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Personal Violence Act 2016
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2 Abbreviation key
A = Act NI = Notifiable instrument
AF = Approved form o = order
am = amended om = omitted/repealed
amdt = amendment ord = ordinance
AR = Assembly resolution orig = original
ch = chapter par = paragraph/subparagraph
CN = Commencement notice pres = present
def = definition prev = previous
DI = Disallowable instrument (prev...) = previously
dict = dictionary pt = part
disallowed = disallowed by the Legislative r = rule/subrule
Assembly reloc = relocated
div = division renum = renumbered
exp = expires/expired R[X] = Republication No
Gaz = gazette RI = reissue
hdg = heading s = section/subsection
IA = Interpretation Act 1967 sch = schedule
ins = inserted/added sdiv = subdivision
LA = Legislation Act 2001 SL = Subordinate law
LR = legislation register sub = substituted
LRA = Legislation (Republication) Act 1996 underlining = whole or part not commenced
mod = modified/modification or to be expired
Legislation history 3
3 Legislation history
Personal Violence Act 2016 A2016-43
notified LR 18 August 2016
s 1, s 2 commenced 18 August 2016 (LA s 75 (1))
remainder commenced 1 May 2017 (s 2 and see Family Violence
Act 2016 A2016-42 s 2 (2) (as am by A2017-10 s 7))
as amended by
Family and Personal Violence Legislation Amendment Act 2017
A2017-10 pt 4
notified LR 6 April 2017
s 1, s 2 commenced 6 April 2017 (LA s 75 (1))
pt 4 commenced 1 May 2017 (LA s 79A and see Family Violence
Act 2016 A2016-42 (s 2 (2) as am by this Act s 7))
Crimes Legislation Amendment Act 2019 A2019-23 pt 12
notified LR 8 August 2019
s 1, s 2 commenced 8 August 2019 (LA s 75 (1))
pt 12 commenced 15 August 2019 (s 2 (1))
COVID-19 Emergency Response Act 2020 A2020-11 sch 1 pt 1.16
notified LR 7 April 2020
s 1, s 2 commenced 7 April 2020 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.16 commenced 8 April 2020 (s 2 (1))
COVID-19 Emergency Response Legislation Amendment Act 2021
A2021-1 sch 1 pt 1.13
notified LR 19 February 2021
s 1, s 2 commenced 19 February 2021 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 1 pt 1.13 commenced 20 February 2021 (s 2 (1))
Sexual Assault Reform Legislation Amendment Act 2023 A2023-15
pt 5, sch 1, sch 2 pt 2.3
notified LR 17 May 2023
s 1, s 2 commenced 17 May 2023 (LA s 75 (1))
pt 5, sch 1, sch 2 pt 2.3 commenced 24 May 2023 (s 2)
3 Legislation history
Act 2023 A2023-45 pt 8
notified LR 15 November 2023
s 1, s 2 commenced 15 November 2023 (LA s 75 (1))
s 110, s 112, s 114, s 116, s 118, s 120 commenced
22 November 2023 (s 2 (1))
pt 8 remainder commenced 1 July 2025 (s 2 (3))
Sexual, Family and Personal Violence Legislation Amendment
Act 2024 A2024-40 pt 5
notified LR 12 September 2024
s 1, s 2 commenced 12 September 2024 (LA s 75 (1))
pt 5 commenced 19 September 2024 (s 2)
as modified by
Personal Violence (Transitional Provisions) Regulation 2025
notified LR 8 July 2025
s 1, s 2 taken to have commenced 22 November 2023 (LA s 75 (2))
s 3, sch 1 taken to have commenced 22 November 2023 (s 2 (1) and
see Justice (Age of Criminal Responsibility) Legislation Amendment
Act 2023 A2023-45 s 2 (1))
remainder taken to have commenced 1 July 2025 (s 2 (2) and see
Act 2023 A2023-45 s 2 (3))
Commencement
s 2 om LA s 89 (4)
Principle about procedures
s 9 am A2017-10 s 70
Rules of evidence
s 10A ins A2017-10 s 71
Matters to be considered—protection orders
s 11 am A2017-10 s 72, s 73; ss and pars renum R1 LA
Who may apply for personal protection orders?
s 12 am A2023-45 s 110, s 111
Child may apply for protection order in same application as parent
s 13A ins A2017-10 s 74
Applications by police officers
s 13B ins A2017-10 s 74
Application forms that require affected person’s address
s 14 am A2017-10 s 75
Interim orders
div 3.3 hdg sub A2023-15 s 11
Making interim orders
sdiv 3.3.1 hdg ins A2023-15 s 11
Interim orders—only on application for final order
s 17 am A2017-10 s 76
sub A2023-15 s 11
Interim orders—grounds for making
s 18 sub A2023-15 s 11
Interim orders—general interim orders and special interim orders
s 19 sub A2023-15 s 11
General interim orders
sdiv 3.3.2 hdg ins A2023-15 s 11
General interim orders—only 1 may be made
s 20 am A2017-10 s 77
sub A2023-15 s 11
General interim orders—length
s 21 sub A2023-15 s 11
General interim orders—ending
s 22 sub A2023-15 s 11
General interim orders—taken to be special interim orders if related charges
laid
s 23 sub A2023-15 s 11
General interim orders—further orders
s 24 sub A2023-15 s 11
General interim orders—extension for non-service of application
s 24AA ins A2023-15 s 11
General interim orders—extension for non-service of final order
s 24AB ins A2023-15 s 11
am A2024-40 s 22
Special interim orders
sdiv 3.3.3 hdg ins A2023-15 s 11
Special interim orders—ending
s 24AC ins A2023-15 s 11
Special interim orders—application not to be decided until related charges
finalised
s 24AD ins A2023-15 s 11
Special interim orders—final application decided
s 24AE ins A2023-15 s 11
Consent to interim order becoming final order
s 24A ins A2017-10 s 78
Consent orders
s 25 am A2023-15 amdt 1.1
Final orders—length
s 27 am A2017-10 s 79
Protection order continues in force when protected person becomes adult
s 38A ins A2024-40 s 23
What Magistrates Court must do after receiving application for protection
div 4.1 hdg sub A2017-10 s 80
Meaning of timing notice
s 39 sub A2017-10 s 80
Interim order not sought
s 40 sub A2017-10 s 80; A2024-40 s 24
Interim order sought
s 41 sub A2017-10 s 80
am A2023-15 s 12
sub A2024-40 s 24
Service of application etc on others
s 42 sub A2017-10 s 80
Preliminary conferences
div 4.2 hdg sub A2017-10 s 80
Preliminary conferences—generally
s 43 sub A2017-10 s 80
am A2024-40 s 25
Adjournment of preliminary conference for non-service
s 44 sub A2017-10 s 80
am A2023-15 amdt 1.2
If no consent order at preliminary conference
s 45 sub A2017-10 s 80
am A2023-15 s 13
Referrals to mediation
s 46 sub A2017-10 s 80
Non-attendance by party
div 4.2A hdg ins A2017-10 s 80
Meaning of returned before the court—div 4.2A
s 47 sub A2017-10 s 80
Applicant not present at return of application
s 48 sub A2017-10 s 80
am A2023-15 amdt 1.3
Respondent not present at return of application
s 49 sub A2017-10 s 80
Neither party present at return of application
s 49A ins A2017-10 s 80
Applicant not present at return of application
s 50 om A2017-10 s 81
Respondent not present at return of application
s 51 om A2017-10 s 81
Neither party present at return of application
s 52 om A2017-10 s 81
Public hearing not required
s 54 am A2017-10 s 82, s 83
Notice of grounds of defence
s 55A ins A2017-10 s 84
Applicant may rely on additional information in hearing
s 55B ins A2017-10 s 84
If child and child’s parent are affected people
s 55C ins A2017-10 s 84
Children as witnesses
s 55D ins A2017-10 s 84
Discontinuance
s 56 am A2017-10 s 85
Giving evidence by affidavit for interim order
s 57A ins A2017-10 s 86
am A2019-23 s 53
Service of protection orders
s 64 om A2017-10 s 87
Service of documents
div 4.4A hdg ins A2017-10 s 88
Personal service of application on respondent
s 64A ins A2017-10 s 88
Dismissal of application for non-service
s 64B ins A2017-10 s 88
Service of protection orders
s 64C ins A2017-10 s 88
am A2023-15 s 14; ss renum R6 LA
Self-represented parties
s 64D ins A2017-10 s 88
Service of documents by police
s 64E ins A2017-10 s 88
Giving documents to child or child’s parent or guardian
s 64F ins A2017-10 s 88
Affidavit of service of documents by police
s 64G ins A2019-23 s 54
Request for further particulars
s 65A ins A2017-10 s 89
Directions about procedure
s 66 om A2017-10 s 90
Costs
s 67 am A2017-10 s 91
Child respondents
s 69 sub A2023-45 s 112, s 113
Representation—party with impaired decision-making ability
s 70 am A2023-15 amdt 1.4; A2023-45 s 114, s 115
Litigation guardian—appointment
s 72 am A2017-10 s 92
Amendment of protection orders—preliminary conferences
s 76A ins A2017-10 s 93
sub A2024-40 s 26
Amendment of protection orders
s 77 am A2017-10 ss 94-96; pars renum R1 LA
Interim orders made by consent—extension
s 79 am A2017-10 s 97, s 98
Final orders—extension
s 80 am A2017-10 s 99
Special interim orders—application for review
s 80A ins A2023-15 s 15
Special interim orders—review
s 80B ins A2023-15 s 15
Final orders—application for review
s 81 hdg sub A2017-10 s 100
s 81 am A2017-10 ss 101-103; ss renum R1 LA
Final orders—review
s 82 hdg sub A2017-10 s 104
s 82 am A2017-10 s 105
Consent orders—review
s 83 am A2017-10 s 106, s 107
Review of orders—preliminary conferences
s 83A ins A2017-10 s 108
sub A2024-40 s 27
Magistrate review of registrar decisions
s 83B ins A2024-40 s 27
Giving notice of appeal
s 86 om A2017-10 s 109
Recognised orders—registration
s 92 am A2023-45 s 116, s 117
Registered orders—revocation
s 95 am A2023-45 s 118, s 119
Deciding application if criminal proceedings
s 101 am A2023-15 amdt 1.5
Transitional
pt 20 hdg exp 1 May 2019 (s 202)
Meaning of repealed Act—pt 20
s 198 ins A2017-10 s 110
Applications and orders under repealed Act
s 199 ins A2017-10 s 110
Existing registered orders under repealed Act
s 200 am A2017-10 s 111
s 201 exp 1 May 2019 (s 202)
Expiry—pt 20
s 202 exp 1 May 2019 (s 202)
Amendments
pt 21 hdg om LA s 89 (3)
Legislation amended—sch 2
s 203 om LA s 89 (3)
COVID-19 emergency response
pt 22 hdg ins A2020-11 amdt 1.62
Meaning of COVID-19 emergency—pt 22
s 204 ins A2020-11 amdt 1.62
Extending general interim orders
s 205 hdg sub A2023-15 amdt 1.6
s 205 ins A2020-11 amdt 1.62
am A2023-15 amdt 1.7, amdt 1.8
Requirement for party to be present
s 206 ins A2020-11 amdt 1.62
Requirement for party to give consent
s 207 ins A2020-11 amdt 1.62
Acknowledgment of undertaking by respondent
s 208 ins A2020-11 amdt 1.62
Expiry—pt 22
s 209 ins A2020-11 amdt 1.62
sub A2021-1 amdt 1.24
pt 23 hdg ins A2023-45 s 120
General
div 23.1 hdg ins A2023-45 s 120
Definitions—pt 23
s 210 ins A2023-45 s 120
def child respondent ins A2023-45 s 120
def commencement day ins A2023-45 s 120
s 211 ins A2023-45 s 120
Expiry—pt 23
s 212 ins A2023-45 s 120
Ending action etc for personal protection orders
div 23.2 hdg ins A2023-45 s 120
Application—div 23.2
s 213 ins A2023-45 s 120
Enforcement action
s 214 ins A2023-45 s 120
s 215 ins A2023-45 s 120
mod SL2025-12 mod 1.1
mod exp 22 November 2028 (SL2025-12 s 5 (2))
Validity of past protection order action
div 23.3 hdg ins A2023-45 s 120
Meaning of past protection order action—div 23.3
s 216 ins A2023-45 s 120
Past lawful acts not affected
s 217 ins A2023-45 s 120
Protection from liability
s 218 ins A2023-45 s 120
No entitlement to compensation etc
s 219 ins A2023-45 s 120
pt 24 hdg ins A2023-45 s 121
General
div 24.1 hdg ins A2023-45 s 121
Definitions—pt 24
s 220 ins A2023-45 s 121
def child respondent ins A2023-45 s 121
mod SL2025-12 mod 2.1
mod exp 1 July 2030 (SL2025-12 s 5 (1))
def commencement day ins A2023-45 s 121
s 221 ins A2023-45 s 121
Expiry—pt 24
s 222 ins A2023-45 s 121
Ending action etc for personal protection orders
div 24.2 hdg ins A2023-45 s 121
Application—div 24.2
s 223 ins A2023-45 s 121
Enforcement action
s 224 ins A2023-45 s 121
s 225 ins A2023-45 s 121
mod SL2025-12 mod 2.2
mod exp 1 July 2030 (SL2025-12 s 5 (1))
Validity of past protection order action
div 24.3 hdg ins A2023-45 s 121
s 226 ins A2023-45 s 121
Past lawful acts not affected
s 227 ins A2023-45 s 121
Protection from liability
s 228 ins A2023-45 s 121
No entitlement to compensation etc
s 229 ins A2023-45 s 121
Firearms Act 1996
sch 2 om LA s 89 (3)
dict am A2017-10 s 112, s 113; A2023-15 amdt 2.10
def general interim order ins A2023-15 s 16
def interim order sub A2023-15 s 17
def related ins A2023-15 s 18
am A2024-40 s 28
def return date am A2024-40 s 29
def returned ins A2017-10 s 114
def special interim order ins A2023-15 s 18
def timing notice sub A2017-10 s 115
5 Earlier republications
5 Earlier republications
Some earlier republications were not numbered. The number in column 1 refers to
the publication order.
Since 12 September 2001 every authorised republication has been published in
electronic pdf format on the ACT legislation register. A selection of authorised
republications have also been published in printed format. These republications are
marked with an asterisk (*) in column 1. Electronic and printed versions of an
authorised republication are identical.
No and date
Effective Last
amendment
made by
for
1 May 2017–
A2017-10 new Act and
amendments by
A2017-10
2 May 2019–
14 Aug 2019
A2017-10 expiry of
transitional
provisions (pt 20))
15 Aug 2019
15 Aug 2019–
7 Apr 2020
A2019-23 amendments by
A2019-23
8 Apr 2020
8 Apr 2020–
19 Feb 2021
A2020-11 amendments by
A2020-11
20 Feb 2021
20 Feb 2021–
A2021-1 amendments by
A2021-1
24 May 2023–
29 Sept 2023
A2023-15 amendments by
A2023-15
30 Sept 2023
30 Sept 2023–
21 Nov 2023
A2023-15 expiry of provisions
(pt 22)
22 Nov 2023
22 Nov 2023–
18 Sept 2024
A2023-45 amendments by
A2023-45
R8 (RI)
22 Nov 2023–
18 Sept 2024
A2023-45 reissued for
retrospective
modification by
Expired transitional or validating provisions 6
No and date
Effective Last
amendment
made by
for
19 Sept 2024
19 Sept 2024–
A2024-40 amendments by
A2024-40
R9 (RI)
19 Sept 2024–
A2024-40 reissued for
retrospective
modification by
6 Expired transitional or validating provisions
This Act may be affected by transitional or validating provisions that have expired.
The expiry does not affect any continuing operation of the provisions (see
Legislation Act 2001, s 88 (1)).
Expired provisions are removed from the republished law when the expiry takes
effect and are listed in the amendment history using the abbreviation ‘exp’ followed
by the date of the expiry.
To find the expired provisions see the version of this Act before the expiry took
effect. The ACT legislation register has point-in-time versions of this Act.
7 Modifications of republished law with temporary effect
7 Modifications of republished law with temporary effect
The following modifications have not been included in this republication:
Personal Violence (Transitional Provisions)
Regulation 2025 SL2025-12 sch 1, sch 2
Schedule 1 Modification of Act—pt 23
(see s 3)
[1.1] New section 215 (3A)
insert
(3A) A protection order made against a child respondent is revoked on the