A counselling order is a court order that requires a respondent (the person the order is made against) to attend counselling in connection with family violence.

The order can only be made when a Final Family Violence Intervention Order (FVIO) is issued in favour of the affected family member (AFM).

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How It Works

1. Assessment: The court first orders the respondent to attend an assessment by a qualified counsellor to determine their suitability for counselling.

2. Report: The counsellor provides a report to the Magistrate.

3. Counselling Order: Based on the report, the court may order the respondent to attend a counselling program, such as a Men’s Behaviour Change course, aimed at:

   • Increasing accountability for the violence used.

   • Encouraging the respondent to change their behaviour.