Coercive control laws Australia has become a rapidly evolving area of law, and for good reason. For years, domestic abuse was largely understood through the lens of physical violence. But the reality is that many victims suffer deeply without a single bruise. Coercive control is a pattern of behaviour designed to dominate, frighten, and trap a person, and Australian law is finally catching up to that truth.
This article breaks down what coercive control actually means, what behaviours fall under it, where it stands legally in each state and territory, and what you can do if you think it is happening to you or someone you care about. This is general information only and not legal advice.
What Is Coercive Control?
Coercive control is not a single act. It is a repeated pattern of behaviours that one person uses to dominate and control another, usually a current or former intimate partner. The goal is to make the victim feel powerless, isolated, and constantly monitored.
Think of it as a system of control rather than a one-off incident. The abuser chips away at the victim’s freedom over time, often in ways that are difficult to explain or prove to others.
Common Examples of Coercive Control
These behaviours can take many forms, including:
- Monitoring movements, phone calls, messages, or social media
- Controlling access to money or financial decisions
- Isolating the person from friends, family, or support networks
- Using threats, humiliation, or degradation to maintain power
- Dictating clothing, diet, daily routines, or social interactions
- Gaslighting, which means making the victim question their own memory or reality
Individually, some of these behaviours might not seem illegal. But when they form a deliberate, ongoing pattern aimed at controlling someone, the law now treats them very differently.
Is Coercive Control Illegal in Australia?
Yes, in several Australian states it is now a criminal offence. The Australian Government has recognised family and domestic violence, including coercive control, as a national priority. However, the specific laws differ across states and territories.
New South Wales
NSW was the first state to criminalise coercive control with a standalone offence. As of 1 July 2024, under the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Coercive Control) Act 2022, it is a criminal offence to engage in a repeated pattern of abusive behaviour toward a current or former intimate partner with the intention to coerce or control them. The maximum penalty is seven years imprisonment.
You can read more about NSW’s approach directly from the NSW Government coercive control page.
Queensland
Queensland passed its own landmark legislation, known as Hannah’s Law, named after Brisbane mother Hannah Clarke who was tragically killed along with her three children in 2020. From 26 May 2025, coercive control became a standalone criminal offence in Queensland, carrying a maximum penalty of 14 years’ imprisonment. The laws also extend to family members and informal carers, making them broader than the NSW framework.
Other States and Territories
The legal landscape continues to shift across Australia. Here is a general overview based on current information:
Tasmania has addressed aspects of coercive control through family violence legislation, though without a standalone offence. Victoria passed the Crimes Amendment (Coercive Control) Bill 2025, which is progressing through parliament. Western Australia and South Australia have both committed to criminalising coercive control, with legislation being developed. The ACT is also progressing its own coercive control bill.
It is worth checking with the Attorney-General’s Department or your local legal aid service to find out the current status in your state.
What Does the Law Actually Look For?
Proving coercive control can be more complex than proving a physical assault. That is because the offence is built around patterns and intent rather than a single event.
Prosecutors generally need to show that the behaviour was repeated, that it was targeted at a current or former intimate partner, and that the person carrying out the behaviour intended to coerce or control. In NSW, the law applies only to behaviour that occurred after 1 July 2024.
Keeping records, text messages, screenshots, and even diary notes can all be important if you ever need to report this kind of abuse. The Legal Aid NSW website has useful resources for people navigating domestic violence situations.
The Connection to Domestic Violence Laws
Coercive control laws in Australia sit alongside broader domestic and family violence protections. Even in states where coercive control is not yet a standalone criminal offence, victims still have legal options.
Apprehended Violence Orders, or AVOs, are available in NSW. Other states have similar protection orders under different names. These orders can legally prevent an abusive person from contacting or coming near the victim. Breaching such an order is a criminal offence.
The Family Court of Australia also considers patterns of family violence, including coercive control, when making decisions about parenting arrangements and property settlements.
What Should You Do If You Are Experiencing This?
If you think you are in a coercive control situation, the most important thing is your safety. You do not need to wait for physical violence to occur before reaching out for help.
There are a few steps worth considering. First, speak to someone you trust. Second, contact a domestic violence service or hotline for confidential advice. Third, consider speaking to a lawyer who works in family law or domestic violence to understand your legal rights. Finally, if you are in immediate danger, contact police.
Your situation is unique, and the right path forward depends on many factors. A legal professional can give you advice based on your specific circumstances, which general articles simply cannot do.
Conclusion
Coercive control laws Australia wide are moving in a clear direction: recognising that abuse is not always physical, and that patterns of control and manipulation cause real and serious harm. NSW and Queensland have both enacted criminal offences, and other states are following. Understanding these laws matters whether you are personally affected or simply want to know your rights.
If you want to learn more about your legal rights or find a family lawyer or domestic violence legal specialist near you, visit lawyer.com.au. We list qualified lawyers across Australia, including in major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide, so you can connect with someone who understands the law in your state.
FAQs
1. What behaviours count as coercive control under Australian law?
Coercive control includes repeated behaviours like financial abuse, monitoring movements, isolation from support networks, threats, degradation, and psychological manipulation. The key element is that the behaviours form a deliberate pattern aimed at controlling another person. The specific definition varies depending on the state or territory’s legislation.
2. Is coercive control a criminal offence across all of Australia?
Not yet in every state. As of 2025, NSW and Queensland have standalone criminal offences for coercive control. Other states like Victoria, Western Australia, and South Australia are at different stages of introducing similar laws. Tasmania addresses some aspects under existing family violence legislation.
3. What is the penalty for coercive control in Australia?
It depends on where you live. In NSW, the maximum penalty is seven years imprisonment. In Queensland, it is up to 14 years imprisonment, making it one of the toughest responses in the country. As other states introduce their own laws, penalties may vary.
4. Can I report coercive control to police even if there has been no physical violence?
Yes, in states where coercive control is a criminal offence, physical violence does not need to have occurred. Police can investigate patterns of abusive behaviour. Even where there is no standalone offence, you can still apply for a protection order through the courts. It is worth speaking to a legal professional or calling a domestic violence helpline to understand your options.
5. How is coercive control different from normal relationship conflict?
All relationships have disagreements, but coercive control is very different. It involves a deliberate and ongoing pattern where one person systematically uses power and control over another. The goal is to dominate and frighten, not to resolve a disagreement. If you feel like you are constantly walking on eggshells, being monitored, or losing your independence, it may be worth speaking to a professional.