IVO Lawyers Melbourne
It is important to know that the law gives you and your family legal protection if you have been victims of domestic violence.
An Intervention Order is one of these options. An intervention order protects you from someone causing you harm or threatening to do so.
Don’t be afraid. Stop domestic violence.
It is highly recommended that you seek assistance from IVO Lawyers when applying for an IVO.
Services
- Expert Legal Advice. Our IVO Lawyers can explain the legal process and the various types of intervention orders.
- Protection from Further Harm. Our team can help you obtain an intervention order quickly, protecting you and your family from further harm.
- Court Representation. An intervention order lawyer can represent you in court and advocate for you.
- Peace of Mind. Knowing you have competent domestic violence lawyers on your side can give you peace of mind during a difficult time.
How to Apply for an Intervention Order
Prepare your case: Find proof of the abuse, such as letters, texts, or emails from the abuser or comments from people who saw it happen.
Fill out the form to apply: The application form can be picked up at the Magistrates’ Court or downloaded from the Victoria Legal Aid website.
You can send in your application in person or through the mail: If you are staying in person, make sure to bring a copy of the filled-out application form and any proof to back up your claim.
Attend the hearing: Once you’ve submitted your application, a hearing will be set up. You must go to the meeting and tell the Magistrate what happened.
Wait for the decision: After the hearing, the Magistrate will decide and, if they think it’s appropriate, give the intervention order.
It’s important to remember that intervention orders aren’t just for people who are in a relationship with someone in your own home. It can also be given to people who are being bothered or frightened by someone you don’t know very well.
Should You Get a Prenup in Australia Here’s What You Need to Know
Advantages of Seeking Legal Advice from IVO Lawyers
Having a lawyer comes with several compelling advantages. Firstly, depending on the specifics of your case, our Melbourne Family Lawyers can assist you in determining the most appropriate intervention order to address your situation effectively. This tailored approach ensures that your legal needs are met with precision.
If you’re going through a stressful situation, the legal side of an IVO can feel overwhelming. You might be juggling fear, pressure, and a hundred other things, and suddenly you’re expected to know what to file, what to say, and when to show up. That’s where we help. Our IVO lawyers guide you step by step, explain everything in plain English, and handle the process properly so you do not have to carry it alone.
Most importantly, we keep your wellbeing front and centre. We’ll help you present your situation clearly, respond to the other side if needed, and push for conditions that protect your day-to-day safety. The goal is simple: help you feel secure and supported, with a clear plan moving forward.
Our Family Lawyers
Our lawyers have vast experience in Family Law. Whether your case involves a 50 million dollar business or a suburban house, a relocation with children to Preston or Paris, or a Divorce Application in Melbourne or Mumbai, rest assured that we know how to deal with it in the best possible way and obtain the best possible result for you.
Move forward with clarity and confidence.
What is an Intervention Order
An intervention order, which is also called a restraining order, is a court document that protects people who have been hurt, threatened, or harassed.
The goal of an intervention order is to stop more harm from happening by telling the offender not to do certain things, like talking to the victim or going to their home or place of work.
You should call the police if you or someone you know is in immediate danger. In Melbourne, the police can get an Interim Intervention Order right away. This gives the person security until a full hearing can be held.
If you are not in immediate danger but still need to be protected, you can go to a Magistrates’ Court in Melbourne and ask for an intervention order.
Getting an intervention order can seem like a lot of work, but it can be done with the right knowledge and help. IVO Lawyers is here to assist you.
Get in Touch Today
It can be hard and stressful to get an intervention order, but you don’t have to do it alone. Melbourne Family Lawyers are here to help you and show you the way at every turn.
With clear, trustworthy advice, our best IVO Lawyers in Melbourne can help you make the best choices for your child and your future.
Call us today to set up a meeting and talk about how we can help.
Phone: +613 9670 9677
Email: [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between AVO and IVO?
AVO is specific to New South Wales, while IVO is specific to Victoria. Both aim to protect individuals from violence but are governed by different state laws.
If the IVO is made only in Victoria, does it only apply in Victoria?
No, an IVO can be registered in other Australian states and territories, making it enforceable nationwide.
What are the types of intervention orders?
Family Violence Intervention Orders
These are for family members and protect against various forms of domestic abuse, including physical violence and emotional harassment.
Personal Safety Intervention Orders
These are for non-family members like neighbours or acquaintances, aiming to prevent stalking, harassment, and other non-domestic threats.
What happens at an intervention order hearing?
A magistrate reviews the case, may issue an interim order, and sets a date for a final hearing where both parties can present evidence.
What are the examples of family violence?
Even if certain actions do not comprise a criminal offence, they may still constitute family violence. Family violence may include the following types of conduct toward a family member:
- Physical abuse, including assault (including thrusting, hitting, punching, slapping, and kicking) and inflicting bodily harm;
- Sexual assault, including sexual coercion, rape, and sexual degradation;
- Verbal abuse (including violent threats, defamation, manipulation, gaslighting, and accusations);
- Willful destruction of their property, including jointly owned property;
- The unauthorised restriction of a family member’s liberty or threats to do so;
- Causing an animal’s death or injury (regardless of whether the animal pertains to a family member);
- Attempts to cause physical harm or assault;
- Threats to cause sexual abuse or assault;
- Threats to cause property damage;
It can include a family member threatening to kill or harm a pet, whether the animal is yours or belongs to the other person.
It can also include seeing violence happen between family members, or being close enough to hear threats being made.
Being there in the aftermath, trying to comfort a loved one after they’ve been assaulted, can still be deeply distressing and relevant.
What to do if you have been served with an FVIO?
If you’ve been served with a Family Violence Intervention Order (FVIO), take a breath and take it seriously. Even if you disagree with it, the order starts applying straight away. An FVIO is a court order meant to protect someone from family violence. It can set strict rules, like no contact, no going near certain places, and no turning up at someone’s home or work.
Start with the basics.
Read the order properly. Not just the first page. Look at the conditions and the exact addresses and exclusions. A lot of people get into trouble because they assume they understand it, and they do not.
Do not test the boundaries.
If it says no contact, that means no calls, no texts, no DMs, no “just checking in”, and no passing messages through a friend or family member. Also be careful with shared spaces. If the order lists places you must avoid, stay away, even if you think you have a good reason.
Get advice early, not later.
Speak with an intervention order lawyer as soon as you can. They can explain what the conditions mean in real life, what you should and should not do before court, and how to respond if there are parts of the order that are confusing or unrealistic.
If police give you directions, follow them.
Some orders require you to hand in weapons or firearms. If that applies to you, do it immediately. If police need to check compliance, cooperate and keep it calm. Arguing on the spot usually makes things worse.
Keep a copy on you.
Save it on your phone and keep a printed copy if possible. If you’re questioned, you’ll want to be able to show what the order actually says.
Show up to court.
If there’s a hearing date, attend. This is your chance to put your side forward properly. Your lawyer can help you prepare what to say, what evidence matters, and what outcome you should ask for.
And finally, be honest with yourself about how you’re coping. Being served with an FVIO can hit hard, even if you feel blindsided. Lean on someone you trust, and if you’re struggling, reach out to a support service or counsellor. Staying level-headed helps you avoid mistakes while this is still live.
What is an IVO?
An Intervention Order (IVO) is a court order designed to protect you or your children from someone who’s harming you, threatening you, or repeatedly harassing you. It’s there to put clear legal limits in place so you’re not left trying to manage the situation on your own.
Depending on the circumstances, an IVO can stop the other person from contacting you, require them to keep their distance from your home, work, or school, and restrict behaviours that are intimidating, abusive, or controlling.
If you’re not sure whether an IVO fits your situation, an IVO lawyer in Melbourne can talk it through with you, explain your options, and help you understand what protection might actually look like in your day-to-day life.
How do I apply for an IVO?
You can apply for an IVO at your local Magistrates’ Court. If you’re in immediate danger, the police can also apply for you. On paper, that sounds straightforward, but in real life, it can feel heavy. You might be trying to stay calm, keep the kids settled, and get through work, and then you’re expected to put everything into words and explain it to strangers.
Having an IVO lawyer in Melbourne can take a lot of that pressure off. They can help you work out what to include, organise any supporting information, and guide you on what the court process usually looks like. If you need to attend court, they can also speak on your behalf and make sure your situation is put forward clearly. That way, you’re not trying to hold it all together while also figuring out the legal side at the same time.
What if someone applies for an IVO against me?
If an IVO has been made against you, it’s important to take it seriously — even if you feel it’s unfair or based on misunderstandings.
Ignoring an IVO or breaching its terms can lead to criminal charges.
You have the right to respond to the order, and that’s where having experienced IVO lawyers Melbourne on your side can make a real difference.
They can help you challenge the order, negotiate its terms, or prepare for a court hearing.
Whether you want to contest the allegations or simply resolve the matter with minimal conflict, your lawyer will guide you through each step.
How long does an IVO last?
An IVO doesn’t always look the same. Sometimes it’s put in place quickly, before the court has had a chance to hear everything. That’s called an interim order. It’s usually there to give short-term protection and keep things steady until the matter comes back before a Magistrate.
After that, the court decides what happens next. A final IVO can run for a set period, or it can stay in place longer if there are real concerns about safety. It all depends on what’s been happening and whether the risk is likely to continue.
If the order feels too restrictive, or your situation has changed, you’re not stuck with it forever. An IVO lawyer in Melbourne can help you apply to change the conditions or have the order removed. And if you’re worried the protection won’t last long enough, your lawyer can also help you put forward the right information to ask for the order to continue.
Will an IVO affect my family law case?
An IVO doesn’t just stay in its own lane. If there are children involved, it can flow into parenting arrangements as well. Courts are always careful where kids are concerned, and their safety comes first every time.
Once an IVO is in place, the way you deal with the other parent may need to change. That can mean no direct contact, limited communication, or contact only through set channels. In some situations, it can also affect time with the children, at least until things are looked at more closely by the court.
Because intervention orders and parenting matters overlap, it’s important to get advice from someone who understands both. An IVO lawyer in Melbourne can help you make sense of how the order fits into your parenting situation and help you move forward without breaching any existing court orders.
Co-Parenting With a Difficult Ex: Strategies That Actually Work
Hayder Legal January 22, 2026 6:00 am