AGE

In 2014-15, the median age for offenders ranged from 26 in the Australian Capital Territory to 31 in the Northern Territory. Nationally, the median age for offenders was 28, as it was in 2013-14.

The national offender rate was highest for the 15-19 year old age group, at 4,834 per 100,000 persons aged 15-19 years. The age group with the highest offender rate for each state and territory was:

• 15-19 years for New South Wales (5,571 per 100,000 persons aged 15-19 years);
• 15-19 years for Victoria (3,589 per 100,000 persons aged 15-19 years);
• 20-24 years for Queensland (6,513 per 100,000 persons aged 20-24 years);
• 20-24 years for South Australia (7,208 per 100,000 persons aged 20-24 years);
• 20-24 years for Western Australia (3,345 per 100,000 persons aged 20-24 years);
• 20-24 years for Tasmania (6,882 per 100,000 persons aged 20-24 years);
• 20-24 years for the Northern Territory (9,876 per 100,000 persons aged 20-24 years); and
• 15-19 years for the Australian Capital Territory (2,239 per 100,000 persons aged 15-19 years). (Tables 8-15)

Males had a higher offender rate than females in all age groups in each state and territory. Nationally, the male offender rate was at least three times higher than the female offender rate for every age group except for 10-14 year olds. (Table 5)

Compared with 2013-14, the age group with the greatest proportional increase in offenders nationally was 65 years and over, which increased by 12% (or 912 offenders) in 2014-15. However the 65 years and over age group still had the lowest offender rate, at 153 offenders per 100,000 persons aged 65 years and over. (Table 5)