The Commonwealth Workplace Protection Orders scheme (the CWPO scheme) will begin on 5 May 2026. The CWPO scheme was established under the Commonwealth Workplace Protection Orders Act 2025 (the Act).
The CWPO scheme provides legal protections for Commonwealth workers and workplaces, who deliver essential services to the community, from customer violence and aggression.
The CWPO scheme allows a Commonwealth entity (such as Services Australia or the Australian Taxation Office) to seek a CWPO against a person who has engaged in personal violence against a Commonwealth worker or workplace. A Commonwealth entity can seek a CWPO if there is a real risk that person will engage in further personal violence if a CWPO is not made. The CWPO seeks to prevent further harm. A CWPO places restrictions on a respondent to prevent further acts of:
- physical and non-physical violence
- aggression
- intimidation
- harassment.
For example, a CWPO could restrict a respondent’s contact with a particular Commonwealth worker.
A CWPO cannot prevent a respondent from getting Commonwealth government benefits or services or engaging in political communication. However, a CWPO may change the way a respondent can do these things, to protect the safety of Commonwealth workers and workplaces.
Personal violence
Personal violence is when a person engages, or threatens to engage in, conduct that causes harm or a reasonable fear of harm to a Commonwealth worker or workplace. It must be conduct and/or threats which happen because of the worker’s status as a Commonwealth worker. It must also interfere with a Commonwealth worker’s ability to perform their role and/or functions.
Personal violence can be direct, such as physical assault, or indirect, such as a general threat of harm against a Commonwealth workplace.
The definition of personal violence includes:
- acts of violence
- harassment
- intimidation
- threats of harm
- other harmful non-physical violence, such as verbal abuse
- conduct engaged in over the phone or via email.
It does
not include behaviour that is merely expressing dissatisfaction with the Commonwealth or government services.
Benefits of the CWPO scheme
The scheme responds to the increasing risk of harm Commonwealth workers and workplaces face from members of the public.
In 2024-25, there were 1,510 serious incidents across Services Australia’s face-to-face service channel. In May 2025, two Australian Border Force contractors were seriously assaulted with a bladed weapon.
In May 2023, a Services Australia staff member was seriously assaulted at work. In response to the assault, the former Victoria Police Commissioner, Mr Graham Ashton AM APM conducted the 2023
Services Australia Security Risk Management Review (the Review).
The scheme implements recommendation 17 of the Review. This recommended that ‘the current ACT Workplace Protection Order provisions should be adopted for use by the Government as a staff protection mechanism nationwide.’
Applying for a CWPO
A Commonwealth entity, such as Services Australia or the Australian Taxation Office, can apply for a CWPO on behalf of an affected worker or workplace.
The person who applies for the CWPO needs to be an ‘authorised person’. An affected worker can ask their employer to apply for a CWPO on their behalf. There is no obligation for the employer to do so. The employer does not need consent from the affected worker to apply for a CWPO.
A Commonwealth entity can make a CWPO application to:
- the Federal Court of Australia
- the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2)
- all State and Territory courts.
Commonwealth entities can find the information that they must include in an application at
Section 19(2) of the Act.
A CWPO is just one of the tools available to manage serious customer behaviour. The authorised person must ensure that a CWPO is the most appropriate course of action before they apply.
Types of CWPOs
There are four types of orders. Each serve different purposes and have different application requirements.
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Urgent interim order: an order that would be sought in urgent, time critical circumstances. This order may be applied for by phone or electronically. The applicant must then apply for a final CWPO to the Court within seven days after this order has been made.
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Interim order: an order that provides protection while an application for a final CWPO is being considered by the Court.
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Final order: an ultimate CWPO made by the Court.
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Consent order: a final CWPO that is agreed to by all parties.
CWPO breaches
It is a criminal offence to breach a CWPO. It is punishable by 120 penalty units and/or imprisonment for two years.
More information
If you have any questions, contact the Criminal Justice Policy and Legislation Section at the Department of Home Affairs via criminaljusticepolicy@homeaffairs.gov.au
