A detention order is an order authorising the detention of a child for the purpose of ensuring compliance with an assessment order or a treatment order [s 54B(1)(c)].

A detention order must be for the shortest period the Court thinks appropriate, and must not exceed 12 months [s 54B(4)]. The order must also be reviewed by the Court at regular intervals until the child is released from detention [s 54B(5)].

The Court may only make a detention order in relation to a child if [s 54D(3)]:

A child may only be detained at an assessment or treatment service, unless the child is already subject to a period of detention in a training centre. In this case the child may be detained at the training centre, but only for the period of the other detention [s 54I].