If you need urgent help
Call 000 immediately if:
- someone needs emergency medical assistance;
- someone is threatening your safety or there is an immediate danger to a person or property; or
- a serious crime or accident needs an urgent emergency response.
An online court application is not an emergency response. If it is unsafe to use your device, contact police or the court using a safe way to communicate.
Applying for an FVIO
A family violence intervention order (FVIO) can protect a person and other affected family members from family violence.
Adults can apply online through the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria. You do not have to attend court just to lodge an online application. If applying online is unsafe or you need help, find court contact details on the Magistrates’ Court website.
Different procedures can apply to children and young people. If you are under 18, ask the court which application process applies before using the adult online form.
If police have applied on your behalf, ask them or the court about the next steps in that application.
Information to include in your application
The application form asks for:
- the respondent’s identifying details, including their name and address if known;
- what happened, when it happened and why you are concerned it may happen again;
- details of children and other family members needing protection, including their relationship to the respondent; and
- the conditions you are asking the court to make.
Tell the court that the situation is urgent and explain your immediate safety concerns. Tell the registrar if you need an interpreter or arrangements to attend safely.
Interim and final orders
An interim FVIO is a temporary protective order. The court can consider urgent protection before the respondent has been told about the application. Explain why protection is needed now; lodging an application does not itself mean an order has been made.
A final FVIO may be made after the court considers the evidence, or in other circumstances such as consent. Interim and final orders involve different decisions. Ask a lawyer about the requirements and conditions relevant to your circumstances.
After lodging your application
Follow the court’s instructions about appointments, documents and hearing dates. Police generally serve the application and any interim order on the respondent; do not try to serve them yourself. An order generally starts when police serve it on the respondent, or court staff give it to them at court. Ask police or the registry to confirm that it has started; do not assume lodging an application gives immediate protection.
Attend each hearing unless the court directs otherwise. If you are the applicant and do not attend, your application may be dismissed. Contact the registry promptly if you cannot attend.
If you disagree with a decision, seek prompt legal advice about appeal or rehearing options and applicable time limits.
Official guidance
- Magistrates’ Court: applying for an FVIO
- Victoria Legal Aid: applying for a family violence intervention order
- Victoria Legal Aid: when an order starts and ends
- Magistrates’ Court: attending as an FVIO applicant
- Victoria Police: safety notices and intervention orders
Information reviewed 18 October 2026. This article is general information, not advice about an individual application.