Patterns of youth detention in each state and territory
In this report, rates are usually calculated for young people aged 10–17. In 2023, the Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory raised the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 12. This means that 10 and 11-year-olds cannot be held criminally responsible for their conduct in these jurisdictions during 2023–24 (September quarter 2023 to June quarter 2024).
To account for the increased age of criminal responsibility in these jurisdictions, the rates for the Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory in 2023–24 are for young people aged 12–17 (instead of 10–17) as 10 and 11-year-olds are absent from both the number (numerator) and population (denominator) used to calculate rates. The rates for Australia in 2023–24 will use the sum of the 12–17 population for the Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory and the 10–17 population for all other jurisdictions. All rates prior to 2023-24 will use the 10–17 population for all jurisdictions and Australia.
Note that care should be taken when comparing 2023–24 rates with prior quarters for the Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory. As the exclusion of 10 and 11-year-olds for these jurisdictions in 2023–24 has reduced the total in-scope population (denominator) by about 25%, rates will appear higher than in prior quarters.
For ease of interpretation, this report will refer to rates for young people aged 10–17, even when the rates are for the 12–17 population (Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory in 2023–24).
For more information see Technical notes – Rates.
Over the 4-year reporting period, the Northern Territory consistently had the highest rate of young people in detention on an average night each quarter (6.6 to 25 per 10,000 aged 10–17) (Figure 2). This rate was at its peak in the September quarter 2023 (25 per 10,000) and lowest in the June quarter 2020 (6.6 per 10,000). This rate increase is consistent with increases in the number of young people in detention (numerator) and decreases in the total in-scope population (denominator), as per the increased age of criminal responsibility in the Northern Territory from 10 to 12 years old in 2023–24. These rates are not comparable with those prior to 2023–24 for the Northern Territory, which include all young people aged 10–17 in the denominator.
In this period, there were declines in the rate of young people in detention on an average night in Victoria and Western Australia. Rates of young people in detention on an average night increased in New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania and the Northern Territory (Figure 2).
In South Australia, rates fluctuated over the 4-year period and showed no clear trend. Trends in detention in the Australian Capital Territory could not be reliably determined due to small numbers (Figure 2).
For more information see State and territory trends.
Figure 2: Rates of young people in detention on an average night in Australia
See the following extended description.
Notes
- These data are not comparable to those published in previous editions of Youth detention population in Australia. Previous editions contained differences in data formats, specifications, definitions and/or quality across jurisdictions. Further details are provided under Technical notes.
- 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.
- Rates are the number of young people per 10,000 relevant population.
- Rates are not published where there were fewer than 5 young people.
- In August 2023, the Northern Territory raised the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 12. The rates for the Northern Territory in 2023–24 are for young people aged 12–17.
- In November 2023, the Australian Capital Territory raised the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 12. The rates for the Australian Capital Territory in 2023–24 are for young people aged 12–17.
Source: AIHW 2024. Youth detention population in Australia 2024
The rate of young people in detention on an average night varied considerably across jurisdictions between June quarter 2020 and June quarter 2024. Over this 4-year period, most jurisdictions had a rate (per 10,000) of under 5 young people in detention on an average night. The exceptions were the Northern Territory and Queensland. Between September quarter 2023 and June quarter 2024, Victoria had the lowest rate of young people in detention of all jurisdictions.