Australia
DVO in Queensland: Domestic Violence Orders and PGBOs
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Domestic Violence Order in Queensland?
A Domestic Violence Order, or DVO, is made under the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 and comes as either a protection order or a temporary protection order that applies while the final application is decided. It can be made on a private application, a police application, or when a court convicts someone of a domestic violence offence.
What is the difference between a DVO and a Peace and Good Behaviour Order?
A DVO applies where a relevant relationship exists and the respondent has committed domestic violence against the aggrieved. A Peace and Good Behaviour Order, under a much older 1982 Act, applies outside a domestic relationship, where someone has threatened to assault or injure a person, or to destroy or damage property. You cannot apply for a Peace and Good Behaviour Order against someone already subject to a DVO with you.
How long does a Queensland protection order last?
A protection order continues until the day stated by the court, or, if no day is stated, for 5 years after the order is made. A court must give reasons if it sets a period under 5 years. A Peace and Good Behaviour Order lasts for whatever period the court specifies in the order, with no statutory maximum found in the Act.
What happens if I breach a DVO in Queensland?
Breaching a DVO under section 177 carries up to 3 years imprisonment or 120 penalty units, about $20,724 at the current rate. If the respondent was previously convicted of a domestic violence offence within the preceding 5 years, the maximum rises to 5 years or 240 penalty units, about $41,448.
What is the new police protection direction in Queensland?
It is a new instrument that commenced 1 January 2026, allowing police to issue a direction lasting 12 months with review rights, sitting alongside the existing protection order and police protection notice options. Breaching it carries up to 3 years imprisonment or 120 penalty units, the same as a standard DVO breach.
Will a DVO affect my weapons licence in Queensland?
Yes. Under the Weapons Act 1990, a weapons licence is automatically suspended while a temporary protection order, police protection notice or release conditions are in force (section 27A), and automatically revoked the moment a final protection order or police protection direction is made (section 28A(1)). A final order or direction also makes the person not a fit and proper person to hold a licence for 5 years (section 10B(5)(b)).
Is a Queensland DVO recognised if I move interstate?
Yes, if it was made from 25 November 2017 onward. It is automatically enforceable anywhere in Australia under the National Domestic Violence Order Scheme. A Peace and Good Behaviour Order is a personal, non-domestic order and is not automatically recognised interstate.
Does a Peace and Good Behaviour Order affect my firearms licence?
No automatic mechanism was found in the Peace and Good Behaviour Act 1982 itself. Its only Weapons Act cross-reference is a borrowed firearm definition used in unrelated restricted-premises provisions, so unlike the domestic violence order regime there is no automatic firearms licence consequence for a PGBO respondent.
Updates
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources
Sources and References
- Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 (Qld), current consolidation(legislation.qld.gov.au).gov
- Weapons Act 1990 (Qld), sections 27A and 10B, firearms consequences of a DVO(legislation.qld.gov.au).gov
- Peace and Good Behaviour Act 1982 (Qld), current consolidation(legislation.qld.gov.au).gov
- Queensland Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers, value of a penalty unit(dlgwv.qld.gov.au).gov
- Queensland Courts, National Domestic Violence Order Scheme(courts.qld.gov.au).gov
- Queensland Courts, Peace and Good Behaviour Orders(courts.qld.gov.au).gov
- Queensland Courts, applying for a domestic violence order (Form DV01)(courts.qld.gov.au).gov