Change Your Bail Conditions

Did you know that you can ask to change your bail conditions?

If your circumstances have, or are likely to change this holiday season, NSW Courts and Police may allow you to modify your bail conditions. For example, you might need to change your bail conditions if: 

• You need to leave town for a few days on family business and you can’t report to the police station 
• You have to find somewhere else to stay for a while
• Your boss wants you to work overtime and you’ll have trouble sticking to a curfew 
• if you have any reasons why you’re going to breach your bail. 

To request a change, you’ll need to fill in a bail variation form. You will need to make a Review of Bail application by completing an application form and filing it at the Local Court.

Some bail conditions can also be changed by the Registrar at the Court registry, provided the prosecution agrees to the changes.

Before making an application to vary your bail conditions, it is advisable to seek legal advice. 

Bail Conditions in NSW 

In NSW, bail conditions are governed by the Bail Act 2013. Bail is a signed agreement to attend court to answer a charge for one or more offences and can include various conditions to ensure compliance. Common bail conditions may include: 

• Regularly reporting to the police 
• Residing at a specified address 
• Not associating with certain people 
• Abiding by a curfew 
• Surrendering your passport 

If you breach any of your bail conditions, you may be arrested and brought back to court. The court will then decide whether to grant you bail again or refuse it. 

For more detailed information, you can visit LegalAid's information about 'How can I get my bail conditions changed?'