Intervention
Orders
Whether you need protection or are responding to an application — an intervention order can change everything. We act quickly, sensitively, and effectively.
Intervention Orders
An IVO can impose conditions affecting where you live, who you can contact, and how you see your children — whether you are the applicant or the respondent. In Victoria, family violence intervention orders (IVOs) are governed by the Family Violence Protection Act 2008 (Vic). These matters move quickly — interim orders can be made without notice to the other party. If you are involved in an IVO matter, act promptly and get legal advice before your hearing.
We act for both applicants and respondents. If you are experiencing family violence, we assist you to apply for an IVO in the Magistrates Court — helping you understand the process, prepare supporting material, and represent you at the hearing. If an interim order has been made against you, you have the right to contest it. The conditions of an IVO can affect your home, your employment, and your contact with children. We advise respondents on their full range of options, including consenting to the order without admission, which avoids a contested hearing and the associated cost and stress.
Interim orders can be made on the same day an application is filed. If you need urgent protection, or an interim order has just been served on you, call (03) 9741 3777 for same-day assistance. Where the parties are not in a family relationship, a personal safety intervention order (PSIO) may apply under the Personal Safety Intervention Orders Act 2010 (Vic) — we advise on both applying for and contesting PSIOs. An IVO can also interact directly with parenting orders; we advise on how the two systems work together and ensure any conditions are consistent.
Based at 4 Watton Street, Werribee, we assist clients across Hoppers Crossing, Point Cook, Tarneit, Wyndham Vale, Truganina, Manor Lakes, and the wider Wyndham region.
Free initial consultation. We offer a free 30-minute initial consultation for all family law matters. Call (03) 9741 3777 or book online to get started.
Advice on your rights at separation, divorce applications to the Federal Circuit and Family Court, and guidance on property and children's arrangements. You can apply for divorce after 12 months of separation. Divorce and property settlement are separate processes — both require attention.
Divorce — full details →Divorce and property settlement are entirely separate legal processes. A divorce order does not resolve how property is divided. Property claims must be finalised within 12 months of the divorce order. Early advice protects your entitlements. Covers the family home, superannuation, business interests, and debts.
Property settlement — full details →Separation immediately raises questions about where the children live and how time is divided. A parenting plan records agreed arrangements in writing — covering the regular schedule, holidays, schooling, and how major decisions are made. We draft plans that are comprehensive and built to last.
Parenting plans — full details →Where parents cannot agree on arrangements for the children, mediation is required before going to court. If mediation fails, the court can make parenting orders in the best interests of the children. We advise and represent you at every stage — including urgent applications where required.
Parenting disputes — full details →Sensitivity, urgency,
and clear-headed advice.
Intervention order matters are almost always urgent and almost always emotionally charged. Whether you are seeking protection or defending yourself against an order, you need advice you can rely on quickly.
We approach these matters with sensitivity toward everyone involved — including children — and with a clear focus on getting the right outcome. We do not escalate matters unnecessarily. Where resolution by consent is possible, we will seek it. Where a matter needs to be contested, we will represent you robustly.
We also understand that an IVO does not exist in isolation — it connects to parenting arrangements, housing, and employment. We give you a complete picture of what the order means for your life, not just the legal technicalities.
Intervention orders FAQs
A Family Violence Intervention Order (IVO) applies where the parties are in a "family relationship" as defined by the Family Violence Protection Act 2008 (Vic) — which includes spouses, de facto partners, parents, children, and other relatives. A Personal Safety Intervention Order (PSIO) applies to people who are not in a family relationship but where one person has engaged in stalking, harassment, or threatening behaviour toward another. The two types of order are made under different legislation and operate in slightly different ways.
At an IVO hearing in the Magistrates Court, the magistrate will hear from both parties and consider the evidence. The applicant must satisfy the court that the respondent has committed family violence and that an order is necessary to protect the protected person. If the respondent consents to an order (with or without admission), it can be made that day. If the matter is contested, it will be set down for a contested hearing where evidence is tested. Legal representation is strongly advisable at both stages.
Yes. As a respondent, you have the right to contest the application at a contested hearing. You can also consent to the order without admitting the allegations — this is common and avoids a contested hearing. The right approach depends on your circumstances, what the order conditions require, and whether the allegations are true or false. We advise respondents on the full range of options before any hearing.
Yes, it can. An IVO may include conditions that restrict contact between the respondent and the protected person — which can directly affect how parenting orders operate. The courts are required to consider family violence when making parenting orders, and an IVO is significant evidence of that. If you have existing parenting orders and an IVO has been made, you should seek legal advice immediately about whether your current arrangements remain operative.
In Victoria, once an IVO is in place, it cannot simply be withdrawn at the request of the protected person — the court must be satisfied it is appropriate to revoke or vary it. The protected person can apply to have the order varied or revoked, but the court will consider whether it remains necessary for their safety. The police also have a role and may oppose revocation. Legal advice is important before taking any steps to remove an order.
Yes. Victoria Police can apply for a family violence IVO on your behalf — you do not need a lawyer to apply. However, having legal advice is important so you understand the process, what conditions to seek, and how the order will interact with any parenting arrangements or property matters. If you are in immediate danger, call 000. For legal advice on your situation, call us on (03) 9741 3777.
Breaching an intervention order is a criminal offence in Victoria under the Family Violence Protection Act 2008. Penalties include fines and imprisonment. A breach can also be used as evidence in family law proceedings and may significantly affect parenting arrangements. If you have been served with an IVO, understanding exactly what the conditions require is essential — contact us for advice.
Yes. We are based at 4 Watton Street, Werribee and regularly act for clients across the Wyndham region — including Hoppers Crossing, Point Cook, Tarneit, Wyndham Vale, Truganina, Manor Lakes, and Werribee South. We also assist clients in Lara, Little River, and Geelong. Call (03) 9741 3777 to arrange an appointment.
Need help urgently?
Your first 30 minutes is free. Call us directly — same-day advice is available for urgent intervention order matters.