Get an apprehended violence order

In this guide, we explain how to get an apprehended violence order (AVO).

Violence is when someone: 

• hurts you 
• scares you 
• controls you.

An AVO is a legal order to protect you from being harmed by another person.

You can apply for an AVO if someone has: 

• used violence against you 
• scared or threatened you.

An AVO explains the rules a person must follow. 

You can find out more about the rules in an AVO on our website.

There are different types of AVOs. 

You can find out more about the types of AVOs on our website.

We explain how you can get an AVO below.

The police can apply for an AVO for you. 

This is called a police application. 

They must do this if they believe you are in danger.

The police must also apply for an AVO if the person in danger is under 16 years old.

You can ask about an AVO at your local police station. 

Find your local police station on the NSW police website. 

You can also call the Police Assistance line. 

131 444

You can also apply for an AVO yourself. 

This is called a private application.

You can contact your Local Court registry to apply for an AVO. 

You can find your local court on the Local Court NSW website.

You will need to get all your evidence ready before you apply in court. 

Evidence is proof that something is true.

You can find out more about a private application for an AVO on the Legal Aid NSW website.

You will get a court date after you apply for an AVO.

If you applied for yourself, you need to get your evidence ready before your court date. 

For example, photos or a medical report from a doctor.

If the police applied for an AVO for you, they will get the evidence ready.

Other people in your life can also write letters. 

They can explain the violence they saw happen to you.

You can get support from a lawyer. 

A lawyer is someone who knows and understands the law

They can help you: 

• plan what to say 
• get your evidence ready.

Find out more about how to get ready for court.

When you go to court, you need to share the evidence.

The person you want protection from can also share their evidence.

The court will use all the information and evidence to decide if you need protection from an AVO.

Find out more about what happens at court.

If the court decides you need protection from an AVO, it might affect some parts of your life.

For example, it might affect: 

• where you can live 
• your job 
• your visa.

A visa is a document that says you can come to Australia from another country to: 

• travel 
• work
• live.

Find out more about how an AVO might affect you.

When the court gives someone an AVO, they must follow certain rules.

These rules help protect you from being harmed by this person again.

If someone doesn’t follow the rules in an AVO, they are breaking the law.

You need to tell the police if the person you are in danger from is breaking the rules of the AVO.

Find out more about reporting someone who breaks the rules.

You can ask the court to change an AVO.

For example, if you want: 

• the AVO to last longer
• to change the rules
• to end the AVO.

Find out more about changing or ending an AVO.

You can ask the court to check their decision about an AVO if you don’t agree with it. 

You can do this within 28 days after you went to court.

If you were not at your court date, you can also ask the court to: 

• undo their decision

• look at the evidence again.

The court might make the same decision again.

You can do this for 2 years after they made the decision.

Find out more about checking the court’s decision

Other pages for you: 

• Legal Aid NSW Domestic violence unit
• Family advocacy and support
• Women’s domestic violence court advocacy services