{"id":"C2025A00052","name":"Commonwealth Workplace Protection Orders Act 2025","slug":"commonwealth-workplace-protection-orders-act-2025","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"52 of 2025","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":436445,"registerId":"C2025A00052-fast-fetch-1775953643266","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-12","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commonwealth Workplace Protection Orders Act 2025","content":"---\nmeta-content-style-type: text/css\nmeta-content-type: application/xhtml+xml; charset=utf-8\n---\n\n![Commonwealth Coat of Arms of Australia](image.001.png)\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nCommonwealth Workplace Protection Orders Act 2025\n\nNo. 52, 2025\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nAn Act to establish a workplace protection orders scheme in relation to Commonwealth workers and Commonwealth workplaces, and for related purposes\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nContents\n\nPart 1—Preliminary\n\n1 Short title\n\n2 Commencement\n\n3 Object\n\n4 Simplified outline of this Act\n\n5 Definitions\n\n6 Meanings of personal violence, affected worker and affected workplace\n\n7 Meaning of authorised person\n\n8 Act binds the Crown\n\n9 Extension to external Territories\n\n10 Extraterritorial operation\n\n11 Concurrent operation of State and Territory laws\n\nPart 2—Commonwealth workplace protection orders\n\nDivision 1—Simplified outline of this Part\n\n12 Simplified outline of this Part\n\nDivision 2—Making Commonwealth workplace protection orders\n\nSubdivision A—Interim orders\n\n13 Applying for an interim order\n\n14 Court may make an interim order\n\n15 When an interim order is in force\n\nSubdivision B—Urgent interim orders\n\n16 Applying for an urgent interim order\n\n17 Court may make an urgent interim order\n\n18 When an urgent interim order is in force\n\nSubdivision C—Final orders\n\n19 Applying for a final order\n\n20 Court may make a final order\n\n21 When a final order is in force\n\nSubdivision D—Consent orders\n\n22 Making a consent order\n\n23 When a consent order is in force\n\nDivision 3—Content of Commonwealth workplace protection orders\n\n24 Terms of a Commonwealth workplace protection order\n\n25 Conditions of a Commonwealth workplace protection order\n\nDivision 4—Varying or revoking Commonwealth workplace protection orders\n\n26 Applying for variation or revocation of a Commonwealth workplace protection order\n\n27 Requirement to apply for revocation if grounds no longer exist\n\n28 Court may vary or revoke a Commonwealth workplace protection order\n\n29 Court must revoke a Commonwealth workplace protection order if grounds no longer exist\n\n30 When a variation or revocation takes effect\n\nDivision 5—Offences\n\n31 Offence for contravening a Commonwealth workplace protection order\n\nDivision 6—Other matters relating to the making of Commonwealth workplace protection orders\n\n32 Persons under 14\n\n33 Representative and joint applications\n\n34 Proceedings may be heard together\n\n35 Matters not to affect court’s power to make Commonwealth workplace protection orders\n\n36 Other orders not affected by a Commonwealth workplace protection order etc.\n\nPart 3—Other matters relating to Commonwealth workplace protection orders\n\nDivision 1—Simplified outline of this Part\n\n37 Simplified outline of this Part\n\nDivision 2—Jurisdiction and other matters relating to court proceedings\n\n38 Jurisdiction\n\n39 Right of appeal from final order decisions of certain State or Territory courts\n\n40 Court must explain orders and give reasons for decisions\n\n41 Names of affected workers not to be published\n\n42 Standard of proof\n\n43 Costs\n\nDivision 3—Information management\n\nSubdivision A—Information sharing\n\n44 Information about Commonwealth workplace protection orders to be given to firearms registries\n\nSubdivision B—Disclosure etc. of information\n\n45 Use and disclosure of certain information for enforcement purposes\n\nPart 4—Miscellaneous\n\n46 Simplified outline of this Part\n\n47 Delegation by authorised persons\n\n48 Review of operation of this Act\n\n \n\n![Commonwealth Coat of Arms of Australia](image.002.png)\n\n \n\n \n\nCommonwealth Workplace Protection Orders Act 2025\n\nNo. 52, 2025\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nAn Act to establish a workplace protection orders scheme in relation to Commonwealth workers and Commonwealth workplaces, and for related purposes\n\n[Assented to 4 November 2025]\n\nThe Parliament of Australia enacts:\n\nPart 1—Preliminary\n\n \n\n1  Short title\n\n  This Act is the Commonwealth Workplace Protection Orders Act 2025.\n\n2  Commencement\n\n (1) Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.\n\n \n\n- Commencement information\n- Column 1 Column 2 Column 3\n- Provisions Commencement Date/Details\n- 1. The whole of this Act A single day to be fixed by Proclamation.However, if the provisions do not commence within the period of 6 months beginning on the day this Act receives the Royal Assent, they commence on the day after the end of that period.\n\n\nNote: This table relates only to the provisions of this Act as originally enacted. It will not be amended to deal with any later amendments of this Act.\n\n (2) Any information in column 3 of the table is not part of this Act. Information may be inserted in this column, or information in it may be edited, in any published version of this Act.\n\n3  Object\n\n  The object of this Act is:\n\n (a) to protect Commonwealth workers and persons in Commonwealth workplaces from harm and threats of harm; and\n\n (b) to ensure that services delivered by the Commonwealth can be accessed by the public in a safe environment; and\n\n (c) to deter violence and aggression against Commonwealth workers.\n\n4  Simplified outline of this Act\n\nThis Act establishes a scheme for courts to make Commonwealth workplace protection orders to prevent personal violence against Commonwealth workers or in Commonwealth workplaces.\n\nA person engages in personal violence if the person causes, or threatens to cause, harm or a reasonable fear of harm to another person in a way that interferes with the functioning of the Executive Government of the Commonwealth. This may include interfering with the ability of a Commonwealth worker to do their job or of a person to safely access Commonwealth benefits or services.\n\nA Commonwealth worker is a person that carries out work in any capacity for the Commonwealth, including contractors, security guards, volunteers, and persons employed under the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984.\n\nAny place where a Commonwealth worker ordinarily goes, or is likely to be, while carrying out that work can be a Commonwealth workplace. This may include mobile service centres, mobile shopfronts, an emergency relief centre, or a work vehicle. However, it does not include a place that is owned or occupied by a court of a State or Territory.\n\nAn application for a Commonwealth workplace protection order may be made by the following persons (called authorised persons) or their delegates:\n\n (a) the Chief Executive and Principal Registrar of the High Court;\n\n (b) the accountable authority or chief executive officer (however described) of a Commonwealth entity.\n\nIf a court decides to make a Commonwealth workplace protection order, the court may impose any conditions the court considers necessary or desirable to prevent further personal violence by the respondent or to ensure the safety of a Commonwealth worker or Commonwealth workplace.\n\nIt is an offence to contravene a condition of a Commonwealth workplace protection order.\n\nThis Act is intended to operate concurrently with State and Territory laws. It is not intended that the existence of a Commonwealth workplace protection order would prevent a protective order being applied for or made against the respondent under a State or Territory law.\n\n5  Definitions\n\n  In this Act:\n\naccountable authority has the same meaning as in the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013.\n\naffected worker has the meaning given by subsection 6(2).\n\naffected workplace has the meaning given by subsection 6(3).\n\nauthorised person has the meaning given by section 7.\n\nCommonwealth entity has the same meaning as in the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013.\n\nCommonwealth worker means:\n\n (a) a person that carries out work in any capacity for a Commonwealth entity or the High Court, including work as:\n\n (i) an employee; or\n\n (ii) a contractor or subcontractor; or\n\n (iii) an employee of a contractor or subcontractor; or\n\n (iv) an employee of a labour hire company who has been assigned to carry out work for a Commonwealth entity or the High Court; or\n\n (v) an outworker; or\n\n (vi) an apprentice or trainee; or\n\n (vii) a student gaining work experience; or\n\n (viii) a volunteer; or\n\n (b) a person who is employed under the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984.\n\nCommonwealth workplace means a place where work as a Commonwealth worker is carried out and includes:\n\n (a) any place where a Commonwealth worker ordinarily goes while carrying out work as a Commonwealth worker; and\n\n (b) any place where a Commonwealth worker is likely to be while carrying out work as a Commonwealth worker;\n\nbut does not include a place that is owned or occupied by a court of a State or Territory.\n\nCommonwealth workplace protection order means:\n\n (a) an interim order; or\n\n (b) an urgent interim order; or\n\n (c) a final order; or\n\n (d) a consent order.\n\nconsent order means an order made under Subdivision D of Division 2 of Part 2.\n\nelectoral representative, in relation to a person, means:\n\n (a) the member of the House of Representatives for the Division (within the meaning of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918) in which the person lives; or\n\n (b) a Senator for the State or Territory in which that Division is located.\n\nfinal order means an order made under Subdivision C of Division 2 of Part 2.\n\nharm has the same meaning as in Part 7.8 of the Criminal Code.\n\nimpaired decision‑making ability: see subsections 22(4) and (5).\n\ninterim order means an order made under Subdivision A of Division 2 of Part 2.\n\npersonal violence has the meaning given by subsection 6(1).\n\nplace includes:\n\n (a) a vehicle, vessel, aircraft or other mobile structure; and\n\n (b) an area of water; and\n\n (c) a fixed or floating structure or installation of any kind.\n\nprotective order, against a person, means an order (including an interim order) made under a law of the Commonwealth (other than this Act), a State or a Territory to prevent the person from causing harm to another person.\n\nrelated application, in relation to an application for an interim order: see paragraph 13(1)(a).\n\nrespondent, in relation to a Commonwealth workplace protection order or an application for such an order, means the person against whom the order is made or sought.\n\nurgent interim order means an order made under Subdivision B of Division 2 of Part 2.\n\n6  Meanings of personal violence, affected worker and affected workplace\n\n (1) A person engages in personal violence if:\n\n (a) the person engages, or makes a threat to engage, in conduct that directly or indirectly causes harm or a reasonable fear of harm to:\n\n (i) a Commonwealth worker; or\n\n (ii) an individual at a Commonwealth workplace; and\n\n (b) if subparagraph (a)(i) applies—the person engages in the conduct or makes the threat because of the Commonwealth worker’s status as a Commonwealth worker; and\n\n (c) the conduct or threat directly or indirectly interferes with the functioning of the Executive Government of the Commonwealth.\n\nNote: For example, conduct or a threat may interfere with the functioning of the Executive Government of the Commonwealth if it interferes with:\n\n(a) the ability of a Commonwealth worker to perform their functions or duties as a Commonwealth worker; or\n\n(b) the performance of functions or exercise of powers of the Commonwealth; or\n\n(c) the ability of a person to access benefits or services provided by the Commonwealth in a safe environment.\n\n (2) The Commonwealth worker is the affected worker in relation to the personal violence.\n\n (3) The Commonwealth workplace is the affected workplace in relation to the personal violence.\n\nConduct causing harm\n\n (4) For the purposes of subsection (1), a person’s conduct is taken to cause harm if it substantially contributes to harm.\n\nThreats\n\n (5) For the purposes of subsection (1), a threat may be:\n\n (a) express or implied; or\n\n (b) conditional or unconditional.\n\n7  Meaning of authorised person\n\n  Each of the following is an authorised person:\n\n (a) the Chief Executive and Principal Registrar of the High Court;\n\n (b) if the accountable authority of a Commonwealth entity is a single person—that person;\n\n (c) if the accountable authority of a Commonwealth entity is a governing body or other group of persons—the chief executive officer (however described) of the entity.\n\n8  Act binds the Crown\n\n  This Act binds the Crown in each of its capacities.\n\n9  Extension to external Territories\n\n  This Act extends to every external Territory.\n\n10  Extraterritorial operation\n\n  This Act extends to acts, omissions, matters and things outside Australia.\n\n11  Concurrent operation of State and Territory laws\n\n  This Act is not intended to exclude or limit the operation of a law of the State or Territory that is capable of operating concurrently with this Act.\n\nPart 2—Commonwealth workplace protection orders\n\nDivision 1—Simplified outline of this Part\n\n12  Simplified outline of this Part\n\nA Commonwealth workplace protection order may be an interim order, an urgent interim order, a final order or a consent order.\n\nThe following persons (called authorised persons) may apply to a court for a final order:\n\n (a) the Chief Executive and Principal Registrar of the High Court;\n\n (b) the accountable authority or chief executive officer (however described) of a Commonwealth entity.\n\nThe authorised person may apply for an interim order before the application for a final order is finally determined.\n\nIn urgent circumstances, the authorised person may apply for an urgent interim order without having applied for a final order. The application does not need to be made in writing or served on the respondent. An urgent interim order ceases after 7 days unless an application for a final order is made within that period.\n\nA court may decide to make an interim order, an urgent interim order or a final order if satisfied of certain matters. A court may also make a final order with the consent of the parties to the proceeding (called a consent order).\n\nThe court may impose, by a Commonwealth workplace protection order, any conditions the court considers necessary or desirable to prevent further personal violence by the respondent or to ensure the safety of a Commonwealth worker or Commonwealth workplace. This could include conditions limiting the respondent’s ability to communicate with a Commonwealth worker or access to a Commonwealth workplace.\n\nA Commonwealth workplace protection order may be varied or revoked on application by the respondent or an authorised person, and must be revoked if the grounds on which the order was made no longer exist.\n\nIt is an offence to contravene a condition of a Commonwealth workplace protection order.\n\nA Commonwealth workplace protection order may be applied for and made against a person even if there is already a Commonwealth workplace protection order, or a protective order under another law, in force against the person.\n\nThis Part is also not intended to prevent a protective order under another law being applied for or made against a person even if there is already a Commonwealth workplace protection order in force against the person.\n\nDivision 2—Making Commonwealth workplace protection orders\n\nSubdivision A—Interim orders\n\n13  Applying for an interim order\n\n (1) An authorised person may apply to a court for an interim order if:\n\n (a) the authorised person has made an application (the related application) for a final order against the respondent under section 19; and\n\n (b) the related application has not been finally determined; and\n\n (c) the authorised person is satisfied that:\n\n (i) the respondent has engaged in personal violence; and\n\n (ii) there is a real risk that the respondent will engage in further personal violence if the interim order is not made; and\n\n (iii) the interim order is necessary or desirable to prevent the respondent from engaging in further personal violence before the related application is finally determined.\n\n (2) The application may be included in the related application.\n\n (3) The application must, subject to the rules of the court (if any), include:\n\n (a) all that is required under paragraphs 19(2)(a) to (f) in respect of an application for a final order; and\n\n (b) if the application is included in the related application—a statement to that effect.\n\n14  Court may make an interim order\n\n (1) A court may make an interim order if:\n\n (a) an application for the order is made under section 13; and\n\n (b) the court is satisfied that:\n\n (i) the respondent has engaged in personal violence; and\n\n (ii) there is a real risk that the respondent will engage in further personal violence if the order is not made; and\n\n (iii) the order is necessary or desirable to prevent the respondent from engaging in further personal violence before the related application is finally determined.\n\nNote: Division 3 contains rules relating to the content of a Commonwealth workplace protection order.\n\n (2) The court may make the order at any time before the related application is finally determined.\n\n (3) This section does not prevent the court from making more than one interim order against the respondent before the related application is finally determined.\n\nNote: For example, if an interim order ceases to be in force under section 15 and the related application has not been finally determined, the court may make another interim order in accordance with this Subdivision.\n\n15  When an interim order is in force\n\n (1) An interim order comes into force:\n\n (a) if the respondent is present at the making of the order—at the time the order is made; or\n\n (b) if the respondent is not present at the making of the order—at the time the order is served personally on the respondent.\n\n (2) An interim order ceases to be in force at:\n\n (a) the end of the period specified in the interim order, which must be no longer than 12 months; or\n\n (b) if the period for which the interim order is in force is varied under Division 4—the end of that period as varied; or\n\n (c) if the interim order is revoked under Division 4—the time the revocation takes effect; or\n\n (d) if the related application is withdrawn or dismissed—the time the application is withdrawn or dismissed; or\n\n (e) if the court decides on the related application not to make the final order—the time the decision is made; or\n\n (f) if the court decides on the related application to make the final order—the time the final order comes into force.\n\nSubdivision B—Urgent interim orders\n\n16  Applying for an urgent interim order\n\n (1) An authorised person may apply to a court, by telephone, fax, email or other electronic means, for an urgent interim order if:\n\n (a) the authorised person is satisfied that:\n\n (i) the respondent has engaged in personal violence; and\n\n (ii) there is a real risk that the respondent will engage in further personal violence if the order is not made; and\n\n (iii) the order is necessary or desirable to prevent the respondent from engaging in further personal violence before an application for a final order against the respondent can be made and finally determined; and\n\n (b) the authorised person considers it necessary to use such means because of urgent circumstances.\n\n (2) The application must, subject to the rules of the court (if any), include:\n\n (a) all that is required under paragraphs 19(2)(a) and (b) in respect of an application for a final order; and\n\n (b) an explanation of the urgent circumstances.\n\n17  Court may make an urgent interim order\n\n (1) A court may make an urgent interim order if:\n\n (a) an application for the urgent interim order is made under section 16; and\n\n (b) the court is satisfied that:\n\n (i) the respondent has engaged in personal violence; and\n\n (ii) there is a real risk that the respondent will engage in further personal violence if the urgent interim order is not made; and\n\n (iii) the urgent interim order is necessary or desirable to prevent the respondent from engaging in further personal violence before an application for a final order against the respondent can be made and finally determined; and\n\n (iv) having regard to the need to make the urgent interim order urgently, it is appropriate to make the order without the application including all that would be required under subsection 13(3) in respect of an application for an interim order.\n\nNote: Division 3 contains rules relating to the content of a Commonwealth workplace protection order.\n\n (2) The court must decide whether to make the urgent interim order as soon as practicable after the application is made.\n\n (3) Before deciding whether to make the urgent interim order, the court may order the applicant to cause specified information to be produced to the court.\n\n (4) If the court makes the urgent interim order, the court must inform the applicant, by telephone, fax, email or other electronic means, of:\n\n (a) the terms of the urgent interim order; and\n\n (b) the day on which, and the time at which, it was made; and\n\n (c) the fact that, if an application for a final order against the respondent is not made within the period of 7 days after the urgent interim order is made, the urgent interim order ceases to be in force at the end of that period.\n\n18  When an urgent interim order is in force\n\n (1) An urgent interim order comes into force at the time the order is served personally on the respondent.\n\n (2) An urgent interim order ceases to be in force at:\n\n (a) if an application for a final order against the respondent is not made within the period of 7 days after the urgent interim order is made—the end of that period; or\n\n (b) if an application for a final order against the respondent is made within the period of 7 days after the urgent interim order is made:\n\n (i) the end of the period specified in the urgent interim order, which must be no longer than 12 months; or\n\n (ii) if the period for which the urgent interim order is in force is varied under Division 4—the end of that period as varied; or\n\n (iii) if the urgent interim order is revoked under Division 4—the time the revocation takes effect; or\n\n (iv) if the application for the final order is withdrawn or dismissed—the time the application is withdrawn or dismissed; or\n\n (v) if the court decides not to make the final order—the time the decision is made; or\n\n (vi) if the court decides to make the final order—the time the final order comes into force.\n\nSubdivision C—Final orders\n\n19  Applying for a final order\n\n (1) An authorised person may apply to a court for a final order if the authorised person is satisfied that:\n\n (a) the respondent has engaged in personal violence; and\n\n (b) there is a real risk that the respondent will engage in further personal violence if the order is not made.\n\n (2) The application must, subject to the rules of the court (if any):\n\n (a) include:\n\n (i) a draft of the order being sought; and\n\n (ii) an explanation as to why each of the proposed conditions should be imposed on the respondent; and\n\n (iii) a statement of the facts relating to why the order should be made; and\n\n (iv) a summary of the grounds on which the order should be made; and\n\n (b) include information about:\n\n (i) if a condition proposed to be imposed on the respondent by the order would prevent the respondent from accessing or obtaining benefits or services provided by the Commonwealth—alternative procedures or arrangements for how the respondent may access or obtain those benefits or services; and\n\n (ii) if a condition proposed to be imposed on the respondent by the order would prevent the respondent from contacting their electoral representative or otherwise engaging in political communication—alternative procedures or arrangements for how the respondent may do those things; and\n\n (c) specify whether, to the extent known to the applicant, a protective order is in force against the respondent; and\n\n (d) specify whether, to the extent known to the applicant, the alleged personal violence has been, is or will be the subject of any civil or criminal proceedings; and\n\n (e) specify whether, to the extent known to the applicant, the respondent is licensed or otherwise authorised to use a firearm, or is in possession of a firearm; and\n\n (f) include any other information relevant to the matters mentioned in subsection 25(3); and\n\n (g) if an application under section 13 (interim orders) is included in the application—include a statement to that effect.\n\n20  Court may make a final order\n\n  A court may make a final order if:\n\n (a) an application for the order is made under section 19; and\n\n (b) the application has been served personally on the respondent; and\n\n (c) the court is satisfied that:\n\n (i) the respondent has engaged in personal violence; and\n\n (ii) there is a real risk that the respondent will engage in further personal violence if the order is not made; and\n\n (iii) the order is necessary or desirable to prevent the respondent from engaging in further personal violence.\n\nNote 1: Division 3 contains rules relating to the content of a Commonwealth workplace protection order.\n\nNote 2: The court may also make a final order with the consent of the parties (see Subdivision D).\n\n21  When a final order is in force\n\n (1) A final order comes into force:\n\n (a) if the respondent is present at the making of the order—at the time the order is made; or\n\n (b) if the respondent is not present at the making of the order—at the time the order is served personally on the respondent.\n\n (2) A final order ceases to be in force at:\n\n (a) the end of the period specified in the order, which must be no longer than 2 years; or\n\n (b) if the period for which the order is in force is varied under Division 4—the end of that period as varied; or\n\n (c) if the order is revoked under Division 4—the time the revocation takes effect.\n\nSubdivision D—Consent orders\n\n22  Making a consent order\n\n (1) A court may make a consent order if:\n\n (a) an application for a final order against the respondent is made under section 19; and\n\n (b) the parties to the proceeding consent to the terms of the order; and\n\n (c) if the court considers that the respondent has impaired decision‑making ability—the respondent is represented by one or more of the following:\n\n (i) a person enrolled as a legal practitioner of a federal court or the Supreme Court of a State or Territory;\n\n (ii) a person who, under the rules of the court, is a litigation guardian of the respondent;\n\n (iii) if the respondent is 14 to 17 years of age—a parent or guardian of the respondent.\n\n (2) The court may make the consent order:\n\n (a) without proof or admission that the respondent has engaged in personal violence; and\n\n (b) whether or not the court is satisfied of the matters mentioned in paragraph 20(c); and\n\n (c) whether or not the court considers that the conditions imposed on the respondent by the order are necessary or desirable as mentioned in subsection 25(1).\n\nCourt may adjourn proceeding\n\n (3) If:\n\n (a) the court considers that the respondent has impaired decision‑making ability; and\n\n (b) the respondent is not represented by a person mentioned in paragraph (1)(c);\n\nthe court may, subject to the rules of the court (if any), adjourn the proceeding until the respondent is so represented.\n\nMeaning of impaired decision‑making ability\n\n (4) A person who is a party to a proceeding under this Act has impaired decision‑making ability if the person:\n\n (a) cannot make decisions in relation to the proceeding; or\n\n (b) does not understand the nature and effect of the decisions the person makes in relation to the proceeding.\n\n (5) However, a person does not have impaired decision‑making ability only because the person is under 18 years of age.\n\n23  When a consent order is in force\n\n (1) A consent order comes into force:\n\n (a) if the respondent is present at the making of the order—at the time the order is made; or\n\n (b) if the respondent is not present at the making of the order—at the time the order is served personally on the respondent.\n\n (2) A consent order ceases to be in force at:\n\n (a) the end of the period specified in the order, which must be no longer than 2 years; or\n\n (b) if the period for which the order is in force is varied under Division 4—the end of that period as varied; or\n\n (c) if the order is revoked under Division 4—the time the revocation takes effect.\n\nDivision 3—Content of Commonwealth workplace protection orders\n\n24  Terms of a Commonwealth workplace protection order\n\n (1) If a court makes a Commonwealth workplace protection order, the order must, subject to subsection (2):\n\n (a) specify the name of the respondent; and\n\n (b) specify all of the conditions that are to be imposed, in accordance with section 25, on the respondent by the order; and\n\n (c) if a condition imposed on the respondent by the order would prevent the respondent from accessing or obtaining benefits or services provided by the Commonwealth—specify alternative procedures or arrangements for how the respondent may access or obtain those benefits or services; and\n\n (d) if a condition imposed on the respondent by the order would prevent the respondent from contacting their electoral representative or otherwise engaging in political communication—specify alternative procedures or arrangements for how the respondent may do those things; and\n\n (e) specify the period for which the order is in force; and\n\n (f) set out a summary of the grounds on which the order is made.\n\n (2) The order must not include information that identifies, or is likely to enable the identification of, a person other than the respondent unless:\n\n (a) the applicant for the order agrees to the information being included; or\n\n (b) the court is satisfied that the information is already known to the respondent; or\n\n (c) the court is satisfied that the inclusion of the information is necessary to enable compliance with the order.\n\n (3) If paragraph (2)(a) or (b) applies, the order may include the information only to the extent that the court considers necessary to enable compliance with the order.\n\n25  Conditions of a Commonwealth workplace protection order\n\n (1) A court may impose, by a Commonwealth workplace protection order, any conditions on the respondent that the court considers necessary or desirable to:\n\n (a) prevent the respondent from engaging in further personal violence; and\n\n (b) ensure the safety of a Commonwealth worker or of individuals present at a Commonwealth workplace.\n\n (2) Without limiting subsection (1), the conditions may relate to any of the following:\n\n (a) that the respondent not be present at, or within a specified distance of, a specified Commonwealth workplace;\n\n (b) the circumstances in which the respondent may be present at, or within a specified distance of, a specified Commonwealth workplace;\n\n (c) that the respondent not communicate or associate with, or cause another person to communicate or associate with:\n\n (i) a specified Commonwealth worker; or\n\n (ii) a specified class of Commonwealth workers;\n\n (d) the circumstances in which the respondent may communicate or associate with:\n\n (i) a specified Commonwealth worker; or\n\n (ii) a specified class of Commonwealth workers;\n\n (e) that the respondent not engage in, or cause another person to engage in, further personal violence;\n\n (f) that the respondent not damage, or cause another person to damage, property in a specified Commonwealth workplace.\n\n (3) In deciding whether a condition is necessary or desirable as mentioned in subsection (1), the court must consider the following matters:\n\n (a) the objects of this Act;\n\n (b) any hardship that is likely to be caused to any person by the condition;\n\n (c) any harm that is likely to be caused to any person if the condition is not imposed;\n\n (d) any previous personal violence engaged in by the respondent;\n\n (e) any other Commonwealth workplace protection orders made against the respondent;\n\n (f) any protective orders in force against the respondent;\n\n (g) any contravention by the respondent of a Commonwealth workplace protection order or protective order made against the respondent;\n\n (h) whether the condition achieves the objects of this Act while minimising restrictions on the rights and liberties of the respondent;\n\n (i) any other matters that the court considers relevant.\n\nDivision 4—Varying or revoking Commonwealth workplace protection orders\n\n26  Applying for variation or revocation of a Commonwealth workplace protection order\n\n (1) The following may apply to a court for a Commonwealth workplace protection order to be varied or revoked:\n\n (a) the respondent;\n\n (b) an authorised person.\n\n (2) The application must, subject to the rules of the court (if any), include:\n\n (a) information relevant to the matters mentioned in subsection 28(4); and\n\n (b) if the application is for a variation that would prevent the respondent from accessing or obtaining benefits or services provided by the Commonwealth—information about alternative procedures or arrangements for how the respondent may access or obtain those benefits or services; and\n\n (c) if the application is for a variation that would prevent the respondent from contacting their electoral representative or otherwise engaging in political communication—information about alternative procedures or arrangements for how the respondent may do those things.\n\n27  Requirement to apply for revocation if grounds no longer exist\n\n (1) An authorised person must apply to a court for a Commonwealth workplace protection order to be revoked if the authorised person is satisfied that the grounds on which the order was made no longer exist.\n\n (2) The application must, subject to the rules of the court (if any), include an explanation of why the grounds on which the order was made no longer exist.\n\n28  Court may vary or revoke a Commonwealth workplace protection order\n\n (1) A court may vary or revoke a Commonwealth workplace protection order if:\n\n (a) an application for the variation or revocation is made under section 26; and\n\n (b) if the application is made by the respondent—the application has been served on the authorised person who applied for the order; and\n\n (c) if the application is made by an authorised person—the application has been served personally on the respondent.\n\n (2) The court may vary the order by:\n\n (a) varying the conditions in the order; or\n\n (b) reducing the period for which the order is in force; or\n\n (c) extending the period for which the order is in force, to a period of no more than 2 years after the order came into force.\n\n (3) If the court varies the conditions in the order, the order as varied must:\n\n (a) if the variation would prevent the respondent from accessing or obtaining benefits or services provided by the Commonwealth—specify alternative procedures or arrangements for how the respondent may access or obtain those benefits or services; and\n\n (b) if the variation would prevent the respondent from contacting their electoral representative or otherwise engaging in political communication—specify alternative procedures or arrangements for how the respondent may do those things.\n\n (4) In deciding whether to vary or revoke the order, the court must have regard to the following matters:\n\n (a) the objects of this Act;\n\n (b) the grounds on which the order was made;\n\n (c) the applicant’s reasons for seeking the variation or revocation;\n\n (d) any change in the circumstances of the respondent;\n\n (e) any change in the circumstances of an affected worker or affected workplace in relation to the personal violence in respect of which the order was made;\n\n (f) any hardship that is likely to be caused to any person by the variation or revocation;\n\n (g) any harm that is likely to be caused to any person if the order is varied or revoked;\n\n (h) whether there is a real risk that the respondent will engage in further personal violence if the order is not varied, or is varied or revoked;\n\n (i) if the order is varied—whether the variation achieves the objects of this Act while minimising restrictions on the rights and liberties of the respondent;\n\n (j) any other matters that the court considers relevant.\n\n29  Court must revoke a Commonwealth workplace protection order if grounds no longer exist\n\n  A court must revoke a Commonwealth workplace protection order if:\n\n (a) an application for a variation or revocation of the order is made under section 26 or 27; and\n\n (b) the court is satisfied that the grounds on which the order was made no longer exist.\n\n30  When a variation or revocation takes effect\n\nVariation\n\n (1) If a court decides to vary a Commonwealth workplace protection order, the variation takes effect:\n\n (a) if the respondent is present at the making of the decision—at the time the decision is made; or\n\n (b) if the respondent is not present at the making of the decision—at the time the order as varied is served personally on the respondent.\n\nRevocation\n\n (2) If a court decides to revoke a Commonwealth workplace protection order, the revocation takes effect at the time the decision is made.\n\nDivision 5—Offences\n\n31  Offence for contravening a Commonwealth workplace protection order\n\nOffence\n\n (1) A person commits an offence if:\n\n (a) a Commonwealth workplace protection order is in force against the person; and\n\n (b) the person engages in conduct; and\n\n (c) the conduct contravenes a condition of the order.\n\nPenalty: Imprisonment for 2 years or 120 penalty units, or both.\n\n (2) Strict liability applies to paragraph (1)(a).\n\nGeographical jurisdiction\n\n (3) Section 15.3 of the Criminal Code (extended geographical jurisdiction—category C) applies to an offence against subsection (1).\n\nDivision 6—Other matters relating to the making of Commonwealth workplace protection orders\n\n32  Persons under 14\n\n  A Commonwealth workplace protection order cannot be made against a person who is under 14 years of age.\n\n33  Representative and joint applications\n\n  An application under this Part may be made:\n\n (a) by an authorised person:\n\n (i) on that person’s own behalf; or\n\n (ii) on behalf of that person and one or more other authorised persons; or\n\n (b) by 2 or more authorised persons:\n\n (i) on their own behalf; or\n\n (ii) on behalf of themselves and one or more other authorised persons.\n\n34  Proceedings may be heard together\n\n  A court may direct that 2 or more proceedings under this Part are to be heard together.\n\n35  Matters not to affect court’s power to make Commonwealth workplace protection orders\n\n  The following matters do not affect the power of a court to make, vary or revoke a Commonwealth workplace protection order:\n\n (a) the respondent has been charged with, or convicted or found guilty of, an offence that is constituted by the same or similar conduct as the personal violence in respect of which the application for the order was made;\n\n (b) another Commonwealth workplace protection order is in force against the respondent;\n\n (c) a protective order is in force against the respondent.\n\n36  Other orders not affected by a Commonwealth workplace protection order etc.\n\n  The fact that a Commonwealth workplace protection order is in force does not:\n\n (a) prevent another Commonwealth workplace protection order from being applied for, or made, against the respondent; or\n\n (b) affect the operation of another Commonwealth workplace protection order that is in force against the respondent; or\n\n (c) prevent a protective order from being applied for, or made, against the respondent; or\n\n (d) affect the operation of a protective order that is in force against the respondent.\n\nPart 3—Other matters relating to Commonwealth workplace protection orders\n\nDivision 1—Simplified outline of this Part\n\n37  Simplified outline of this Part\n\nMatters relating to Commonwealth workplace protection orders may be dealt with in the Federal Court, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) and all State and Territory courts. A court of a State may deal with the matter even if the personal violence occurred in a different State or in a Territory.\n\nThis Part also provides for appeals from decisions made by certain State or Territory courts that relate to making, varying or revoking a final order.\n\nA court must give reasons for a decision to make, vary or revoke a Commonwealth workplace protection order (other than a consent order), and must explain the terms of the order as made or varied to the respondent if the respondent is present.\n\nA court must not publish the names of any Commonwealth workers affected by the personal violence in respect of which a Commonwealth workplace protection order is made.\n\nInformation about the making, variation or revocation of a Commonwealth workplace protection order must be shared with the firearms registries of each State and Territory. The use and disclosure of certain information for enforcement purposes is also authorised.\n\nDivision 2—Jurisdiction and other matters relating to court proceedings\n\n38  Jurisdiction\n\nFederal and State courts\n\n (1) Jurisdiction is conferred on the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) in relation to civil matters arising under this Act.\n\nNote: In addition, State courts have jurisdiction in relation to civil and criminal matters arising under this Act (see subsections 39(2) and 68(2) of the Judiciary Act 1903), and the Federal Court of Australia has jurisdiction in relation to civil matters arising under this Act (see paragraph 39B(1A)(c) of the Judiciary Act 1903).\n\n (2) A provision of the Judiciary Act 1903 by which a court of a State is invested with federal jurisdiction has effect, in relation to matters arising under this Act, as if that jurisdiction were so invested without limitation as to locality (other than the limitation imposed by section 80 of the Constitution).\n\n (3) Each Local Court or Magistrates Court of a State has jurisdiction, to the extent that that jurisdiction is not otherwise invested with the Court by subsection 39(2) of the Judiciary Act 1903, to hear and determine applications made to the Court under Division 2 or 4 of Part 2 of this Act.\n\nTerritory courts\n\n (4) To the extent that the Constitution permits, jurisdiction is conferred on the courts of the Territories in relation to civil matters arising under this Act.\n\n39  Right of appeal from final order decisions of certain State or Territory courts\n\n (1) An appeal lies from a final order decision of a court in accordance with the following table.\n\n \n\n- Right of appeal from final order decisions of certain State or Territory courts\n- Item Column 1If the final order decision was made by … Column 2an appeal lies from the decision to …\n- 1 the Local Court of New South Wales the Supreme Court of New South Wales\n- 2 the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria the Supreme Court of Victoria\n- 3 the Magistrates Court of Queensland the District Court of Queensland\n- 4 the Magistrates Court of Western Australia the District Court of Western Australia\n- 5 the Magistrates Court of South Australia the Supreme Court of South Australia\n- 6 the Magistrates Court of Tasmania the Supreme Court of Tasmania\n- 7 the Magistrates Court of the Australian Capital Territory the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory\n- 8 the Local Court of the Northern Territory the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory\n\n\n \n\n (2) Each of the following is a final order decision:\n\n (a) a decision on an application for a final order;\n\n (b) a decision on an application to vary a final order;\n\n (c) a decision on an application to revoke a final order.\n\n (3) With respect to matters arising under this Act in respect of which appeals are instituted under this section:\n\n (a) a court mentioned in column 2 of the table in subsection (1) that is a court of a State is invested with federal jurisdiction; and\n\n (b) jurisdiction is conferred on a court mentioned in column 2 of that table that is a court of a Territory.\n\n (4) An appeal under this section to a court must be instituted within the time prescribed by the rules of the court.\n\nRelationship with existing rights etc.\n\n (5) Nothing in this section is intended to limit or affect:\n\n (a) any other right of appeal that exists apart from this section; or\n\n (b) any jurisdiction conferred on or invested in a court apart from this section.\n\n40  Court must explain orders and give reasons for decisions\n\nReasons for decision\n\n (1) A court must give reasons for a decision to make, vary or revoke a Commonwealth workplace protection order (other than a consent order) as soon as practicable after making the decision.\n\nExplanation of order\n\n (2) If:\n\n (a) a court makes or varies a Commonwealth workplace protection order; and\n\n (b) the respondent is present at the making or variation of the order;\n\nthe court must explain to the respondent, in language likely to be readily understood by the respondent:\n\n (c) the terms of the order as made or varied, including the conditions imposed on the respondent by the order; and\n\n (d) the consequences that may follow if the respondent contravenes a condition of the order; and\n\n (e) how the order may be varied, further varied or revoked.\n\nValidity not affected\n\n (3) A failure to comply with this section does not affect the validity of:\n\n (a) a Commonwealth workplace protection order; or\n\n (b) a variation or revocation of a Commonwealth workplace protection order.\n\n41  Names of affected workers not to be published\n\n (1) This section applies to a proceeding before a court that relates to:\n\n (a) an application for a Commonwealth workplace protection order in respect of personal violence engaged in by the respondent; or\n\n (b) an application for such an order to be varied or revoked.\n\n (2) The court must not publish (in electronic form or otherwise), in relation to the proceeding, the name of any affected worker.\n\n42  Standard of proof\n\n  The standard of proof to be applied in determining matters in proceedings under this Act (other than Division 5 of Part 2) is proof on the balance of probabilities.\n\n43  Costs\n\n (1) Subject to subsection (2), each party to a proceeding before a court under this Act (other than Division 5 of Part 2) must bear the party’s own costs.\n\n (2) If the court is satisfied that there are circumstances that justify doing so, the court may, subject to the rules of that court (if any), make any order for costs and security for costs that the court considers just, whether by way of interlocutory order or otherwise.\n\nDivision 3—Information management\n\nSubdivision A—Information sharing\n\n44  Information about Commonwealth workplace protection orders to be given to firearms registries\n\n (1) The authorised person who applies for a Commonwealth workplace protection order must:\n\n (a) if the order is made—give a copy of the order to the firearms registry (however described) of each State and Territory; and\n\n (b) if the order is varied—give a copy of the order, as varied, to the firearms registry (however described) of each State and Territory; and\n\n (c) if the order is revoked—notify the firearms registry (however described) of each State and Territory of the revocation.\n\n (2) The authorised person must do so as soon as practicable after the order is made, varied or revoked (as the case requires).\n\nSubdivision B—Disclosure etc. of information\n\n45  Use and disclosure of certain information for enforcement purposes\n\n (1) A person may disclose workplace protection order information to an enforcement body if the person reasonably believes that the disclosure is reasonably necessary for, or directly related to, one or more enforcement related activities being conducted by, or on behalf of, that enforcement body.\n\n (2) An enforcement body to which information is disclosed under subsection (1) may use or disclose the information for the purposes of one or more enforcement related activities being conducted by, or on behalf of, that enforcement body.\n\n (3) In this section:\n\nenforcement body means:\n\n (a) the Australian Federal Police; or\n\n (b) the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, or a similar body established under a law of a State or Territory; or\n\n (c) a police force or service of a State or Territory.\n\nenforcement related activity means:\n\n (a) the prevention, detection, investigation, prosecution or punishment of:\n\n (i) criminal offences; or\n\n (ii) breaches of a law imposing a penalty or sanction; or\n\n (b) the preparation for, conduct of, or implementation of an order, direction or other instrument made in, proceedings before any court relating to a matter mentioned in paragraph (a).\n\nworkplace protection order information means information the disclosure of which could reveal, or enable a person to ascertain, the existence of, or a fact relating to the content of:\n\n (a) a Commonwealth workplace protection order; or\n\n (b) an application to make, vary or revoke a Commonwealth workplace protection order.\n\nNote: This section constitutes an authorisation for the purposes of the Privacy Act 1988 and other laws.\n\nPart 4—Miscellaneous\n\n \n\n46  Simplified outline of this Part\n\nAn authorised person may delegate their functions or powers under this Act to a person holding, or acting in, an office or position that is equivalent to an SES employee.\n\nA review of the operation and effectiveness of this Act must commence as soon as practicable after the third anniversary of the commencement of this Act.\n\n47  Delegation by authorised persons\n\n (1) An authorised person may, in writing, delegate all or any of their functions or powers under this Act to:\n\n (a) if the authorised person is the Chief Executive and Principal Registrar of the High Court—an officer or employee of the Court who holds, or is acting in, an office or position that is equivalent to an SES employee; and\n\n (b) if the authorised person is the accountable authority or chief executive officer (however described) of a Commonwealth entity:\n\n (i) an SES employee or acting SES employee of the entity; or\n\n (ii) a member of the staff of the entity who holds, or is acting in, an office or position that is equivalent to an SES employee.\n\nNote 1: The expressions SES employee and acting SES employee are defined in section 2B of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.\n\nNote 2: Sections 34AA to 34A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 contain provisions relating to delegations.\n\n (2) In performing a delegated function or exercising a delegated power, the delegate must comply with any written directions of the authorised person.\n\n48  Review of operation of this Act\n\n (1) The Minister must cause a review of the operation and effectiveness of this Act to be conducted as soon as practicable after the third anniversary of the commencement of this Act.\n\n (2) Without limiting subsection (1), the review must include consideration of:\n\n (a) whether the operation of some or all of the provisions of this Act should continue; and\n\n (b) whether amendments to this Act, including to expand the scope of this Act, are necessary or desirable to improve the operation of this Act.\n\n (3) The persons conducting the review must give a written report of the review to the Minister.\n\n (4) The Minister must:\n\n (a) omit from the report any information that is personal information (within the meaning of the Privacy Act 1988); and\n\n (b) cause a copy of the report to be tabled in each House of the Parliament within 15 sitting days of that House after receiving the report.\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n[Minister’s second reading speech made in—\n\nHouse of Representatives on 31 July 2025\n\nSenate on 1 September 2025]\n\n(48/25)\n\n \n\n \n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Act is original legislation and has not been amended."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple order types with distinct procedural and commencement rules","Detailed definitions of personal violence and Commonwealth worker","Interaction with state/territory protective orders and concurrent operation","Extraterritorial application and jurisdiction over external territories","Obligations to notify firearms registries and control publication of worker names"],"plain_english_summary":"The Commonwealth Workplace Protection Orders Act 2025 creates a national scheme for courts to make orders protecting Commonwealth workers and the public in Commonwealth workplaces from personal violence.\n\n**What it does**\n\nAn authorised person (the Chief Executive of the High Court, or the head or CEO of a Commonwealth entity) may apply to a federal or state/territory court for a workplace protection order. The court can make an order if satisfied on the balance of probabilities that the respondent has engaged in personal violence, which includes causing or threatening harm that interferes with the functioning of the Executive Government, such as impacting a worker’s ability to do their job or a person’s safe access to services.\n\nOrders can be interim (before a final hearing), urgent interim (made quickly without notice, lasting 7 days unless a final order application follows), final (up to 2 years), or by consent without admitting violence. Conditions may restrict the respondent’s presence at or near a workplace, contact with workers, or other behaviour. Anyone subject to an order must be informed of its terms and the consequences of breaching it.\n\n**Who is affected**\n\n- **Commonwealth workers**: broad category including employees, contractors, volunteers, labour hire and parliamentary staff. \n- **Authorised persons**: agency heads who can apply for orders or delegate that power to senior staff. \n- **Respondents**: individuals aged 14 or over who may be subject to orders. \n- **The public**: visitors to Commonwealth workplaces are also protected under the definition of personal violence.\n\n**Practical points**\n\n- It is a criminal offence to contravene a condition of an order (maximum 2 years imprisonment and/or 120 penalty units).\n- The law operates alongside state and territory protective orders; having one does not stop the other being made.\n- Orders must be shared with each state/territory firearms registry.\n- A respondent can apply to vary or revoke an order; authorised persons must seek revocation if grounds no longer exist.\n- A review of the Act’s operation is required after three years.\n\nThe scheme aims to deter violence and aggression in Commonwealth workplaces and ensure safe delivery of government services."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Act’s operative scope aligns with its stated object (protect Commonwealth workers and workplaces) and is self‑contained in the text: it expressly covers a broad range of workers (employees, contractors, labour hire, volunteers, MPs’ staff) and workplaces including mobile sites (s 5), extends to external Territories and extraterritorial acts (ss 9–10), and excludes places owned/occupied by State/Territory courts (s 5). It is designed to operate concurrently with State/Territory laws (s 11) and to enable State and federal courts to exercise jurisdiction (ss 38–39). No divergence from that stated scope is evident within the Act itself."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple overlapping order types with distinct procedures and time limits (interim, urgent interim, final, consent) — ss 12, 13–23.","Broad, multi‑element definition of ‘personal violence’ tying conduct to interference with Commonwealth functions — s 6.","Wide scope of who counts as a Commonwealth worker (employees, contractors, labour hire, volunteers, MPs’ staff) and what counts as a workplace (including mobile sites) — s 5; expands administrative reach.","Court discretion to impose any conditions ‘necessary or desirable’, including limits affecting access to services and political communication, with mandatory alternatives to be specified — ss 25, 19(2)(b), 24(1)(c)–(d), 28(3).","Information‑sharing and reporting duties: authorised persons must give orders to State/Territory firearms registries and disclosure for enforcement is authorised (privacy carve‑outs) — ss 44–45.","Criminal offence for breach includes strict liability for existence of an order and extended geographical jurisdiction — s 31(1)–(3).","Complex court and jurisdictional interface with Federal, Territory and State courts and specified appeal routes — ss 11, 38–39.","Administrative and compliance burdens on authorised persons and agencies (application content requirements, duty to apply for revocation if grounds lapse, delegation rules) — ss 19(2), 27, 47.","Procedural protections and evidentiary settings: standard of proof on balance of probabilities, requirement to give reasons (except consent orders), restrictions on publishing affected workers’ names — ss 42, 40, 41.","Statutory limits and age threshold: cannot be applied to persons under 14, and maximum durations/variation caps create monitoring obligations — ss 32, 15(2)(a), 21(2)(a), 28(2)(c)."],"plain_english_summary":"Creates a federal scheme letting authorised Commonwealth officials ask courts to impose orders that restrict a person’s access to Commonwealth workers or workplaces to prevent “personal violence” (including threats that interfere with government functions). Courts can make interim, urgent or final orders with conditions such as exclusion zones or communication limits.\n\nIt applies to Commonwealth workers (employees, contractors, volunteers, MPs’ staff), requires authorised persons to notify firearms registries, and makes contravention a criminal offence—so government agencies carry application and reporting duties while respondents face compliance costs and penalties."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation appears consistent with its stated object in section 3. The scope remains focused on protecting Commonwealth workers and workplaces from personal violence, with the breadth of 'Commonwealth worker' and 'Commonwealth workplace' definitions appearing to be intentional to capture the modern flexible workforce (contractors, labour hire, mobile workplaces) rather than scope creep. The concurrent operation provisions and explicit non-interference with state protective orders indicate careful boundary-setting rather than expansion beyond original intent."},"complexity_factors":["Moderate length (48 sections) with structured 4-Part organisation including multiple Divisions and Subdivisions","18 defined terms in section 5, with additional defined concepts scattered through operative provisions (e.g., 'impaired decision-making ability' in section 22)","Multiple overlapping order types (interim, urgent interim, final, consent) with distinct procedural requirements and duration limits","Cross-references to external legislation including Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013, Criminal Code, Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984, Judiciary Act 1903, and Privacy Act 1988","Conditional commencement provision requiring Proclamation within 6 months or automatic commencement","Complex jurisdictional arrangements involving Federal Court, Federal Circuit and Family Court (Division 2), State courts, and Territory courts with specific appeal pathways mapped in a table (section 39)","Nested conditions for order content including mandatory alternative arrangements for accessing Commonwealth benefits and political communication (sections 24, 25)","Specific safeguards for respondents with impaired decision-making capacity requiring legal representation (section 22)","Mandatory information sharing obligations with firearms registries across all jurisdictions (section 44)","Extraterritorial operation clause (section 10) extending application to conduct outside Australia"],"plain_english_summary":"This Act creates a new legal tool called a **Commonwealth Workplace Protection Order** — essentially a court order designed to protect federal government workers and workplaces from violence, threats, and intimidation.\n\n**Who it protects:**\n- **Commonwealth workers** — a broad category including federal public servants, contractors, security guards, volunteers, labour hire staff, parliamentary staff, and even students on work experience\n- **Commonwealth workplaces** — anywhere these workers do their jobs, including mobile service centres, emergency relief centres, and work vehicles (but not state or territory courts)\n\n**What it covers:**\nThe Act targets **\"personal violence\"** — conduct or threats that cause harm or reasonable fear of harm to a Commonwealth worker **because of their job**, where this interferes with the functioning of the federal government. This could include assaulting a Centrelink staff member, threatening an ATO officer, or intimidating someone trying to access Medicare services.\n\n**How the orders work:**\n- **Who can apply:** Only \"authorised persons\" — the Chief Executive and Principal Registrar of the High Court, or the head of a Commonwealth government agency (or their senior delegates)\n- **Types of orders:**\n  - **Interim orders:** Temporary protection while a final order is being decided (up to 12 months)\n  - **Urgent interim orders:** Emergency orders made by phone/email in crisis situations (lasts 7 days unless a final order application follows)\n  - **Final orders:** Longer-term protection (up to 2 years)\n  - **Consent orders:** Agreed orders without proving violence occurred\n\n**What conditions can be imposed:**\nCourts can set tailored restrictions such as:\n- Banning someone from coming near specific federal workplaces\n- Prohibiting contact with specific workers or classes of workers\n- Restricting communication with electoral representatives (with alternatives provided)\n- Ensuring access to government services continues through alternative arrangements\n\n**Key safeguards:**\n- Orders cannot be made against children under 14\n- Courts must consider hardship to the respondent and minimise restrictions on their rights\n- Names of affected workers cannot be published\n- Information must be shared with firearms registries\n- Breaking an order is a criminal offence (up to 2 years prison)\n\n**Relationship to other laws:**\nThe Act operates alongside state and territory protection order schemes — it doesn't replace them. Someone could have both a Commonwealth order and a state domestic violence order, for instance.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThis fills a gap in the law. Previously, if someone threatened a federal public servant at work, there wasn't a specific federal mechanism to quickly ban that person from all Commonwealth workplaces. This provides a nationwide, consistent approach to protecting federal workers and ensuring the public can safely access government services."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/commonwealth-workplace-protection-orders-act-2025","history":"/api/acts/commonwealth-workplace-protection-orders-act-2025/history","analysis":"/api/acts/commonwealth-workplace-protection-orders-act-2025/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/commonwealth-workplace-protection-orders-act-2025/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/commonwealth-workplace-protection-orders-act-2025/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/commonwealth-workplace-protection-orders-act-2025/documents"}}