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Conditions in a family violence intervention order

Each family violence intervention order has conditions to stop the respondent (person the application or order is against) from using family violence. Conditions are rules that restrict the respondent’s behaviour.

There are conditions listed on the application form for an intervention order. They include stopping the respondent from:

  • committing family violence against the protected person 
  • damaging the protected person’s property or threatening to do so
  • following the protected person or keeping them under surveillance
  • publishing on the internet or by email or other electronic communication any material relating to the protected person or pretending it comes from the protected person
  • approaching or remaining within a certain distance of the protected person 
  • going near the protected person’s home or work
  • causing another person to behave in a way that is covered by the order.

The applicant (person applying for an intervention order) can also ask the magistrate to order the respondent to:

  • return the personal property of the protected person or a family member
  • return jointly owned property that allows the protected person’s everyday life to continue with little disruption 
  • hand in any firearms or weapons to police
  • suspend or cancel any firearms authority, weapons approval or weapons exemption.

If the affected family member (person who needs protecting) has children, the applicant can ask the magistrate to change (vary) or suspend a parenting order. See 'Parenting orders' (link below).

The applicant can choose as many conditions as they like from the list. The applicant can also talk to the court registrar if they want to:

  • include any other conditions that will make the affected family member feel safe 
  • apply the conditions to a respondent’s associate (a person the respondent can influence to act for them).

The magistrate makes the final decision about what conditions are included in an interim or final order. See 'When an intervention order is made' (link below).

More information

Parenting orders

When an intervention order is made

Related publications

Family violence intervention order publications

How we can help

Call Legal Help for free information over the phone about the law and how we can help you with your legal problem. You can speak to a legal information officer in English or ask for an interpreter.

Phone (03) 9269 0120 or 1800 677 402 (country callers), Monday to Friday from 8.45 am to 5.15 pm.

Our other free legal services include:

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Who else can help?

If you are in danger, call the police on ‘000’.

Your local community legal centre (CLC) can give you legal information and advice. Most CLC services are free. See the Community Law website for more information and CLC contact details.

See Getting help for details of organisations that can help with family violence, family dispute resolution and other support services.