YOUTH OFFENDERS

In 2009-10, Tasmania and the Northern Territory continued to have the highest youth offender rates in Australia. Tasmania's youth offender rate increased slightly from 2008-09 to 6,054 offenders per 100,000 persons aged 10 to 19 years in 2009-10, whilst the youth offender rate in the Northern Territory increased to 6,447 offenders per 100,000 persons aged 10 to 19 years in 2009-10. Youth offender rates remained fairly constant in Queensland, fell in South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory, and increased in the remaining states and territories.

Sex

Tasmania reported the highest female youth offender rate at 3,574 female offenders per 100,000 females aged 10 to 19 years, followed by the Northern Territory with a rate of 2,881 female offenders per 100,000 females aged 10 to 19 years. The lowest youth offender rates for both males and females were reported in Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory. For all states and territories, the male youth offender rate was consistently greater than the rate for females.

Principal Offence

Consistent with the overall offender population, the principal offence that is most predominant for youth offenders varies in each jurisdiction, as does the associated offender rates. The predominant principal offences that offenders aged 10 to 19 years were proceeded against in 2009-10, as measured by the offender rates per 100,000 persons aged 10 to 19 years, were public order offences in Tasmania (2,038), the Northern Territory (1,326) and South Australia (799). Theft was the predominant principal offence in Western Australia (1,138), Queensland (1,077), New South Wales (991), Victoria (949) and the Australian Capital Territory (724).

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