​Types of Apprehended Violence Orders

​​There are two types of Apprehended Violence Orders (AVOs):

• ​Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders (ADVOs) that protect a person from domestic violence, for example by a spouse, ex-partner, or parent. 
  
• Apprehended Personal Violence Orders (APVOs) that protect a person from violence by anyone else, for example a neighbour, co-worker, or friend.​
  

Your relationship with the other person will determine what kind of AVO might be made in your case. 

There are different processes to apply for each type of AVO. 

This section covers:

• Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders (ADVOs)
  
• Apprehended Personal Violence Orders (APVOs)
  

 From 25 November 2017, all Domestic Violence Orders (DVOs) are now automatically recognised and enforceable. This means that NSW Police can enforce DVOs made on or after this date in other Australian states and territories. Other states and territories can also enforce an ADVO made in NSW from this date. Other states and territories can also vary or revoke orders made in NSW, and make new orders for the same parties. 

 Apprehended Personal Violence Orders (APVOs) are not nationally recognised and enforceable. You must register an APVO interstate to have it recognised. 

For more information, see Types of Apprehended Violence Orders.​​​

Getting an Apprehended Violence Order

You can apply for an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) if you are:

• experiencing or have been threatened with physical violence
  
• being intimidated, harassed or molested (either in person or by telephone calls, text messages, emails, or in other ways, including through Facebook or other social media), and fear for your safety
• being stalked by someone where you live, where you work, or at places that you go.

 If you have immediate concerns for your safety, you should call the police. 

This section covers:

• Applying for an Apprehended Violence Order
  
• Going to court
  
• After court
  
• Victims Support Scheme
• Immigration and Apprehended Violence Order's
  
• Case study. 
  

For more information, see Getting an Apprehended Violence Order.

Defendin​g an Apprehended Violence Order

If you have been served with an application for an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO), you can:

• agree (consent) to the AVO
  
• give the Court an undertaking
  
• make a cross application
• go to mediation
  
• challenge (oppose) the application
  
• do nothing.
  

For more information, see Defending an Apprehended Violence Order.

Apprehended Violence Orders and Family Law

If there is an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) between you and your ex-partner, this may affect any orders or agreements you have for your child. 

This section covers:

• How do Apprehended Violence Order's and parenting orders work together?
  
• What happens if an Apprehended Violence Order was made before a parenting order?
  
• What happens if a parenting order was made before an Apprehended Violence Order?
  
• How do Apprehended Violence Order's and parenting plans work together?
  
• Frequently Asked Questions.
  

For more information, see Apprehended Violence Orders and Family Law.

Getting more help

This section has information about services that can help people who are applying for, or responding to an application for, an Apprehended Violence Order. 

For more information, see Getting more help. 

Flowcharts

This section gives you a visual overview of how to get or defend an Apprehended Violence Order. 

For more information, see Flowcharts.

Who's who in court

This section shows you what the courtroom will look like, who the different people are and where you should sit when you go to court.

For more information, see Who's who in court.

Forms

This section has instructions, sample forms, statements and orders. 

For more information, see Forms.

Frequently Asked Questions 

This section has answers to common questions that you may have when applying for, or responding to an application for, an Apprehended Violence Order. 

For more information, see Frequently Asked Questions. 

Last updated: December 2022

COVID-19 Update

If you need to file documents with the Court, Tribunal or Commission, you should contact them directly to see what options are available to you. You may be required to file the documents online, by post or in-person. 

If you need to appear at the Court, Tribunal or Commission, you should contact them directly to see what options are available to you. You may be required to appear in person, by phone or Audio Visual Link (AVL).

For more information, see COVID-19 (coronavirus) on the New South Wales Local Court website.