Police Reviews of Police Protection Directions

What is a Police Protection Direction (PPD)

The Queensland Government has enacted legislation to amend the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 (the Act) to enable police officers to issue a Police Protection Direction (PPD) when responding to domestic violence. 

From 1 January 2026, police officers may issue PPDs to provide immediate long-term protection for aggrieved and named persons (including children or unborn children), from domestic violence committed by the respondent.

The protective conditions that can be included on a PPD include standard conditions, and cool-down, no contact, ouster and return conditions. If the PPD names a child on the PPD then standard conditions only may be imposed.

A PPD expires in 12 months after the day the direction takes effect. Contravening a PPD is an offence with a maximum penalty of 3 years imprisonment or 120 penalty units.  

A Police Protection Direction is immediate and timely, providing immediate protection to an aggrieved and named person/s and holding the perpetrator accountable.

The PPD does not proceed to court, with the direction enforceable for 12 months from the time the direction is served on the respondent. This certainty of protection reduces the trauma for victim-survivors, named persons and witnesses by attending court. 

What is a Police Review of a PPD?

The Act provides two important safeguards as part of the legislative framework for PPD:

  • Police Review, and
  • Court Review.  

Only specified persons may make application for a Police Review following the issue of a PPD.  
On a Police Review a Reviewing Officer, being a Senior Sergeant or Inspector of Police authorised by the Commissioner of Police, is required to conduct a Police Review of the issue of a PPD and decide whether the PPD issued should be confirmed or other action is taken.

Who can apply for a Police Review of a PPD?

Following the issuing of a PPD, an application for a Police Review can be made by:

  • The aggrieved
  • The respondent
  • An authorised person for the aggrieved
  • A named person.

A named person may only seek a Police Review to:

  • remove their name from the PPD or
  • change any condition(s) on the PPD that relate to them.
How to apply for a Police Review

To apply for a Police Review:

What supporting documents does the applicant need to complete the Application for Police Review?

It may help you if you have access to a copy of the PPD when completing the application. 

Providing an email address that you can be contacted on and a postal address for receiving documents from the QPS will facilitate the conduct of the Police Review and help ensure you are informed of the decision on the Police Review. 

Can information about events that happened after the PPD was issued be considered as part of the Police Review?

No. The Act requires the Reviewing Officer to decide the Police Review on the circumstances that existed at the time the PPD was issued. This includes any circumstances that existed at the time the PPD was issued, but were not known or considered by the police officer who issued the PPD. 

The Reviewing Officer cannot consider events or circumstances that occurred after the PPD was issued when deciding the Police Review. 

What is the prescribed period for application for Police Review? 

The prescribed period within which an Application for Police Review may be made is the period 28 days after the notice stating the grounds for issuing the PPD is served on the respondent. 

A person authorised to make an application for a Police Review may request additional time to make an application if the prescribed period has elapsed. Reasons for seeking an extension should be provided. 

The Reviewing Officer will determine if sufficient reasons exist to approve an extension of time to make the application. If an extension is not granted, a Police Review may not be conducted – and you will be notified of this. 

What to expect after the application

A Reviewing Officer will conduct a Police Review and must make a decision within 28 days after a Police Review is commenced, unless a Court Review is commenced before the Police Review is decided.

Request for further information

The Reviewing Officer may seek relevant information from other persons during the conduct of the Police Review. A Reviewing Officer may request information from an aggrieved, named person or respondent to assist in deciding the Police Review. 

However, the aggrieved, named person or respondent may, but is not required to, provide the required information in response to the request.

What are the possible outcomes of a Police Review?

The Reviewing Officer may decide, based on the information gathered during the investigation by police that led to the issue of the PPD, the application and any submissions or additional information received, to do any of the following:

  • Make no changes to the current PPD (confirm the PPD)
  • Revoke the current PPD and issue a new PPD (with the same or different named persons, and/or the same or different conditions)
  • Revoke the current PPD and issue a Police Protection Notice
  • Revoke the PPD and apply to a Court for a protection order
  • Revoke the PPD and take any other action that is appropriate in the circumstances in accordance with section 100(3) of the Act
  • Revoke the PPD and take no other action.
Will I be advised of the decision on a Police Review?

When a Police Review has been decided, a Reviewing Officer must give the aggrieved, respondent and each named person written notice of the decision stating the decision and the reasons for the decision. 

Is the PPD still enforceable during a Police Review?

Yes, the current PPD is enforceable when a PPD Police Review application is submitted or under review. 

Contravening the police protection direction is an offence. Maximum penalty of 3 years jail or a fine of 120 penalty units.

Can I request a Police Review of a Domestic Violence Order (includes a temporary protection order)?

A Police Review is specific to PPDs and does not apply to domestic violence orders. 

 


What is the impact of Court Review on Police Review?

At any time a PPD is in force, an authorised person may make application for Court Review at any Magistrates Court.

If an application for Court Review is completed and filed in a Magistrates Court, a Police Review that has started but has not been decided must be immediately discontinued. 

The Court will determine the application for Court Review. 

Once a Court Review is filed, upon the required documents being provided by the Queensland Police Service to the Court, the PPD will be taken to be an application for a protection order by the issuing officer. The Court will then determine whether to make a protection order and, if so, what conditions will be included in the protection order. 

The duration of a protection order made by the court will be five years if no other period is stated by the Court in accordance with section 97 of the Act.

Apply for a Police Review of a PPD

Complete online form
[accessible version]

Download PDF form
[to submit to a police station]

Find a station or facility

or use your current location

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Last updated: 29/12/2025