The number of children and young people aged 10 to 17 in detention in Victoria increased 26.3% in the last year, from 278 in 2023–24 to 351 in 2024–25. Victoria had the lowest rate of children and young people in youth detention in 2024–25, at 5.2 per 10,000 young people, up from 4.2 in 2023–24.
Note: The data in the graph includes children and young people aged 10 to 17 (or aged 12 to 17 in the Australian Capital Territory) detained in a youth detention facility. Data is based on the count of unique persons in custody at any time during the year.
Rates of children and young people in youth detention
| Jurisdiction | Number | Rate per 10,000 children and young people |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Territory | 330 | 118.1 |
| Western Australia | 809 | 26.8 |
| Australian Capital Territory | 99 | 21.5 |
| South Australia | 339 | 19.0 |
| Queensland | 1,055 | 18.1 |
| New South Wales | 1,470 | 17.6 |
| Tasmania | 70 | 13.0 |
| Victoria | 351 | 5.2 |
| Australia | 4,523 | 16.8 |
Sources: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Youth Justice, supplementary tables S72b (2026); Australian Bureau of Statistics, National, State and Territory Population (2026).
