Author: Amelia Ramsay
Practice area: Family Violence
Amelia is a Partner at Doogue + George, recognised by Doyle's Guide as a Recommended Criminal Defence Lawyer in Victoria (2026), practising exclusively in criminal law since 2014. Her depth of experience in this area means clients receive accurate, considered advice.
View full profile →Amelia authored this content and last revised it for accuracy on 5th August 2026.
What is the offence of Contravene Family Counselling Order?
Contravene Family Counselling Order is an offence under section 130 of the Family Violence Protection Act 2008 (Vic). It applies where a person who is subject to a court-made family counselling order does not comply with the requirement to attend family counselling, without reasonable excuse.
Key points
- Prosecution must prove an order was made and it was contravened without reasonable excuse.
- Conduct can include failing to attend a counselling session with an approved counsellor when ordered by a court.
- Usual court level: Magistrates’ Court of Victoria.
The maximum penalty for Contravene Family Counselling Order is a maximum fine of 10 penalty units or $2,091.
Common defences may include reasonable excuse, lack of intent, impossibility, factual error, or insufficient evidence to prove the elements of the offence.
Have you been accused of Contravene Family Counselling Order?
Police Interview
Before attending an interview about contravening a family counselling order, contact our office to receive legal advice. It may be best you answer questions to explain why you failed to attend counselling. You might have a reasonable excuse to tell the police which will mean they decide not to charge you.
Pleading Not Guilty
If the police have charged you with this offence and you want to plead not guilty, we can protect your interests in Court. We would request the brief of evidence, identify the issues with the police case, determine what work we need to do to ensure the best possible chance of success and aim for the charge to be withdrawn or otherwise not proven in court.
Pleading Guilty
Perhaps you struggled to attend some counselling sessions but you have a perfectly good explanation. It is our job to help the court understand why you contravened the order and to achieve the best possible outcome in court for you. There is always context to offending and we strategise the best explanation to ensure the court understands your situation and sentences you fairly.
Sentencing
Sentencing in the Magistrates’ Courts of Victoria
Source: Sentencing Advisory Council of Victoria (SACStat), Family Violence Protection Act 2008 (Vic) s 130(4) — 250 charges across 207 cases, Magistrates’ Court, 1 July 2020 – 30 June 2023.
| Sentencing outcome | % |
|---|---|
| Fine | 62.4% |
| Adjourned Undertaking | 14.0% |
| Community Correction Order | 8.4% |
| Discharge/Dismissal | 11.6% |
| Imprisonment | 3.6% |
These figures indicate that while a custodial sentence is possible, it is not the typical outcome. The court will consider the surrounding circumstances, including compliance history and the broader family violence context, before determining the appropriate penalty.
What is the legal definition of Contravene Family Counselling Order?
This charge is legally defined as the contravention of a family counselling order under section 130 of the Act, without reasonable excuse, by a person who was subjected to such order.
Examples of Contravene Family Counselling Order
- Not attending a counselling session with an approved counsellor when ordered to by a Court
Legislation
The offence of Contravene Family Counselling Order is governed by section 130 of the Family Violence Protection Act 2008.
Elements: When can a person be found guilty of this offence?
The accused, as the respondent, may be found guilty of this charge if:
- Under section 129 of the Family Violence Protection Act 2008, the Court is given a report that counselling is needed
- Respondent has been ordered to attend for family counselling under section 130, and
- Respondent without reasonable excuse contravenes the order
Defences
The following defences are available for this charge:
- Reasonable excuse
- Lack of intent
- Impossibility
- Factual error
- Insufficient evidence to prove the elements of the offence
Questions in cases like this
- Were you ordered to attend counselling?
- Did you in fact attend counselling?
- Is there a lawful reason why you could not attend counselling?
Maximum penalty for section 130 of the Family Violence Protection Act 2008
The offence of Contravene Family Counselling Order (s130 of the Family Violence Protection Act 2008) carries a maximum fine of 10 penalty units (around $2,091).
