4519.0 - Recorded Crime - Offenders, 2013-14 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 25/02/2015   
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KEY FINDINGS

The number of offenders proceeded against by police in Australia during 2013-14 increased by 4% (14,508 offenders) to a total of 405,692.
  • The national offender rate increased by 2% to a total of 1,997 offenders per 100,000 persons aged 10 years and over.
  • The most prevalent principal offence in Australia in 2013-14 was Public order offences (74,630 offenders or 18%), closely followed by Illicit drug offences (71,386 offenders or 18%).
  • The biggest percentage increase in a principal offence was Sexual assault and related offences, which increased by 19% (1,169 offenders) in 2013-14.
  • The number of youth offenders (10-19 year olds) decreased by 4% (3,391 offenders) in 2013-14, and the most prevalent principal offence among youth offenders was Theft (23,134 offenders, or 26% of the total).

Graph Image for YOUTH OFFENDERS AND ADULT OFFENDERS, Percentage change - 2008-09 to 2013-14

Source(s): Recorded Crime - Offenders



The age standardised offender rates per 100,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons aged 10 years and over in 2013-14 were:
  • 9,648 in South Australia;
  • 9,368 in Queensland;
  • 9,090 in the Northern Territory; and
  • 4,986 in New South Wales.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander age standardised offender rate was highest in South Australia. This rate was seven times the non-Indigenous age standardised offender rate, while the ratio for the other selected states and territories was eight times in the Northern Territory, and five times in Queensland and New South Wales.

Graph Image for AGE STANDARDISED OFFENDER RATE(a)(b), Indigenous status by selected states and territories, 2013-14

Footnote(s): (a) Excludes offenders with a penalty notice as their principal method of proceeding (see Explanatory Notes paragraphs 33–38). (b) For a definition of age standardised offender rates see Explanatory Notes paragraphs 27–32. (c) Rates calculated using estimates and projections of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population for 2013-14 based on the 2011 Census of Population and Housing (see Explanatory Notes paragraphs 22–26). (d) Rates calculated using ERP based on the 2011 Census of Population and Housing, less the experimental projections of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population (see Explanatory Notes paragraphs 17–21).

Source(s): Recorded Crime - Offenders