VICTORIA


TOTAL OFFENDERS

In 2015–16, there were 77,770 offenders in Victoria, which accounted for 18% of all offenders in Australia. In comparison, Victoria represented 25% of the total Australian Estimated Resident Population (ERP) aged 10 years and over as at 31 December 2015. (Table 6 and Australian Demographic Statistics (cat. no. 3101.0))

Between 2014–15 and 2015–16:

• Victoria was the only state or territory to record a decrease, with the number of offenders reducing by 4% or 3,163 offenders.
• The offender rate decreased by 6% from 1,572 to 1,483 offenders per 100,000 persons. (Table 6)

SEX

Victoria and Tasmania had the second highest proportion of male offenders (both 79%), behind the Australian Capital Territory (81%). (Tables 8–15)

Between 2014–15 and 2015–16, the number of male offenders decreased in Victoria by 4% (2,836 offenders) and female offenders by 1% (233 offenders). (Table 9)


AGE

Since the beginning of the time series in 2008–09 the median age of offenders has risen from 24 to 29 years (21%). This was the largest increase in the median age for any state or territory. (Tables 8–15)


PRINCIPAL OFFENCE

Since the beginning of the time series in 2008–09 the number of offenders has increased by 15% (10,317 offenders). In comparison, the Victorian population aged 10 years and over (as measured by the ERP) increased by 13%. Over the same period the number of offenders of:

• Acts intended to cause injury increased by 41% (4,956 offenders)
• Unlawful entry with intent decreased by 33% (1,025 offenders)
• Theft and related offences decreased by 31% (4,779 offenders)
• Illicit drug offences increased by 31% (2,037 offenders)
• Prohibited and regulated weapons and explosives offences increased by 64% (1,671 offenders). (Table 6 and Australian Demographic Statistics (cat. no. 3101.0))

YOUTH OFFENDERS

Since the beginning of the time series in 2008–09 the Victorian youth offender rate decreased by 43% from 2,738 to 1,573 offenders per 100,000 persons aged 10–17 years in 2015–16. This was the third largest decrease, behind the Australian Capital Territory (down 58%) and Tasmania (down 55%). (Table 19)


POLICE PROCEEDINGS

In 2015–16, the total number of police proceedings decreased by 4% (or 5,139 proceedings) from 2014–15. Court actions increased by 6% and non-Court actions decreased by 21%. (Table 27)

For further information, refer to the other chapters of this publication, or contact the National Information Referral Service on 1300 135 070. When reporting ABS statistics, please attribute the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or ABS) as the source.