Prisoners in Australia

Latest release

Contains annual national information on prisoners in custody at 30 June, including demographic information, imprisonment rates, most serious offence.

Reference period
2023

Key statistics

From 30 June 2022 to 30 June 2023, Australian prisoners increased by 3% (1,338) to 41,929.  The imprisonment rate also increased by 1% to 202 from 201 prisoners per 100,000 adult population.

From 30 June 2022 to 30 June 2023:

  • Sentenced prisoners increased by 1% (264) to 25,888. Unsentenced prisoners increased by 7% (1,073) to 15,937.
  • Male prisoners increased by 3% (1,152) to 38,757. Female prisoners increased by 6% (191) to 3,168.
  • Prisoners with prior adult imprisonment increased by 5% (1,192) to 25,608.  Prisoners without prior adult imprisonment increased by 1% (167) to 16,318.

There were increases in total prisoners in Queensland, Western Australia, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory; and decreases in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory.

There were various government restrictions implemented across states and territories due to COVID-19 from early 2020 to 2022. These restrictions may be continuing to have an impact on criminal activity and the justice system.

Prisoner characteristics, Australia

Sex

(a) For a definition of most serious offence/charge, see Methodology, Most serious offence/charge section.

From 30 June 2022 to 30 June 2023, male prisoners increased by 3% (1,152) to 38,757. The largest numerical changes by most serious offence/charge were:

  • Acts intended to cause injury, up 6% (624)
  • Sexual assault and related offences, up 6% (375)
  • Unlawful entry with intent, up 8% (233)
  • Illicit drug offences, down 5% (233)

Female prisoners increased by 6% (191) to 3,168. The largest numerical changes by most serious offence/charge were:

  • Acts intended to cause injury, up 13% (94)
  • Illicit drug offences, down 11% (67)
  • Robbery, extortion and related offences, up 30% (52)

Age

As at 30 June 2023, the median age was:

  • 36.2 years for all prisoners
  • 36.3 years for males
  • 35.5 years for females
  • Highest at 44.5 for Sexual assault and related offences
  • Lowest at 30.4 years for Robbery, extortion, and related offences

Country of birth

As at 30 June 2023, around four in every five prisoners were born in Australia (83% or 34,626).  Prisoners born overseas accounted for 6,053 prisoners.

The most common countries of birth for prisoners born overseas were:

  • New Zealand (2% of total prisoners or 958)
  • Vietnam (1% or 513)
  • The United Kingdom (1% or 497)

Legal status

(a) For a definition of most serious offence/charge, see Methodology, Most serious offence/charge section.

From 30 June 2022 to 30 June 2023, sentenced prisoners increased by 1% (264) to 25,888.  The largest numerical changes by most serious offence were:

  • Illicit drug offences, down 7% (259)
  • Sexual assault and related offences, up 4% (183)
  • Theft and related offences, up 17% (122)

Over the same period, unsentenced prisoners increased by 7% (1,073) to 15,937. The largest numerical changes by most serious charge were:

  • Acts intended to cause injury, up 11% (603)
  • Sexual assault and related offences, up 11% (193)
  • Unlawful entry with intent, up 18% (167)

The proportion of prisoners who were unsentenced increased from 37% to 38%.

Most serious offence/charge

(a) For a definition of most serious offence/charge, see Methodology, Most serious offence/charge section.

From 30 June 2022 to 30 June 2023, prisoners increased 3% (1,338) to 41,929. The largest numerical changes by most serious offence/charge were:

  • Acts intended to cause injury, up 7% (715)
  • Sexual assault and related offences, up 6% (375)
  • Illicit drug offences, down 6% (310)
  • Unlawful entry with intent, up 9% (289)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners

(a) For a definition of most serious offence/charge, see Methodology, Most serious offence/charge section.

From 30 June 2022 to 30 June 2023, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners increased by 7% (950) to 13,852. The largest numerical changes by most serious offence/charge were:

  • Acts intended to cause injury, up 10% (490)
  • Sexual assault and related offences, up 10% (130)
  • Unlawful entry with intent, up 9% (125)

After accounting for population growth, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander imprisonment rate increased by 5% from 2,330 to 2,442 prisoners per 100,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adult population.

At 30 June 2023:

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners accounted for 33% of all prisoners
  • 91% (12,540) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners were male, 9% (1,309) were female
  • The median age was 33.2 years
  • 78% (10,828) had experienced prior adult imprisonment

State/territory

New South Wales

(a) For a definition of most serious offence/charge, see Methodology, Most serious offence/charge section.

From 30 June 2022 to 30 June 2023, total prisoners decreased by 56 to 12,316. The largest numerical changes by most serious offence/charge were:

  • Illicit drug offences, down 7% (134)
  • Offences against justice, up 9% (108)
  • Sexual assault and related offences, up 4% (83)

After accounting for population growth, the imprisonment rate decreased by 3%, from 195 to 190 prisoners per 100,000 adult population.

Male prisoners decreased by 1% (61) to 11,497.  Female prisoners were stable (decreased by 1) at 819.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners decreased 3% (96) to 3,510.

Sentenced prisoners decreased by 3% (233) to 7,499. Unsentenced prisoners increased by 4% (172) to 4,818.

Victoria

(a) For a definition of most serious offence/charge, see Methodology, Most serious offence/charge section.

From 30 June 2022 to 30 June 2023, total prisoners decreased by 2% (129) to 6,440. This was the largest numerical decrease for any of the states and territories. The largest numerical changes by most serious offence/charge were:

  • Illicit drug offences, down 17% (151)
  • Unlawful entry with intent, up 18% (101)
  • Acts intended to cause injury, down 6% (95)

After accounting for population growth, the imprisonment rate decreased by 5%, from 127 to 121 prisoners per 100,000 adult population.

Male prisoners decreased by 1% (76) to 6,142.  Female prisoners decreased by 12% (42) to 299.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners increased by 17% (117) to 812.

Sentenced prisoners increased by 6% (233) to 4,031. Unsentenced prisoners decreased by 13% (357) to 2,406.

Queensland

(a) For a definition of most serious offence/charge, see Methodology, Most serious offence/charge section

From 30 June 2022 to 30 June 2023, total prisoners increased by 9% (850) to 10,226. This was the largest numerical increase for any of the states and territories. The largest numerical changes by most serious offence/charge were:

  • Acts intended to cause injury, up 20% (479)
  • Unlawful entry with intent, up 11% (98)
  • Sexual assault and related offences, up 7% (89)

After accounting for population growth, the imprisonment rate increased by 6%, from 229 to 243 prisoners per 100,000 adult population.

Male prisoners increased by 9% (725) to 9,248. Female prisoners increased by 15% (129) to 979.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners increased by 11% (391) to 3,801.

Sentenced prisoners increased by 5% (327) to 6,488. Unsentenced prisoners increased by 17% (533) to 3,686.

South Australia

(a) For a definition of most serious offence/charge, see Methodology, Most serious offence/charge section

From 30 June 2022 to 30 June 2023, total prisoners decreased by 2% (54) to 2,995. The largest numerical changes by most serious offence/charge were:

  • Unlawful entry with intent, down 24% (59)
  • Theft and related offences, up 22% (43)  
  • Sexual assault and related offences, up 6% (31)

After accounting for population growth, the imprisonment rate decreased by 3%, from 212 to 204 prisoners per 100,000 adult population.

Male prisoners decreased by 2% (68) to 2,771. Female prisoners increased by 5% (11) to 224.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners decreased 2% (17) to 726.

Sentenced prisoners decreased by 1% (15) to 1,665. Unsentenced prisoners decreased by 4% (51) to 1,324.

Western Australia

(a) For a definition of most serious offence/charge, see Methodology, Most serious offence/charge section

From 30 June 2022 to 30 June 2023, total prisoners increased by 7% (442) to 6,718.  The largest numerical changes by most serious offence/charge were:

  • Acts intended to cause injury, up 13% (169)
  • Unlawful entry with intent, up 12% (101)
  • Sexual assault and related offences, up 10% (85)

After accounting for population growth, the imprisonment rate increased by 4%, from 293 to 304 prisoners per 100,000 adult population.

Male prisoners increased by 6% (339) to 6,051.  Female prisoners increased by 19% (104) to 665.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners increased by 14% (346) to 2,867.

Sentenced prisoners decreased by 1% (57) to 4,315. Unsentenced prisoners increased by 26% (495) to 2,378.

Tasmania

(a) For a definition of most serious offence/charge, see Methodology, Most serious offence/charge section

From 30 June 2022 to 30 June 2023, total prisoners increased by 19% (121) to 751. The largest numerical changes by most serious offence/charge were:

  • Sexual assault and related offences, up 48 prisoners
  • Acts intended to cause injury, up 38 prisoners

After accounting for population growth, the imprisonment rate increased by 19%, from 138 to 164 prisoners per 100,000 adult population.

Male prisoners increased 20% (117) to 702. Female prisoners increased by 9% (4) to 47.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners increased by 18% (26) to 169.

Sentenced prisoners increased by 9% (36) to 452. Unsentenced prisoners increased 41% (84) to 291.

Northern Territory

(a) For a definition of most serious offence/charge, see Methodology, Most serious offence/charge section

From 30 June 2022 to 30 June 2023, total prisoners increased by 9% (172) to 2,106. The largest numerical changes by most serious offence/charge were:

  • Acts intended to cause injury, up 14% or 138 prisoners
  • Dangerous and negligent acts, up 23 prisoners
  • Sexual assault and related offences, up 21 prisoners

After accounting for population growth, the imprisonment rate increased by 8%, from 1,027 to 1,107 prisoners per 100,000 adult population.

Male prisoners increased by 10% (175) to 1,991. Female prisoners were stable at 114.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners increased by 11% (177) to 1,860.

Sentenced prisoners were stable (down 5) at 1,241. Unsentenced prisoners increased by 24% (169) to 861.

Australian Capital Territory

(a) For a definition of most serious offence/charge, see Methodology, Most serious offence/charge section

From 30 June 2022 to 30 June 2023, total prisoners decreased by 2% (6) to 375.  The largest numerical change by most serious offence/charge was for Acts intended to cause injury, down 24 prisoners.

After accounting for population growth, the imprisonment rate decreased by 4%, from 107 to 103 prisoners per 100,000 adult population.

Male prisoners decreased by 3% (9) to 351. Female prisoners increased 14% (3) to 24.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners increased by 6% (6) to 102.

Sentenced prisoners decreased by 9% (21) to 204. Unsentenced prisoners increased by 12% (18) to 174.

Data downloads

Prisoners in Australia data cubes

Data files

Previous catalogue number

This release previously used catalogue number 4517.0.

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