act or instrument to an interim apprehended violence order made under this Act includes a reference to an interim order made by a court under old Part 15A or a telephone interim order within the meaning of old Part 15A.(7) A reference in this or any other Act or instrument to an application for an order under this Act includes a reference to a complaint or application for an order under old Part 15A.(8) A reference in this or any other Act or instrument to apprehended violence order proceedings within the meaning of this Act includes a reference to proceedings under old Part 15A in relation to an apprehended violence order or an application or complaint for an apprehended violence order.
6 Recording of domestic violence offences
Section 12 extends to—(a) enabling the making of an application to record a domestic violence offence occurring before the commencement of that section, and(b) authorising the recording of domestic violence offences occurring before the commencement of that section.
Part 3 Provisions consequent on enactment of Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Amendment Act 2008
7 Definition
In this Part, relevant amendment means—(a) an amendment made to Part 2 of this Schedule by the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Amendment Act 2008, or(b) an amendment made to an Act or regulation by Schedule 2 to the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Amendment Act 2008.
8 Effect of certain savings and transitional amendments
(1) Anything done or omitted to be done on or after the commencement of this Act, but before the commencement of a relevant amendment, that would have been valid if the amendment had been in force at the time that it was done or omitted is taken to have been validly done or omitted.(2) Anything done or omitted to be done before the commencement of this Act in purported compliance with the Firearms Act 1996 that would have been valid if, at the time that the thing was done or omitted, the definition of interim apprehended violence order in section 4(1) of that Act included a reference to a telephone interim order within the meaning of Part 15A of the Crimes Act 1900 is taken to have been validly done or omitted.(3) Anything done or omitted to be done before the commencement of this Act in purported compliance with the Weapons Prohibition Act 1998 that would have been valid if, at the time that the thing was done or omitted, the definition of interim apprehended violence order in section 4(1) of that Act included a telephone interim order within the meaning of Part 15A of the Crimes Act 1900 is taken to have been validly done or omitted.(4) Subclauses (1)–(3) do not affect any decision of a court or tribunal made before the commencement of this clause or any proceedings before a court or tribunal commenced before the commencement of this clause.
9 Service of provisional order on defendant
Section 31(2) (as inserted by the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Amendment Act 2008) does not apply to a provisional order made before the commencement of the subsection.
Part 4 Provisions consequent on enactment of Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Amendment (Review) Act 2016
10 Definition
In this Part—amending Act means the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Amendment (Review) Act 2016.
11 Amendments do not extend to current applications
(1) In this clause—application means an application for a final apprehended violence order or an application within the meaning of section 72.(2) The amendment of a provision of the Act by the amending Act does not affect an application made but not finally dealt with before the amendment nor does it affect any proceedings arising from any such application even if those proceedings take place after the amendment and, in any such case, the provision as in force immediately before its amendment is taken to continue to apply.(3) Subclause (2) is subject to the other provisions of this Part and the regulations.
12 Duration of provisional orders
Section 32, as substituted by the amending Act, extends to a provisional order that is in force immediately before that substitution.
13 Orders made on guilty plea or finding of guilt
Section 39, as substituted by the amending Act, applies in respect of a guilty plea or finding of guilt in proceedings even if the proceedings commenced before that substitution.
14 Evidence of serious offence admissible
The transcript of proceedings and any evidence admitted in the District Court or the Supreme Court in respect of a serious offence is admissible in the Local Court or Children’s Court for the purposes of determining an application referred to in section 40(4) even if the proceedings to which the transcript or evidence relates took place before the substitution of section 40(4) by the amending Act.
15 Orders made during care proceedings
Section 40A applies in respect of care proceedings (and any appeal arising from those proceedings) even if the care proceedings were commenced before the commencement of that section.
16 Questioning child directly
Section 41A applies in respect of proceedings even if the proceedings were commenced before the commencement of that section. However, this clause does not cause evidence given before that commencement to be inadmissible.
17 Costs
(1) Section 99, as substituted by the amending Act, does not apply to proceedings that commenced before that substitution and that section, as in force immediately before its substitution, continues to apply to any such proceedings as if it had not been substituted.(2) Section 99A does not apply to proceedings that commenced before the commencement of that section.
Part 5 Provisions consequent on enactment of Justice Legislation Amendment Act (No 3) 2018
18 Changes to definition of “domestic relationship”
(1) Section 5A, as inserted by the Justice Legislation Amendment Act (No 3) 2018, does not apply to, or affect the validity of, any order made under this Act before the commencement of the section.(2) Section 5A, as inserted by the Justice Legislation Amendment Act (No 3) 2018, does not affect an application for an order under this Act made but not finally determined before the commencement of the section or any proceedings arising from the application that have not finally been determined before the commencement of the section, even if those proceedings take place after that commencement. For the purposes of the application and proceedings, this Act as in force immediately before the commencement of section 5A is taken to continue to apply.
Part 6 Provisions consequent on enactment of Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Amendment Act 2018
19 Operation of amendments to definitions of “intimidation” and “stalking”
(1) An application for an apprehended violence order made but not finally determined before the amendment of sections 7 and 8 by the amending Act is to be dealt with as if those sections had not been amended.(2) Sections 7 and 8, as amended by the amending Act, extend to the consideration by a court of an application, made after those amendments commence, for the variation or revocation of a final apprehended violence order or interim court order that was in force immediately before the commencement of those amendments.(3) In this Part—amending Act means the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Amendment Act 2018.
Part 7 Provision consequent on enactment of Crimes Legislation Amendment (Victims) Act 2018
20 Application of amendments to proceedings
An amendment made to this Act by the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Victims) Act 2018 applies only to proceedings commenced after the commencement of the amendment.
Part 8 Provisions consequent on enactment of Stronger Communities Legislation Amendment (Domestic Violence) Act 2020
21 Definition
In this Part—amending Act means the Stronger Communities Legislation Amendment (Domestic Violence) Act 2020.
22 Changes to definition of “intimidation”
(1) An application for an apprehended violence order made but not finally determined before the amendment of section 7 by the amending Act is to be dealt with as if that section had not been amended.(2) Section 7, as amended by the amending Act, applies to an application, made after the amendment, for the variation or revocation of a final apprehended violence order or interim court order in force immediately before the amendment.
23 Prohibitions taken to be specified in every apprehended violence order
To remove any doubt, section 36(c) as amended by the amending Act does not apply to an order made before the amendment.
24 Period of final apprehended domestic violence order to be made on guilty plea or guilt finding for serious offence
Section 39, as amended by the amending Act, does not extend to a person who pleaded guilty to, or was found guilty, of a serious offence before the commencement of Schedule 1[11] of the amending Act.
Part 9 Provisions consequent on enactment of Crimes Legislation Amendment (Coercive Control) Act 2022
25 Application of amendments
An amendment made by the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Coercive Control) Act 2022 applies only in relation to—(a) behaviour that occurred, or is alleged to have occurred, on or after the commencement of the amendment, or(b) an offence committed, or alleged to have been committed, on or after the commencement of the amendment.
sch 1: Am 2008 No 119, Sch 1 [10]–[14]; 2013 No 28, Sch 1 [2]; 2016 No 33, Sch 1 [35]; 2018 No 84, Sch 1 [4]; 2018 No 87, Sch 1.11 [4]; 2018 No 88, Sch 2 [4]; 2020 No 36, Sch 1[20]; 2022 No 65, Sch 2[6].
Schedule 2 (Repealed)
sch 2: Rep 2008 No 114, Sch 4.