In Queensland, a DVO is a civil order, this meaning that it does not appear on a standard National Police Check (NPC). However, there are circumstances where it can be disclosed. These being:

• Breaching the DVO
• It is a criminal offence under section 177 of the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012. Any convictions related to breaching a DVO will appear on a police check.
• Certain employment checks
• As of 2022, a DVO may become a requirement to disclose when registering for a blue card (working with children) or when obtaining a security clearance. This does depend on the assessment criteria when applying.
• Visa and international travel applications
• Travel may be impacted as some countries consider DVOs when assessing character requirements to be eligible to enter the country.

It is important to understand that having a DVO issued against you does not mean that you have a criminal record. A DVO is designed to protect individuals from domestic violence under the Queensland law and is not considered a punishment. However, if you do breach the condition of the DVO, this then becomes a serious criminal offence that can result in fines or up to 3 years in prison for a first offence (5 years if there are prior breaches).

A DVO itself may not always appear on a police check, however, breaching one will result in a criminal record. If you are unsure about how a DVO might affect your future, it is important to seek legal advice.

If you would like to speak with a DV Solicitor about your situation, call (07) 2102 6677 to schedule an initial consultation.