Domestic violence orders in the Northern Territory
How domestic violence orders work in the Northern Territory — police-issued DVOs, applying at the Local Court, the conditions a DVO can contain, what happens if an order is breached, and where to find free help across the Territory.
Checked against official sources on 8 Nov 2026. General information, not legal advice. No lawyer or solicitor has reviewed this page.
If you are in danger right now, call 000.
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Overview
If you are in immediate danger, call the police on triple zero (000). To report domestic or family violence that is not an emergency, call Northern Territory Police on 131 444. 1800RESPECT is available anywhere in Australia on 1800 737 732. This page gives general information about Northern Territory law. It is not legal advice about your situation.
In the Northern Territory a protection order is called a domestic violence order, or DVO, and it is made under the Domestic and Family Violence Act 2007 (NT). A DVO protects you from domestic violence or threats of violence by someone you are in a domestic relationship with. Every DVO must prohibit the other person, called the respondent, from committing domestic violence against you, and it can also stop them contacting you, approaching your home or workplace, locating you or damaging your property. Your children, and people who live with you or are in your care, can be included in the same order.
There are two ways a DVO comes into existence in the Territory. In urgent situations an authorised police officer, meaning a senior sergeant or above or the officer in charge of a police station, can make a police DVO. It comes into effect as soon as it is made, and the copy given to the respondent works as a summons to a Local Court hearing where the court decides whether to confirm it. Alternatively, you or a police officer can apply to the Local Court, which is free. A DVO is a civil order rather than a criminal charge, but once the respondent has been given a copy or told about it by police, contravening it is an offence under section 120 of the Act. The maximum penalty is two years' imprisonment, rising to three or five years for repeat breaches or breaches involving harm or threats of harm, and section 122 requires a term of actual imprisonment in those cases for offenders sentenced under the Sentencing Act 1995 (NT).
Who this is for
- You are being hurt, threatened or controlled by a partner, former partner or family member in the NT
- Police made a police DVO after attending an incident
- You want to apply for a domestic violence order at the Local Court
- You have been served with a DVO and want to know what happens next
- The respondent has breached a condition of a DVO
- You want to vary, extend or revoke an existing domestic violence order
- You need protection from someone who is not a family member
- You have moved to the Territory with an order made in another state or territory
LegislationShowHide
- Domestic and Family Violence Act 2007 (NT) (NT)
The main Act. It defines domestic violence (including emotional or psychological abuse, economic abuse and coercive control) and domestic relationships, lets authorised police officers make police DVOs, and sets out how the Local Court confirms, makes, varies, extends and revokes DVOs and what an order can contain. Section 120 makes contravening a DVO an offence, section 121 sets the maximum penalties, and section 122, in force since 7 June 2025, requires a term of actual imprisonment for repeat breaches and breaches involving harm or threats of harm where the offender is sentenced under the Sentencing Act 1995 (NT).
- Domestic and Family Violence Regulations 2008 (NT) (NT)
Regulations made under the Act (current version in force from 10 February 2026). They deal with interstate and registered foreign orders, and set out how breath, saliva, urine and blood testing is carried out when a DVO bans the respondent from alcohol or drugs and includes an order to submit to testing.
- Personal Violence Restraining Orders Act 2016 (NT) (NT)
Covers personal violence restraining orders against someone you are not in a domestic relationship with, such as a neighbour or work colleague. Before hearing an application, the Local Court must refer both people to mediation through the Community Justice Centre unless mediation is not appropriate (section 14).
- Criminal Code Act 1983 (NT) (NT)
Contains the criminal offences commonly charged alongside a domestic violence order, including assault, causing serious harm, choking, strangling or suffocating in a domestic relationship, threats to kill, unlawful stalking and criminal damage.
- Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) (CTH)
Governs parenting and property matters after separation. Section 60CF requires a party in a parenting case to tell the court about any family violence order affecting the child or a family member. Sections 68P to 68R deal with how family violence orders and parenting orders interact, and section 68R lets the Local Court, when it makes or varies a DVO, revive, vary, discharge or suspend the parts of a parenting order that provide for a child to spend time with a person.
Courts and tribunalsShowHide
- Local Court of the Northern Territory
Hears domestic violence order applications and personal violence restraining order applications, confirms or revokes police DVOs, makes, varies and extends orders, and deals with charges for contravening an order. It has registries in Darwin, Alice Springs, Katherine and Tennant Creek and sits on circuit in Nhulunbuy and many remote communities. If the respondent is a young person aged 14 to 17, the application is heard in the Youth Justice Court.
- Northern Territory Police
Responds to domestic and family violence, can make a police DVO through an authorised officer, can apply to the Local Court for a DVO, serves and explains orders, and investigates and prosecutes breaches. Report non-emergencies on 131 444.
- NT.GOV.AU — domestic violence orders
Northern Territory Government guidance on what a DVO is, who can apply, how to apply (it is free), what happens at court and national recognition of orders.
- Domestic Violence Legal Service
A free legal service for people who have experienced or are at risk of domestic or family violence in Darwin and the greater Darwin region. It helps with DVO applications and police DVOs and runs a duty lawyer service at the Darwin Local Court on domestic violence list days.
ProcessShowHide
01Report to police or get support
Call 000 in an emergency, or 131 444 to report domestic or family violence that is not an emergency. In the Territory, adults must tell police if they reasonably believe someone has caused, or is likely to cause, serious physical harm to a person they are in a domestic relationship with, or that someone's life or safety is under serious or imminent threat from domestic violence (section 124A). Support services can help with safety planning, emergency accommodation and finding a lawyer before you go to court.
Typical timeframe: As soon as you can
02Police-made DVO
An authorised police officer (a senior sergeant or above, or the officer in charge of a police station) can make a police DVO when it is needed urgently to keep you safe or a court order is not practicable. It comes into effect when it is made. Police must give a copy to both of you and to the court and explain it, and the respondent can be charged with a breach once they have been given a copy or told about it by police. The copy works as a summons to a Local Court hearing to confirm the order, held as soon as practicable.
Typical timeframe: Takes effect immediately
03Application to the Local Court
You can apply for a DVO yourself, free of charge, if you are in a domestic relationship with the respondent; a young person aged 14 to 17 needs the court's permission. An adult can apply for you or your child, and police and child protection officers can also apply. The application is filed at the Local Court closest to where the protected person lives, or in the Youth Justice Court if the respondent is a young person. A legal service such as the Domestic Violence Legal Service can help you with the forms.
Typical timeframe: Hearing date set by the court
04Interim order and service
The Local Court can make an interim DVO at any stage, even before the respondent knows about the application or if they do not come to court. It comes into effect when it is made and stays in force until the court revokes it or makes a final order. The respondent can be charged with breaching it once they have been given a copy, which includes being in court when it was made or being told about it by police.
Typical timeframe: Any time while the application is running
05First mention
At the first court date the respondent can agree to the order, ask for time to get legal help, or oppose it. For a police DVO, the court asks whether the respondent agrees with the order and, if not, sets a contested hearing. A DVO can be made by consent even if the respondent does not admit the allegations, but the court must still be satisfied there are reasonable grounds for the protected person to fear domestic violence.
Typical timeframe: Date shown on your court papers
06Contested hearing
If the application is opposed, the court lists a hearing at which both parties can give evidence. As an adult protected person you are treated as a vulnerable witness: you can give evidence by video link from outside the courtroom or behind a screen, have a support person with you, and the court is closed to the public while you give evidence. A respondent without a lawyer cannot cross-examine you directly unless the court allows it. Interim orders continue in the meantime.
Typical timeframe: Set by the court
07Final order, variation, extension and revocation
The court sets how long a final DVO lasts, and it can be indefinite where the risk is significant and ongoing and a fixed end date would not reduce it. If no period is stated, it lasts five years where the respondent is an adult, 12 months where the respondent is a young person, and until a protected child turns 18. Protected persons, police and some others can apply to vary, extend or revoke the order. The respondent can apply to extend it, but needs the court's permission to apply to vary or revoke it, and permission is only given where there has been a substantial change in circumstances.
Typical timeframe: Duration set case by case
Parties
Protected person
The person the domestic violence order protects. Their children, and people who live with them or are in their care, can also be named as protected persons.
Respondent
The person the order is made against (some court papers say defendant). They must be at least 14 years old and must comply with the order once they have been given a copy or told about it by police.
Authorised police officer
A senior sergeant or above, or the officer in charge of a police station, who can make a police DVO in urgent circumstances. Police must give both parties a copy and explain what the order means.
Police prosecutor
Presents police applications and police DVO confirmation hearings at the Local Court, where the Commissioner of Police is a party, and prosecutes charges for contravening an order.
Legal service representative
A lawyer from the Domestic Violence Legal Service, Legal Aid NT, a women's legal service or an Aboriginal family legal service who can act for you in DVO proceedings.
Court and community support worker
When an adult protected person gives evidence, a relative, friend or other suitable person can sit with them for support. Support workers can also help with safety planning, court preparation and referrals to crisis accommodation.
Time limits
These are general time limits described in prose. This page does not calculate a deadline for your matter.
Duration of a DVO
The Local Court sets the period, which can be indefinite. If the order states no period, it lasts 5 years for an adult respondent, 12 months for a young respondent, or until a protected child turns 18, unless revoked earlier — check the end date written on your order
Source: Domestic and Family Violence Act 2007 (NT) s 27
Police-made DVO
Comes into effect when it is made and stays in force until the Local Court confirms or revokes it; the confirmation hearing is held as soon as practicable, and a party can apply for a review at any time before confirmation
Source: Domestic and Family Violence Act 2007 (NT) ss 29, 34, 35
Contravening a DVO
An offence under section 120 once the respondent has been given a copy of the order or told about it by police. Maximum 2 years' imprisonment; 3 years for a repeat offence or at least 3 breaches within 28 days; 5 years where the breach involved harm or a threat of harm. Section 122 requires actual imprisonment in all three of those higher-penalty cases for breaches committed since 7 June 2025
Source: Domestic and Family Violence Act 2007 (NT) ss 119-122, 151
Applying to vary, extend or revoke
Apply to the Local Court while the order is in force. An extension can also be sought within 6 months after the expiry date, but applying before it expires avoids a gap in protection. A respondent needs the court's permission to apply to vary or revoke
Source: Domestic and Family Violence Act 2007 (NT) ss 70, 82J
Interstate orders in the NT
Domestic violence orders made anywhere in Australia on or after 25 November 2017 are automatically recognised and enforceable in the Northern Territory with no registration required; older orders can be declared recognised through a local court
Source: NT.GOV.AU — DVO now enforced nationally; Domestic and Family Violence Act 2007 (NT) Ch 3A
Costs and helpShowHide
It is free to apply for a domestic violence order in the Northern Territory. Where police make a DVO or apply to the Local Court on your behalf, police run the case. If the court refuses your application, it must not order you to pay costs unless it is satisfied the application was unreasonable and made in bad faith (section 91). The main potential expense is a private lawyer for a contested hearing. Free help is available from the Domestic Violence Legal Service in the Darwin region, the Legal Aid NT Helpline on 1800 019 343, and Legal Aid NT's Respondent Early Assistance Legal Service (REALS) for people responding to a DVO at the Darwin Local Court. The Local Court also lists women's legal services in Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs, including the Katherine Women's Information and Legal Service and the Central Australian Women's Legal Service, as well as the North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service and the Central Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Unit.
Free Legal Aid Helpline on 1800 019 343 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 4.30pm), free appointments with a lawyer, and REALS duty lawyers and clinics for people responding to a DVO at the Darwin Local Court. Ongoing grants of legal aid depend on a means test, a type-of-matter test and a merit test, and a contribution is payable.
- Domestic Violence Legal Service
Free legal service on 08 8999 7977 for people who have experienced or are at risk of domestic or family violence in Darwin and the greater Darwin region, with a duty lawyer at the Darwin Local Court on domestic violence list days.
- Dawn House
Northern Territory service for women with children in their care escaping domestic, family and sexual violence, including a women's shelter and counselling, with a list of other Territory support services.
- NT.GOV.AU — domestic, family and sexual violence
Northern Territory Government information about reporting violence, support services and how to get help.
- Law Society Northern Territory
Directories to find a Northern Territory lawyer, or a law firm listed by area of law.
Where to get help
- 1800RESPECT
National domestic, family and sexual violence counselling and support on 1800 737 732, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by phone, text, online chat and video call.
- NT.GOV.AU — domestic, family and sexual violence
Northern Territory Government information about reporting violence to police on 131 444, the legal duty on adults to report domestic violence, and support services across the Territory.
- Legal Aid NT
Free Legal Aid Helpline on 1800 019 343, free appointments with a lawyer, grants of legal aid for eligible people, and the REALS duty lawyer service for people responding to a DVO at the Darwin Local Court.
- Domestic Violence Legal Service
Free legal service on 08 8999 7977 for people who have experienced or are at risk of domestic or family violence in Darwin and the greater Darwin region.
- Local Court of the Northern Territory
Court information on domestic violence applications and personal violence restraining orders, including who can apply, responding to an application and which legal services can help.
- NT.GOV.AU — domestic violence orders
Government guidance on what a DVO is, who can apply, how to apply for free, and national recognition of orders.
- Dawn House
Shelter, counselling and support for women with children escaping domestic, family and sexual violence in the Northern Territory, with links to other Territory services.
Practical guidanceShowHide
How do you get a domestic violence order in the Northern Territory?
There are two routes. The first is through police. When protection is needed urgently, an authorised police officer (a senior sergeant or above, or the officer in charge of a police station) can make a police DVO. It comes into effect straight away, so you do not have to file anything yourself, and the Local Court then holds a hearing to confirm, vary or revoke it. The second route is applying to the Local Court, which is free. You can apply yourself if you are in a domestic relationship with the respondent, an adult can apply for you or your child, and police or a child protection officer can apply too. The application asks about the relationship, what the respondent has said or done, and the conditions you need, and it is filed at the court closest to where the protected person lives. The Local Court has registries in Darwin, Alice Springs, Katherine and Tennant Creek and sits on circuit in Nhulunbuy and many remote communities. Most courtrooms have duty interpreters from the Aboriginal Interpreter Service — contact the registry in advance so one can be arranged.
What conditions can a Northern Territory DVO contain?
Every DVO must prohibit the respondent from committing domestic violence against each protected person. Beyond that, the court or police officer can add the restraints needed to keep you safe. The Local Court describes three common types of order: full non-contact, non-contact while the respondent is affected by alcohol or drugs, and non-violence. Conditions can also stop the respondent approaching or entering your home, workplace or other places, locating you or your children, or damaging property, and can require them to destroy an intimate image of you. A premises exclusion order can keep the respondent out of a home even if they live there or own an interest in it. The court can also make orders about a tenancy, the return of personal property, attending a rehabilitation program, and testing to check that an alcohol or drug ban is being obeyed. Under the Firearms Act 1997 (NT), a firearms licence is automatically suspended when a police DVO or interim DVO is made against the holder, who must immediately hand the licence and any firearms to police, and it is automatically revoked when a final DVO is made. The court can tailor conditions to places you both use, such as a shared workplace, store, clinic or community event.
What happens if a DVO is breached in the NT?
Report every breach to Northern Territory Police, on 000 if it is an emergency and 131 444 otherwise, and ask for the report number. Contravening a domestic violence order is an offence under section 120 of the Domestic and Family Violence Act 2007 (NT) once the respondent has been given a copy of the order. That includes being in court when it was made, being served, receiving it electronically, or being told about it by a police officer. Under section 121 the maximum penalty is two years' imprisonment. It rises to three years for someone previously found guilty of a breach or sentenced together for at least three breaches within 28 days, and to five years where the breach involved harm or a threat of harm to the protected person. For breaches committed since 7 June 2025, section 122 requires the court to impose actual imprisonment in those cases for offenders sentenced under the Sentencing Act 1995 (NT). If a police DVO is confirmed or an order is varied, the respondent can still be charged for conduct that breaches the last version they were given. Keep the order, proof of service, screenshots showing the sender and the time, voicemails, photographs and a dated diary of events and witnesses.
Can you get protection from someone who is not a family member?
Yes, but through a different order. A domestic violence order under the Domestic and Family Violence Act 2007 (NT) is only available where you and the other person are in a domestic relationship. That includes current and former spouses and de facto partners, relatives (including relatives under Aboriginal tradition or contemporary social practice), people who are or were dating, engaged or in another intimate relationship, people who live or have lived together, and carers. If there is no such relationship, for example with a neighbour, work colleague or acquaintance, you can apply to the Local Court for a personal violence restraining order under the Personal Violence Restraining Orders Act 2016 (NT). This uses a separate application form filed at the civil registry. Before hearing the application, the court must refer both people to mediation through the Community Justice Centre unless mediation is not appropriate, for example because of a history of violence and a failed earlier attempt at mediation. The court can make the order if it is satisfied that a personal violence offence has been, or is likely to be, committed. Ask the Local Court registry or a legal service which application fits your circumstances before you file.
How do DVOs work with parenting orders and family law?
When you apply for a DVO, you must tell the court about any family law orders, or pending family law applications, involving the respondent that you know about (section 90 of the Domestic and Family Violence Act 2007). If the DVO conflicts with a parenting order, section 68R of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) allows the Local Court, when it makes or varies the DVO, to revive, vary, discharge or suspend the parts of the parenting order that provide for a child to spend time with someone. It can do this on its own initiative or on application, but only if it has material that was not before the court that made the parenting order, and it cannot discharge a parenting order when making an interim DVO. If a later parenting order is inconsistent with an existing DVO, the DVO is invalid to the extent of the inconsistency (section 68Q). In a parenting case in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, each party must tell the court about any family violence order affecting the child or a family member (section 60CF), so keep copies of the DVO and court papers and tell your lawyer about both proceedings.
Is a Northern Territory DVO enforceable across Australia?
Yes. The Northern Territory Government confirms that DVOs are now enforced nationally. Under the National Domestic Violence Order Scheme, a domestic violence order made anywhere in Australia on or after 25 November 2017 is automatically recognised and enforceable in every state and territory, including the Northern Territory, and a Territory order is enforceable everywhere else. You do not need to register the order or get a new one when you move, unless you want to change its conditions, and police in your new location can enforce it in the same way as a local order. Practical steps still help: keep a copy of the order with you and give a copy to police where you live. If your order was made before 25 November 2017, you can apply through a local court to have it declared a recognised order so it is enforceable nationally. In the Northern Territory, the Local Court registries in Darwin, Alice Springs and Katherine can tell you how to do this.
Checklist
- Copy of the police DVO, interim order or final order
- The application for a domestic violence order and the court date notice
- Police report number and the attending officers' details
- Your written account of incidents in date order
- Screenshots of messages, emails and social media contact
- Photographs of injuries or damaged property
- Medical, clinic or hospital records
- Existing parenting orders, pending family law applications or other family law documents
- Firearms licence details and weapons in the household
- Names and contact details of witnesses
- Details of any interpreter, support person or cultural support you need at court
- A safety plan and emergency contact list
Common questions
What is a domestic violence order in the Northern Territory?
A DVO is a protection order made under the Domestic and Family Violence Act 2007 (NT) to protect you from domestic violence or threats of violence by someone you are in a domestic relationship with. It always prohibits the respondent from committing domestic violence against you, and it can also stop them contacting you, approaching your home or workplace, locating you or damaging your property. The Local Court makes DVOs, and an authorised police officer can make one in urgent situations.
Can police make a DVO without going to court?
Yes. An authorised police officer, meaning a senior sergeant or above or the officer in charge of a police station, can make a police DVO when it is needed urgently or a court order is not practicable. It comes into effect when it is made, and the respondent can be charged with breaching it once they have been given a copy or told about it by police. The Local Court then holds a hearing, as soon as practicable, to confirm, vary or revoke it.
What is the penalty for breaching a DVO in the NT?
Contravening a domestic violence order is an offence under section 120 of the Domestic and Family Violence Act 2007 (NT). Under section 121 the maximum penalty is two years' imprisonment, rising to three years for repeat offending and five years where the breach involved harm or a threat of harm. For breaches committed since 7 June 2025, section 122 requires actual imprisonment in those higher-penalty cases for offenders sentenced under the Sentencing Act 1995 (NT). Report every breach to police.
How long does a DVO last in the Northern Territory?
The Local Court sets the period based on what is needed to keep you safe, and it can make an indefinite order where the risk is significant and ongoing and a fixed end date would not reduce it. If the order states no period, it lasts five years where the respondent is an adult, 12 months where the respondent is a young person, or until a protected child turns 18. Check the end date on your order and apply to extend it before it expires; an extension can also be sought within six months after expiry.
Can I get help in language or in a remote community?
Yes. Most Local Court courtrooms have duty interpreters from the Aboriginal Interpreter Service; ask the registry in advance so one can be arranged. The Local Court has registries in Darwin, Alice Springs, Katherine and Tennant Creek and sits on circuit in Nhulunbuy and many remote communities. Legal Aid NT, the Domestic Violence Legal Service, women's legal services and Aboriginal family legal services can help, and support workers can help with safety planning and accommodation.
Is my NT order enforceable in other states?
Yes. The Northern Territory Government confirms DVOs are now enforced nationally. Orders made anywhere in Australia on or after 25 November 2017 are automatically recognised and enforceable in every state and territory, with no registration needed, and older orders can be declared recognised through a local court. Keep a copy of the order with you and give one to police wherever you are living or travelling.
What if the person I need protection from is not family?
You can apply to the Local Court for a personal violence restraining order under the Personal Violence Restraining Orders Act 2016 (NT). It protects people from violence, threats and harassment where there is no domestic relationship — for example a neighbour, work colleague or acquaintance. It uses a separate form, and the court usually refers both people to mediation through the Community Justice Centre before hearing the application. Ask the Local Court registry or a legal service which application suits your circumstances before you file.
Sources
- Domestic and Family Violence Act 2007 (NT) — reprint REPD032, as in force at 7 June 2025 (current version) (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
- Domestic and Family Violence Act 2007 (NT) — Act history listing (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
- Domestic and Family Violence Regulations 2008 (NT) — as in force at 10 February 2026 (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
- Personal Violence Restraining Orders Act 2016 (NT) (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
- Criminal Code Act 1983 (NT) — as in force at 12 October 2026 (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
- Firearms Act 1997 (NT) ss 39-40 — as in force at 30 June 2026 (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
- Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) ss 60CF, 68Q and 68R — Federal Register of Legislation, Compilation No. 101 (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
- NT.GOV.AU — Domestic violence orders (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
- NT.GOV.AU — How to apply for a domestic violence order (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
- NT.GOV.AU — DVO now enforced nationally (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
- NT.GOV.AU — Domestic, family and sexual violence (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
- NT.GOV.AU — Women's legal services (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
- Local Court of the NT — Domestic Violence Applications and Personal Violence Restraining Orders (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
- Local Court of the NT — Contact us (registries) (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
- Local Court of the NT — List of circuit courts (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
- Local Court of the NT — Interpreters (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
- Domestic Violence Legal Service (NT) — Services (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
- Legal Aid NT — Going to court (duty lawyer services) (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
- Legal Aid NT — Legal Aid Helpline (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
- Legal Aid NT — Applying for legal aid (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
- Legal Aid NT — Respondent Early Assistance Legal Service (REALS) (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
- 1800RESPECT (accessed 8 Nov 2026)
- Dawn House (accessed 8 Nov 2026)