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What is a protection order?

Protection orders are legal documents that aim to protect you and any children in your care from someone who has used violence against you.

You can:

  • Add other people to the Order, like friends and family who have been targeted.
  • Get a protection order against someone of the same or opposite gender to you.

Protection orders are called different things in different parts of Australia. Each state and territory has its own application process.

  • In Queensland, they are called Protection Orders.
  • In New South Wales, they are called Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders.
  • In Victoria and South Australia, they are called Intervention Orders.
  • In Western Australia, they are called Family Violence Restraining Orders.
  • In Tasmania, they are called Family Violence Orders.
  • In the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory, they are called Domestic Violence Orders.

You can ask a support person to help you do the application if it feels too hard to manage alone.

You have the right to be safe from abuse and violence. You are not causing trouble if you get a protection order. You are looking after yourself. You deserve a life free from fear.

What does a protection order do?

Orders offer protection by making rules for the person who has used violence or abuse.

Possible rules include that the violent person cannot:

  • Come within 100 metres of the person who applied for the Order.
  • Visit their home, work or place of residence.
  • Stalk or contact them.
  • Damage their property.
  • Threaten or abuse them.
  • Use violence or otherwise harm them.

If a person breaks these rules, they may be charged with a crime. 

Is a protection order a criminal charge?

A protection order is not the same as a criminal charge. However, if the person named in the protection order ignores the rules, they are breaking the law and can be charged with a crime.

For example, they might come to your door or send you threatening text messages. If that happens, you can call the police. The police might enforce the protection order or charge the person with a crime. 

Collect evidence if the person breaks the rules, so that you can show the police. You could:

  • Keep a diary, with details of what happened and the names and contact details of witnesses.
  • Take photos of injuries or damage to your property. Use the date-stamp function on your phone if you can.
  • Keep texts and voice messages that break the rules.

Only do these things if it is safe.

Deciding if a protection order is a good idea

People who apply for protection orders often worry about how the person who has been violent or abusive will react. The same worries can happen when you call the police.

Sometimes, violence does get worse after it is reported. Talk about this possibility with your support people and services before you apply for an Order.

You can do things to make yourself safer. For example, you can make a safety plan. Learn how on the Neve page How to be safe when you leave an abusive relationship (internal link).

How do I arrange a protection order?

A protection order is a legal document, so you must speak to a legal service or the local court. They will be able to tell you how to apply in your state.

Usually, you can either go to the police or apply directly to the courts.

Women's Legal Service and Legal Aid offer free advice. 

1800 RESPECT have a searchable directory (external link) to help you find support in your local area.

1800 RESPECT

If you experience violence or abuse you can contact 1800 RESPECT for support and counselling.
Call 1800 737 732 or go to the 1800 RESPECT website to chat with someone online (external link).

‍To contact 1800RESPECT via SMS, text ‘HELLO’ or any greeting to 0458 737 732 to start the conversation.

Becoming safer

This section of the website focuses on your safety. It has information to help you decide if a relationship is abusive. It shares tools to be safer in a violent situation. It talks about planning for a safer future, like if you leave violence behind. We also share tips to be safe online.

Find out more

Helplines

This section provides information about helplines - telephone and text services that offer help when you need it. Helplines can give you advice, understanding and links to practical support. Here, you can learn to choose a service that meets your needs and prepare for the call. We also share a list of helplines across Australia. If you have an emergency, call 000 (triple zero) to speak to the police or ambulance.

Find out more

Resources.

May 13, 2024

|

Patricia Giles Centre for Non-Violence

You have rights - Easy Read

A guide for women with disability experiencing family and domestic violence.

Check resource

May 13, 2024

|

Patricia Giles Centre for Non-Violence

Your rights

A guide for women with disability and mothers of children with disability who have experience of family and domestic violence.

Check resource

May 13, 2024

|

SECCA

Online dating

Information about online dating.

Check resource

May 4, 2024

|

1800 RESPECT

Escape bag checklist

If you are going to leave a relationship, deciding what to take with you is an important step in creating a safety plan. This checklist helps you plan what you may need to take if you need to leave.

Check resource

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Protection orders

You can get legal protection from domestic and family violence through the courts in each Australian state and territory. There are different names for these court orders, but they work everywhere in Australia. Here, you can learn more about protection orders. You can learn how to apply for one and what it does and doesn't do.

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