Youth detention population in Australia 2022

Throughout the 4-year period Queensland (194–290 young people each quarter) and New South Wales (172–289) had the largest number of young people in detention. This was followed by Victoria (109–198), and Western Australia (88–152) (Figure 5.1). Since the September quarter 2020, Queensland has had the largest number of young people in detention on an average night.

The size of the youth detention population fell in New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, and South Australia from the June quarter 2018 to the June quarter 2022. In Tasmania the number of young people in youth detention was small, but down slightly compared to the June quarter 2018 (Figure 5.1).

In Queensland and the Northern Territory, there was an increase in the number of young people in detention from the June quarter 2021 to the June quarter 2022 (Figure 5.1).

In the Australian Capital Territory, the number of young people in youth detention was small, but up slightly compared to the June quarter 2018 (Table S11). 

Notes

1. Numbers might not add up to the total due to rounding.
2. Rates are for young people aged 10–17. Numbers include young people aged 18 or over who are under youth justice supervision. For numbers of young people aged 10–17 only, refer to the supplementary tables.
3. Trends among small populations should be interpreted with caution. Numbers tend to fluctuate from quarter to quarter due to random variation, and this might affect the appearance and interpretation of trends.
4. For Queensland, the June quarter 2018 and the June quarter 2021 are not comparable, due to legislation to increase the age limit in the youth justice system from 16 to 17 enacted in the March quarter 2018. This change resulted in an increase in young people aged 17 under youth justice supervision.

Source: tables S11, S29, and S47.