In 2024–25, the Children’s Court sentenced 2,098 cases, down 0.7% from 2,112 cases in 2023–24. This is the lowest number of cases in a single year between 2004–05 and 2024–25.
The number of cases sentenced in the Children’s Court has decreased significantly. The number of cases peaked at 10,658 in 2006–07 (this was partly because the Children’s Court processed large numbers of infringements at that time).
Notes: A case consists of one or more charges sentenced at the same hearing. A charge is a single count of an offence. Cases that resulted in a youth justice diversion plan are included in the graph. Diversion is not a sentence, but it is an important outcome available in the Children’s Court.
Number of cases sentenced in the Children’s Court
Hover over the line in the graph to display the number of cases for each year.
| Year | Number of cases |
|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 2,098 |
| 2023-24 | 2,112 |
| 2022-23 | 2,242 |
| 2021-22 | 2,237 |
| 2020-21 | 2,189 |
| 2019-20 | 2,765 |
| 2018-19 | 3,516 |
| 2017-18 | 3,811 |
| 2016-17 | 4,091 |
| 2015-16 | 3,780 |
| 2014-15 | 3,743 |
| 2013-14 | 3,984 |
| 2012-13 | 4,356 |
| 2011-12 | 4,693 |
| 2010-11 | 5,506 |
| 2009-10 | 6,365 |
| 2008-09 | 6,694 |
| 2007-08 | 8,949 |
| 2006-07 | 10,658 |
| 2005-06 | 5,609 |
| 2004-05 | 4,942 |
Source: Court Services Victoria, unpublished data.
Note: The data may be subject to revision to reflect amendments to records in Court Services Victoria’s databases.
