A youth supervision and support order is a community-based sentence for children. The Children’s Court must not impose a conviction if the child is aged under 15. For children aged 15 or over, a court can make a youth supervision and support order with or without recording a conviction.
The maximum period of a youth supervision and support order is generally 6 months for a child aged under 15, and 12 months for a child aged 15 or over. In exceptional circumstances, the maximum period of a youth supervision and support order can be up to 12 months for a child aged under 15, or 2 years for a child aged 15 years or over.
A youth supervision and support order cannot extend beyond the person’s 21st birthday.
Conditions of a Youth Supervision and Support Order
A youth supervision order has mandatory conditions including:
- not committing another offence while the order is in force
- reporting to the Secretary of the Department of Justice and Community Safety within two working days after the order is made
- reporting to the Secretary as required while the order is in force
- complying with any lawful and reasonable directions given by the Secretary
- notifying the Secretary of any change in residence, school or employment
- only leaving Victoria with the permission of the Secretary.
Under the Youth Justice Act 2024 (Vic), the Children’s Court can impose one or more additional developmental conditions (for example, requiring the child to undergo treatment or counselling, or to participate in education programs).
The court can also impose one or more restrictive conditions (for example, requiring the child to abide by a curfew or reside at a particular place).
Breaches of Youth Supervision and Support Orders
A child might breach a youth supervision and support order by reoffending or not complying with some part of the order. If a child breaches a youth supervision order, the Children’s Court can:
- vary the order and any conditions
- direct the child to comply with the order
- revoke the order and impose another sentence.
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