The youth justice system deals with young people who have committed or allegedly committed offences. In Australia, it deals primarily with young people aged 10–17 at the time of the offence, although there are some variations among the states and territories. In Queensland, young people aged 17 and over at the time that they allegedly commit offences are processed in the adult criminal justice system. In Victoria, some young people aged 18–20 may be sentenced to detention in a youth facility (known as the 'dual track' system). Youth justice is also known as juvenile justice.
Major parts of the youth justice system include the police, courts and youth justice supervision. Young people first enter the system when they are investigated by police, and charges made against them may be answered in a court. If the charge is proven, the court may hand down any of a number of legal orders, either supervised or unsupervised.
Young people may be supervised in their communities or in detention. They may be supervised when they are unsentenced-that is, when they have been charged with an offence and are awaiting the outcome of their court case or sentencing. They may also be sentenced to a period of supervision if they are proven guilty in court.
Supervision is managed by the state and territory departments that are responsible for youth justice.
These are the latest figures on youth justice supervision for an average day in 2011–12:
Youth justice topics
Annual reporting
Special reports
Further information