INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents information for each state and territory about the characteristics of persons aged 10 years and over who allegedly committed an offence and were proceeded against by police during the period 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012. Characteristics of the offender include sex and age, as well as the principal offence for which an offender has been proceeded against by police. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander data are presented for New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status data for the other jurisdictions are not considered to be of sufficient quality and/or do not meet ABS standards for self identification for national reporting in 2011-12 (refer to paragraph 39 of the Explanatory Notes).
Certain offences are excluded from the Recorded Crime - Offenders collection. For further information about the scope and counting methodology of the collection refer to paragraphs 3-6 and 8-16 of the Explanatory Notes.
Data Comparability
New South Wales data are understated as data exclude offenders proceeded against under the NSW Young Offenders Act 1997. Data for this state are therefore not comparable with other states and territories. Tables and commentary on New South Wales offenders are presented separately in this chapter. For further information, refer to paragraphs 45-47 of the Explanatory Notes.
Caution should be exercised when interpreting data for South Australia. South Australia's data may be overstated for the principal offence of Illicit drugs, and to a lesser extent for Public order and Offences against justice. Details of offenders who received a cannabis infringement notice or a general infringement notice are not able to be linked to details for any other offences, which may result in some offenders being counted more than once. For further information refer to paragraphs 57-58 of the Explanatory Notes.
Australian Capital Territory data may also be overstated for Public order offences. Details of offenders who receive Criminal Infringement Notices cannot be linked to details for any other offences, which may result in some offenders being counted more than once. Caution should therefore be exercised when interpreting data for the Australian Capital Territory. For further information refer to paragraphs 70-71 of the Explanatory Notes.
Police proceedings data are not published for Western Australia due to data quality concerns (refer to paragraph 59 of the Explanatory Notes).
Quality Declaration 
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