The Queensland Government has announced an $8.6 million upgrade of the Rockhampton Courthouse to improve safety and access to justice for domestic and family violence (DFV) matters. It is part of the statewide DFV Courthouse Improvement Program (almost $68m). Confirmed works include a DFV‑dedicated courtroom, two safe rooms for vulnerable witnesses, upgraded entry security and a refurbished registry, due end 2026.
Project scope, budget, timeline and heritage
A budget factsheet – Queensland Budget 2025-26 Regional Delivery Plan: Central Queensland – flagged courthouse upgrades for Rockhampton to improve security and safety for DFV victims, but did not publish a site‑specific budget, scope, or dates.
On 24 February 2026, Attorney‑General Deb Frecklington confirmed a budget of $8.6 million and one dedicated DFV courtroom, two safe rooms, an entry security upgrade, and a refurbished registry.
The wider precinct is heritage‑listed as Rockhampton Court and Administrative Complex on the Queensland Heritage Register (entered 21 October 1992). Queensland guidance notes that most changes to Queensland Heritage Register places are treated as development and generally require approval before work proceeds
| Facility item | Current (public info) | Upgrade (announced) |
| DFV courtroom | Unspecified | 1 dedicated DFV courtroom |
| Safe rooms | Unspecified | 2 dedicated safe rooms |
| Entry security | Unspecified | Upgraded security at entry |
| Registry | Existing registry | Refurbished registry |
| Remote witness room | Listed as available | Unspecified (not stated) |
| Delivery timing | Unspecified | Due end of 2026 (scheduled) |
Current facilities are drawn from Queensland Courts listings; upgrade items are from the February 2026 announcement.
What the upgrade means for court users
The practical focus is safer waiting, better separation and a less intimidating experience at court. The safe rooms are intended as secure, private spaces for vulnerable witnesses; government messaging links them to reducing victims’ exposure to alleged perpetrators outside the courtroom. Entry security will also be strengthened – so allow extra time for screening and arrival logistics.
How this affects domestic and family violence matters
The announcement is grounded in local DFV workload. The government reported that, in the last financial year, the Rockhampton Magistrates Court dealt with 786 applications for domestic violence orders and more than 2,286 charges of contravening a domestic violence order.
Government statements and The Courier-Mail reporting describe the DFV‑dedicated courtroom and safe rooms as support for faster, safer hearings and for reducing backlogs, but no quantified backlog reduction targets have been published for Rockhampton.
The Queensland Law Society has welcomed the package as improving access to justice and safety for DFV victim‑survivors.
In the short term, expect operational impacts – entry screening time, safe-room access protocols, and any registry service changes during refurbishment – will be disrupted.
If you need legal advice in Rockhampton our team are experts in criminal and domestic violence law. Our role is to sit down with you and work out the strategy that will get you the best possible result. If you have any questions about this article or any other topic of law, please call our team of experts on 1300 066 669.
