In June 2021, Victoria had the second lowest imprisonment rate in Australia at 138.7 prisoners per 100,000 adults. The Australian Capital Territory had the lowest rate at 113.2 prisoners per 100,000 adults.
Victoria’s imprisonment rate increased by 2.0% in the 12 months to June 2021, from 136.0 prisoners per 100,000 adults in June 2020. This increase in the Victorian rate was smaller than the increase in the national rate. The national rate of imprisonment was 214.4 prisoners per 100,000 adults, a 4.5% increase from 205.2 prisoners per 100,000 adults in June 2020.
The Northern Territory has the highest imprisonment rate in Australia, at 970.6 prisoners per 100,000 adults. This is substantially higher than all other states and territories. At 325.7 prisoners per 100,000 adults, the imprisonment rate in Western Australia is also considerably higher than the national average.
Imprisonment rate per 100,000 adults for each Australian state and territory, June 2021
Hover over a bar in the graph to display the imprisonment rate and the number imprisoned for each state and territory. The vertical line shows the national rate.
| Jurisdiction | Imprisonment rate per 100,000 adults |
|---|---|
| Northern Territory | 970.6 |
| Western Australia | 325.7 |
| Queensland | 248.0 |
| South Australia | 221.4 |
| New South Wales | 205.5 |
| Tasmania | 149.4 |
| Victoria | 138.7 |
| Australian Capital Territory | 113.2 |
| Australia | 214.4 |
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Prisoners in Australia, 2021, cat. no. 4517.0 (2021).
