Quick answer
In Tasmania, police can issue a police family violence order on the spot - no court needed, typically running about twelve months - and you can also apply to the Magistrates Court yourself (one form plus five copies at the registry, no filing fee). This video explains both paths, interim orders, and the forward-looking test the magistrate applies.
What this video covers
- Introduction (0:00)
- Protection before any court (0:04)
- In danger now - who to call (0:22)
- On the spot - police orders (0:37)
- Your own application - form + five copies (0:57)
- What the magistrate weighs (1:16)
- Who the order covers (1:41)
- You don't have to do this alone (1:59)
- Free help, any hour - 1800 577 015 (2:15)
Transcript
In Tasmania, protection can begin before any courtroom opens its doors. Police can make an order on the spot, and the court can make a stronger one later. If someone close to you is making you unsafe, here is exactly how it works. Safety first always. If you are in danger right now, call triple zero. For counseling and support, Tasmania's Family Violence Service and the National Line are both on your screen, and calling them costs nothing. When police attend family violence, they do not need a magistrate's permission to act.
They can issue a police family violence order immediately, and it typically runs for about twelve months. They can also help you take the next step, which is applying to the court. You can also go to the court yourself. Pick up the application for a family violence order, fill it in, and take it with five copies to your nearest magistrate's court registry. Filing costs nothing. The court can then make an interim order while the case proceeds. The test is forward looking. The magistrate asks whether family violence has happened and whether it may happen again.
Your account matters, and so does anything that backs it. Messages, photographs, medical notes, dates. Bring what you have and write events down while they are fresh. Family violence orders protect people from partners, former partners, and family members. If the person troubling you is a neighbor, a workmate, or a stranger, Tasmania uses a different order for that, and our separate video explains it. You do not have to work any of this out alone. Support services can plan your next step, and a lawyer can prepare the application with you.
Our hotline is free to call at any hour, and a consultation can be arranged quickly.
Official sources
Sources checked 3 September 2026.
Important
This video provides general legal information for Tasmania. It is not legal advice and does not take account of your circumstances. Laws and court processes change. For advice about your situation, speak with a qualified lawyer.