Australian Bureau of Statistics
Celebrating the International Year of Statistics 2013

CRIME IN AUSTRALIA

Crime affects the wellbeing of individuals and families. In Australia, high crime rates are often associated with poverty, unemployment, low levels of educational attainment, family relationship problems and high levels of drug use. The prevalence of crime may also depend on available opportunities and the size of the potential rewards, perhaps weighed against the risk of detection, apprehension and punishment.

Common responses to increasing levels of crime include increasing prevention and detection activities, and increasing penalties, such as fines or terms of imprisonment.

Further information is included in the following sections to provide a broader picture of crime in Australia. The issues explored include crime reporting rates, homicide rates, imprisonment rates and repeated crime in Australia.