Have you been served with a Police Protection Direction (PPD)?
Contact our Domestic Violence Lawyers to understand your rights and the next steps.
The Queensland Government has commenced Police Protection Directions as of 1 January 2026.
A PPD is an on-the-spot direction issued by police. They require the person alleged to have committed domestic violence (respondent) to not commit domestic violence against the victim (aggrieved), as well as any other named person or child listed on the PPD.
They can only be issued in circumstances where it would not be more appropriate for the matter to go to court and when the police officer reasonably believes that:
A PPD comes into effect as soon as it is served on the respondent or when the respondent is made aware of the direction and its conditions. This will then be in force for exactly 12 months from the date it starts.
If a PPD is contravened, the respondent will be charged with a criminal offence, imposing a maximum penalty of 120 penalty units (around $20,000) or up to 3 years imprisonment.
PPDs include standard conditions of being of good behaviour towards the aggrieved, not committing further domestic violence against the aggrieved and refraining from organising, encouraging, asking, telling or forcing another person to commit domestic violence on their behalf. If the aggrieved has a child or a child who usually lives with them, they may also be named on the PPD. If this is the case, there will be a standard condition that the respondent must not expose the child/ren to domestic violence.
If considered necessary or desirable, the police officer may consider other conditions, including:
If you have been served with a PPD, you may either apply for a Police Review or a Court Review, whether you are the respondent or aggrieved. You have 28 days from the day of service to apply for a Police Review, where upon review, the PPD may continue in force, be revoked, or get its conditions changed.
You may also apply for a Court Review in the Magistrates Court at any time during which the PPD is enforced. This avenue allows the court to reconsider the PPD, where it may be ended or set aside. However, the application for the court to review it may be dismissed, meaning the PPD will remain in force. The court also has the power to consider whether a protection order is necessary and may make an order to impose a 5-year protection order.
If you have experienced domestic violence, need assistance applying for review of a Police Protection Direction (PPD), or applying for or responding to a Domestic Violence Order (DVO) Application, or Temporary Protection Order (TPO), call Aitken Whyte Lawyers Brisbane on 07 3229 4459 to speak to a compassionate solicitor who can assist you, or follow the links below for more information on Domestic Violence.
Our Brisbane lawyers have answered some common questions below:
What Is Domestic Violence in Australia?
Who Can Apply for A Domestic Violence Order?
Who Is the Aggrieved and Who Is the Respondent? Who Else Can the Order Include?
When Will the Court Grant an Application for A Domestic Violence Order?
What Conditions Does A Domestic Violence Order Impose?
What Options Does A Respondent to An Application for A Domestic Violence Order Have?
What Is A Temporary Protection Order (TPO)?
How Long Does A Domestic Violence Order Last?
Can You Apply to Vary A Domestic Violence Order?
What Happens If You Breach A Domestic Violence Order?
What If You Have Family Court Orders or Proceedings Before the Family Law Courts?
Will A Domestic Violence Order Revoke Your Weapons Licence?
Should You Consider Written Parenting Arrangements?
What Is the Offence of Choking, Suffocation, Or Strangulation in A Domestic Setting?
Brisbane
Aitken Whyte Lawyers Brisbane
2/414 Upper Roma Street
Brisbane QLD 4000
