Family Violence Orders glossary
Protective orders are called different things in different Australian jurisdictions — AVO in NSW, IVO in VIC, DVO in QLD and NT, FVIO, FVRO, PSO. The concepts overlap but diverge on conditions, duration, and the interaction with criminal proceedings. This glossary covers 40 terms that appear across these regimes.
This is a glossary of 40 terms used in Australian family violence and intervention order practice across each state and territory. Each definition cites the controlling Act and includes the state-specific name where it varies.
Definitions
ADVO
Apprehended Domestic Violence Order — an AVO in NSW made between people in a domestic relationship.
Affected family member
The person an intervention order is designed to protect under Victoria's FVPA regime.
APVO
Apprehended Personal Violence Order — a NSW AVO between people not in a domestic relationship (e.g. neighbours).
AVO
Apprehended Violence Order — the NSW protective order. Covers both ADVO (domestic) and APVO (personal).
Breach of order
A criminal offence for contravening a protective order without reasonable excuse.
Consent without admission
An order made with the respondent's consent, but without the respondent admitting the allegations.
Contravention
A breach of a condition of a family violence order — prosecuted criminally.
Cross application
An application by the respondent alleging that the original applicant is the person in need of protection.
DVO (QLD/NT)
Domestic Violence Order under Queensland's DFVPA or the equivalent NT regime.
Economic abuse
A recognised form of family violence involving control of finances and economic resources.
Emotional or psychological abuse
A form of family violence involving intimidation, harassment, or controlling behaviour.
Family member
The statutory definition of who can apply for or be protected by an order. Typically includes current/former partners, relatives, and some carers.
Family violence
Violent, threatening, or controlling conduct between family members — covers physical, sexual, emotional, economic, and coercive behaviour.
Final order
The long-term order made after evidence is heard or by consent, typically lasting for a fixed period.
FVIO
Family Violence Intervention Order — the Victorian order protecting a family member.
FVRO
Family Violence Restraining Order — the WA order under the Restraining Orders Act 1997.
Interim order
A short-term order made urgently to protect the person while the application is being determined.
Intervention order
The Victorian family violence order, sometimes used generically across jurisdictions.
Mandatory conditions
The standard conditions that must be imposed in every order — typically prohibitions on violence, threats, and stalking.
National Domestic Violence Order Scheme
The scheme under which DVO/AVO/FVIO/FVRO are automatically recognised and enforceable across Australia.
Personal Safety Intervention Order (PSIO)
The Victorian non-family protective order — covers neighbours, associates, and others outside family.
Police application
An application for a protective order made by police on behalf of the protected person.
Private application
An application made by the protected person themselves (often with legal help), as opposed to police.
Protected person
The person protected by the order.
Provisional order
A short-notice order made in urgent circumstances (sometimes by a magistrate by phone), before the standard interim process.
Reasonable apprehension
The test for making an order — whether the protected person has reasonable grounds to fear the respondent's conduct.
Respondent
The person against whom a protective order is sought or made.
Revocation
The cancellation of an order before expiry, usually on application with the court's consent.
Safe contact
A condition carving out permitted contact between respondent and protected person, often for parenting or shared property.
Separate representation
Representation for a child or vulnerable person affected by a protective order application, where appointed.
Stalking
A pattern of conduct causing apprehension or fear. A statutory ground for an order and a criminal offence.
State Coroner referrals
Referrals from coroners investigating deaths with family violence context, informing order practice and training.
Summons
A court document requiring the respondent to attend court to answer the application.
Telephone application
An after-hours application for an urgent order made to a magistrate by phone, usually by police.
Undertaking
A formal promise to the court by the respondent to behave in a particular way. Not an order and not criminally enforceable.
Urgent application
An application made without notice for an interim or provisional order in circumstances of immediate risk.
Variation
A change to the conditions or duration of an existing order, usually on application to the court.
Weapons prohibition
A condition (and often automatic consequence) preventing the respondent from possessing or using firearms.
Without admissions
A basis on which a respondent consents to an order without accepting the factual allegations.
Workplace exclusion
A condition excluding the respondent from the protected person's workplace or nearby area.
Research these terms in context
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These definitions are general explanations for educational purposes — not legal advice. Family violence order regimes differ significantly between Australian states and change frequently. Always verify against the relevant state or territory Act.
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