Commencement of the Commonwealth Workplace Protection Orders Act 2025
The Commonwealth Workplace Protection Orders Act 2025 (Cth) (CWPO Act) commences on 5 May 2026. From that date, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2), exercising its General Federal Law jurisdiction, has jurisdiction to hear and determine applications for Commonwealth workplace protection orders.
The CWPO Act establishes a statutory scheme enabling authorised persons of Commonwealth entities to seek orders to address personal violence affecting Commonwealth workers or Commonwealth workplaces.
Practice Direction
A new General Federal Law Practice Direction applies to proceedings under the CWPO Act: GENFED‑CWPO: Commonwealth Workplace Protection Order Proceedings
The Practice Direction sets out procedural requirements for commencing and conducting proceedings, including filing requirements, evidence, urgent interim applications, and contains template orders which may be adopted where suitable.
Parties and practitioners should familiarise themselves with the Practice Direction before commencing proceedings under the CWPO Act.
Court forms
New approved forms are available for proceedings under the CWPO Act:
- Originating Application – Commonwealth Workplace Protection Order
- Application – Urgent Interim Commonwealth Workplace Protection Order
These forms must be used, as applicable, when commencing proceedings or seeking urgent interim relief under the CWPO Act. Guidance on when to use each form is included on the forms and in the Practice Direction.
Filing and urgent applications
Applications are to be filed electronically using eLodgment, unless it is not reasonably practicable to do so. Urgent interim applications may be dealt with urgently, including outside ordinary business hours, in accordance with the Practice Direction and existing registry procedures.
Website information
New website content has been published to support the commencement of the CWPO Act, including:
- overview information about Commonwealth workplace protection orders
- links to legislation and the Practice Direction
- access to approved Court forms
- guidance on filing and urgent applications
This content is available on the Court’s website in the General Federal Law section under Commonwealth Workplace Protection Orders.
