{"id":"a-1986-52","name":"Domestic Violence Agencies Act 1986","slug":"domestic-violence-agencies-act-1986","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"act","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"52 of 1986","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":23432,"registerId":"act-a-1986-52-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Domestic Violence Agencies Act 1986","content":"Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nDomestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nA1986-52\nRepublication No 18\nEffective: 18 September 2024\nRepublication date: 18 September 2024\nLast amendment made by A2024-49\n\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAbout this republication\nThe republished law\nThis is a republication of the Domestic Violence Agencies Act 1986 (including any amendment\nmade under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 (Editorial changes)) as in force on\n18 September 2024. It also includes any commencement, amendment, repeal or expiry affecting\nthis republished law to 18 September 2024.\nThe legislation history and amendment history of the republished law are set out in endnotes 3\nand 4.\nKinds of republications\nThe Parliamentary Counsel’s Office prepares 2 kinds of republications of ACT laws (see the ACT\nlegislation register at www.legislation.act.gov.au):\n• authorised republications to which the Legislation Act 2001 applies\n• unauthorised republications.\nThe status of this republication appears on the bottom of each page.\nEditorial changes\nThe Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 authorises the Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial\namendments and other changes of a formal nature when preparing a law for republication.\nEditorial changes do not change the effect of the law, but have effect as if they had been made by\nan Act commencing on the republication date (see Legislation Act 2001, s 115 and s 117). The\nchanges are made if the Parliamentary Counsel considers they are desirable to bring the law into\nline, or more closely into line, with current legislative drafting practice.\nThis republication does not include amendments made under part 11.3 (see endnote 1).\nUncommenced provisions and amendments\nIf a provision of the republished law has not commenced, the symbol U appears immediately\nbefore the provision heading. Any uncommenced amendments that affect this republished law\nare accessible on the ACT legislation register (www.legislation.act.gov.au). For more\ninformation, see the home page for this law on the register.\nModifications\nIf a provision of the republished law is affected by a current modification, the\nsymbol M appears immediately before the provision heading. The text of the modifying\nprovision appears in the endnotes. For the legal status of modifications, see the Legislation\nAct 2001, section 95.\nPenalties\nAt the republication date, the value of a penalty unit for an offence against this law is $160 for an\nindividual and $810 for a corporation (see Legislation Act 2001, s 133).\n\nR18\n18/09/24\nDomestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\ncontents 1\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nDomestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nContents\nPage\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Name of Act 2\n2 Dictionary 2\n3 Notes 2\nPart 2 Domestic Violence Prevention Council\n4 Establishment of council 3\n5 Functions of council 3\n6 Membership of council 3\n7 Appointment of council members 4\n8 Ending of appointed member appointments 5\n9 Meetings of council 5\n10 Procedure at meetings 6\n\nContents\nPage\ncontents 2 Domestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\nR18\n18/09/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 3A Domestic and family violence incident review\nDivision 3A.1 Preliminary\n16A Purpose—pt 3A 7\n16B Definitions—pt 3A 7\n16C Meaning of domestic or family violence incident—pt 3A 8\nDivision 3A.2 Domestic and family violence review coordinator\n16D DFVR coordinator—appointment 10\n16E DFVR coordinator—functions 10\n16F DFVR coordinator—independence 11\n16G Delegation by DFVR coordinator 11\nDivision 3A.3 Advisory committees and independent advisers\n16H Advisory committees 11\n16I Independent advisers 12\n16J Conflict of interest 12\nDivision 3A.4 Register of domestic and family violence incidents\n16K Register of domestic and family violence incidents 12\n16L Register of domestic and family violence incidents—content 13\n16M Register of domestic and family violence incidents—access 14\n16N Information kept on register—admissibility of evidence 14\nDivision 3A.5 Information gathering and sharing\n16O Power to ask for information—relevant entities 15\n16P Power to require information, document or other thing 16\n16Q Sharing information—corresponding interstate entities 17\n16R Sharing information with Coroner’s Court 17\n16S Providing information etc—other circumstances 17\n16T Information sharing guidelines 18\n16U Use and disclosure of protected information 18\nDivision 3A.6 Reports about domestic and family violence incidents\n16V Biennial report 20\n16W Other reports 22\nDivision 3A.7 Miscellaneous\n16X Protection of DFVR coordinator etc from liability 23\n16Y Review of part 23\n\nContents\nPage\nR18\n18/09/24\nDomestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\ncontents 3\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 4 Miscellaneous\n17 Approval of crisis support organisations 24\n18 Disclosure of information to an approved crisis support organisation 24\n19 Regulation-making power 24\nDictionary 25\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes 27\n2 Abbreviation key 27\n3 Legislation history 28\n4 Amendment history 34\n5 Earlier republications 46\n6 Renumbered provisions 48\n\n\n\nR18\n18/09/24\nDomestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\npage 1\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nDomestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nAn Act relating to family violence, and for other purposes\n\nPart 1 Preliminary\nSection 1\npage 2 Domestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\nR18\n18/09/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Name of Act\nThis Act is the Domestic Violence Agencies Act 1986.\n2 Dictionary\nThe dictionary at the end of this Act is part of this Act.\nNote 1 The dictionary at the end of this Act defines certain terms used in this\nAct, and includes references (signpost definitions) to other terms defined\nelsewhere.\nFor example the signpost definitions ‘family violence—see the Family\nViolence Act 2016, section 8.’ means that the term ‘family violence’ is\ndefined in that section of that Act and the definition applies to this Act.\nNote 2 A definition in the dictionary (including a signpost definition) applies to\nthe entire Act unless the definition, or another provision of the Act,\nprovides otherwise or the contrary intention otherwise appears (see\nLegislation Act 2001, s 155 and s 156 (1)).\n3 Notes\nA note included in this Act is explanatory and is not part of this Act.\nNote See Legislation Act 2001, s 127 (1), (4) and (5) for the legal status of\nnotes.\n\nDomestic Violence Prevention Council Part 2\nSection 4\nR18\n18/09/24\nDomestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\npage 3\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 2 Domestic Violence Prevention\nCouncil\n4 Establishment of council\nThe Domestic Violence Prevention Council is established.\n5 Functions of council\n(1) The council has the following functions:\n(a) advising the Minister on the Territory’s response to\ndomestic violence and family violence, including ways to\ncontinually improve the Territory’s response;\n(b) identifying gaps and opportunities for the Territory to make the\nimprovements mentioned in paragraph (a);\n(c) facilitating the exchange of information and collaboration and\nintegration between the public service, police, the courts and\ncommunity-based organisations providing services in relation to\ndomestic violence and family violence.\n(2) In exercising its functions, the council may—\n(a) allow a person who is not a member of the council to participate\nin a meeting of the council for the purpose of providing expert\ninformation or opinion to members; or\n(b) establish an expert reference group to assist the council in the\nexercise of its functions.\n(3) Subsection (2) does not limit anything else that the council may do in\nexercising its functions under this Act.\n6 Membership of council\nThe council consists of—\n(a) the victims of crime commissioner; and\n\nPart 2 Domestic Violence Prevention Council\nSection 7\npage 4 Domestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\nR18\n18/09/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(b) the public servant in charge of the business unit responsible for\ncoordinating the Territory’s response to domestic violence and\nfamily violence; and\n(c) the chief executive officer of the Domestic Violence Crisis\nService Inc ABN 54 658 714 235; and\n(d) the police officer who has command of operations relating to\ndomestic violence and family violence; and\n(e) the public servant responsible for the administration of\ncorrective services; and\n(f) the members appointed by the Minister under section 7.\n7 Appointment of council members\n(1) The Minister must appoint the following as members of the council:\n(a) 4 people who are the chief executive officer or equivalent of a\ncommunity-based organisation that provides support services or\nundertakes advocacy, research or policy development in relation\nto domestic violence and family violence;\n(b) at least 2 people who, in the Minister’s opinion, represent the\ninterests of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community;\n(c) at least 1 person who, in the Minister’s opinion, represents the\ninterests of people of culturally and linguistically diverse\nbackgrounds.\n(2) The Minister may also appoint 1 or more people as members of the\ncouncil who, in the Minister’s opinion, have skills or experience\nrelevant to the functions of the council.\n(3) An appointment of a member under this section must be for a term of\nnot longer than 3 years.\nNote For laws about appointments, see the Legislation Act, pt 19.3.\n\nDomestic Violence Prevention Council Part 2\nSection 8\nR18\n18/09/24\nDomestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\npage 5\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n8 Ending of appointed member appointments\nThe Minister must end the appointment of a member appointed under\nsection 7—\n(a) for misbehaviour; or\n(b) for physical or mental incapacity, if the incapacity substantially\naffects the exercise of the member’s functions; or\n(c) if the member becomes bankrupt or personally insolvent; or\n(d) if the member is absent, without the permission of the presiding\nmember, from—\n(i) 3 consecutive meetings of the council; or\n(ii) 4 out of 6 consecutive meetings of the council; or\n(e) if the member is convicted, in the ACT, of an offence punishable\nby imprisonment for at least 1 year; or\n(f) if the member is convicted outside the ACT, in Australia or\nelsewhere, of an offence that, if it had been committed in the\nACT, would have been punishable by imprisonment for at least\n1 year.\n9 Meetings of council\n(1) The chair must call a meeting of the council—\n(a) whenever the chair considers it necessary for the effective\nexercise of the council’s functions; or\n(b) if requested, in writing, by the Minister; or\n(c) if requested, in writing, by at least 3 other members of the\ncouncil.\n(2) The council must hold a meeting in accordance with any resolution\nof the council.\n\nPart 2 Domestic Violence Prevention Council\nSection 10\npage 6 Domestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\nR18\n18/09/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n10 Procedure at meetings\n(1) The members must elect a member as chair of the council.\n(2) The chair presides at meetings of the council.\n(3) However, if the chair is absent from a meeting or part of a meeting,\nthe members present must elect 1 of their number to preside at the\nmeeting or part of the meeting.\n(4) At a meeting of the council a quorum consists of the majority of\nmembers.\n(5) Questions arising at a meeting must be decided by a majority of votes\nof members present and voting but, if the votes are equal, the member\npresiding has the deciding vote.\n(6) The council must keep written minutes of its proceedings.\n(7) The council may decide its own procedure in relation to anything for\nwhich a procedure is not provided under this Act.\n\nDomestic and family violence incident review Part 3A\nPreliminary Division 3A.1\nSection 16A\nR18\n18/09/24\nDomestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\npage 7\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 3A Domestic and family violence\nincident review\nDivision 3A.1 Preliminary\n16A Purpose—pt 3A\nThe purpose of this part is to establish the role of the Domestic and\nFamily Violence Review Coordinator to—\n(a) identify preventative measures to reduce family violence; and\n(b) increase recognition of the impact of, and circumstances\nsurrounding, family violence and gain a greater understanding\nof the context in which family violence occurs; and\n(c) make recommendations to the Minister for implementation by\ngovernment and the private-sector to prevent or reduce the\nlikelihood of family violence.\n16B Definitions—pt 3A\nIn this part:\nadvisory committee means an advisory committee established under\nsection 16G.\nDFVR coordinator—see section 16D (1).\nindependent adviser means an independent adviser appointed under\nsection 16I.\nregister means the register of domestic or family violence incidents\nkept under section 16K.\nserious harm—see the Criminal Code, dictionary.\n\nPart 3A Domestic and family violence incident review\nDivision 3A.1 Preliminary\nSection 16C\npage 8 Domestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\nR18\n18/09/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n16C Meaning of domestic or family violence incident—pt 3A\n(1) In this part:\ndomestic or family violence incident means an incident resulting in\nthe death of, or serious harm to, a person that occurs—\n(a) in circumstances involving family violence; and\n(b) either—\n(i) in the ACT; or\n(ii) if the incident involves a person who lived in the ACT at\nthe time of the incident—outside of the ACT.\n(2) For this section, an incident occurs in circumstances involving family\nviolence if—\n(a) if the death of, or serious harm to, a person (an affected person)\nresulting from the incident was caused by another person (the\nperpetrator)—\n(i) the affected person was, or had been, in a relevant\nrelationship with the perpetrator that involved family\nviolence; or\n(ii) at the time of the incident, the affected person was in a\nrelevant relationship with a person who was, or had been,\nin a relevant relationship with the perpetrator that involved\nfamily violence; or\n(iii) at the time of the incident, the perpetrator mistakenly\nbelieved the affected person was in a relevant relationship\nwith a person who was, or had been, in a relevant\nrelationship with the perpetrator that involved family\nviolence; or\n\nDomestic and family violence incident review Part 3A\nPreliminary Division 3A.1\nSection 16C\nR18\n18/09/24\nDomestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\npage 9\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(iv) at the time of the incident, the affected person was a\nwitness to, present at, or attempted to intervene in, an\nincident of family violence between the perpetrator and a\nperson who was, or had been, in a relevant relationship\nwith the second person; or\n(v) at the time of the incident, the affected person was a\nwitness to, present at, or attempted to intervene in violence\nbetween the perpetrator and a person who the perpetrator\nmistakenly believed was in a relevant relationship with a\nperson who was, or had been, in a relevant relationship\nwith the perpetrator that involved family violence; or\n(b) if the incident results in a person dying by suicide—the person\nwas, or had been, in a relevant relationship with another person\nthat involved family violence; or\n(c) if the incident results in a person seriously harming themself—\nthe person was, or had been, in a relevant relationship with\nanother person that involved family violence; or\n(d) if the incident results in a person dying or being seriously\nharmed in another way—the incident occurred in other\ncircumstances for which family violence was a contributing\nfactor.\n(3) In this section:\nfamily member—see the Family Violence Act 2016, section 9.\nrelevant relationship, of a person with another person, means the\nperson was, or has been, a family member of the other person.\n\nPart 3A Domestic and family violence incident review\nDivision 3A.2 Domestic and family violence review coordinator\nSection 16D\npage 10 Domestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\nR18\n18/09/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDivision 3A.2 Domestic and family violence review\ncoordinator\n16D DFVR coordinator—appointment\n(1) The Minister must appoint a public servant as the Domestic and\nFamily Violence Review Coordinator (the DFVR coordinator).\nNote For laws about appointments, see the Legislation Act, pt 19.3.\n(2) However, the Minister may only appoint the person as the\nDFVR coordinator if satisfied that the person has suitable\nqualifications and experience to exercise the functions of the\nDFVR coordinator.\n16E DFVR coordinator—functions\nThe DFVR coordinator’s main functions are as follows:\n(a) to keep a register of domestic and family violence incidents;\n(b) to collect information about suspected domestic and family\nviolence incidents;\n(c) to identify patterns and trends in relation to family violence;\n(d) to undertake research that aims to help prevent or reduce the\nlikelihood of family violence;\n(e) to identify areas requiring further research by the coordinator or\nanother entity that arise from the identified patterns and trends\nin relation to family violence;\n(f) to make recommendations about legislation, policies, practices\nand services for implementation by the Territory and\nnon-government bodies to help prevent or reduce the likelihood\nof family violence;\n(g) to contribute to national research and review of domestic and\nfamily violence policy and undertake associated research;\n\nDomestic and family violence incident review Part 3A\nAdvisory committees and independent advisers Division 3A.3\nSection 16F\nR18\n18/09/24\nDomestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\npage 11\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(h) to monitor the implementation of the coordinator’s\nrecommendations;\n(i) to report to the Minister;\n(j) any other function given to the coordinator under this Act or\nanother territory law.\n16F DFVR coordinator—independence\nThe DFVR coordinator is not subject to the direction of the\ndirector-general in the exercise of the coordinator’s functions.\n16G Delegation by DFVR coordinator\nThe DFVR coordinator may delegate the coordinator’s functions\nunder this Act to another public servant.\nNote For laws about delegations, see the Legislation Act, pt 19.4.\nDivision 3A.3 Advisory committees and\nindependent advisers\n16H Advisory committees\n(1) The DFVR coordinator may establish advisory committees to assist\nthe coordinator in the exercise of the coordinator’s functions.\n(2) An advisory committee must, on request of the DFVR coordinator,\nprovide advice to the coordinator on the exercise of the coordinator’s\nfunctions.\n(3) In exercising its functions, an advisory committee may consult with\nindependent advisers appointed under section 16I.\n\nPart 3A Domestic and family violence incident review\nDivision 3A.4 Register of domestic and family violence incidents\nSection 16I\npage 12 Domestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\nR18\n18/09/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n16I Independent advisers\n(1) The DFVR coordinator may appoint a person as an independent\nadviser—\n(a) on the request of an advisory committee, to assist the committee\nin the exercise of its functions; or\n(b) on the coordinator’s own initiative, to assist the coordinator in\nthe exercise of the coordinator’s functions.\nNote For laws about appointments, see the Legislation Act, pt 19.3.\n(2) An appointment may be subject to conditions stated in the\nappointment.\n16J Conflict of interest\nA member of an advisory committee or independent adviser must\ntake all reasonable steps to avoid being placed in a position where a\nconflict of interest arises when advising the DFVR coordinator.\nDivision 3A.4 Register of domestic and family\nviolence incidents\n16K Register of domestic and family violence incidents\n(1) The DFVR coordinator may keep a register of domestic or family\nviolence incidents.\n(2) The register may include—\n(a) incidents that the DFVR coordinator suspects are domestic or\nfamily violence incidents; and\n(b) domestic or family violence incidents (or suspected domestic or\nfamily violence incidents) occurring before the commencement\nof this part.\n\nDomestic and family violence incident review Part 3A\nRegister of domestic and family violence incidents Division 3A.4\nSection 16L\nR18\n18/09/24\nDomestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\npage 13\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(3) The register may be kept—\n(a) in any form the coordinator considers appropriate, including\nelectronically; or\n(b) in the form of 1 or more registers, or 1 or more parts.\n16L Register of domestic and family violence incidents—\ncontent\nThe register may include—\n(a) any of the following information in relation to a person involved\nin a domestic or family violence incident the DFVR coordinator\nconsiders relevant to the exercise of the coordinator’s functions:\n(i) personal identifying information;\n(ii) personal circumstances;\n(iii) health information relevant to family violence;\n(iv) criminal history;\n(v) history of family violence;\n(vi) interaction with a community-based service; and\n(b) any other demographic data available to the DFVR coordinator;\nand\n(c) any other information about a domestic or family violence\nincident, or a person involved in an incident, that the\nDFVR coordinator considers relevant to the exercise of the\ncoordinator’s functions.\n\nPart 3A Domestic and family violence incident review\nDivision 3A.4 Register of domestic and family violence incidents\nSection 16M\npage 14 Domestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\nR18\n18/09/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n16M Register of domestic and family violence incidents—\naccess\n(1) The DFVR coordinator must ensure—\n(a) that the register is accessed only by the following:\n(i) a delegate of the coordinator;\n(ii) a person authorised, in writing, by the coordinator to access\nthe register or part of it; and\n(b) that personal information on the register is disclosed only to a\nperson with access to the register—\n(i) for the purpose of exercising a function under this part; or\n(ii) as otherwise required or authorised under this part.\n(2) The DFVR coordinator must notify a person with access to the\nregister of the person’s obligations to deal with information on the\nregister in accordance with the requirements under this Act or another\nterritory or Commonwealth law.\n16N Information kept on register—admissibility of evidence\n(1) The following are not admissible as evidence in a proceeding before\na court:\n(a) a record of information on the register;\n(b) an oral statement made to a person exercising a function of the\nDFVR coordinator;\n(c) a document given to a person exercising a function of the\nDFVR coordinator, but only to the extent that it was prepared\nonly for the person;\n(d) a document prepared by a person exercising a function of the\nDFVR coordinator.\n\nDomestic and family violence incident review Part 3A\nInformation gathering and sharing Division 3A.5\nSection 16O\nR18\n18/09/24\nDomestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\npage 15\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(2) This section is subject to section 16R (Sharing information with\nCoroner’s Court).\n(3) In this section:\ncourt includes a tribunal, authority or person with power to require\nthe production of documents or the answering of questions.\nDivision 3A.5 Information gathering and sharing\n16O Power to ask for information—relevant entities\n(1) The DFVR coordinator may, in writing, ask a relevant entity to give\nthe coordinator information held by the entity that the coordinator\nconsiders reasonably necessary to—\n(a) determine whether an incident is a domestic or family violence\nincident; or\n(b) otherwise exercise the coordinator’s functions.\n(2) However, the DFVR coordinator must not ask for information in\nrelation to a domestic or family violence incident resulting in serious\nharm to a person without the consent of the harmed person.\n(3) The relevant entity must comply with the request within a reasonable\ntime, being not more than 15 working days after receiving the request.\n(4) However, the relevant entity need not comply with the request if the\nentity gives the DFVR coordinator a reasonable excuse for not\ncomplying.\n(5) In this section:\nrelevant entity means each of the following:\n(a) the chief police officer;\n(b) a director-general of an administrative unit;\n\nPart 3A Domestic and family violence incident review\nDivision 3A.5 Information gathering and sharing\nSection 16P\npage 16 Domestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\nR18\n18/09/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(c) a community-based service;\n(d) an entity prescribed by regulation.\n16P Power to require information, document or other thing\n(1) This section applies if the DFVR coordinator believes on reasonable\ngrounds that a person can give information or produce a document or\nother thing that the coordinator considers necessary to exercise their\nfunctions.\n(2) The DFVR coordinator may, by written notice given to the person,\nrequire the person to give the information in writing or produce the\ndocument or other thing.\n(3) However, the DFVR coordinator must not give a notice—\n(a) to a family member of a person who has died or is seriously\nharmed in a domestic or family violence incident; or\n(b) in relation to a domestic or family violence incident resulting in\nserious harm to a person without the consent of the harmed\nperson.\n(4) The notice must state how, and the time within which, the person must\ncomply with the requirement.\n(5) A person commits an offence if—\n(a) the person is required by a notice under this section to give\ninformation or produce a document or other thing; and\n(b) the person fails to give the information or produce the document\nor other thing.\nMaximum penalty: 50 penalty units.\nNote 1 The Legislation Act, s 170 and s 171 deal with the application of the\nprivilege against self-incrimination and client legal privilege.\nNote 2 Giving false information is an offence against the Criminal Code, s 338.\n\nDomestic and family violence incident review Part 3A\nInformation gathering and sharing Division 3A.5\nSection 16Q\nR18\n18/09/24\nDomestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\npage 17\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(6) Subsection (5) does not apply if the person has a reasonable excuse\nfor failing to give the information or produce the document or other\nthing to the DFVR coordinator as required.\n16Q Sharing information—corresponding interstate entities\n(1) The DFVR coordinator may enter into an agreement with an entity\nthat exercises a function under a law of a State, corresponding or\nsubstantially corresponding to a function of the coordinator, to share\ninformation relevant to the function.\n(2) Also, the DFVR coordinator may enter into an agreement with a State\nto share information for the purpose of contributing to national\nresearch or review of domestic and family violence policy.\n(3) The DFVR coordinator must ensure an agreement provides that\ninformation shared with the entity is protected to the extent it is\nprotected under this part and any other territory law.\n16R Sharing information with Coroner’s Court\n(1) This section applies if the DFVR coordinator is satisfied that giving\ninformation kept on the register would assist the Coroner’s Court in\nan inquest concerning the death of a person relating to a domestic or\nfamily violence incident or suspected incident.\n(2) The DFVR coordinator may give the information to the\nCoroner’s Court.\n(3) The Coroner’s Court may use the information in relation to the\ninquest.\n16S Providing information etc—other circumstances\nNothing in this division prevents a person sharing information with,\nor producing a document or other thing to, the DFVR coordinator, or\nthe coordinator using any information given, or document or other\nthing produced, for the exercise of the coordinator’s functions.\n\nPart 3A Domestic and family violence incident review\nDivision 3A.5 Information gathering and sharing\nSection 16T\npage 18 Domestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\nR18\n18/09/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n16T Information sharing guidelines\n(1) A relevant entity may make guidelines (information sharing\nguidelines) for how the entity is to share information with the DFVR\ncoordinator under this division.\n(2) Before making a guideline, the entity—\n(a) must consult the DFVR coordinator; and\n(b) may consult anyone else the entity considers appropriate.\n(3) A guideline is a notifiable instrument.\n(4) In this section:\nrelevant entity—see section 16O (5).\n16U Use and disclosure of protected information\n(1) An information holder commits an offence if—\n(a) the information holder uses information; and\n(b) the information is protected information about someone else;\nand\n(c) the information holder is reckless about whether the information\nis protected information about someone else.\nMaximum penalty: 50 penalty units, imprisonment for 6 months or\nboth.\n(2) An information holder commits an offence if—\n(a) the information holder does something that discloses\ninformation; and\n(b) the information is protected information about someone else;\nand\n\nDomestic and family violence incident review Part 3A\nInformation gathering and sharing Division 3A.5\nSection 16U\nR18\n18/09/24\nDomestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\npage 19\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(c) the information holder is reckless about whether—\n(i) the information is protected information about someone\nelse; and\n(ii) doing the thing would result in the information being\ndisclosed to someone else.\nMaximum penalty: 50 penalty units, imprisonment for 6 months or\nboth.\n(3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply if the information holder uses or\ndiscloses protected information about someone else (the protected\nperson)—\n(a) under this Act or another law applying in the ACT; or\n(b) to the chief police officer in connection with a possible offence;\nor\n(c) in relation to the exercise of a function, as an information holder,\nunder this Act or another law applying in the ACT; or\n(d) in a court proceeding; or\n(e) with the protected person’s consent.\nNote The defendant has an evidential burden in relation to the matters\nmentioned in s (3) (see Criminal Code, s 58).\n(4) An information holder need not disclose protected information to a\ncourt, or produce a document containing protected information to a\ncourt, unless it is necessary to do so for this Act or another law\napplying in the ACT.\n(5) In this section:\ncourt includes a tribunal, authority or person having power to require\nthe production of documents or the answering of questions.\n\nPart 3A Domestic and family violence incident review\nDivision 3A.6 Reports about domestic and family violence incidents\nSection 16V\npage 20 Domestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\nR18\n18/09/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\ndisclose includes—\n(a) communicate; or\n(b) publish.\ninformation means information, whether true or not, in any form and\nincludes an opinion and advice.\ninformation holder means—\n(a) a person who is, or has been—\n(i) the DFVR coordinator; or\n(ii) a person exercising a function of the DFVR coordinator; or\n(iii) a member of an advisory committee; or\n(iv) an independent adviser; or\n(b) anyone else who exercises or has exercised a function under this\nAct.\nproduce includes allow access to.\nprotected information means information about a person that is\ndisclosed to, or obtained by, an information holder because of the\nexercise of a function under this Act by the information holder or\nsomeone else.\nuse, in relation to information, includes make a record of the\ninformation.\nDivision 3A.6 Reports about domestic and family\nviolence incidents\n16V Biennial report\n(1) The DFVR coordinator must report to the Minister about domestic or\nfamily violence incidents included on the register (registered\nincidents) during the reporting period.\n\nDomestic and family violence incident review Part 3A\nReports about domestic and family violence incidents Division 3A.6\nSection 16V\nR18\n18/09/24\nDomestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\npage 21\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(2) The report must include the following:\n(a) the number of registered incidents;\n(b) the incidence of interactions between people involved in\nregistered incidents and police, the courts or community-based\nservices.\n(3) The DFVR coordinator may include in the report—\n(a) demographic information about people involved in domestic or\nfamily violence incidents; and\n(b) any patterns or trends identified in relation to registered\nincidents; and\n(c) any recommendations about legislation, policies, practices or\nservices for implementation by the Territory and\nnon-government bodies to help prevent or reduce the likelihood\nof family violence; and\n(b) information about the implementation of any previous\nrecommendations of the DFVR coordinator; and\n(c) any other matter the DFVR coordinator considers relevant.\n(4) However the DFVR coordinator must not include in the report any\ninformation that, in the opinion of the coordinator, would—\n(a) disclose the identity of people involved in a registered incident;\nor\n(b) allow the identity of a person involved in a registered incident\nto be easily worked out.\n(5) The DFVR coordinator must give the Minister the report within\n4 months after the end of the review period.\n(6) The Minister must present the report to the Legislative Assembly\nwithin 6 sitting days after the day the report is given to the Minister.\n\nPart 3A Domestic and family violence incident review\nDivision 3A.6 Reports about domestic and family violence incidents\nSection 16W\npage 22 Domestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\nR18\n18/09/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(7) Within 3 months after receiving a report under subsection (1), the\nMinister must give information to the DFVR coordinator about any\naction the Minister has taken, or will take, in relation to the matters\nraised in the report.\n(8) In this section:\nreporting period means a period of 2 years, beginning on 1 July 2021.\n16W Other reports\n(1) The DFVR coordinator may, at any time, prepare a report for the\nMinister on any matter arising in connection with the exercise of the\ncoordinator’s functions.\n(2) However, the DFVR coordinator must not include in the report any\ninformation that, in the opinion of the coordinator, would—\n(a) disclose the identity of people involved in a registered incident;\nor\n(b) allow the identity of a person involved in a registered incident\nto be easily worked out.\n(3) The Minister must present the report to the Legislative Assembly\nwithin 6 sitting days after the day the report is given to the Minister.\n(4) Within 3 months after receiving a report under subsection (1), the\nMinister must give information to the DFVR coordinator about any\naction the Minister has taken, or will take, in relation to the matters\nraised in the report.\n(5) In this section:\nregistered incident—see section 16V (1).\n\nDomestic and family violence incident review Part 3A\nMiscellaneous Division 3A.7\nSection 16X\nR18\n18/09/24\nDomestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\npage 23\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDivision 3A.7 Miscellaneous\n16X Protection of DFVR coordinator etc from liability\n(1) The DFVR coordinator, or a person acting under the direction of the\ncoordinator, is not civilly liable for conduct engaged in honestly and\nwithout recklessness—\n(a) in the exercise of a function under this Act; or\n(b) in the reasonable belief that the conduct was in the exercise of a\nfunction under this Act.\n(2) Any liability that would, apart from this section, attach to the DFVR\ncoordinator, or a person acting under the direction of the coordinator,\nattaches instead to the Territory.\n(3) In this section:\nconduct means an act or omission to do an act.\n16Y Review of part\n(1) The Minister must review the operation of this part as soon as\npracticable after 31 March 2026.\n(2) The Minister must present a report of the review to the Legislative\nAssembly within 3 months after the day the review is started.\n(3) This section expires on 31 March 2027.\n\nPart 4 Miscellaneous\nSection 17\npage 24 Domestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\nR18\n18/09/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 4 Miscellaneous\n17 Approval of crisis support organisations\n(1) The Minister may approve an organisation to be a crisis support\norganisation for this Act.\n(2) An approval is a disallowable instrument.\nNote A disallowable instrument must be notified, and presented to the\nLegislative Assembly, under the Legislation Act 2001.\n18 Disclosure of information to an approved crisis support\norganisation\nIf a police officer or a staff member of the Australian Federal Police\nsuspects on reasonable grounds that a family violence offence has\nbeen, is being or is likely to be committed in relation to a person, a\npolice officer or staff member may disclose to an approved crisis\nsupport organisation any information that is likely to aid the\norganisation in rendering assistance to the person or to any children\nof the person.\n19 Regulation-making power\nThe Executive may make regulations for this Act.\n\nDictionary\nR18\n18/09/24\nDomestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\npage 25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDictionary\n(see s 3)\nNote 1 The Legislation Act contains definitions and other provisions relevant to\nthis Act.\nNote 2 For example, the Legislation Act, dict, pt 1 defines the following terms:\n• administrative unit\n• bankrupt or personally insolvent\n• chief police officer\n• director-general (see s 163)\n• police officer\n• public servant\n• territory law.\nadvisory committee, for part 3A (Domestic and family violence\nincident review)—see section 16B.\napproved crisis support organisation means an organisation\napproved under section 17.\nchild, of a person, includes—\n(a) a child who normally lives with the person; and\n(b) a child for whom the person is a guardian.\ncouncil means the Domestic Violence Prevention Council established\nby section 4.\nDFVR coordinator, for part 3A (Domestic and family violence\nincident review)—see section 16B.\ndomestic or family violence incident, for part 3A (Domestic and\nfamily violence incident review)—see section 16C.\nfamily violence—see the Family Violence Act 2016, section 8.\nfamily violence offence—see the Family Violence Act 2016,\ndictionary.\n\nDictionary\npage 26 Domestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\nR18\n18/09/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nindependent adviser, for part 3A (Domestic and family violence\nincident review)—see section 16B.\nmember means a member of the council.\nregister, for part 3A (Domestic and family violence incident\nreview)—see section 16B.\nserious harm, for part 3A (Domestic and family violence incident\nreview)—see section 16B.\n\nEndnotes\nAbout the endnotes 1\nR18\n18/09/24\nDomestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\npage 27\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes\nAmending and modifying laws are annotated in the legislation history and the\namendment history. Current modifications are not included in the republished law\nbut are set out in the endnotes.\nNot all editorial amendments made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 are\nannotated in the amendment history. Full details of any amendments can be\nobtained from the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office.\nUncommenced amending laws are not included in the republished law. The details\nof these laws are underlined in the legislation history. Uncommenced expiries are\nunderlined in the legislation history and amendment history.\nIf all the provisions of the law have been renumbered, a table of renumbered\nprovisions gives details of previous and current numbering.\nThe endnotes also include a table of earlier republications.\n2 Abbreviation key\nA = Act NI = Notifiable instrument\nAF = Approved form o = order\nam = amended om = omitted/repealed\namdt = amendment ord = ordinance\nAR = Assembly resolution orig = original\nch = chapter par = paragraph/subparagraph\nCN = Commencement notice pres = present\ndef = definition prev = previous\nDI = Disallowable instrument (prev...) = previously\ndict = dictionary pt = part\ndisallowed = disallowed by the Legislative r = rule/subrule\nAssembly reloc = relocated\ndiv = division renum = renumbered\nexp = expires/expired R[X] = Republication No\nGaz = gazette RI = reissue\nhdg = heading s = section/subsection\nIA = Interpretation Act 1967 sch = schedule\nins = inserted/added sdiv = subdivision\nLA = Legislation Act 2001 SL = Subordinate law\nLR = legislation register sub = substituted\nLRA = Legislation (Republication) Act 1996 underlining = whole or part not commenced\nmod = modified/modification or to be expired\n\nEndnotes\n3 Legislation history\npage 28 Domestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\nR18\n18/09/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n3 Legislation history\nThe Domestic Violence Agencies Act 1986 was originally the Domestic Violence\nOrdinance 1986. It became an ACT Act on self-government (11 May 1989) and\nwas later renamed by the Protection Orders (Consequential Amendments) Act 2001\n(see amdt 1.41).\nAfter 11 May 1989 and before 10 November 1999, Acts commenced on their\nnotification day unless otherwise stated (see Australian Capital Territory (Self-\nGovernment) Act 1988 (Cwlth) s 25).\nLegislation before self-government\nDomestic Violence Agencies Act 1986 A1986-52\nnotified 4 September 1986\ncommenced 1 October 1986 (s 2 and Cwlth Gaz 1986 No S484)\nas amended by\nDrug Laws (Consequential Amendments) Ordinance 1989 Ord1989-14\ns 3\nnotified 15 March 1989\ncommenced 1 April 1989 (s 2 and Cwlth Gaz 1989 No S109)\nSelf-Government (Consequential Amendments) Ordinance 1989\nOrd1989-38 sch 1\nnotified 10 May 1989 (Cwlth Gaz 1989 No S160)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 10 May 1989 (s 2 (1))\nsch 1 commenced 11 May 1989 (s 2 (2) and see Cwlth Gaz 1989\nNo S164)\nLegislation after self-government\nDomestic Violence (Amendment) Act 1990 A1990-30\nnotified 28 September 1990 (Gaz 1990 No S67)\ncommenced 28 September 1990\nDomestic Violence (Amendment) Act (No 2) 1990 A1990-36\nnotified 7 November 1990 (Gaz 1990 No S76)\ncommenced 7 November 1990\n\nEndnotes\nLegislation history 3\nR18\n18/09/24\nDomestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\npage 29\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nMagistrates Court (Amendment) Act 1990 A1990-65 s 8\nnotified 24 December 1990 (Gaz 1990 No S98)\ncommenced 24 December 1990\nWeapons (Consequential Amendments) Act 1991 A1991-9 sch\nnotified 3 April 1991 (Gaz 1991 No S19)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 3 April 1991 (s 2 (1))\nsch commenced 3 October 1991 (s 2 (2))\nMagistrates and Coroner’s Courts (Registrar) Act 1991 A1991-44\nsch 1\nnotified 20 September 1991 (Gaz 1991 No S95)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 20 September 1991 (s 2 (1))\nsch 1 commenced 25 September 1991 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1991\nNo S103)\nBail (Consequential Amendments) Act 1992 A1992-9 sch\nnotified 28 May 1992 (Gaz 1992 No S59)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 28 May 1992 (s 2 (1))\nsch commenced 28 November 1992 (s 2 (3))\nDomestic Violence (Amendment) Act 1992 A1992-34\nnotified 8 July 1992 (Gaz 1992 No S103)\ncommenced 8 July 1992\nProtection Orders (Reciprocal Arrangements) (Consequential\nAmendments) Act 1992 A1992-37 pt 2 (ss 3-7)\nnotified 8 July 1992 (Gaz 1992 No S103)\nss 1-6 and 8-11 commenced 8 July 1992 (s 2 (1))\ns 7, s 12 commenced 3 August 1992 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1992 No S130)\nStatute Law Revision Act 1994 A1994-26 sch\nnotified 31 May 1994 (Gaz 1994 No S93)\ncommenced 31 May 1994 (s 2)\nStatute Law Revision (Penalties) Act 1994 A1994-81 sch\nnotified 29 November 1994 (Gaz 1994 No S253)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 29 November 1994 (s 2 (1))\nsch commenced 29 November 1994 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1994 No S269)\n\nEndnotes\n3 Legislation history\npage 30 Domestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\nR18\n18/09/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nStatute Law Revision Act 1995 A1995-46 sch\nnotified 18 December 1995 (Gaz 1995 No S306)\ncommenced 18 December 1995 (s 2)\nDomestic Violence (Amendment) Act 1996 A1996-3\nnotified 12 March 1996 (Gaz 1996 No S35)\nss 1-3 commenced 12 March 1996 (s 2 (1))\nremainder commenced 11 June 1996 (s 2 (2) and see Cwlth Gaz 1996\nNo GN5)\nDomestic Violence (Amendment) Act (No 2) 1996 A1996-37\nnotified 10 July 1996 (Gaz 1996 No S160)\ncommenced 10 July 1996 (s 2)\nFirearms Act 1996 A1996-74 sch 3\nnotified 20 December 1996 (Gaz 1996 No S328)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 20 December 1996 (s 2 (1))\nsch 3 commenced 17 May 1997 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1997 No S135)\nDomestic Violence (Amendment) Act 1997 A1997-24\nnotified 29 May 1997 (Gaz 1997 No S136)\nss 1-3 commenced 29 May 1997 (s 2 (1))\nremainder commenced 30 May 1997 (s 2 (2) and see Gaz 1997\nNo S149)\nDomestic Violence (Amendment) Act (No 2) 1997 A1997-37\nnotified 16 July 1997 (Gaz 1997 No S185)\nss 1-3 commenced 16 July 1997 (s 2 (1))\nremainder commenced 17 October 1997 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1997\nNo S310)\nDomestic Violence (Amendment) Act (No 3) 1997 A1997-65\nnotified 9 October 1997 (Gaz 1997 No S300)\nss 1-3 commenced 9 October 1997 (s 2 (1))\nremainder commenced 1 November 1997 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1997\nNo S332)\nLegal Practitioners (Consequential Amendments) Act 1997 A1997-96\nsch 1\nnotified 1 December 1997 (Gaz 1997 No S380)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 1 December 1997 (s 2 (1))\nsch 1 commenced 1 June 1998 (s 2 (2))\n\nEndnotes\nLegislation history 3\nR18\n18/09/24\nDomestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\npage 31\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDomestic Violence (Amendment) Act 1998 A1998-37\nnotified 14 October 1998 (Gaz 1998 No S41)\nss 1-3 commenced 14 October 1998 (s 2 (1))\nremainder commenced 19 October 1998 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1998 No 41)\nDomestic Violence (Amendment) Act (No 2) 1998 A1998-68\nnotified 23 December 1998 (Gaz 1998 No S212)\nss 1-3 commenced 23 December 1998 (s 2 (1))\nremainder commenced 23 December 1998 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1998\nNo 51)\nChildren and Young People (Consequential Amendments) Act 1999\nA1999-64 sch 2\nnotified 10 November 1999 (Gaz 1999 No 45)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 10 November 1999 (s 2 (1))\nsch 2 commenced 10 May 2000 (s 2 (2))\nRoad Transport Legislation Amendment Act 1999 A1999-79 sch 3\nnotified 23 December 1999 (Gaz 1999 No S65)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 23 December 1999 (IA s 10B)\nsch 3 commenced 1 March 2000 (s 2 and see Gaz 2000 No S5)\nLegislation (Consequential Amendments) Act 2001 A2001-44 pt 109\nnotified 26 July 2001 (Gaz 2001 No 30)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 26 July 2001 (IA s 10B)\npt 109 commenced 12 September 2001 (s 2 and see Gaz 2001\nNo S65)\nProtection Orders (Consequential Amendments) Act 2001 A2001-90\nsch 1 pt 4\nnotified LR 27 September 2001\ns 1, s 2 commenced 27 September 2001 (LA s 75)\nsch 1 pt 4 commenced 27 March 2002 (s 2, see Protection Orders Act\n2001 s 3 and LA s 79)\nDomestic Violence and Protection Orders Amendment Act 2005\nA2005-13 sch 1 pt 1.7\nnotified LR 24 March 2005\ns 1, s 2 commenced 24 March 2005 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.7 commenced 25 March 2005 (s 2)\n\nEndnotes\n3 Legislation history\npage 32 Domestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\nR18\n18/09/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nJustice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2007\nA2007-22 sch 1 pt 1.9\nnotified LR 5 September 2007\ns 1, s 2 commenced 5 September 2007 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.9 commenced 6 September 2007 (s 2)\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2007 (No 3) A2007-39 sch 3 pt 3.10\nnotified LR 6 December 2007\ns 1, s 2 commenced 6 December 2007 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 3 pt 3.10 commenced 27 December 2007 (s 2)\nDomestic Violence and Protection Orders Act 2008 A2008-46 sch 3\npt 3.8\nnotified LR 10 September 2008\ns 1, s 2 commenced 10 September 2008 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 3 pt 3.8 commenced 30 March 2009 (s 2)\nJustice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2010\n(No 2) A2010-30 sch 1 pt 1.8\nnotified LR 31 August 2010\ns 1, s 2 commenced 31 August 2010 (LA s 75 (1))\ns 3 commenced 1 September 2010 (s 2 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.8 commenced 28 September 2010 (s 2 (2))\nProtection of Rights (Services) Legislation Amendment Act 2016\nA2016-1 sch 1 pt 1.1\nnotified LR 23 February 2016\ns 1, s 2 commenced 23 February 2016 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.1 commenced 1 April 2016 (s 2)\nFamily Violence Act 2016 A2016-42 sch 3 pt 3.12 (as am by A2017-10\ns 7)\nnotified LR 18 August 2016\ns 1, s 2 commenced 18 August 2016 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 3 pt 3.12 commenced 1 May 2017 (s 2 (2) as am by A2017-10 s 7)\n\nEndnotes\nLegislation history 3\nR18\n18/09/24\nDomestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\npage 33\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nFamily and Personal Violence Legislation Amendment Act 2017\nA2017-10 s 7\nnotified LR 6 April 2017\ns 1, s 2 commenced 6 April 2017 (LA s 75 (1))\ns 7 commenced 30 April 2017 (s 2 (1))\nNote This Act only amends the Family Violence Act 2016\nA2016-42.\nDomestic Violence Agencies Amendment Act 2021 A2021-21\nnotified LR 21 September 2021\ns 1, s 2 commenced 21 September 2021 (LA s 75 (1))\nremainder commenced 22 September 2021 (s 2)\nDomestic Violence Agencies Amendment Act 2022 A2022-11\nnotified LR 17 June 2022\ns 1, s 2 commenced 17 June 2022 (LA s 75 (1))\nremainder commenced 17 December 2022 (s 2 and LA s 79)\nJustice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment\nAct 2023 (No 3) A2023-57 pt 7\nnotified LR 11 December 2023\ns 1, s 2 commenced 11 December 2023 (LA s 75 (1))\npt 7 commenced 12 December 2023 (s 2 (1))\nDomestic Violence Agencies (Information Sharing) Amendment\nAct 2024 A2024-17\nnotified LR 24 May 2024\ns 1, s 2 commenced 24 May 2024 (LA s 75 (1))\nremainder awaiting commencement\nJustice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2024\nA2024-49 pt 7\nnotified LR 17 September 2024\ns 1, s 2 taken to have commenced 11 June 2024 (LA s 75 (2))\npt 7 commenced 18 September 2024 (s 2 (4))\n\nEndnotes\n4 Amendment history\npage 34 Domestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\nR18\n18/09/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n4 Amendment history\nName of Act\ns 1 sub A2001-90 amdt 1.41\nLong title\nlong title am A2016-42 amdt 3.54\nDictionary\ns 2 orig s 2 om A2001-44 amdt 1.1163\n(prev s 3) am A1998-68 s 4\nsub A2001-90 amdt 1.42\nrenum R7 LA (see A2001-90 amdt 1.58)\nam A2005-13 amdt 1.30; A2008-46 amdt 3.18; A2016-42\namdt 3.55\ndef aggrieved person ins A1990-30 s 3\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.42\ndef approved crisis support organisation ins A1992-34 s 3\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.42\ndef authorised police officer om A2001-90 amdt 1.42\ndef child sub A1990-30 s 3\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.42\ndef clerk om A1991-44 sch 1\ndef Community Advocate ins A1998-37 s 4\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.42\ndef court om A2001-90 amdt 1.42\ndef Crimes Act om R6 LRA\ndef de facto spouse om A2001-90 amdt 1.42\ndef domestic violence ins A1998-37 s 4\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.42\ndef domestic violence offence sub A1990-30 s 3; A1997-24\ns 4; A1998-37 s 4\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.42\ndef drug am A1989-14 s 3; A1994-26 sch\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.42\ndef emergency protection order ins A1998-68 s 4\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.42\ndef extension request ins A1997-65 s 4\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.42\ndef household member ins A1990-30 s 3\nom A1998-37 s 4\ndef interim protection order om A2001-90 amdt 1.42\ndef judicial officer ins A1998-68 s 4\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.42\ndef legal practitioner om A1997-96 sch\ndef MC (CJ) Act ins A1998-37 s 4\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.42\n\nEndnotes\nAmendment history 4\nR18\n18/09/24\nDomestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\npage 35\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\ndef original order ins A1997-65 s 4\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.42\ndef prescribed offence am A1990-30 s 3\nom A1997-24 s 4\ndef protection order am A1998-37 s 4\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.42\ndef registrar ins A1991-44 sch 1\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.42\ndef relative ins A1990-30 s 3\nam A1992-37 s 4\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.42\ndef relevant family contact order ins A1996-3 s 4\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.42\ndef relevant period ins A1997-65 s 4\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.42\ndef relevant person ins A1998-37 s 4\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.42\ndef respondent am A1998-68 s 4\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.42\ndef sitting hours of the Court ins A1998-68 s 4\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.42\ndef spouse om A2001-90 amdt 1.42\ndef vary ins A1992-37 s 4\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.42\nNotes\ns 3 orig s 3 renum as s 2\n(prev s 4) am A1990-30 s 4; A1997-65 s 5\nsub A1998-37 s 5; A2001-90 amdt 1.42\nrenum R7 LA (see A2001-90 amdt 1.58)\nDomestic Violence Prevention Council\npt 2 hdg orig pt 2 hdg om A2001-90 amdt 1.43\n(prev pt 3 hdg) om A1992-9 sch\nins A1997-37 s 4\nrenum R7 LA (see A2001-90 amdt 1.58)\nEmergency protection orders\npt 2A hdg ins A1998-68 s 6\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.43\nEstablishment of council\ns 4 orig s 4 renum as s 3\n(prev s 21) om A1992-9 sch\nins A1997-37 s 4\nrenum R7 LA (see A2001-90 amdt 1.58)\nsub A2007-39 amdt 3.24\n\nEndnotes\n4 Amendment history\npage 36 Domestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\nR18\n18/09/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nNature of domestic violence\ns 4A ins A1998-37 s 5\nam A1999-79 sch 3\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.43\nFunctions of council\ns 5 orig s 5 am A1990-30 s 5\nsub A1998-37 s 5\nam A1999-64 sch 2\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.43\n(prev s 22) om A1992-9 sch\nins A1997-37 s 4\nrenum R7 LA (see A2001-90 amdt 1.58)\nam A2007-39 amdt 3.25; A2016-42 amdt 3.56\nsub A2022-11 s 4\nMembership of council\ns 6 orig s 6 am A1991-44 sch 1\nsub A1998-37 s 5\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.43\n(prev s 23) om A1992-9 sch\nins A1997-37 s 4\nam A2001-90 amdts 1.45-1.47\nrenum R7 LA (see A2001-90 amdt 1.58)\nsub A2007-22 amdt 1.28\nam A2016-42 amdt 3.56\nsub A2022-11 s 4\nChairperson of council\ns 6A ins A2007-22 amdt 1.28\nom A2022-11 s 4\nAppointment of council members\ns 7 orig s 7 am A1990-30 sch; A1991-44; A1998-37 s 6; A1999-64\nsch 2\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.43\n(prev s 24) am Ord1989-38 sch 1\nom A1992-9 sch\nins A1997-37 s 4\nsub A2001-90 amdt 1.48\nrenum R7 LA (see A2001-90 amdt 1.58)\nsub A2007-22 amdt 1.28; A2022-11 s 4\nRepresentation of children\ns 7A ins A1990-30 s 6\nam A1998-37 s 7\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.43\n\nEndnotes\nAmendment history 4\nR18\n18/09/24\nDomestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\npage 37\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nEnding of appointed member appointments\ns 8 orig s 8 am A1995-46 sch; A1998-37 sch\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.43\n(prev s 25A) ins A1997-37 s 4\nrenum R7 LA (see A2001-90 amdt 1.58)\nsub A2007-22 amdt 1.28\nam A2010-30 amdt 1.25\nsub A2022-11 s 4\nCourt to be informed of relevant contact orders\ns 8A ins A1996-3 s 5\nam A1998-37 s 8\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.43\nEvidence\ns 8B ins A1998-37 s 9\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.43\nMeetings of council\ns 9 orig s 9 am A1990-30 sch; A1998-37 s 10\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.43\n(prev s 26) am A1990-30 sch\nom A1992-9 sch\nins A1997-37 s 4\nrenum R7 LA (see A2001-90 amdt 1.58)\nsub A2022-11 s 4\nProcedure at meetings\ns 10 orig s 10 am A1990-30 sch; A1996-3 s 6; A1997-65 s 6;\nA1998-37 s 11\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.43\n(prev s 26A) ins A1997-37 s 4\nrenum R7 LA (see A2001-90 amdt 1.58)\nsub A2022-11 s 4\nOffice of Domestic Violence Project Coordinator\npt 3 hdg orig pt 3 hdg renum as pt 2 hdg\n(prev pt 3A hdg) ins A1997-37 s 4\nrenum R7 LA (see A2001-90 amdt 1.58)\nom A2022-11 s 5\nConsent orders\ns 10A ins A1990-30 s 8\nam A1998-37 s 12\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.43\n\nEndnotes\n4 Amendment history\npage 38 Domestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\nR18\n18/09/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDomestic violence project coordinator\ns 11 orig s 11 am A1990-30 s 9\nsub A1998-37 s 13\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.43\n(prev s 26C) ins A1997-37 s 4\nrenum R7 LA (see A2001-90 amdt 1.58)\nsub A2007-39 amdt 3.26; A2016-1 amdt 1.1\nom A2022-11 s 5\nFunctions\ns 12 orig s 12 am A1990-30 sch; A1991-44 sch 1; A1998-37 s 14;\nA2001-44 amdt 1.1164\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.43\n(prev s 26D) ins A1997-37 s 4\nrenum R7 LA (see A2001-90 amdt 1.58)\nam A2007-39 amdt 3.27; A2016-42 amdt 3.57\nom A2022-11 s 5\nTerm and conditions of office\ns 13 orig s 13 am A1998-37 s 15\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.43\n(prev s 26F) ins A1997-37 s 4\nam A2001-90 amdt 1.51, amdt 1.52\nrenum R7 LA (see A2001-90 amdt 1.58)\nsub A2007-39 amdt 3.28\nom A2022-11 s 5\nTermination of appointment\ns 14 orig s 14 am A1990-30 sch; A1996-3 s 7; A1998-37 s 16\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.43\n(prev s 26H) ins A1997-37 s 4\nrenum R7 LA (see A2001-90 amdt 1.58)\nam A2007-39 amdt 3.29\nom A2022-11 s 5\nProtection orders, interim protection orders—firearms\ns 14A ins A1990-36 s 3\nam A1990-65 s 8; A1991-9 sch; A1996-74 sch 3; A1997-24\ns 5\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.43\nActing coordinator\ns 15 orig s 15 am A1990-30 s 10; A1992-37 s 5; A1998-37 s 17,\nsch\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.43\n(prev s 26I) ins A1997-37 s 4\nsub A2001-90 amdt 1.54\nrenum R7 LA (see A2001-90 amdt 1.58)\nom A2007-39 amdt 3.30\n\nEndnotes\nAmendment history 4\nR18\n18/09/24\nDomestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\npage 39\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nProtection of coordinators etc from liability\ns 16 (prev s 26J) ins A1997-37 s 4\nrenum R7 LA (see A2001-90 amdt 1.58)\nsub A2007-39 amdt 3.31\nom A2022-11 s 5\nDomestic and family violence incident review\npt 3A hdg ins A2021-21 s 4\nPreliminary\ndiv 3A.1 hdg ins A2021-21 s 4\nPurpose—pt 3A\ns 16A ins A2021-21 s 4\nDefinitions—pt 3A\ns16B ins A2021-21 s 4\ndef advisory committee ins A2021-21 s 4\ndef DFVR coordinator ins A2021-21 s 4\ndef independent adviser ins A2021-21 s 4\ndef register ins A2021-21 s 4\ndef serious harm ins A2021-21 s 4\nMeaning of domestic or family violence incident—pt 3A\ns 16C ins A2021-21 s 4\nDomestic and family violence review coordinator\ndiv 3A.2 hdg ins A2021-21 s 4\nDFVR coordinator—appointment\ns 16D ins A2021-21 s 4\nDFVR coordinator—functions\ns 16E ins A2021-21 s 4\nDFVR coordinator—independence\ns 16F ins A2021-21 s 4\nDelegation by DFVR coordinator\ns 16G ins A2021-21 s 4\nAdvisory committees and independent advisers\ndiv 3A.3 hdg ins A2021-21 s 4\nAdvisory committees\ns 16H ins A2021-21 s 4\nIndependent advisers\ns 16I ins A2021-21 s 4\nConflict of interest\ns 16J ins A2021-21 s 4\n\nEndnotes\n4 Amendment history\npage 40 Domestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\nR18\n18/09/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nRegister of domestic and family violence incidents\ndiv 3A.4 hdg ins A2021-21 s 4\nRegister of domestic and family violence incidents\ns 16K ins A2021-21 s 4\nRegister of domestic and family violence incidents—content\ns 16L ins A2021-21 s 4\nRegister of domestic and family violence incidents—access\ns 16M ins A2021-21 s 4\nInformation kept on register—admissibility of evidence\ns 16N ins A2021-21 s 4\nInformation gathering and sharing\ndiv 3A.5 hdg ins A2021-21 s 4\nPower to ask for information—relevant entities\ns 16O ins A2021-21 s 4\nPower to require information, document or other thing\ns 16P ins A2021-21 s 4\nSharing information—corresponding interstate entities\ns 16Q ins A2021-21 s 4\nSharing information with Coroner’s Court\ns 16R ins A2021-21 s 4\nProviding information etc—other circumstances\ns 16S ins A2021-21 s 4\nInformation sharing guidelines\ns 16T ins A2021-21 s 4\nUse and disclosure of protected information\ns 16U ins A2021-21 s 4\nReports about domestic and family violence incidents\ndiv 3A.6 hdg ins A2021-21 s 4\nBiennial report\ns 16V ins A2021-21 s 4\nOther reports\ns 16W ins A2021-21 s 4\nMiscellaneous\ndiv 3A.7 hdg ins A2021-21 s 4\nProtection of DFVR coordinator etc from liability\ns 16X ins A2021-21 s 4\n\nEndnotes\nAmendment history 4\nR18\n18/09/24\nDomestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\npage 41\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nReview of part\ns 16Y ins A2021-21 s 4\nam A2024-49 s 15, s 16\nexp 31 March 2027 (s 16Y (3))\nApproval of crisis support organisations\ns 17 orig s 17 am A1997-65 s 7; A1998-37 s 18\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.43\n(prev s 33) ins A1992-34 s 4\nam A2001-44 amdt 1.1172, amdt 1.1173\nrenum R7 LA (see A2001-90 amdt 1.58)\nam A2007-39 amdt 3.32\nApplication for extension of order\ns 17A ins A1997-65 s 8\nam A2001-44 amdt 1.1165, amdt 1.1166\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.43\nCourt action on extension request\ns 17B ins A1997-65 s 8\nam A2001-44 amdt 1.1167\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.43\nApplication for cancellation of extended order\ns 17C ins A1997-65 s 8\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.43\nDisclosure of information to an approved crisis support organisation\ns 18 orig s 18 am A1991-44 sch 1; A1996-3 s 8\nom A1998-37 s 19\n(prev s 34) ins A1992-34 s 4\nrenum R7 LA (see A2001-90 amdt 1.58)\nam A2016-42 amdt 3.57\nRegulation-making power\ns 19 am A1990-36 s 4; A1991-9 sch; A1991-44 sch 1; A1996-74\nsch 3; A2001-44 amdts 1.1168-1.1170\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.43\nins A2023-57 s 19\nPractice directions\ns 19A ins A1998-37 s 20\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.43\nLimitation on powers of Registrar\ns 19B ins A1998-37 s 20\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.43\nApplication not invalid only because made under wrong Act\ns 19C ins A1998-37 s 20\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.43\n\nEndnotes\n4 Amendment history\npage 42 Domestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\nR18\n18/09/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nOffence\ns 19D ins A1998-37 s 20\nam A1998-68 s 5\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.43\nRecovery of certain expenses\ns 19E ins A1998-37 s 20\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.43\nEmergency protection orders\ns 19F ins A1998-68 s 6\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.43\nRecording of reasons when no emergency protection order is applied for\ns 19G ins A1998-68 s 6\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.43\nDuration of emergency protection orders\ns 19H ins A1998-68 s 6\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.43\nProcedure for obtaining an emergency protection order\ns 19I ins A1998-68 s 6\nam A2001-44 amdt 1.1171\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.43\nDetention of person against whom an order is sought\ns 19J ins A1998-68 s 6\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.43\nServing an emergency protection order\ns 19K ins A1998-68 s 6\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.43\nRevoking or varying an emergency protection order\ns 19L ins A1998-68 s 6\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.43\nEffect of orders on licences for firearms\ns 19M ins A1998-68 s 6\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.43\nAuthorisation of judicial officers\ns 19N ins A1998-68 s 6\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.43\nInterpretation\ns 20 sub A1990-30 s 11\nom A1992-9 sch\nins A1997-37 s 4\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.44\n\nEndnotes\nAmendment history 4\nR18\n18/09/24\nDomestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\npage 43\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nEstablishment\ns 21 renum as s 4\nObjective and functions\ns 22 renum as s 5\nMembership\ns 23 renum as s 6\nTerms of appointment\ns 24 renum as s 7\nResignation\ns 25 om A1992-9 sch\nins A1997-37 s 4\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.48\nTermination of appointment\ns 25A renum as s 8\nMeetings of Council\ns 26 renum as s 9\nProcedure at meetings\ns 26A renum as s 10\nOffice of Domestic Violence Project Coordinator\npt 3A hdg renum as pt 3 hdg\nInterpretation\ns 26B ins A1997-37 s 4\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.49\nAppointment\ns 26C renum as s 11\nFunctions\ns 26D renum as s 12\nPowers\ns 26E ins A1997-37 s 4\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.50\nTerms of office\ns 26F renum as s 13\nResignation\ns 26G ins A1997-37 s 4\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.53\nTermination of appointment\ns 26H renum as s 14\n\nEndnotes\n4 Amendment history\npage 44 Domestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\nR18\n18/09/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nActing coordinator\ns 26I renum as s 15\nLegal immunity\ns 26J renum as s 16\nOffence\ns 27 am A1992-37 s 6; A1994-81 sch; A1996-37 s 4\nom A1998-37 s 21\nService other than personal service\ns 28 om A2001-90 amdt 1.55\nService of documents by police\ns 29 am A1991-44 sch 1\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.55\nRestriction on publication of reports of proceedings\ns 30 am Ord1989-38 sch 1; A1994-81 sch; A1998-37 s 22\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.55\nLimits of restriction on publication\ns 30A ins A1990-30 s 12\nsub A1996-3 s 9; A1998-37 s 23\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.55\nAppeals\ns 31 am A1995-46 sch; A1998-37 sch\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.55\nApplication of Crimes Act 1900 etc\ns 32 om A2001-90 amdt 1.55\nApproval of crisis support organisations\ns 33 renum as s 17\nDisclosure of information to an approved crisis support organisation\ns 34 renum as s 18\nApproved forms\ns 35 ins A2001-44 amdt 1.1174\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.56\nDictionary\ndict ins A2001-90 amdt 1.57\nam A2007-39 amdt 3.33; A2010-30 amdt 1.26; A2021-21 s 5\ndef advisory committee ins A2021-21 s 6\ndef appointed member ins A2001-90 amdt 1.57\nsub A2007-22 amdt 1.29\nom A2022-11 s 6\ndef approved crisis support organisation ins A2001-90\namdt 1.57\n\nEndnotes\nAmendment history 4\nR18\n18/09/24\nDomestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\npage 45\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\ndef child ins A2001-90 amdt 1.57\ndef coordinator ins A2001-90 amdt 1.57\nsub A2016-1 amdt 1.2\nom A2022-11 s 7\ndef council ins A2001-90 amdt 1.57\ndef DFVR coordinator ins A2021-21 s 6\ndef domestic or family violence incident ins A2021-21 s 6\ndef domestic violence ins A2001-90 amdt 1.57\nsub A2005-13 amdt 1.31\nam A2008-46 amdt 3.19\nom A2016-42 amdt 3.58\ndef domestic violence offence ins A2001-90 amdt 1.57\nsub A2005-13 amdt 1.32\nam A2008-46 amdt 3.20\nom A2016-42 amdt 3.58\ndef family violence ins A2016-42 amdt 3.59\ndef family violence offence ins A2016-42 amdt 3.59\ndef independent adviser ins A2021-21 s 6\ndef member ins A2001-90 amdt 1.57\nsub A2007-22 amdt 1.30\ndef register ins A2021-21 s 6\ndef serious harm ins A2021-21 s 6\nDomestic violence offences under the Crimes Act 1900\nsch 1A ins A1997-24 s 6\nam A1998-37 s 24\nom A2001-90 amdt 1.57\nDrugs\nsch 1 om A2001-90 amdt 1.57\nForms\nsch 2 am A1991-44 sch; A1992-37 s 7; A1998-37 s 25\nom A2001-44 amdt 1.1175\n\nEndnotes\n5 Earlier republications\npage 46 Domestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\nR18\n18/09/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n5 Earlier republications\nSome earlier republications were not numbered. The number in column 1 refers to\nthe publication order.\nSince 12 September 2001 every authorised republication has been published in\nelectronic pdf format on the ACT legislation register. A selection of authorised\nrepublications have also been published in printed format. These republications are\nmarked with an asterisk (*) in column 1. Electronic and printed versions of an\nauthorised republication are identical.\nRepublication\nNo and date\nEffective Last\namendment\nmade by\nRepublication\nfor\nR1\n3 Oct 1991\n3 Oct 1991–\n7 July 1992\nA1991-44 initial republication\nsince self-\ngovernment\nR1 (RI)\n6 Feb 2008\n3 Oct 1991–\n7 July 1992\nA1991-44 reissue of printed\nversion\nR2\n31 Aug 1992\n3 Aug 1992–\n27 Nov 1992\nA1992-37 amendments by\nA1992-34 and\nA1992-37\nR2 (RI)\n6 Feb 2008\n3 Aug 1992–\n27 Nov 1992\nA1992-37 reissue of printed\nversion\nR2A\n6 Feb 2008\n28 Nov 1992–\n30 May 1994\nA1992-37 amendments by\nA1992-9\nR2B\n6 Feb 2008\n31 May 1994–\n28 Nov 1994\nA1994-26 amendments by\nA1994-26\nR3\n31 Jan 1995\n29 Nov 1994–\n17 Dec 1995\nA1994-81 amendments by\nA1994-81\nR3 (RI)\n6 Feb 2008\n29 Nov 1994–\n17 Dec 1995\nA1994-81 reissue of printed\nversion\nR3A\n6 Feb 2008\n18 Dec 1995–\n10 June 1996\nA1995-46 amendments by\nA1995-46\nR4\n30 Nov 1996\n10 July 1996–\n16 May 1997\nA1996-37 amendments by\nA1996-3 and\nA1996-37\nR4 (RI)\n6 Feb 2008\n10 July 1996–\n16 May 1997\nA1996-37 reissue of printed\nversion\n\nEndnotes\nEarlier republications 5\nR18\n18/09/24\nDomestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\npage 47\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nRepublication\nNo and date\nEffective Last\namendment\nmade by\nRepublication\nfor\nR4A\n6 Feb 2008\n17 May 1997–\n29 May 1997\nA1996-74 amendments by\nA1996-74\nR4B\n6 Feb 2008\n30 May 1997–\n16 Oct 1997\nA1997-24 amendments by\nA1997-24\nR4C\n6 Feb 2008\n17 Oct 1997–\n31 Oct 1997\nA1997-65 amendments by\nA1997-37\nR4D\n6 Feb 2008\n1 Nov 1997–\n31 May 1998\nA1997-65 amendments by\nA1997-65\nR5\n1 June 1998\n1 June 1998–\n18 Oct 1998\nA1997-96 amendments by\nA1997-96\nR5 (RI)\n6 Feb 2008\n1 June 1998–\n18 Oct 1998\nA1997-96 reissue of printed\nversion\nR6\n31 Jan 1999\n23 Dec 1998–\n29 Feb 2000\nA1998-68 amendments by\nA1998-37 and\nA1998-68\nR6 (RI)\n6 Feb 2008\n23 Dec 1998–\n29 Feb 2000\nA1998-68 reissue of printed\nversion\nR6A\n6 Feb 2008\n10 May 2000–\n11 Sept 2001\nA1999-79 amendments by\nA1999-64 and\nA1999-79\nR6B\n6 Feb 2008\n12 Sept 2001–\n26 Mar 2002\nA2001-44 amendments by\nA2001-44\nR7\n27 Mar 2002\n27 Mar 2002–\n24 Mar 2005\nA2001-90 renaming and other\namendments by\nA2001-90\nR8\n25 Mar 2005\n25 Mar 2005–\n5 Sept 2007\nA2005-13 amendments by\nA2005-13\nR9\n6 Sept 2007\n6 Sept 2007–\n26 Dec 2007\nA2007-22 amendments by\nA2007-22\nR10\n27 Dec 2007\n27 Dec 2007–\n29 Mar 2009\nA2007-39 amendments by\nA2007-39\nR11\n30 Mar 2009\n30 Mar 2009–\n27 Sept 2010\nA2008-46 amendments by\nA2008-46\n\nEndnotes\n6 Renumbered provisions\npage 48 Domestic Violence Agencies Act 1986\nEffective: 18/09/24\nR18\n18/09/24\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nRepublication\nNo and date\nEffective Last\namendment\nmade by\nRepublication\nfor\nR12\n28 Sept 2010\n28 Sept 2010–\n31 Mar 2016\nA2010-30 amendments by\nA2010-30\nR13\n1 Apr 2016\n1 Apr 2016–\n30 Apr 2017\nA2016-1 amendments by\nA2016-1\nR14\n1 May 2017\n1 May 2017–\n21 Sept 2021\nA2017-10 amendments by\nA2016-42 (as\namended by\nA2017-10)\nR15\n22 Sept 2021\n21 Sept 2021–\n16 Dec 2022\nA2021-21 amendments by\nA2021-21\nR16\n17 Dec 2022\n17 Dec 2022–\n11 Dec 2023\nA2022-11 amendments by\nA2022-11\nR17\n12 Dec 2023\n12 Dec 2023–\n17 Sept 2024\nA2023-57 amendments by\nA2023-57\n6 Renumbered provisions\nThis Act was renumbered under the Legislation Act 2001, in R7 (see Protection\nOrders (Consequential Amendments) Act 2001 A2001-90 amdt 1.58). Details of\nrenumbered provisions are shown in endnote 4 (Amendment history). For a table\nshowing the renumbered provisions, see R7.\n© Australian Capital Territory 2024","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The legislation has transformed significantly from its original 1986 scope. Initially, this Act dealt with protection orders (court orders to protect people from domestic violence) and established crisis support organisations. However, in 2001, the protection order provisions were stripped out and moved to the Protection Orders Act 2001 (now the Family Violence Act 2016). The Act then became primarily about the Domestic Violence Prevention Council and crisis support organisations. In 2021, Part 3A was inserted, adding the Domestic and Family Violence Review Coordinator function—a major expansion creating a systemic oversight, data collection and research body with compulsory information-gathering powers. This shifted the Act from being primarily about service delivery and advisory functions to including a serious incident monitoring and prevention mechanism akin to a death review committee. The 2024 amendments further expanded information sharing capabilities."},"complexity_factors":["Extensive cross-referencing to other ACT laws (Family Violence Act 2016, Criminal Code, Legislation Act 2001) for key definitions like 'family violence', 'serious harm', and 'family member'","Nested conditional logic in section 16C defining 'domestic or family violence incident' with 5 separate circumstances involving complex relational scenarios (mistaken beliefs about relationships, witnesses, suicide/self-harm linked to family violence)","Multiple layers of information handling restrictions: collection limits (consent required for serious harm cases), access controls, use restrictions, disclosure offences, and evidentiary exclusions","18 defined terms in the Dictionary, with 7 specific to Part 3A, plus signpost definitions pointing to external legislation","Complex information sharing framework with 6 different mechanisms: voluntary requests (16O), compulsory notices (16P), interstate agreements (16Q), Coroner sharing (16R), general permissive provision (16S), and guidelines (16T)","Offence provisions with exceptions and evidential burdens (section 16U) requiring cross-reference to Criminal Code section 58","Sunset clause for review provision (section 16Y expires 31 March 2027) creating temporal complexity","Historical legislative baggage: the Act originated in 1986 as an Ordinance, was heavily amended (38 amendment entries), had large chunks removed in 2001 when protection orders moved to separate legislation, then significantly expanded in 2021"],"plain_english_summary":"This law creates a Domestic Violence Prevention Council to advise government and coordinate responses across police, courts and community services, and it establishes an independent Domestic and Family Violence Review Coordinator to record, investigate and analyse serious family‑violence incidents (death or serious harm).  \n\nBy requiring information-sharing, research and public reporting (with confidentiality and legal protections), it aims to identify system failures, inform policy and prevent future deaths; it affects victims, agencies and service providers."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Yes. The Act was originally focused on establishing and governing a Domestic Violence Prevention Council and enabling crisis support arrangements. From 2021 (Part 3A) the Act was expanded to create a statutory Domestic and Family Violence Review Coordinator, a register of fatal or serious incidents, compulsory information‑gathering powers, interstate information‑sharing and new criminal offences for misuse of protected information (ss 16A–16Y). That expansion shifts the Act from a primarily advisory/coordination instrument to an operational data‑collection and review regime with compulsory powers, broader privacy implications, and new compliance burdens for public agencies and community service providers."},"complexity_factors":["Part 3A adds 25 new sections (ss 16A–16Y) creating a new statutory regime for incident review","Multiple sensitive data categories permitted on the register (s 16L: identifiers, health information, criminal history, service interactions)","Compulsory information powers with time limits and exceptions (ss 16O–16P) and a 15 working‑day compliance deadline (s 16O(3))","Consent and exclusion exceptions for serious‑harm incidents limiting powers (ss 16O(2), 16P(3)(b))","Admissibility exclusions for register material and coordinator documents (s 16N) creating special evidentiary rules","Criminal offences and penalties for misuse of protected information including fines and imprisonment (s 16U) and penalties for failing to comply with notices (s 16P(5))","Cross‑jurisdictional data‑sharing provisions with protective requirements (s 16Q) and Coroner sharing (s 16R)","Delegation and independence provisions that separate coordinator from usual departmental direction (ss 16F–16G)","Reporting, transparency and review mechanics (biennial reports, Ministerial tabling, statutory review by date — ss 16V, 16W, 16Y)","Extensive cross‑references to other laws and defined terms (Family Violence Act 2016 s 8, Criminal Code dictionary, Legislation Act) increasing interpretive complexity"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this law does (mechanics)**\n\n- Establishes the Domestic Violence Prevention Council (the council) with a mixture of statutory and ministerial appointees to advise the Minister and facilitate coordination between government, police, courts and community organisations (ss 4–6, 5).\n- Creates the office of a Domestic and Family Violence Review Coordinator (DFVR coordinator) whose functions include keeping a register of fatal or serious domestic/family violence incidents, collecting and analysing information, researching causes and trends, making recommendations to government and non‑government bodies, monitoring implementation, and reporting to the Minister (ss 16D–16E, 16V–16W).\n- Gives the DFVR coordinator powers to ask for or require information, documents or other things from a defined set of “relevant entities” (including police, director‑generals of administrative units, community‑based services and other prescribed entities) and sets a maximum reasonable compliance time (not more than 15 working days) (ss 16O–16P).\n- Allows the DFVR coordinator to keep a register that may include sensitive personal information (identifiers, health information, criminal history, service interactions, demographic data) and to control who may access that register (ss 16K–16L, 16M).\n- Restricts use of register material as evidence in court proceedings and protects some coordinator materials from admissibility (s 16N).\n- Permits interstate information‑sharing agreements for corresponding review work and national research, and sharing with the Coroner’s Court where it would assist an inquest (ss 16Q–16R).\n- Makes unauthorised use or disclosure of protected information an offence with criminal penalties (including fines and imprisonment), and requires information‑sharing guidelines and safeguards (ss 16T, 16U, 16P(5)).\n- Provides immunity for the DFVR coordinator and staff acting honestly and without recklessness; any civil liability instead attaches to the Territory (s 16X).\n- Keeps the Minister in the appointment role for council members and the DFVR coordinator; council members and coordinator appointments are time‑limited and subject to removal for specified causes (ss 7, 16D, 8).\n- Preserves and updates existing provisions for approval of crisis support organisations and allows police to disclose information to approved crisis support organisations to support victims (ss 17–18).\n\n**Who this affects**\n\n- Public sector agencies and senior public servants: they must respond to coordinator requests, may be required to produce documents and may be party to data‑sharing arrangements (ss 16O–16P, 16Q).\n- Police and the Coroner’s Court: police are both a source and potential recipient of information; the coordinator can share relevant information with the Coroner’s Court (ss 16O, 16R, 18).\n- Community‑based services and crisis support organisations: they may be asked to provide client information, become approved crisis support organisations, and have obligations under information‑sharing guidelines (ss 16O, 17–18, 16T).\n- People involved in domestic or family violence incidents (victims, perpetrators, witnesses and associated family members): their personal and sensitive data may be collected and stored on the register (s 16L) and used for analysis and reporting (s 16E, 16V).\n- The Minister and the Legislative Assembly: the DFVR coordinator reports to the Minister and the Minister must table reports in the Assembly; the Minister also appoints members and the coordinator (ss 16V, 16W, 7, 16D).\n\n**Why it matters (purpose and testing the policy claim)**\n\n- The statute expressly says the purpose of Part 3A is to identify preventative measures, increase understanding of context and make recommendations to help prevent family violence (s 16A). That purpose implies investment in evidence‑driven policy and systemic learning.\n\n- Costs and who pays: administrative costs of establishing and operating the DFVR office and the register fall on the Territory. Public agencies, police and community organisations bear compliance costs in locating, preparing and delivering information (ss 16D, 16O–16P). Civil liability for honest, non‑reckless DFVR conduct shifts to the Territory (s 16X(2)).\n\n- Incentives and behaviour changes: the DFVR coordinator’s power to require documents and to analyse patterns encourages agencies to improve recordkeeping and cross‑agency coordination. It may also change how service providers handle intake and data retention because their records could be requested (ss 16P, 16L).\n\n- Trade‑offs and risks: collecting sensitive health, criminal and service‑use data (s 16L) aims to improve evidence but increases privacy and security risk. The Act builds in confidentiality safeguards (access controls s 16M, offences s 16U, limits on admissibility s 16N) and consent requirements for serious‑harm incidents (s 16O(2), s 16P(3)(b)). Those safeguards reduce some legal risk but create operational frictions — for example, consent requirements limit the coordinator’s ability to compel information in the most serious cases unless consent is obtained.\n\n- Opportunity costs and administrative burden: agency staff will need to prioritise coordinator requests and may face penalties for non‑compliance (s 16P(5)), taking time away from other tasks. Community organisations that work with vulnerable people face particular privacy‑management costs.\n\n- Bureaucratic discretion and oversight: the Minister appoints the coordinator and council members (ss 7, 16D), but the coordinator is protected from direction by the director‑general (s 16F). Reporting obligations (biennial and ad hoc reports) and a statutory review requirement create transparency and a feedback loop (ss 16V, 16W, 16Y).\n\n- Effects on private choice and market participants: the law does not impose direct commercial controls, but some private or non‑government service providers that assist victims will face compliance and privacy costs when their records are requested; approved crisis support organisations may receive information from police, which can change how they deliver services (ss 17–18).\n\n**Concrete limits and safeguards to note**\n\n- The coordinator cannot request information about serious‑harm incidents without the harmed person’s consent (ss 16O(2), 16P(3)(b)).\n- The register must be access‑limited and used only for statutory functions; unauthorised use/disclosure is criminalised (ss 16M, 16U).\n- Register records and coordinator‑prepared documents are, generally, inadmissible in court (s 16N), preserving a research/administrative role rather than an evidentiary one.\n- Information sharing across borders and with the Coroner is permitted but must be protected (ss 16Q–16R).\n\n**Bottom line**\n\nThis Act keeps the Domestic Violence Prevention Council role but significantly equips the Territory with a statutory review mechanism: a centrally appointed, independent DFVR coordinator, a sensitive‑data register, compulsory information‑gathering powers with specified exceptions, criminal protections for privacy breaches, and reporting obligations to government. It shifts resources and compliance obligations onto public agencies and community services while attempting to safeguard privacy and limit court use of the collected material (see ss 16D–16U, 16V–16X)."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/domestic-violence-agencies-act-1986","history":"/api/acts/domestic-violence-agencies-act-1986/history","analysis":"/api/acts/domestic-violence-agencies-act-1986/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/domestic-violence-agencies-act-1986/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/domestic-violence-agencies-act-1986/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/domestic-violence-agencies-act-1986/documents"}}