When family violence occurs, the law offers protection through Domestic Violence Orders (DVOs). These legal orders are designed to help keep you—and your children—safe from further harm.

This page explains what DVOs are, how they work, and how they can affect parenting or separation under family law in Australia.

1. What Is a Domestic Violence Order (DVO)?

A DVO is a court order that places restrictions on a person (called the respondent) to protect another person (the protected person or applicant). It may include rules like:

• Not contacting or approaching the protected person

• Not going near their home or workplace

• Not harming or threatening them

Each state and territory uses different names:

• NSW: Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO)

• VIC: Intervention Order (IVO)

• QLD: Protection Order

• Other states use similar terms, but the purpose is the same—protection from abuse.

Example
Sophie applied for a DVO after her ex-partner began sending threatening texts and turning up at her home. The order prevented him from contacting her directly or through others.

2. How Do I Get a DVO?

You can apply for a DVO through:

• Your local magistrates court

• Police (they can apply on your behalf in urgent situations)

You’ll usually need to explain:

• What has happened

• Why you feel unsafe

• Any evidence (messages, witness statements, photos)

The court may issue a temporary order straight away and then schedule a hearing to decide whether to make the order longer term.

3. How Do DVOs Relate to Family Law?

If you’re separating or involved in a parenting dispute, a DVO can:

• Influence parenting arrangements

• Be considered by the Family Court when making decisions

• Affect how and where child handovers occur

The court’s main priority is to keep children safe—so if a parent has a DVO against them, the court may limit or supervise their time with the children.

4. Will a DVO Automatically Affect Custody?

Not always—but it’s highly relevant. The Family Court will assess whether a child is at risk, directly or indirectly. It may:

• Order supervised contact

• Appoint a child expert to assess safety

• Suspend contact altogether in extreme cases

Example
After a DVO was issued against Jeremy, he was only allowed to see his kids at a supervised contact centre until the court had assessed the situation fully.

5. What If a DVO Is Breached?

Breaching a DVO is a criminal offence. If the respondent breaks the rules—by calling, texting, turning up unexpectedly, or using others to contact you—they can be charged by police.

Tip

Always report any breaches, no matter how small they may seem. The court takes these violations seriously.

Final Thought

DVOs are an important tool in keeping individuals and families safe. If you’re dealing with threats, control, or intimidation—don’t wait. You can act quickly, and legal protections are available.

You don’t need to go through it alone. Support services and courts are there to help.