If you need urgent assistance or your safety is at immediate risk call the Police on 000

If you require information about available domestic violence services or emergency accommodation please call the Domestic Violence Crisis Service: at www.dvcs.org.au or on their 24hrs crisis line 02 6280 0900

National Recognition of Domestic (Family) Violence Orders

Will my domestic violence (family violence) order be automatically recognised across Australia?

If your order was made after 25 November 2017 it will be automatically recognised across Australia including the ACT.

If your order was made before that date, you should make an application to have your order declared as a recognised order when you move out of the ACT or move to the ACT, unless the order was made in Victoria.

If your order was made in Victoria and is in force as of 25 November 2017, it is automatically recognised and no further registration is needed.


If I have a domestic violence (family violence) order in another jurisdiction (State, Territory or New Zealand) is that order active if I move to the ACT?

Your order will only be active in the ACT if it was made after 25 November 2017.

If you have an existing order made before that date that is in force you will need to apply to have that order declared as a recognised family violence order in the ACT. Once an order is recognised, it will be enforceable in the same way that other ACT Family Violence Orders are enforced.

If you have an ACT order made before that date and would like that recognised in another State, Territory or New Zealand, you need to contact that State, Territory or New Zealand to find out how to register your order.


How do I apply to register a recognised domestic violence (family violence) order from another jurisdiction in the ACT?’

To apply to register an order which addresses family violence:

1. Complete the form below;
2. Attach a certified copy of the original order; and
3. Lodge the documents at the ACT Magistrates Court Counter or via mail.

Application for a declaration that an order is a recognised family violence order

Will my personal or workplace protection order also be automatically recognised?

No. The scheme only recognises domestic or family violence orders.

You can still apply to have a personal violence, including workplace violence, order registered under the Personal Violence Act 2016.

To apply, to register and order which addresses personal or workplace violence:

  1. Complete the form below;
  2. Attach a certified copy of the original order; and
  3. Lodge the documents at the ACT Magistrates Court Counter or via mail.

Note:  For registration of an order addressing personal violence in the workplace, your application must identify the employer as a legal entity and attach evidence of your authority to apply on the employer’s behalf.

Application for registration of a recognised order

Contact the Family and Personal Violence Unit