Family, Personal and Sexual Violence Legislation Amendment Bill 2025
J2025-163
Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au
2025
THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
(As presented)
(Attorney-General)
Family, Personal and Sexual Violence
Legislation Amendment Bill 2025
Contents
Page
Chapter 1 Preliminary
1 Name of Act 2
2 Commencement 2
3 Legislation amended 2
Contents
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contents 2 Family, Personal and Sexual Violence Legislation
Amendment Bill 2025
Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au
Chapter 2 General amendments
Part 2.1 Crimes (Sentencing) Act 2005
4 Sentencing—sexual offences against children
Section 34A (b) 3
5 Section 34A (b), examples, except note 3
Part 2.2 Evidence (Miscellaneous Provisions)
Act 1991
6 Section 37 heading 4
7 Meaning of family violence offence—ch 4
Section 38A 4
8 Meaning of sexual offence proceeding—ch 4
Section 41, definition of sexual offence proceeding, paragraph (a) 4
9 Family violence offence proceeding
Table 43.1, item 1, column 3, 4th dot point 4
10 Part 4.4 heading 4
11 Division 4.4.3 heading 5
12 Meaning of protected confidence—div 4.4.3
Section 79A (1), new note 5
13 Section 79A (5), new note 5
14 General immunity for protected confidences
Section 79D (2) 5
15 Giving of leave to disclose protected confidence
Section 79H (3) (b) and (c) 6
16 Section 79J 6
17 Sections 79 to 79M (as amended) 7
18 Division 4.4.3 (as amended) 7
19 Recorded statement—unrepresented accused person to be given
access
Section 81F (2) 8
20 Recorded statement—accused person to be given audio copy
Section 81H (2) 8
21 Section 95 heading 8
22 Dictionary, definition of family violence offence 8
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Family, Personal and Sexual Violence Legislation
Amendment Bill 2025
contents 3
Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au
23 Dictionary, new definition of sexual offence 9
24 Further amendments, mentions of division 4.4.3 heading 9
25 Further amendments, mentions of div 4.4.3 10
26 Further amendments, mentions of division 10
27 Further amendments, mentions of section 79 11
28 Further amendments, mentions of section 79A 12
29 Further amendments, mentions of section 79E 12
30 Further amendments, mentions of section 79F 13
31 Further amendments, mentions of section 79G 13
32 Further amendments, mentions of section 79IA 13
33 Further amendments, mentions of section 79J 14
Part 2.3 Family Violence Act 2016
34 Offence—contravention of family violence order
Section 43 (1) (b) 15
35 New division 4.1A 15
36 New section 82A (6) 16
37 Magistrate review of registrar decisions
New section 91B (6A) 16
38 Service of after-hours orders
Section 108 (2) 16
39 Interim court-initiated protection order taken to be special interim order
Section 113 (e) 17
40 Section 156 17
Part 2.4 Personal Violence Act 2016
41 Offence—contravention of protection order
Section 35 (1) (b) 18
42 New division 4.1A 18
43 New section 76A (6) 19
44 Magistrate review of registrar decisions
New section 83B (6A) 19
45 Dictionary, definition of protection order, paragraph (a) 19
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contents 4 Family, Personal and Sexual Violence Legislation
Amendment Bill 2025
Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au
Chapter 3 Family violence safety notices amendments
Part 3.1 Family Violence Act 2016
Division 3.1.1 Family violence safety notices amendments
46 New part 2A 20
47 After-hours orders
Part 7 44
48 New part 25 45
Division 3.1.2 Consequential amendments
49 How objects are to be achieved
New section 7 (aa) 47
50 Section 7 (b) 47
51 Matters to be considered—family violence orders
Section 14 (1) (g) and (h) 47
52 Section 14 (3) 48
53 Section 14 (4) 48
54 Family Law Act order
Section 15 (1), note 1 49
55 Who may apply for protection orders?
Section 16 (1), note 1 49
56 What if application is made for the wrong order?
Section 18 (1) (a) 49
57 Section 18 (1) (b) (ii) 49
58 What if application for the wrong order is decided?
Section 19 (1), example 49
59 Sections 27 and 38 50
60 Offence—contravention of family violence order
Section 43 (1) (b) note 50
61 Section 44 heading 50
62 Section 44 (1) and note 50
63 Giving evidence by affidavit for interim order
Section 62A (2) (b), except note 50
64 Service of protection orders
Section 70C (1), note 1 51
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Amendment Bill 2025
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65 Affidavit of service of documents by police
Section 70G 51
66 Representation—party with impaired decision-making ability
Section 76 (3), except note 51
67 Definitions—pt 9
Section 115, definition of family violence order 51
68 Section 115, definition of FVO 51
69 Section 115, definition of interim FVO, paragraph (a) and note 52
70 Section 115, definition of local FVO, paragraph (a) 52
71 Certificate evidence—notification
Section 139 (5), definition of authorised officer, paragraph (b) (ii) 52
72 Division 9.6 heading 52
73 Dictionary, definition of after-hours order 52
74 Dictionary, definition of amend 53
75 Dictionary, new definition of applicant police officer 53
76 Dictionary, definition of business hours 53
77 Dictionary, definition of commencement day 53
78 Dictionary, definition of family violence order 54
79 Dictionary, new definition of family violence safety notice 54
80 Dictionary, definition of final order 54
81 Dictionary, new definition of issuing police officer 54
82 Dictionary, definition of proceeding 55
83 Dictionary, definition of protected person 55
84 Dictionary, definition of protection order 55
85 Dictionary, definition of respondent 56
86 Dictionary, new definition of senior police officer 56
87 Further amendments, mentions of protection order 56
88 Further amendments, mentions of protection orders 58
Part 3.2 Other legislation
Division 3.2.1 Bail Act 1992
89 Bail for serious offence committed while charge for another pending or
outstanding
Section 9D (4) and (5) (b) 59
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Amendment Bill 2025
Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au
90 Conditions on which bail may be granted to adults
Section 25 (4) (f) (i) 59
91 New section 26A and 26B 59
Division 3.2.2 Children and Young People Act 2008
92 What is significant harm?
Section 344 (4) 61
93 Interim matters—Court action before adjournment
Section 431 (2) (d) 61
94 Division 14.3.5 heading 61
95 Section 458 61
96 Section 459 heading 62
97 Section 459 (2), except notes 62
98 Section 459 (2), note 1 62
99 Section 459 (2), note 2 63
100 Section 459 (3) 63
101 Section 459 (3) note 63
102 Section 459 (4), definition of family violence 63
103 Section 460 heading 63
104 Section 460 64
105 Police assistance
Section 679 (1) (h) and note 64
106 Safe custody warrant—criteria
Section 686 (1) (a) (v) and note 64
107 Appeals to Supreme Court—generally
Section 835 (1) note 64
108 Dictionary, new definitions 65
109 Dictionary, definition of protection order 65
110 Dictionary, definition of relevant Act 65
Division 3.2.3 Crimes Act 1900
111 Seizure of firearms—warrants and emergencies
Section 191 (4) (b) 66
112 Section 192 heading 66
113 New section 192 (1A) 66
114 Section 192 (1) 67
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Amendment Bill 2025
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115 Section 192 (1) (a) 67
116 Section 192 (5) (a) 67
117 Section 192 (5) (b) 68
118 Section 192 (5) (c) 68
119 Section 192 (5) (d) 68
120 Section 192 (8) 68
121 Definitions—div 10.4A
Section 210A, definition of serious offence, paragraph (c) 68
122 Power of arrest without warrant by police officers
Section 212 (5) 69
123 Dictionary, new definitions 69
Division 3.2.4 Crimes (Restorative Justice) Act 2004
124 Definitions—offences and offenders
Section 12 (1), definition of less serious family violence offence,
paragraph (b) 70
Division 3.2.5 Crimes (Sentencing) Act 2005
125 Sentencing—family violence offences
Section 34B (2) (b) 71
126 Section 34B (3), definition of family violence 71
127 Section 34B (3), new definitions 71
Division 3.2.6 Criminal Code 2002
128 Publishing identifying information about childrens proceedings
Section 712A (5), definition of childrens proceeding, paragraphs (b)
and (c) (i) 72
129 Section 712A (5), definition of childrens proceeding, paragraph (d) and
note 72
Division 3.2.7 Dangerous Substances Act 2004
130 Working out whether person is a suitable person
Section 49 (1) (h) 73
131 Section 49 (2) 73
Division 3.2.8 Evidence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1991
132 Meaning of sexual offence proceeding—ch 4
Section 41, definition of sexual offence proceeding, paragraphs (b)
and (c) 74
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Amendment Bill 2025
Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au
133 Recorded statement—offence to publish
Section 81J (2) (c) 74
134 Section 81J (2) (c) (i) and (ii) 75
135 Division 4.5.3 and section 81K headings 75
136 Section 81K (2) 75
137 Section 81K (2) (a) and (b) 75
138 Dictionary, new definition of family violence order 76
Division 3.2.9 Firearms Act 1996
139 Assessing suitability of individuals—discretionary criteria
Section 18 (1) (b) (ii) 77
140 Section 18 (1) (b) (iii) 77
141 Assessing suitability of individuals—mandatory criteria
Section 19 (1) (b) (i) 77
142 Adult firearms licences—mandatory suspension for family violence
offence
Section 80 (1), notes 78
143 Section 81A heading 78
144 Section 81A (1) (a) 78
145 Minors firearms licences—mandatory suspension if family violence
offence
Section 97 (1), notes 79
146 Section 98A heading 79
147 Section 98A (1) (a) 79
148 Dictionary, new definition of final family violence order 80
149 Dictionary, definition of final protection order 80
150 Dictionary, new definition of interim family violence order 81
151 Dictionary, definition of interim protection order 81
Division 3.2.10 Personal Violence Act 2016
152 Objects of Act
Section 6, note 82
153 Meaning of personal violence
Section 8 (3), note 82
154 Matters to be considered—protection orders
Section 11 (1) (d) and (e) 82
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Amendment Bill 2025
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155 Section 11 (3) 83
156 Section 11 (4) 83
157 What if application is made for the wrong order?
Section 15 (1) (a) 84
158 Section 15 (1) (b) (ii) 84
159 Section 15 (2) 84
160 Section 15 (2) (b) 85
161 What if application for the wrong order is decided?
Section 16 (1) (e) 85
162 Section 16 (2) 85
163 Section 24, 30 and 32 85
164 Dictionary, definition of amend, paragraph (a) 86
165 Dictionary, new definitions 86
Division 3.2.11 Prohibited Weapons Regulation 1997
166 General grounds for refusal to issue permits
Section 5 (3) (a) 87
167 Section 5 (3) (b) and (c) 87
168 Section 5 (4) 87
169 Section 5 (6), definition of corresponding order 88
170 Section 5 (6), definition of interim protection order 88
171 Section 5 (6), definition of protection order 89
172 Section 5 (6), definition of relevant period 89
Division 3.2.12 Residential Tenancies Act 1997
173 Threats, harassment, intimidation or abuse by lessor etc
Section 45A (6) (e) 90
174 Definitions—div 4.3A
Section 46C, definition of family violence order 90
175 Termination for family violence
Section 46D (3) (b) (i) 90
176 New section 46D (6) 90
177 Threats, harassment, intimidation or abuse by tenant
Section 51A (7) (e) 91
178 Division 6.5A heading and section 85 91
179 Section 85A heading 92
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contents 10 Family, Personal and Sexual Violence Legislation
Amendment Bill 2025
Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au
180 Section 85A (1) (a) 92
181 Section 85A (1) (c) 92
182 Section 85A (1) (d) (i) 93
183 Section 85A (4) 93
184 Applications under s 85A—ACAT orders
Section 85B (1) 93
185 Section 85B (2) (a) 94
186 Dictionary, definition of family violence order 94
187 Dictionary, definition of protected person 94
188 Dictionary, definition of protection order 94
189 Dictionary, definition of respondent 94
Division 3.2.13 Victims of Crime (Financial Assistance) Act 2016
190 Family violence offences
Schedule 1, division 1.2.2, new item 18A 95
Division 3.2.14 Working with Vulnerable People (Background
Checking) Act 2011
191 Application for registration for NDIS activity—additional contents
Section 18A (1) (b) (iii) 96
192 Section 18A (2), new definitions 96
193 Risk assessment guidelines—content
Section 28 (2) (e), example 1 97
Schedule 1 Consequential amendments 98
Part 1.1 Children and Young People Act 2008 98
Part 1.2 Court Procedures Act 2004 98
Part 1.3 Evidence Act 2011 99
J2025-163
Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au
2025
THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
(As presented)
(Attorney-General)
Family, Personal and Sexual Violence
Legislation Amendment Bill 2025
A Bill for
An Act to amend legislation about family, personal and sexual violence, and for
other purposes
The Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory enacts as follows:
Chapter 1 Preliminary
Section 1
page 2 Family, Personal and Sexual Violence Legislation
Amendment Bill 2025
Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au
Chapter 1 Preliminary1
1 Name of Act2
This Act is the Family, Personal and Sexual Violence Legislation3
Amendment Act 2025.4
2 Commencement5
(1) This Act (other than chapter 3) commences on the 7th day after its6
notification day.7
Note The naming and commencement provisions automatically commence on8
the notification day (see Legislation Act, s 75 (1)).9
(2) Chapter 3 commences 6 months after this Act’s notification day.10
3 Legislation amended11
This Act amends the legislation mentioned in chapters 2 and 3.12
Note This Act also amends other legislation (see sch 1).13
General amendments Chapter 2
Crimes (Sentencing) Act 2005 Part 2.1
Section 4
Family, Personal and Sexual Violence Legislation
Amendment Bill 2025
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Chapter 2 General amendments1
Part 2.1 Crimes (Sentencing) Act 20052
4 Sentencing—sexual offences against children3
Section 34A (b)4
omit5
, to the extent that the offender’s good character enabled the offender6
to commit the offence7
5 Section 34A (b), examples, except note8
omit9
Chapter 2 General amendments
Part 2.2 Evidence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1991
Section 6
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Amendment Bill 2025
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Part 2.2 Evidence (Miscellaneous1
Provisions) Act 19912
6 Section 37 heading3
substitute4
37 Meaning of proceeding for an offence—pt 4.15
7 Meaning of family violence offence—ch 46
Section 38A7
omit8
8 Meaning of sexual offence proceeding—ch 49
Section 41, definition of sexual offence proceeding,10
paragraph (a)11
substitute12
(a) a proceeding for a sexual offence; or13
9 Family violence offence proceeding14
Table 43.1, item 1, column 3, 4th dot point15
omit16
10 Part 4.4 heading17
substitute18
Part 4.4 Special requirements—sexual19
offence proceedings20
General amendments Chapter 2
Evidence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1991 Part 2.2
Section 11
Family, Personal and Sexual Violence Legislation
Amendment Bill 2025
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11 Division 4.4.3 heading1
substitute2
Chapter 6B Protection of counselling3
communications about sexual4
and family violence5
12 Meaning of protected confidence—div 4.4.36
Section 79A (1), new note7
insert8
Note Family violence offence—see s (5) and dictionary.9
Sexual offence—see s (5) and dictionary.10
13 Section 79A (5), new note11
insert12
Note Family violence offence—see the dictionary.13
Sexual offence—see the dictionary.14
14 General immunity for protected confidences15
Section 79D (2)16
substitute17
(2) A protected confidence must not be disclosed in, or for the purposes18
of, the proceeding unless—19
(a) the court dealing with the proceeding gives leave for the20
disclosure; or21
(b) for a civil proceeding—the disclosure is made in accordance22
with section 79J.23