How to vary an AVO (Apprehended Violence Order)?

One of the most common enquiries domestic violence lawyers receive is from defendants and protected persons wanting to vary an AVO.

An Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) is a court order that is made to protect a person from the violence, harassment, intimidation or other threatening behaviour of another person. In its simplest form, an AVO can be loosely described as a legal contract between the defendant and the PINOP.

There are generally two parties to an AVO – the person in need of protection (PINOP) and the defendant.

An AVO contains conditions that the defendant must follow to avoid breaching the AVO. These conditions can be varied (changed) if a party satisfies the relevant tests under the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007 (NSW).