Who can make a domestic violence declaration?
Previously, only registered medical practitioners were allowed to complete a domestic violence declaration.
From 11 December 2020, a wider range of professionals (competent persons) may provide a declaration.
- Registered health practitioners who hold either general or specialist registration under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (NSW), in one of the following health professions:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practice
- Chinese medicine
- chiropractic
- dental (including the profession of a dentist, dental therapist, dental hygienist, dental prosthetist and oral health therapist)
- medical
- medical radiation practice
- midwifery
- nursing
- occupational therapy
- optometry
- osteopathy
- paramedicine
- pharmacy
- physiotherapy
- podiatry
- psychology
- social workers who are a member of the Australian Association of Social Workers,
- employees of a NSW government agency that work in child protection,
- employees of non-government agencies that receive government funding to provide services relating to domestic violence/sexual assault or refuge/emergency accommodation, and
- approved counsellors under the Victims Rights and Support Act 2013.
This declaration is one of 4 acceptable forms of evidence a tenant can use to attach to their termination notice, to end their tenancy without penalty.
The declaration has been made available in response to concerns that many victims of domestic violence do not feel comfortable going to the police or engaging with the justice system.