INTRODUCTION

This chapter presents information for each state and territory about the characteristics of offenders aged 10 years and over who were proceeded against by police during the period 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013. Characteristics of the offender include sex and age, as well as the principal offence for which an offender was proceeded against by police. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status data are presented for New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory only (refer to paragraphs 34-39 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 3-16 of the Explanatory Notes.

In this collection, national statistical standards and counting rules have been applied to facilitate comparisons of states and territories. However, some legislative and processing differences remain. For differences in legislation, processes or polices between states, refer to paragraphs 49-71 of the Explanatory Notes.

The number of offenders increased between 2011-12 and 2012-13 in:

• New South Wales (by 6,676 offenders, or 6%);
• Victoria (by 5,971 offenders, or 7%);
• South Australia (by 5,916 offenders, or 15%); and
• Northern Territory (by 816 offenders, or 8%).

Over the same period, the number of offenders decreased in:

• Tasmania (by 2,718 offenders, or 19%);
• Western Australia (by 1,377 offenders, or 4%);
• Queensland (by 325 offenders, or less than 1%); and
• Australian Capital Territory (by 287 offenders, or 9%).

The highest offender rate was recorded in the Northern Territory, at 5,498 offenders per 100,000 persons aged 10 years and over. In contrast, the national offender rate was 1,958 offenders per 100,000 persons aged 10 years and over.

The largest decrease in the offender rate between 2011-12 and 2012-13 was recorded in Tasmania (608 fewer offenders per 100,000 persons aged 10 years and over), while South Australia reported the greatest increase (380 more offenders per 100,000 persons aged 10 years and over). (Tables 7 and 8)