YOUTH OFFENDERS

In 2012-13, the youth offender rate, as measured per 100,000 persons aged 10-19 years, was highest in:

• Northern Territory (4,839); and
• Tasmania (4,413).

Western Australia had the lowest youth offender rate in 2012-13, at 1,812 per 100,000 persons aged 10-19 years. Between 2011-12 and 2012-13, the youth offender rate decreased in all states and territories except South Australia, where it increased by 421 offenders (11%).




Sex

Male offenders accounted for a larger proportion of youth offenders than females across all states and territories, ranging from 78% of youth offenders in South Australia and the Northern Territory to 68% in the Australian Capital Territory. The Northern Territory had the highest male youth offender rate at 7,164 offenders per 100,000 males aged 10-19 years. Tasmania had the highest female youth offender rate at 2,273 offenders per 100,000 females aged 10-19 years. (Table 12)


Principal offence

For youth offenders in 2012-13, the most prevalent principal offence in each state and territory (as measured by the offender rate per 100,000 persons aged 10-19 years), was:

• New South Wales - Theft (1,077);
• Victoria - Theft (758);
• Queensland - Illicit drug offences (696), and Theft (695);
• South Australia - Public order offences (1,034) and Illicit drug offences (1,006);
• Western Australia - Acts intended to cause injury (316);
• Tasmania - Public order offences (1,575);
• Northern Territory - Acts intended to cause injury (1,040); and
• Australian Capital Territory - Theft (525). (Table 15, Table 7)