Leslie Massey
Australia has seen a significant number of arrests in recent years, with varying circumstances and charges. From anti-protest laws to terrorism and violent crimes, the Australian police and legal system have been active in enforcing the law and prosecuting offenders. In 2025, Australia made headlines for having the highest arrest rate globally for climate and environmental protests, impacting how young people demonstrate. Additionally, there have been notable arrests related to antisemitic attacks, such as the Melbourne synagogue arson attack in December 2024 and the pro-Palestinian protest at an Israeli-owned restaurant in Melbourne in July 2025. Arrests have also been made in connection with terrorist activities, including plots for mass shootings and bombings. On the other hand, instances of police brutality have also surfaced, with officers facing consequences for their actions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Arrest rate for climate and environment protests | Highest in the world |
| Number of anti-protest laws in the past two decades | 30 |
| Number of people who marched across the Sydney Harbour Bridge | 90,000 |
| Arrests in December 2024 Melbourne synagogue arson attack | 2 |
| Arrests on 23 December 2016 for plotting an attack on Christmas Day | 7 |
| Arrests in 2023 for kidnapping/abduction | 501 |
| Arrests in 2023 for blackmail/extortion | 3,380 |
| Arrests in 2023 for homicide and related offences in Australia | 409 |
| Arrests in 2023 for homicide and related offences in New South Wales | 79 |
| Arrests in 2023 for homicide and related offences in South Australia | 48 |
| Arrests in 2023 for sexual assault in Australia | 36,318 |
| Arrests in 2023 for sexual assault in South Australia | 2,014 |
| Arrests in 2023 for assault in South Australia | 21,878 |
| Arrests in 2023 for assault in Australia | 76,533 |
| Arrests in July 2025 for pro-Palestinian protest in Melbourne | 3 |
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What You'll Learn
Arrests at protests
Australia currently has the highest arrest rate in the world for climate and environmental protests. Young activists are aware of this and are scared to go out and protest because they are worried about their future job prospects. In addition, vague protest laws make it difficult for people to know whether they are breaking the law or not, making it easy for them to get arrested.
In August 2024, an anti-lockdown protest in Melbourne led to the arrest of ten people, including three for assaulting a police officer. Protesters claimed that the coronavirus was a government-engineered conspiracy and directed their anger at figures like Bill Gates.
In July 2025, NSW police dropped an emergency riot powers charge against pro-Palestine protester and Greens candidate Hannah Thomas. Thomas had been charged with resisting police and refusing to comply with a direction to disperse. Five protesters, including Thomas, were arrested and charged at Belmore. Video footage from the scene showed police officers arresting protesters after they questioned the legislation behind the move-on orders.
In December 2024, a 21-year-old Melbourne man was arrested on suspicion of setting fire to the Adass Israel Synagogue. The attack was classified as an act of terrorism, and the government promised $30 million to rebuild the synagogue. More than 220 law enforcement officers devoted over 50,000 hours to the investigation, leading to two arrests.
In addition to these incidents, more than 90,000 people marched across the Sydney Harbour Bridge in a protest that made headlines worldwide.
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Arrests for terrorism
Australia has experienced acts of modern terrorism since the 1960s, with the federal parliament enacting legislation to target terrorism since the 1970s.
In 1989, two skinhead youths, inspired by the Australian neo-Nazi group National Action, attempted to assassinate African National Congress representative Eddie Funde. The head of National Action, James Saleam, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison for ordering the assassination.
In 2014, Sulayman Khalid, also known as "Abu Bakr", was arrested by Joint Counter Terrorism Team members as part of Operation Appleby. Khalid was the leader of a group of six conspirators who plotted to target government sites, including a correctional centre and a federal police building. All six were sentenced to jail terms.
In 2015, Jewish-American internet troll Joshua Goldberg was arrested for planning a bombing in Kansas City while posing as an Australian ISIS supporter. A 17-year-old Melbourne teenager who had been in contact with Goldberg pleaded guilty to preparing a terror attack after bombs were found in his home.
In 2016, Phillip Galea, a member of the far-right group Reclaim Australia, was arrested for planning bombings of various "leftist" organisations in Melbourne.
In December 2024, a 21-year-old Melbourne man was arrested on suspicion of setting fire to the Adass Israel Synagogue in an antisemitic attack. This incident was classified as an act of terrorism, triggering increased resources for the investigation.
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Arrests for arson
While the exact number of arrests for arson in Australia during this period may not be precisely known, it is important to note that the prevalence of arson-associated homicides seems to be increasing, according to a study by Chan & Payne in 2013. This study examined the prevalence of arson-associated homicides, which are defined as any homicide where a deliberate act of firesetting was also carried out by the offender, in relation to the victim's death. The study found that many of these cases were targeted and deliberate murders of specific individuals rather than opportunistically lit bushfires that resulted in deaths.
Another study by Doley (2009) found that in an Australian prison sample, many offenders admitted to firesetting but had never been convicted of arson. This indicates a potential discrepancy between the number of people who commit arson and the number of arrests and convictions for this offence. Additionally, Harris and Rice (1996) found that arson traditionally has a very low arrest rate internationally (15%), with an even lower conviction rate (3%).
Furthermore, a study by the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) reviewing sentencing transcripts across all Australian jurisdictions between 1990 and 2015 found that substance use, mental illness, and female gender were increasingly significant factors in the commission of arson offences over time. The study also identified significant differences between Indigenous and non-Indigenous arsonists, raising questions about the adequacy of current theories to explain firesetting in these groups.
In summary, while the exact number of arrests for arson in Australia may not be precisely known, it is clear that arson is a significant issue in the country, with potential links to homicide and other factors such as substance use and mental health. The low arrest and conviction rates for arson internationally suggest that many arsonists may go undetected, highlighting the need for further research and effective prevention strategies.
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Arrests for kidnapping
Kidnapping is defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics as the unlawful seizing or taking away of another person either against that person's will or against the will of any parent or legal guardian of that person. Between 1995 and 2004, the rate of kidnapping/abduction increased from 2.5 to 3.8 victims per 100,000 population. Throughout this period, the rate of kidnapping of persons aged 19 or less was more than twice as high as for those aged 20 and over. In 2004, of the 768 people who were kidnapped/abducted, 69% were female, and the rate for females aged 10-19 years was 17.5 per 100,000.
In 2023, there were 501 victims of kidnapping/abduction recorded in Australia, a decrease of 6 victims from the previous year. The victimisation rate for kidnapping/abduction remained stable at 2 victims per 100,000 persons. There were 169 victims of family and domestic violence (FDV)-related kidnapping/abductions in 2023, comprising over a third (34%) of all kidnapping/abductions recorded nationally.
In terms of specific cases, in 1996, American actress and businesswoman Jessica Alba was kidnapped and held captive for 14 hours in Queensland, Australia, while filming 'Flipper'. Her kidnapper was never brought to trial, and the case was dropped. In another case, a Melbourne woman's children were kidnapped by a man to get back at the children's father. The man tied up the woman and was later arrested and awaited sentencing.
In a different incident, a man was lured to a premises in Granville, where he was attacked by six men. A wanted man and woman were arrested in remote WA bushland in connection with the kidnapping. In another case, a Melbourne kidnap victim escaped when a homemade explosive blew up in his captor's hand.
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Arrests for homicide
Homicide and related offences in Australia have been decreasing since 1989-90. In 2023, there were 409 victims of homicide and related offences recorded by police in Australia, a 5% increase from 2022. The homicide rate in Australia in 2023 was 0.85 per 100,000 people, lower than New Zealand's 1.11 per 100,000 and the UK's 1.14 per 100,000.
In 2023, there were 79 victims of homicide and related offences recorded in New South Wales, remaining stable from 2022. More than half (56%) were family and domestic violence (FDV) related. In South Australia, there were 48 victims of homicide and related offences recorded in 2023, an increase of 19 victims from 2022. The majority (54%) of these were attempted murders, and a quarter (25%) were family and domestic violence (FDV) related.
Western Australia saw an increase of 19 victims of homicide and related offences in 2023, with a total of 68 recorded victims. Over a quarter (27%) of these were family and domestic violence (FDV) related. The homicide victimisation rate in Western Australia remained stable at 2 victims per 100,000 persons.
The National Homicide Monitoring Program is Australia's only national data collection on homicide incidents, victims, and offenders. The killing of a parent was the second most frequent type of domestic homicide after intimate partner homicide in 2023-24. Firearm-related homicides have also decreased by 57% between 1989–90 and 2013–14.
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Frequently asked questions
Two people were arrested in the Melbourne synagogue arson attack. A 21-year-old Melbourne man was arrested at a house on suspicion of setting the fire, and a 20-year-old man was charged with stealing the car used in the attack.
Three people were charged with assault and other offences during the protest.
Australia has the highest arrest rate in the world for climate and environmental protests.
