Most young people under youth justice supervision in 2011–12 were male. On an average day they accounted for 83% of young people under supervision, including 92% in detention. (Western Australia and the Northern Territory did not participate in the Juvenile Justice National Minimum Data Set during 2011–12. Where possible, estimates for these jurisdictions are included in the national totals.)
Most of those under supervision on an average day were in the older age groups—almost 80% were aged 14–17, 15% were aged 18 and over, and only 6% were aged 10–13 (see also Age range for treatment as a young person).
This pattern was similar for females, however females tended to be younger than males, on average. Numbers and rates of males under supervision were highest among those aged 16 and 17, and among females aged 15 and 16. Females were less likely than males to be aged 17 and older (29% compared with 41%).