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Family Violence Court Division

The Family Violence Court Division operates at the Magistrates' Court at Ballarat and Heidelberg and specialises in hearing family violence cases.

The Family Violence Court Division aims to make the process of applying for an intervention order easier and less intimidating. There are support services available at the court to improve safety and to assist people in overcoming the trauma caused by family violence.

It hears matters already within the jurisdiction of the Magistrates' Court and can also sit as the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal. Types of offences heard by the Family Violence Court Division include:

• intervention and counselling orders
• civil personal injury claims
• family law and child support matters
• summary criminal proceedings
• committal proceedings for indictable charges
• compensation and restitution cases.

Specialist support services at the Family Violence Court Division provide help with applying for intervention orders, advocacy, referral, legal services and information about community family violence support organisations.

Magistrates are supported by expert legal and non-legal services at the court including:

• registrars
• Police prosecutors
• family violence applicant workers
• family violence defendant workers
• family violence outreach workers
• lawyers.

All have specialist training and knowledge in family violence matters.

Further information

For comprehensive information about applying or responding to an intervention order, court directed counselling for men and court processes and procedures (such as jurisdiction, court directed counselling and listing arrangements), see the Magistrates' Court of Victoria website.

Heidelberg Magistrates' Court
Family Violence Court Division Registrar
Jika St, Heidelberg
Melbourne VIC 3084
Tel: 03 8458 2000

Ballarat Magistrates' Court
Family Violence Court Division Registrar
100 Grenville St South
Ballarat VIC 3350
Tel: 03 5336 6200