Youth justice centre orders and youth residential centre orders are sentences of youth detention for children and young people. The difference between the two orders is that children aged 15 to 20 are detained in youth justice centres while children aged under 15 are detained in youth residential centres.
These orders are the most severe sentences that can be imposed on children and young people under the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (Vic).
While detained in a youth justice centre or youth residential centre, young people participate in education and programs that address their offending behaviour.
In Victoria, about 2% of cases in the Children’s Court receive a youth justice centre order or a youth residential centre order (2022–23).
Maximum Duration of Orders
If a child is sentenced in the Children’s Court, the maximum period of detention in a youth justice centre is:
- three years for a single offence
- four years for one or more offences.
Also in the Children’s Court, the maximum period of detention in a youth residential centre is:
- one year for a single offence
- two years for one or more offences.
In an adult court under Victoria’s dual track system, the maximum period of detention in a youth justice centre is:
- two years if the child is sentenced in the Magistrates’ Court
- four years if the child is sentenced in the higher courts (County and Supreme Courts).
Also in the adult courts under Victoria’s dual track system, the maximum period of detention in a youth residential centre is:
- two years if the child is sentenced in the Magistrates’ Court
- three years if the child is sentenced in the higher courts.
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