In June 2022, Victoria had the second lowest imprisonment rate in Australia at 126.9 prisoners per 100,000 adults. The Australian Capital Territory had the lowest rate at 106.5 prisoners per 100,000 adults.
Victoria’s imprisonment rate decreased by 8.5% in the 12 months to June 2022, from 138.7 prisoners per 100,000 adults in June 2021. The national rate of imprisonment decreased by 6.3%, from 214.4 prisoners per 100,000 adults in June 2021 to 200.9 in June 2022.
The Northern Territory has the highest imprisonment rate in Australia, at 1,026.6 prisoners per 100,000 adults. This is substantially higher than all other states and territories. At 293.0 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 2022
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 | 1,026.6 |
| Western Australia | 293.0 |
| Queensland | 228.9 |
| South Australia | 211.5 |
| New South Wales | 194.9 |
| Tasmania | 138.1 |
| Victoria | 126.9 |
| Australian Capital Territory | 106.5 |
| Australia | 200.9 |
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics Prisoners in Australia (2022).
