Effective from 1 January 2026, Queensland Police have been granted expanded powers under the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012.

Police can now issue a Police Protection Direction (PPD), which can have the same practical effect as a court-made Protection Order, without the matter first going before a magistrate.

This is a significant change to how domestic and family violence is responded to in Queensland.

What Is a Police Protection Direction?

A Police Protection Direction is a direction issued by a police officer to a person (the respondent) following an incident of domestic violence.

Once issued, it can impose enforceable conditions similar to those found in a Protection Order.

Duration

A Police Protection Direction can remain in force for up to 12 months.

A breach of the direction is a criminal offence.

When Can Police Issue a Police Protection Direction?

Police may issue a Police Protection Direction only if specific legal requirements are met.

1. Threshold Requirements

   A police officer may issue a direction if they reasonably believe that:

   • The respondent has committed domestic violence; and

   • The direction is necessary or desirable to protect the aggrieved from further domestic violence; and

   • It would not be more appropriate to instead apply for a court-issued Protection Order.
     
     

2. Matters Police Must Consider

   Before issuing a direction, police must consider:

   • The principles of the Act;

   • The criminal history and domestic violence history of both the respondent and the aggrieved;

   • Whether there are circumstances suggesting that a court Protection Order would be more appropriate;

   • Any views or wishes expressed by the aggrieved, including whether they want a Protection Order.
     
     

3. Procedural Fairness

   If the respondent is not present, police must:

   • Make a reasonable attempt to locate and speak with them, including by telephone;

   • Give the respondent an opportunity to be heard, ensuring natural justice before the direction is issued.
     
     
     

When Can’t Police Issue a Police Protection Direction?

The law places strict limits on when police must not issue a Police Protection Direction.

1. Who Is Involved

   A direction cannot be issued if:

   • Either party is a child, or

   • Either party is a police officer.
     
     

2. More Serious Action Is Required

   Police must not issue a direction if:

   • The respondent should instead be arrested or taken into custody for the domestic violence.
     
     

3. Existing or Previous Orders

   A direction must not be issued if:

   • A domestic violence order or recognised interstate order between the parties is currently in force or was previously in force; or

   • A police protection direction is already in force or has been issued before.
     
     

4. Criminal History or Ongoing Proceedings

   A direction must not be issued if the respondent:

   • Has been convicted of a domestic violence offence in the past two years;

   • Is currently facing a domestic violence charge; or

   • Is subject to a pending application for a Protection Order.
     
     

5. Use of Weapons

   Police must not issue a direction if the respondent:

   • Used or threatened to use a weapon or instrument during the domestic violence.
     
     

6. Mutual Risk Situations

   A direction must not be issued if:

   • Both people appear to need protection; and

   • Police cannot identify who is most in need of protection
     
     

7. Protection of Children

   Police must not issue a direction if:

   • Protecting a child requires conditions that can only be imposed by a court, such as conditions preventing exposure to domestic violence.
     
     
     

What Conditions Can Be Imposed?

A Police Protection Direction may include any or all of the conditions that can be imposed under a police protection notice.

These conditions must be necessary or desirable to:

• Protect the aggrieved from domestic violence; or

• Protect a named person from associated domestic violence.
  
  

Special Rules for Certain Conditions

Ouster Conditions (excluding the respondent from the home)

Before imposing an ouster condition, police must:

• Consider the factors set out in section 64 of the Act;

• Consider whether a return condition should be imposed;

• Obtain approval from a supervising officer of at least senior sergeant rank.

Cool-Down Conditions

• Require approval from a supervising officer of at least sergeant rank.

No-Contact Conditions

• Require approval from a supervising officer of at least senior sergeant rank.
  
  

What Premises Can Be Covered?

A cool-down or ouster condition may apply to:

• Premises the respondent has a legal or equitable interest in;

• Premises where the parties currently live or previously lived together;

• Premises where the aggrieved or a named person lives, works, or regularly attends.
  
  

Key Takeaway

Police Protection Directions represent a major shift in domestic and family violence law in Queensland, allowing police to impose long-term, enforceable conditions without immediate court oversight.

While intended to improve victim safety, these powers are tightly regulated and subject to strict legal safeguards.

If you are affected by a Police Protection Direction—whether as an aggrieved or a respondent—obtaining legal advice early is critical.

Contact Munce Legal for a Free 30 Minute Consult below.