NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA
DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE REGULATIONS 2008
As in force at 10 February 2026
Table of provisions
Part 1 Preliminary matters
1 Citation ............................................................................................ 1
Part 2 General matters
2 Definitions ........................................................................................ 1
3 Interstate DVOs ............................................................................... 2
3A Registered foreign orders ................................................................ 2
Part 3 Drug and alcohol testing
Division 1 General matters
4 Application of Part ........................................................................... 2
5 Interpretation ................................................................................... 3
Division 2 Testing for alcohol in breath
6 Breath test ....................................................................................... 4
7 Breath analysis ................................................................................ 4
8 Conducting breath analyses ............................................................ 5
9 Breath analysis indicates alcohol in breath ...................................... 5
Division 3 Testing for prohibited drug
10 Saliva test ........................................................................................ 5
11 Urine test ......................................................................................... 6
Division 4 Blood sample
12 Requirement to provide sample of blood ......................................... 7
13 Taking sample of blood ................................................................... 8
Division 5 Other matters for this Part
14 Analysis of samples ......................................................................... 8
15 Evidence by certificate ..................................................................... 8
16 Police officers who may carry out breath tests, saliva tests,
urine tests or breath analyses.......................................................... 9
17 Persons other than police officers who may carry out breath
tests, saliva tests, urine tests or breath analyses .......................... 10
Domestic and Family Violence Regulations 2008 ii
18 Protection from liability of health practitioners and analysts .......... 10
ENDNOTES
NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA
As in force at 10 February 2026
DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE REGULATIONS 2008
Regulations under the Domestic and Family Violence Act 2007
Part 1 Preliminary matters
1 Citation
These Regulations may be cited as the Domestic and Family
Violence Regulations 2008.
Part 2 General matters
2 Definitions
In these Regulations:
analyst, for Part 3, see regulation 5(1).
authorised person, for Part 3, see regulation 5(1).
breath analysis, for Part 3, see regulation 5(1).
breath analysis instrument, for Part 3, see regulation 5(1).
breath test, for Part 3, see regulation 5(1).
health practitioner, for Part 3, see regulation 5(1).
qualified person, for Part 3, see regulation 5(1).
saliva test, for Part 3, see regulation 5(1).
urine test, for Part 3, see regulation 5(1).
Section 1 - DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE REGULATIONS 2008 - DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE REGULATIONS 2008 | Zoe
Part 3 Drug and alcohol testing
Division 1 General matters
Domestic and Family Violence Regulations 2008 2
3 Interstate DVOs
For section 103A(1)(h) of the Act, each of the following are
prescribed as an interstate DVO:
(a) a family violence restraining order made under the Restraining
Orders Act 1997 (WA);
(b) a domestic violence order made under the Domestic Violence
and Protection Orders Act 2008 (ACT);
(c) release conditions imposed under section 125 of the Domestic
and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 (Qld).
Note for regulation 3(b)
The Domestic Violence and Protection Orders Act 2008 (ACT) is repealed, but an
order made under that Act can have continuing effect.
3A Registered foreign orders
For section 103B(h) of the Act, each of the following are prescribed
as registered foreign orders:
(a) a registered foreign order under the Family Violence Act 2016
(ACT);
(b) a registered foreign order under the Domestic and Family
Violence Protection Act 2012 (Qld);
(c) a foreign intervention order registered under Part 4 of the
Intervention Orders (Prevention of Abuse) Act 2009 (SA),
other than an order that is declared by the Intervention Orders
(Prevention of Abuse) Regulations 2011 (SA) not to be a
foreign intervention order for Part 3A of that Act.
Part 3 Drug and alcohol testing
Division 1 General matters
4 Application of Part
This Part applies in relation to a respondent if a DVO applying to
the respondent:
(a) prohibits the respondent from consuming alcohol or using a
drug (other than a drug as prescribed by a health practitioner);
and
Part 3 Drug and alcohol testing
Division 1 General matters
Domestic and Family Violence Regulations 2008 3
(b) includes an ancillary order requiring that the respondent
submit to testing by an authorised person to monitor
compliance with the prohibition.
Note for regulation 4
Section 126E of the Police Administration Act 1978 and regulation 19AB of the
Police Administration Regulations 1994 also confers a power on a police officer
to enter certain places for the purpose of exercising the officer's powers under
this Part.
5 Interpretation
(1) In this Part:
analyst means either of the following:
(a) a person authorised under section 19C of the Traffic Act 1987
to be an analyst for the analysis of saliva or blood under that
Act;
(b) a person appointed under section 3(8) of the Misuse of Drugs
Act 1990.
authorised person means:
(a) a police officer; and
(b) any other person or class of persons authorised in writing for
this Part by the Commissioner of Police.
breath analysis means an analysis of a sample of a respondent's
breath by a breath analysis instrument to ascertain the
concentration of alcohol in the respondent's breath.
breath analysis instrument means an apparatus that is a
prescribed breath analysis instrument under regulation 56 of the
Traffic Regulations.
breath test means a test of a sample of a respondent's breath to
assess whether alcohol may be present in the respondent's breath.
health practitioner means a person registered under the Health
Practitioner Regulation National Law to practice in a health
profession (other than as a student).
qualified person means a person who has been trained to take
samples of blood from persons by a registered training organisation
(as defined in section 3 of the National Vocational Education and
Training Regulator Act 2011 (Cth)).
Part 3 Drug and alcohol testing
Division 2 Testing for alcohol in breath
Domestic and Family Violence Regulations 2008 4
saliva test means a test of a sample of a respondent's saliva to
ascertain whether a drug, the use of which is prohibited under a
DVO applying to the respondent, may be present in the
respondent's body.
urine test means a test of a sample of a respondent's urine to
ascertain whether a drug, the use of which is prohibited under a
DVO applying to the respondent, may be present in the
respondent's body.
(2) For this Part, anything done by a person acting under the
supervision or direction of a health practitioner or analyst is taken to
have been done by the health practitioner, or analyst, as the case
may be.
Division 2 Testing for alcohol in breath
6 Breath test
(1) A respondent must comply with:
(a) a reasonable direction by an authorised person to submit to a
breath test to assess whether the respondent may have
alcohol in his or her breath; and
(b) the directions given by the authorised person about submitting
to the breath test.
(2) For a direction mentioned in subregulation (1)(a) to be reasonable,
it is not necessary that the authorised person suspects that the
respondent has consumed alcohol.
7 Breath analysis
(1) This regulation applies if an authorised person:
(a) requires a respondent to submit to a breath test and the
respondent fails to provide a sufficient sample of breath for the
completion of the test; or
(b) suspects on reasonable grounds, whether as a result of the
test or otherwise, that the respondent may have consumed
alcohol.
(2) The respondent must comply with:
(a) a reasonable direction given by an authorised person to
submit to a breath analysis to determine the concentration of
alcohol in the respondent's breath; and
Part 3 Drug and alcohol testing
Division 3 Testing for prohibited drug
Domestic and Family Violence Regulations 2008 5
(b) the directions given by the authorised person, or another
authorised person, about submitting to the breath analysis.
(3) A police officer may detain, and if necessary arrest, a respondent
for the following purposes:
(a) conducting a breath analysis;
(b) taking the respondent to a place where a breath analysis is to
be carried out.
8 Conducting breath analyses
An authorised person must not use a breath analysis instrument
under this Part unless the person is authorised as mentioned in
regulation 16(2) or 17(1)(b) to carry out breath analyses under
these Regulations.
9 Breath analysis indicates alcohol in breath
If an analysis of a respondent's breath by a breath analysis
instrument indicates the respondent has alcohol in the respondent's
breath, the authorised person who operated the instrument must
give to the respondent without delay a written statement (or a
statement printed by the instrument) stating:
(a) the date the sample of breath was taken and analysed; and
(b) the time of the breath analysis; and
(c) the results of the analysis.
Division 3 Testing for prohibited drug
10 Saliva test
(1) A respondent must comply with:
(a) a reasonable direction by an authorised person to submit to a
saliva test to assess whether the respondent may have a
drug, the use of which is prohibited under a DVO applying to
the defendant, in the respondent's body; and
(b) the directions given by the authorised person about submitting
to the saliva test.
(2) For a direction mentioned in subregulation (1)(a) to be reasonable,
it is not necessary that the authorised person suspects that the
respondent has used a drug, the use of which is prohibited under a
DVO applying to the defendant.
Part 3 Drug and alcohol testing
Division 3 Testing for prohibited drug
Domestic and Family Violence Regulations 2008 6
(3) A police officer may detain, and if necessary arrest, a respondent
for the following purposes:
(a) conducting a saliva test;
(b) taking the respondent to a place where a saliva test is to be
carried out.
11 Urine test
(1) A respondent must comply with:
(a) a reasonable direction by an authorised person to submit to a
urine test to assess whether the respondent may have a drug,
the use of which is prohibited under a DVO applying to the
respondent, in the respondent's body; and
(b) the directions given by the authorised person about submitting
to the urine test.
(2) For a direction mentioned in subregulation (1)(a) to be reasonable,
it is not necessary that the authorised person suspects that the
respondent has used a drug, the use of which is prohibited under a
DVO applying to the defendant.
(3) The respondent :
(a) must provide a sufficient sample of urine to enable testing to
be carried out; and
(b) must not tamper with the sample in any way.
(4) A police officer may detain, and if necessary arrest, a respondent
for the following purposes:
(a) conducting a urine test;
(b) taking the respondent to a place where a urine test is to be
carried out.
Part 3 Drug and alcohol testing
Division 4 Blood sample
Domestic and Family Violence Regulations 2008 7
Division 4 Blood sample
12 Requirement to provide sample of blood
(1) An authorised person may require a defendant to provide a sample
of the respondent's blood in any of the following circumstances:
(a) the respondent is required to submit to a breath test under
regulation 6, or a breath analysis under regulation 7, and
refuses to submit or fails to provide a sufficient sample for the
test or analysis;
(b) as a result of a breath test under regulation 6, the authorised
person suspects that the respondent may have consumed
alcohol and it is not possible to conduct a breath analysis;
(c) as a result of a breath test under regulation 6, or a breath
analysis under regulation 7, the authorised person suspects
that the respondent may have used a drug, the use of which is
prohibited under a DVO applying to the respondent;
(d) the respondent is required to submit to a saliva test under
regulation 10 and refuses to submit or fails to provide a
sufficient sample for the test;
(e) as a result of a saliva test under regulation 10, the authorised
person suspects that the respondent may have a drug that is
prohibited under a DVO in his or her body;
(f) the respondent is required to submit to a urine test under
regulation 11 and refuses to submit or fails to provide a
sufficient sample for the test;
(g) the respondent has a medical condition that hinders the
person's ability to provide a sample:
(i) of breath for a breath test or breath analysis; or
(ii) of saliva for a saliva test; or
(iii) of urine for a urine test.
Examples for subregulation (1)(b)
1 There is no authorised person available to operate a breath analysis device.
2 A breath analysis is attempted but the device malfunctions.
Part 3 Drug and alcohol testing
Division 5 Other matters for this Part
Domestic and Family Violence Regulations 2008 8
(2) If any of the circumstances mentioned in subregulation (1) exist, a
police officer may detain, and if necessary arrest, the respondent
for the following purposes:
(a) taking a sample of the respondent's blood;
(b) taking the respondent to a place where a sample of the
respondent's blood is to be taken.
13 Taking sample of blood
(1) A sample of blood may be taken from a respondent only by:
(a) a health practitioner; or
(b) a qualified person.
(2) A person mentioned in subregulation (1) may take a sample of
blood whether or not the respondent consents to the sample being
taken.
(3) A sample of blood taken under subregulation (1) for analysis is the
property of the Territory.
Division 5 Other matters for this Part
14 Analysis of samples
Analysis of a sample of saliva, urine or blood taken under this Part
must be carried out by an analyst.
15 Evidence by certificate
In any proceedings in a court, a certificate purporting to be signed
by any of the following is evidence of the matters stated in the
certificate and the facts on which they are based:
(a) the Commissioner of Police – certifying any of the following
about a person named in the certificate:
(i) the person is a police officer and authorised under
regulation 59 of the Traffic Regulations 1999 to use a
prescribed breath analysis instrument within the
meaning of the Traffic Act 1987;
(ii) the person is authorised under section 19C of the Traffic
Act 1987 to be an analyst for the analysis of saliva or
blood under that Act;
Part 3 Drug and alcohol testing
Division 5 Other matters for this Part
Domestic and Family Violence Regulations 2008 9
(iii) the person is appointed under section 3(8) of the Misuse
of Drugs Act 1990 to be an analyst for that Act;
(b) the Commissioner of Police – certifying that a person named
in the certificate is an authorised person who is authorised,
under regulation 16(2) or 17(1)(b), to carry out breath tests,
saliva tests, urine tests or breath analyses;
(c) an authorised person – certifying the following:
(i) the apparatus used by the authorised person was a
breath analysis instrument;
(ii) the breath analysis instrument was in proper order and
properly operated;
(iii) the breath analysis instrument was used in a manner
that complied with this Part;
(iv) a sample of the breath of a respondent named in the
certificate was provided for analysis using a breath
analysing instrument;
(v) a concentration of alcohol expressed in grams per
210 litres of exhaled breath was indicated by the breath
analysis instrument as being present in the breath of the
respondent on the day and at the time specified in the
certificate;
(vi) a statement was given to the respondent under
regulation 9;
(vii) a matter about a saliva test or a urine test administered
by the authorised person;
(d) an analyst, or a person employed by an analyst, about an
analysis of a sample of saliva, urine or blood for this Part.
16 Police officers who may carry out breath tests, saliva tests,
urine tests or breath analyses
(1) Every police officer is authorised to carry out a breath test, saliva
test or urine test under this Part.
(2) A police officer who is authorised under regulation 59 of the Traffic
Regulations 1999 to use a prescribed breath analysis instrument
within the meaning of the Traffic Act 1987 is authorised to carry out
breath analyses under this Part.
Part 3 Drug and alcohol testing
Division 5 Other matters for this Part
Domestic and Family Violence Regulations 2008 10
17 Persons other than police officers who may carry out breath
tests, saliva tests, urine tests or breath analyses
(1) The Commissioner of Police may, in writing, authorise persons who
are not police officers:
(a) to carry out breath tests, saliva tests and urine tests under this
Part; or
(b) to carry out breath analyses under this Part.
(2) The Commissioner of Police may not authorise a person under
subregulation (1)(a) unless the Commissioner considers the
person:
(a) is trained to carry out breath tests, saliva tests and urine tests;
and
(b) is capable of carrying out breath tests, saliva tests and urine
tests correctly.
(3) The Commissioner of Police may not authorise a person under
subregulation (1)(b) unless:
(a) the person is also authorised under subregulation (1)(a); and
(b) the Commissioner considers the person:
(i) is trained in the use of a breath analysis instrument; and
(ii) is capable of using the instrument correctly.
18 Protection from liability of health practitioners and analysts
A health practitioner, qualified person or an analyst, or a person
acting under the supervision of a health practitioner or analyst, is
not civilly or criminally liable for an act done or omitted to be done
by the health practitioner, qualified person, analyst or person in
good faith for this Part.
ENDNOTES
Domestic and Family Violence Regulations 2008 11
ENDNOTES
1 KEY Key to abbreviations
amd = amended od = order
app = appendix om = omitted
bl = by-law pt = Part
ch = Chapter r = regulation/rule
cl = clause rem = remainder
div = Division renum = renumbered
exp = expires/expired rep = repealed
f = forms s = section
Gaz = Gazette sch = Schedule
hdg = heading sdiv = Subdivision
ins = inserted SL = Subordinate Legislation
lt = long title sub = substituted
nc = not commenced
2 LIST OF LEGISLATION
Domestic and Family Violence Regulations (SL No. 17, 2008)
Notified 1 July 2008
Commenced 1 July 2008 (r 2, s 2 Domestic and Family Violence Act 2008
(Act No. 34, 2007) and Gaz G25, 25 June 2008, p 4)
Domestic and Family Violence Amendment (Drug and Alcohol Testing) Regulations
2013 (SL No. 45, 2013)
Notified 19 December 2013
Commenced 5 February 2014 (r 2, s 2 Domestic and Family Violence
Act 2013 (Act No. 7, 2013) and Gaz G5, 5 February 2014,
p 2)
Domestic and Family Violence Amendment Regulations 2015 (SL No. 31, 2015)
Notified 23 December 2015
Commenced 20 January 2016 (r 2, r 2 Bail Amendment Regulations 2015
(SL No. 32, 2015), s 2 Bail Amendment Act (No. 2) 2015
(Act No. 33, 2015) and Gaz G3, 20 January 2016, p 2)
Domestic and Family Violence (Recognition of Domestic Violence Orders) (National
Uniform Law) Amendment Act 2017 (Act No. 2, 2017)
Assent date 10 March 2017
Commenced 25 November 2017 (Gaz S86, 24 November 2017)
Domestic and Family Violence Amendment Regulations 2017 (SL No. 33, 2017)
Notified 24 November 2017
Commenced 25 November 2017 (r 2, s 2 Domestic and Family Violence
(Recognition of Domestic Violence Orders) (National Uniform
Law) Amendment Act 2017 (Act No. 2, 2017) and Gaz S86,
24 November 2017)
Domestic and Family Violence Amendment Regulations 2021 (SL No.6, 2021)
Notified 2 June 2021
Commenced 2 June 2021
ENDNOTES
Domestic and Family Violence Regulations 2008 12
Domestic and Family Violence Amendment Regulations 2022 (SL No. 2, 2022)
Date made 17 February 2022
Commenced 18 February 2022
Domestic and Family Violence Amendment Regulations 2023 (SL No. 20, 2023)
Date made 29 August 2023
Commenced 30 August 2023
Justice Legislation Amendment (Domestic and Family Violence) Act 2023 (Act No. 33,
2023)
Assent date 6 December 2023
Commenced 25 March 2024 (Gaz S18, 22 March 2024)
Amending Legislation
Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024 (Act No. 4, 2024)
Assent date 14 March 2024
Commenced pt 5, div 1: 30 October 2023 (s 2(2));
pt 3, div 2: 25 March 2024 (s 2(3), s 2 Sentencing and
Other Legislation Amendment Act 2022 (Act No. 28,
2022) and Gaz S19, 22 March 2024);
pt 4: 25 March 2024 (s 2(4), s 2 Criminal Justice
Legislation Amendment (Sexual Offences) Act 2023
(Act No. 20, 2023) and Gaz S20, 22 March 2024);
rem: 15 March 2024 (s 2(1))
Police Administration Legislation Amendment Act 2025 (Act No. 8, 2025)
Assent date 7 April 2025
Commenced 8 April 2025 (s 2)
Domestic and Family Violence and Victims Legislation Amendment Act 2025
(Act No. 12, 2025)
Assent date 6 June 2025
Commenced s 14: 1 July 2025 (s 2(2)); rem: 7 June 2025 (s 2(1))
Statute Law Revision and Repeals Act 2026 (Act No. 3, 2026)
Assent date 9 February 2026
Commenced 10 February 2026 (s 2)
3 GENERAL AMENDMENTS
General amendments of a formal nature (which are not referred to in the table
of amendments to this reprint) are made by the Interpretation Legislation
Amendment Act 2018 (Act No. 22, 2018) to: rr: 1, 2, 5, 15 and 16.
4 LIST OF AMENDMENTS
pt 1 hdg ins No. 45, 2013, r 4
pt 2 hdg ins No. 45, 2013, r 5
r 2 sub No. 45, 2013, r 6
amd Act No. 12, 2025, s 8
r 3 amd No. 45, 2013, r 7
rep Act No. 2, 2017, s 21
ins No. 33, 2017, r 4
r 3A ins No. 33, 2017, r 4
ENDNOTES
Domestic and Family Violence Regulations 2008 13
r 3B ins No. 6, 2021, r 4
sub No. 2, 2022, r 4
amd No. 20, 2023, r 4
rep Act No. 33, 2023, s 66
pt 3 hdg ins No. 45, 2013, r 8
pt 3
div 1 hdg ins No. 45, 2013, r 8
r 4 ins No. 45, 2013, r 8
amd No. 31, 2015, r 4; Act No. 33, 2023, s 67; Act No. 8, 2025, s 10
r 5 ins No. 45, 2013, r 8
amd No. 31, 2015, r 5; Act No. 33, 2023, s 67; Act No. 12, 2025, s 9; Act
No. 3, 2026, s 64
pt 3
div 2 hdg ins No. 45, 2013, r 8
rr 6 – 7 ins No. 45, 2013, r 8
amd No. 31, 2015, r 7; Act No. 33, 2023, s 67
r 8 ins No. 45, 2013, r 8
r 9 ins No. 45, 2013, r 8
amd No. 31, 2015, r 7; Act No. 33, 2023, s 67
pt 3
div 3 hdg ins No. 45, 2013, r 8
rr 10 – 11 ins No. 45, 2013, r 8
amd No. 31, 2015, r 7; Act No. 33, 2023, s 67
pt 3
div 4 hdg ins No. 45, 2013, r 8
r 12 ins No. 45, 2013, r 8
amd No. 31, 2015, r 7; Act No. 33, 2023, s 67
r 13 ins No. 45, 2013, r 8
amd Act No. 33, 2023, s 67
pt 3
div 5 hdg ins No. 45, 2013, r 8
r 14 ins No. 45, 2013, r 8
r 15 ins No. 45, 2013, r 8
amd Act No. 33, 2023, s 67; Act No. 12, 2025, s 10
rr 16 – 17 ins No. 45, 2013, r 8
r 18 ins No. 45, 2013, r 8
amd No. 31, 2015, r 6