Prisoners in Australia

Latest release

Contains annual national information on prisoners in custody at 30 June, including demographic information, imprisonment rates, most serious offence.

Reference period
2023

Key statistics

From 30 June 2022 to 30 June 2023, Australian prisoners increased by 3% (1,338) to 41,929.  The imprisonment rate also increased by 1% to 202 from 201 prisoners per 100,000 adult population.

From 30 June 2022 to 30 June 2023:

  • Sentenced prisoners increased by 1% (264) to 25,888. Unsentenced prisoners increased by 7% (1,073) to 15,937.
  • Male prisoners increased by 3% (1,152) to 38,757. Female prisoners increased by 6% (191) to 3,168.
  • Prisoners with prior adult imprisonment increased by 5% (1,192) to 25,608.  Prisoners without prior adult imprisonment increased by 1% (167) to 16,318.

There were increases in total prisoners in Queensland, Western Australia, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory; and decreases in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory.

There were various government restrictions implemented across states and territories due to COVID-19 from early 2020 to 2022. These restrictions may be continuing to have an impact on criminal activity and the justice system.

Prisoner characteristics, Australia

Sex

(a) For a definition of most serious offence/charge, see Methodology, Most serious offence/charge section.

From 30 June 2022 to 30 June 2023, male prisoners increased by 3% (1,152) to 38,757. The largest numerical changes by most serious offence/charge were:

  • Acts intended to cause injury, up 6% (624)
  • Sexual assault and related offences, up 6% (375)
  • Unlawful entry with intent, up 8% (233)
  • Illicit drug offences, down 5% (233)

Female prisoners increased by 6% (191) to 3,168. The largest numerical changes by most serious offence/charge were:

  • Acts intended to cause injury, up 13% (94)
  • Illicit drug offences, down 11% (67)
  • Robbery, extortion and related offences, up 30% (52)

Age

As at 30 June 2023, the median age was:

  • 36.2 years for all prisoners
  • 36.3 years for males
  • 35.5 years for females
  • Highest at 44.5 for Sexual assault and related offences
  • Lowest at 30.4 years for Robbery, extortion, and related offences

Country of birth

As at 30 June 2023, around four in every five prisoners were born in Australia (83% or 34,626).  Prisoners born overseas accounted for 6,053 prisoners.

The most common countries of birth for prisoners born overseas were:

  • New Zealand (2% of total prisoners or 958)
  • Vietnam (1% or 513)
  • The United Kingdom (1% or 497)

Legal status

(a) For a definition of most serious offence/charge, see Methodology, Most serious offence/charge section.

From 30 June 2022 to 30 June 2023, sentenced prisoners increased by 1% (264) to 25,888.  The largest numerical changes by most serious offence were:

  • Illicit drug offences, down 7% (259)
  • Sexual assault and related offences, up 4% (183)
  • Theft and related offences, up 17% (122)

Over the same period, unsentenced prisoners increased by 7% (1,073) to 15,937. The largest numerical changes by most serious charge were:

  • Acts intended to cause injury, up 11% (603)
  • Sexual assault and related offences, up 11% (193)
  • Unlawful entry with intent, up 18% (167)

The proportion of prisoners who were unsentenced increased from 37% to 38%.

Most serious offence/charge

(a) For a definition of most serious offence/charge, see Methodology, Most serious offence/charge section.

From 30 June 2022 to 30 June 2023, prisoners increased 3% (1,338) to 41,929. The largest numerical changes by most serious offence/charge were:

  • Acts intended to cause injury, up 7% (715)
  • Sexual assault and related offences, up 6% (375)
  • Illicit drug offences, down 6% (310)
  • Unlawful entry with intent, up 9% (289)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners

(a) For a definition of most serious offence/charge, see Methodology, Most serious offence/charge section.

From 30 June 2022 to 30 June 2023, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners increased by 7% (950) to 13,852. The largest numerical changes by most serious offence/charge were:

  • Acts intended to cause injury, up 10% (490)
  • Sexual assault and related offences, up 10% (130)
  • Unlawful entry with intent, up 9% (125)

After accounting for population growth, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander imprisonment rate increased by 5% from 2,330 to 2,442 prisoners per 100,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adult population.

At 30 June 2023:

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners accounted for 33% of all prisoners
  • 91% (12,540) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners were male, 9% (1,309) were female
  • The median age was 33.2 years
  • 78% (10,828) had experienced prior adult imprisonment

State/territory

New South Wales

Victoria

Queensland

South Australia

Western Australia

Tasmania

Northern Territory

Australian Capital Territory

Federal Offender characteristics

From 30 June 2022 to 30 June 2023, federal prisoners nationally decreased by 2% (34) to 1,356.

At 30 June 2023, a higher proportion of federal prisoners were held in New South Wales (48% of total federal prisoners) compared with the total prisoner population (29%). Similarly, 27% of federal prisoners were held in Victoria compared with 15% of the total prisoner population. 

On average, federal prisoners were older than the total prisoner population with a median age of 41 years compared to 36 years.

Data downloads

Prisoners in Australia data cubes

Data files

Previous catalogue number

This release previously used catalogue number 4517.0.

Post-release changes

23 April 2024: New information has been released on statistics about federal offenders (prisoners and parolees) under the authority of corrective services agencies at 30 June 2023.

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