Interstate intervention orders (FVIO)
A family violence Intervention order (FVIO) may be known as a domestic violence order (DVO), apprehended violence order (AVO), family violence restraining order (FVRO) in other states and territories.
Under the National Domestic Violence Order Scheme, all domestic violence orders (DVOs) made in an Australian state or territory from 25 November 2017 are automatically recognised and enforced across Australia.
This includes:
- interim order
- final order
- family violence safety notice
- police intervention order.
If your DVO is active in Victoria, you can apply to change, extend or cancel it at any Magistrates’ Court of Victoria.
Your order was made in a state or territory outside of Victoria
The order was made on or after 25 November 2017, and not registered
It is automatically recognised in Victoria and across Australia. You do not have to do anything to make it active in Victoria.
The order was made before 25 November 2017, and not registered
It is not nationally recognised. You need to declare it for it to be active in Victoria and across Australia.
Anyone named on the order can ask to declare the order.
Bring a copy of your interstate order to any Magistrate’s Court in Victoria. Let the court staff know you would like to declare it.
The order was registered in Victoria before 25 November 2017
It is not nationally recognised. You need to declare it for it to be active in Victoria and across Australia.
Anyone named on the order can ask to declare the order.
Bring a copy of your interstate order to any Magistrate’s Court in Victoria. Let the court staff know you would like to declare it.
Your order was made in Victoria
Under the Victorian National Domestic Violence Order Scheme Act 2016, all active Victorian domestic violence orders are automatically recognised across Australia.
If you have a DVO made in Victoria, and it is active, it is automatically recognised. You do not have to do anything to make it active in another state or and territory.
Your domestic violence order was made in New Zealand
The order has been registered in Victoria
It is automatically recognised in Victoria and across Australia. You do not have to do anything to make it active.
The order has not been registered in Australia
If you are now living in Victoria and have not yet registered the order in Australia, you can register it in Victoria. It will become recognised in Victoria and across Australia.
You can register at any Magistrates’ Court in Victoria.
Resources
This is not a full list of legislation associated with this topic. See the Victorian Government's legislation website for more information.
A.
A nationally recognised DVO is enforceable against the respondent in Victoria, when the respondent is properly notified. A nationally recognised DVO made in another jurisdiction which is enforceable may be enforced in Victoria as if it were a Victorian DVO.
A Victorian DVO (both interim and final) may be enforced against the respondent in any other state or territory that has enacted the corresponding DVO recognition laws if the respondent has been properly notified.
Related information
