Lexi Webster
Crime in Australia is managed by various federal and state-based law enforcement bodies, including the Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force, and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation. In 2023-24, there were 254,425 male offenders and 83,600 female offenders proceeded against by police in Australia, with a median age of 32 years. The imprisonment rate in 2024 was 194 prisoners per 100,000 adult population. Notably, in 2021, more than 250 people were arrested while protesting coronavirus lockdowns in Australia, with additional arrests made for bushfire-related offenses and civil disturbances.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total prisoners in Australia from 30 June 2023 to 30 June 2024 | 7,814 |
| Percentage change in total prisoners during that period | 16% increase |
| Number of male prisoners | 7,025 |
| Number of female prisoners | 794 |
| Number of unsentenced prisoners | 3,126 |
| Number of sentenced prisoners | 4,667 |
| Number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners | 3,507 |
| Median age of offenders in Australia in 2023-24 | 32 years |
| Percentage of male offenders in 2023-24 | 75% |
| Number of FDV-related offenders proceeded against in South Australia in 2023-24 | 4,711 |
| Number of FDV-related offenders proceeded against in Western Australia in 2023-24 | 9,923 |
| Number of people arrested during lockdown protests in August 2021 | More than 250 |
| Number of people arrested during lockdown protests in Victoria | 218 |
| Number of people arrested during lockdown protests in New South Wales | 47 |
| Number of people charged with bushfire-related offenses in New South Wales from Nov. 8, 2019 | 183 |
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What You'll Learn
Arrests during COVID-19 lockdown protests
Australia has witnessed several protests against COVID-19 lockdown measures, with many resulting in arrests. One notable incident occurred in July 2021, when thousands of people took to the streets of Sydney and other cities to voice their opposition to the restrictions. The protests coincided with a surge in COVID-19 cases, particularly in New South Wales (NSW), where Sydney is located. The NSW Health Authority had declared the area a COVID-19 hotspot, and protesters were in breach of the current COVID-19 Public Health Orders.
During these protests, police confirmed that several arrests were made, particularly after objects, including plastic bottles and plants, were thrown at officers. The exact number of arrests made was not specified in the sources, but it was noted that police made several arrests. Among those arrested was a 32-year-old man who allegedly assaulted an officer, resulting in the officer being hospitalised with head and neck injuries.
In a similar incident on August 21, 2021, Australian police arrested hundreds of anti-lockdown protesters in Melbourne and Sydney. Victoria State Police reported arresting 218 people in Melbourne, with 236 fines issued and three individuals held in custody for assaulting police. Meanwhile, New South Wales Police charged 47 individuals with breaching public health orders or resisting arrest, issuing over 260 fines. These protests occurred as the country reported its highest single-day rise in COVID-19 cases, fuelled by the highly contagious Delta variant.
Overall, it is estimated that more than 250 people were arrested during the COVID-19 lockdown protests in Australia. These arrests were made on various grounds, including breaching public health orders, assaulting police officers, and resisting arrest. It is important to note that while a majority of the protests were peaceful, there were instances of violence and clashes with law enforcement officers.
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Arrests for bushfire-related offences
Arson is a serious problem in Australia, and it has been the cause of some of the worst fires in the country's history. The role of arsonists in starting bushfires cannot be discounted, especially during heightened fire danger periods. While the majority of larger fires are caused by lightning, some are started by arsonists.
During the 2019-2020 bushfire season, there were reports of nearly 200 arrests for arson. However, these figures were exaggerated and included a broader range of fire-related offences than arson. The actual number of arrests for deliberately lighting bushfires during this period was 24, with 183 people facing legal action for broader "bushfire-related offences". This discrepancy in numbers arose from the broader category of "bushfire-related offences," which included failing to comply with a total fire ban and discarding a lighted cigarette or match on land.
In New South Wales, intentionally causing a bushfire and being reckless about its spread is an offence that carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison. If a person dies as a result of a bushfire, the perpetrator may be charged with murder or manslaughter, which can carry a maximum penalty of up to 25 years in prison. Similarly, in Victoria, intentionally or recklessly causing a bushfire carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.
It is important to note that the accuracy of reporting on arson arrests in Australia has been a challenge, particularly during periods of heightened public interest. Efforts by authorities and independent fact-checkers help to ensure that misinformation is corrected and the public receives accurate and contextualised information.
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Arrests for acts intended to cause injury
Acts intended to cause injury are a category of offences that involve reckless behaviour amounting to intentionality or malice, resulting in non-fatal harm to another person. These acts exclude attempted murder, acts resulting in death, and those with a sexual or acquisitive nature.
In Australia, acts intended to cause injury are the most common principal offence among both male (27%) and female offenders (28%). In the 2023-24 financial year, there were 68,196 male offenders and 23,968 female offenders for this type of crime, the highest number recorded since data collection began in 2008-09.
The median age of offenders in Australia increased to 32 years in 2023-24, up from 31 years in the previous year. The minimum age of criminal responsibility was also raised from 10 to 12 years in the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory during the same period.
From 30 June 2023 to 30 June 2024, the number of prisoners in Australia increased by 16% to 7,814, with the largest numerical change observed in acts intended to cause injury, which increased by 37% to 2,077 prisoners. This category of offences also saw an increase in the number of prisoners in other states during this period, including a 10% increase to 3,740 prisoners, and a decrease of 31% to 964 prisoners in another state.
The penalties for acts intended to cause injury vary depending on the severity of the harm caused, the specific circumstances of the offence, and the court hearing the case. In New South Wales (NSW), offences resulting in actual bodily harm can carry a maximum sentence of 5 years, increasing to 7 years if committed in company. If the assault results in grievous bodily harm, defined as causing serious or permanent injury, the maximum penalty in NSW ranges from 7 to 14 years of imprisonment.
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Arrests of female offenders
Female arrests in Australia have been on the rise in recent years, with a notable increase in the number of female prisoners from 2023 to 2024. While male prisoners still constitute the majority, the female prisoner population has seen a significant percentage increase. From June 30, 2023, to June 30, 2024, the total number of prisoners in Australia experienced fluctuations, with an overall increase of 5%, translating to 630 additional prisoners, reaching a total of 12,946 prisoners. During this period, the number of male prisoners rose by 5% (595) to 12,092, while female prisoners increased by 5% (38 prisoners) to 857. This indicates a near-identical rate of increase between male and female prisoners.
A closer look at the statistics reveals that the rate of male offending is approximately three to four and a half times higher than the female offending rate. In the 2023-24 financial year, acts intended to cause injury were the most common principal offence for both male and female offenders, with 27% of male offenders (68,196) and 28% of female offenders (23,968). This represents the highest number recorded for this offence since data collection began in 2008-09.
In South Australia, 76% of offenders were male (18,747), while the remaining 24% were female. The Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory raised the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 12 years during the 2023-24 reference period, which may have impacted the overall offending rates.
While the focus of this discussion is on female arrests, it's worth noting that the imprisonment rate increased overall from 190 to 194 prisoners per 100,000 adults in the Australian population. This rise in the imprisonment rate is a collective outcome influenced by both male and female prisoner populations.
To further contextualize, the Crime Statistics Agency Victoria has published research papers examining the characteristics and offending behaviour of female offenders. These papers specifically focus on women who entered prison in Victoria during the months of July and December in the years 2012, 2015, and 2018.
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Arrests of young offenders
Victoria, Australia, has seen a 15% increase in its crime rate, with cost-of-living pressures contributing to a rise in theft and robberies. Youth offenders have been identified as responsible for the majority of these robberies. The Crime Statistics Agency released data showing 627,268 criminal offences were recorded in Victoria in the 12 months to March 2025, a 17.1% increase from the previous year. Police made 75,968 arrests in the year to March, equivalent to 208 arrests per day, with young offenders contributing to these record numbers.
The median age of offenders in Australia rose to 32 years in 2023-24, up from 31 years in 2022-23. The minimum age of criminal responsibility was raised from 10 years to 12 years in the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory during the 2023-24 reference period. There were 46,798 offenders aged between 10 and 17 years proceeded against by police in 2023-24, a decrease of 3% from 2022-23. Accounting for population change, the youth offender rate also decreased from 1,847 to 1,764 offenders per 100,000 persons aged 10 to 17 years. Despite this overall decrease, youth crime rates have reached record levels for the second consecutive quarter, with a 17.9% increase in crimes committed by children aged 10 to 17.
Children aged 10 to 17 accounted for 13.1% of all offenders, but they were overrepresented in serious and violent crimes. Robberies committed by this age group constituted 63.1% of all robberies, aggravated burglaries accounted for 46%, and car theft made up 26.9%. Car theft has increased by 47.1% to its highest level since 2002, with offenders exploiting electronic devices programmed to mimic keys. There has also been a 73% increase in stolen cars being involved in collisions, resulting in six deaths.
In addition to the increase in youth crime in Victoria, there were also arrests of young offenders during lockdown protests in Australia. In New South Wales, 47 people were arrested in relation to protests across the state, and in Victoria, three people were kept in custody for allegedly assaulting police.
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Frequently asked questions
More than 250 people were arrested while protesting coronavirus lockdowns in Australia. 47 people were arrested in New South Wales, and 218 in Victoria.
People were arrested for assaulting police officers, and for defying health orders.
The number of prisoners in Australia varies depending on the source. One source states that there were 5,918 prisoners as of June 30, 2024, while another source states that there were 12,946 prisoners during the same period.
The most common principal offence among prisoners in Australia is acts intended to cause injury.
