KEY FINDINGS
ILLICIT DRUG OFFENCES AND ACTS INTENDED TO CAUSE INJURY WERE THE MOST COMMON PRINCIPAL OFFENCES
In 2017–18, offenders of Illicit drug offences and Acts intended to cause injury accounted for the largest number of offenders (78,167 and 78,391 offenders, respectively).
Between 2016–17 and 2017–18, the number of Illicit drug offenders decreased by 4% (or 2,993 offenders)
Over two thirds (67%) had a principal offence of Possess and/or use illicit drugs.
For the same period, Acts intended to cause injury remained stable, with nine out of ten offenders (93%) recorded with a principal offence of Assault.
OFFENDERS DECREASED IN MOST STATES AND TERRITORIES
Between 2016–17 and 2017–18, the number of offenders proceeded against by police decreased in:
- Queensland (down 3,115 offenders or 3%)
- South Australia (down 2,909 offenders or 6%)
- New South Wales (down 2,503 offenders or 2%)
- Western Australia (down 382 offenders or less than 1%)
- Australian Capital Territory (down 37 offenders or 1%)
- Tasmania (down 26 offenders or less than 1%)
Over the same time period the Northern Territory recorded an increase in the number of offenders (651 offenders or 6%).
Note: Total offender count for 2017–18 is not available for Victoria, please refer to the Explanatory Notes.
THE MALE OFFENDER RATE WAS TWO TO FOUR TIMES HIGHER THAN THE FEMALE OFFENDER RATE
In 2017–18, the male offender rate was between two to four times higher than the female offender rate, ranging from 2.2 times higher in the Northern Territory to 3.5 times higher in both Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory.
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