What is a Domestic Violence Order (DVO) in Queensland?

What is a Domestic Violence Order (DVO) in Queensland?

A Domestic Violence Order (DVO) is the primary tool used in Queensland to enhance the safety of victims of domestic abuse.

What Constitutes “Domestic Violence”?

Under the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 (Qld), domestic violence is not just physical hitting. It includes:¹

• Physical or sexual abuse.
• Emotional or psychological abuse (e.g., controlling behaviour, constant criticism).
• Economic abuse (e.g., withholding money, preventing you from working, controlling bank accounts, requiring permission to spend).
• Coercive control (a pattern of behaviour isolated from support).
• Damage to property or injury to pets.
• Dowry abuse – demands for money, property or gifts from the bride’s family, recognised as a form of economic abuse.

Economic abuse in detail

Economic abuse involves behaviours that are coercive, deceptive or unreasonably controlling and that either:

• deny the victim economic/financial autonomy they would otherwise have, or
• withhold or threaten to withhold financial support needed for reasonable living expenses.

Typical examples relevant to family law include:

• Controlling all bank accounts and requiring the victim to ask permission for any expenditure.
• Preventing the victim from working or pursuing education, thereby limiting earning capacity and superannuation accrual.
• Forcing the victim to hand over their income or savings.
• Refusing to contribute to household expenses while controlling the victim’s access to money.
• Using dowry‑related demands (e.g., requests for money, gold, property) to exert financial control.

These behaviours can directly affect a party’s financial contributions to the marriage and are therefore relevant when assessing contributions and future needs in a property settlement under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth).

Types of Orders

1. Temporary Protection Order (TPO): Made quickly (sometimes within hours) by a Magistrate to provide immediate safety until the full hearing.
2. Final Protection Order: Made for a standard period of 5 years after a court hearing or by agreement.

Standard Conditions

Every DVO contains the standard condition: “The Respondent must be of good behaviour towards the Aggrieved and not commit domestic violence.”

Additional conditions can include:

• No Contact: Prohibiting all communication.
• Ouster: Forcing the Respondent to leave the family home.
• Distance: Staying 100m away from the Aggrieved’s workplace.
• Technology‑related conditions (e.g., prohibiting surveillance or tracking devices).

Related Topics

• How to apply for a DVO
• Breaching a DVO
• Domestic Violence Practice Area
• Economic abuse in family law property settlements (see related FAQ)
• Dowry abuse and family law (see related FAQ)

Confidential Advice

If you are experiencing DV, or if you have been served with an application, we provide urgent, confidential advice.

Need help? Contact us . Call (07) 5532 8777. In an emergency, always call 000.