AVOs & Domestic Violence Orders

Is an AVO or DVO a criminal charge or a criminal record?

No. The order itself is a civil order made to protect someone — it is not a criminal conviction and does not, by itself, give you a criminal record. What is criminal is breaching the order. If you breach it, that breach is a separate criminal charge with serious penalties, so the order must be taken seriously even though it isn't a conviction.

What happens if I breach the order?

Breaching a protection order is a criminal offence everywhere in Australia. It commonly carries a fine and up to two years' jail for a single breach, and more in some states — Queensland goes up to three years (five for repeat offenders), and several states impose jail for repeat breaches. Even a text message or a phone call can be a breach, including where the protected person invited the contact. If you've been accused of breaching, get advice immediately.

Can I get protection urgently, today?

Yes. In every state and territory the police can put an urgent order in place straight away — often the same day — to protect someone at risk before any full court hearing. You can also apply yourself at your local court, and a magistrate can make an interim order on the spot if protection is needed in the meantime. Call the hotline and we'll talk you through the fastest path.

An order''s been made against me — should I just consent to it?

Maybe, but not without understanding the consequences first. You can usually consent (sometimes "without admissions"), contest the order, or negotiate the conditions. The right choice depends on what the order would mean for your home, your children, your firearms and your work. Don't decide based on a guess — a free call before your court date can save you a lot of grief.

Will it affect my firearms licence or my job?

Firearms almost always: across Australia, an order generally means your licence is suspended or cancelled and you must hand your firearms to police while it's in force, and a final order can bar you from reapplying for years. Effects on employment and professional licences vary and are often more limited than people fear. If you hold a firearms or work licence, raise it with a lawyer straight away.

How does an order affect seeing my kids?

Protection orders and family law parenting orders can work together, but they can also conflict. Generally, a later family law parenting order takes priority to the extent it's inconsistent with the protection order, while the rest of the order stands. Orders can also be written with exceptions so parents can still arrange care of the children without breaching. This area is tricky — it's well worth getting advice.

Is calling Legal Hotline really free?

Yes. The information line is free and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call any time to understand where you stand and, if you need one, to be connected with a lawyer anywhere in Australia — usually within the hour. No cost, no obligation.