Family Violence and Urgent AVO Help at Christmas NSW 2026

Who should I call if I am unsafe on Christmas Day?

Call 000 and ask for police if violence is occurring, you fear it is about to occur, or someone faces a threat to life. Give your address and explain where the other person and any children are, whether there are weapons, and whether an AVO is already in force. Do not delay an emergency call to collect documents.

For non-urgent police assistance, contact your local police station or call 131 444. You can ask the station about its Domestic Violence Liaison Officer. Tell us a safe way to contact you when arranging legal advice. We can then work out which incidents and existing orders matter for your protection and your children’s care.

Can I get an urgent AVO while the courts are closed?

Police can apply for a provisional AVO at any time of day or night where immediate protection is needed. Only police can apply for this type of order. It takes effect when served on the defendant. An interim AVO is a temporary order made by the court while the application for final protection is being dealt with.

Where the parties have a domestic relationship, the relevant protection is generally an apprehended domestic violence order, or ADVO. If police do not apply for you, you can contact the Local Court about a private application and explain any urgency. Confirm the registry’s filing and listing arrangements for your application.

NS Legal can prepare your private application and supporting material, and advise how the AVO proceedings affect your family law matter.

What protection can an AVO provide at home or during handovers?

An AVO can include restrictions on contact, entering the family home or approaching a school, depending on the circumstances. Read the actual conditions: protection from threats does not necessarily mean that every form of communication or attendance is prohibited. Threats, stalking and intimidation can be relevant to an AVO application even where there has been no physical injury.

Keep messages, photographs and incident dates where it is safe to do so, and give your lawyer your existing orders. NS Legal can organise these materials and seek conditions that address risks at home, at work and during your children’s handovers.

Report a suspected breach of an enforceable AVO to police; call 000 if there is immediate danger. A breach can lead to criminal charges; related legal issues are addressed in our domestic violence offences service.

What if the AVO conflicts with my parenting orders?

An AVO does not automatically replace an existing parenting order. Where the family court makes a parenting order allowing a child to spend time with someone and it conflicts with an existing family violence order, the family violence order is invalid to the extent of that conflict about time with the child. When making or varying an AVO, the Local Court may also vary or suspend parenting provisions for a child to spend time with someone. Statutory conditions apply, including material that was not before the court that made the parenting order. Give police and your lawyer both documents; do not decide which conditions apply simply by comparing their dates.

If a child faces an immediate risk of physical or psychological harm, an urgent parenting application may be appropriate. A request for an urgent hearing needs supporting evidence, including an affidavit explaining the urgency. Family violence or urgency may also support an exemption from the usual Family Dispute Resolution requirement.

NS Legal can prepare the urgent application and supporting evidence, with proposed interim orders for handovers and longer-term parenting arrangements.

What support is available over Christmas, and what should I bring?

The NSW Domestic Violence Line is available 24/7 on 1800 65 64 63 for women experiencing domestic violence. It provides counselling and referrals, and can help with safety planning and finding emergency accommodation. People affected by domestic, family or sexual violence can also call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 for 24/7 support.

To book legal advice, bring any AVO, parenting orders, police event number and relevant correspondence that you can safely access. Write down recent incidents and the next proposed handover. NS Legal can use these materials to prepare the documents needed for your application and communicate through your chosen safe contact method. Tell us whether it is safe to leave a message or send documents to your usual contact details.

Compiled from official sources; updated 29 October 2026.