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Personal Safety Intervention Orders (PSIO)

A Personal Safety Intervention Order is a court order designed to protect someone from harmful or unwanted behaviour by a person who is not a family member. This could include neighbours, work colleagues, friends, employers, landlords, strangers, or others.

A PSIO can protect against:

  • Assault – physical violence or sexual assault.

  • Property damage – damaging or threatening to damage property.

  • Harassment – bullying, intimidation, or sending abusive messages.

  • Threats – to harm people, pets, property, or to share personal information.

  • Stalking – following, contacting, or tracking someone without consent.

The Court can refer parties to mediation where it is safe to do so. 

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Benefits of mediation include:

  • Faster resolution than court hearings.

  • Free service for PSIO matters, saving legal costs.

  • Greater participation – parties can explain their side more fully.

  • Flexible outcomes – creative solutions not available in court.

  • Cooperative approach – can preserve relationships.

  • Reduced stress – fewer court appearances and a quicker process.

  • High settlement rates – many disputes are successfully resolved.

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At the mention date or hearing, the court can direct parties to:

  • Attend a mediation assessment, or

  • Attend a mediation assessment and mediation if suitable, or

  • Attend a mediation if a prior assessment confirms suitability.

The court may adjourn or stand down proceedings to allow mediation to occur.

Scale of justice

Before granting an interim PSIO, the court must be satisfied that the order is necessary to ensure safety of the affected person or to protect their property.

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The application must be supported by oral evidence or an affidavit, unless:

  • Both parties consent, or

  • The application is made by a police member after-hours or remotely, and the court waives the evidence requirement.

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