Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme
The NSW Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme helps people who may be at risk of domestic violence to find out if their current or former partner has a history of violent criminal offences.
The Scheme is the first of its kind in Australia and one of the NSW Government’s strategies to help reduce domestic violence in NSW.
The Scheme is currently operating in four NSW Police Force Local Area Commands:
- Oxley (Tamworth region)
- Shoalhaven (Nowra region)
- Sutherland (Menai/Engadine/Sutherland region)
- St George (Kogarah/Hurstville region).
To find out more, see the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme.
Consultation
The model of the DVDS was informed through wide public consultation process which included a roundtable and targeted workshops with government and non-government organisations.
View the summary of the consultation process.
Directions for the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme Pilot
Directions are made under section 41 of the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 and section 62 of the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 to permit the collection, withholding, use and disclosure of personal information by NSW public sector agencies and contracted service providers that have an identified role in and for the purpose of the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme Pilot. This direction was remade on 11 April 2018 and remains in force until either 11 July 2019, the end of the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme Pilot or the provision and commencement of the required authorities and exemptions by other means, whichever is the earlier.
More infoformation on Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme can be found on the FACS website.