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Apprehended Violence Orders

Information about what you need to do to apply for, or respond to an application for, an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO).

An AVO is a court order that protects a person from another person who causes them to fear for their safety.

An AVO can protect a person from:

  • violence, or threats of violence
  • stalking
  • intimidation
  • harassment
  • property damage, or threatened property damage
  • harm to their animals.

An AVO is also called an Intervention Order, Restraining Order, Protection Order, Domestic Violence Order or Family Violence Order.

  • Your safety is important

    Your safety is important

    If you feel unsafe, or are concerned for the safety of someone else, call the police, a domestic violence counsellor or get legal advice.

AVO applications

Types of AVOs

Types of AVOs

Find out more about the different types of AVOs and the orders in an AVO.
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Getting an AVO

Getting an AVO

Find out how to apply for an AVO if you are experiencing, or have been threatened with, physical violence, intimidation, harassment, stalking, or property damage.
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Defending an AVO

Defending an AVO

Find out how you can respond to an application for an AVO if you have been named as the defendant.
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Charges and AVOs

Charges and AVOs

Find out what happens if you are charged with an offence and served with an application for an AVO.
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AVOs and children

AVOs to protect children

AVOs to protect children

Find out about the different rules and processes that apply to an application for an AVO to protect a child.
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AVOs against children

AVOs against children

Find out about the different rules and processes that apply to an application for an AVO against a child.
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Consequences of an AVO

Consequences for the protected person

Consequences for the protected person

Find out how an AVO might affect the protected person.
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Consequences for the defendant

Consequences for the defendant

Find out how of an AVO might affect the defendant.
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AVOs and family law

AVOs and family law

Find out how an AVO might affect your parenting arrangements.
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Breaching an AVO

Reporting a breach

Reporting a breach

Find out how to report the defendant if they breach their AVO.
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If you have breached your AVO

If you have breached your AVO

Find out what may happen if you breach your AVO.
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Forms

Forms - AVOs

The instructions, sample forms and other documents in the Apprehended Violence Orders (AVOs) topic.

Support for victims of DV

Domestic and family violence

Find out more about what help is available to victims of domestic and family violence.

Victims Support Scheme

Find out more about what support is available under the Victims Support Scheme and how you can apply for support.

Ways to get help

Ways to get help

If you have a legal problem in NSW, Legal Aid NSW is here to help you.

Domestic Violence Unit

The Legal Aid NSW Domestic Violence Unit (DVU) is a specialist state-wide team that can help clients who have experienced domestic and family violence.

Getting more help

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

Resources

Are you applying for an AVO?

This page has information for applicants and persons in need of protection and has details about the types of Apprehended Violence Orders that may apply.

Is someone asking the court to make an AVO

This page has information for defendants if someone is asking the court to make an AVO against you.

Got an AVO how to stick to your order

Publication page for the pocket guide 'Got an AVO? How to stick to your order.'

Avow

Avow is a free mobile phone app for people in NSW who have an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO). It helps users to comply with their ADVO conditions and prepare for court.