An AVO is not a criminal charge, but it can reshape your daily life. Where you live, whether you can see your children, and whether you can keep a firearms licence can all be affected. We act for people responding to an AVO application and for people who need the protection of one.
An Apprehended Violence Order is a set of conditions imposed by a court to protect a person. Every order carries standard conditions, and additional conditions can be added covering things like contact, approaching a home or workplace, and being present after drinking alcohol. The order itself is a civil order and does not give you a criminal record.
Breaching an order is a different matter. A breach is a criminal offence in New South Wales and it is treated seriously, so it is important that you understand exactly what the conditions require of you before you agree to anything.
It is common for a person to be offered the option of consenting to an order without admitting the allegations behind it. That can be a sensible resolution, particularly where the conditions are workable and contesting the matter would be costly and drawn out. It is not automatically the right choice. Consenting still means living with the conditions, and the conditions can affect family law arrangements, employment in some fields, and firearms and security licences. Get advice on the specific conditions before you consent.
Circumstances change. An order can be varied or revoked on application, whether that means adjusting conditions that have become unworkable or ending an order that is no longer needed. The court will want to understand what has changed and why the change is appropriate.
Arrange a confidential consultation about your matter. We will explain the charge, the process and your realistic options.
Criminal law enquiries
Ahmad Nazari
1300 364 566
We explain exactly what each condition means for your day to day life.
Often the conditions, not the order itself, are what needs changing.
Where the application should be opposed, we prepare and run the hearing.
We also apply for and enforce orders where you need protection.
No. An AVO is a civil order and it does not give you a criminal record on its own. Breaching an AVO is a criminal offence, and criminal charges often run alongside an AVO application arising from the same incident.
The order is made and you must comply with every condition in it. You can usually consent without admitting the allegations. It can be a practical resolution, but only once you understand how the specific conditions will affect your living arrangements, your contact with children and any licences you hold.
Yes. An application can be made to vary the conditions or to revoke the order. The court will look at what has changed since the order was made and whether the protection is still needed.
A breach is a criminal offence and it is dealt with seriously by New South Wales courts, including where the conduct itself seems minor. Get advice before your first court date. Whether you were aware of the condition and what actually happened both matter.
It can. Final orders in particular have consequences for firearms licences and for employment in some fields, including security work. That is one of the reasons it is worth getting advice before consenting to an order.
These are official sources. They are general information, not advice about your matter.
Written by the team at Reliance Law Group. Reviewed for legal accuracy by Ahmad Nazari, Reliance Law Group. Last reviewed 12 August 2026.
The information on this page is general in nature and is not legal advice. It does not take your particular circumstances into account. If you have been charged with an offence, contact us for advice about your own situation. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
