Indigenous Young People in Detention

In 2018–19, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people (aged 10 to 17 years) in all Australian states and territories were detained in youth detention facilities at a higher rate than non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people. Western Australia had the highest rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth detention at 284.1 per 10,000 young people. Western Australia also had the greatest difference in detention rates between the two groups: the rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people was approximately 21 times the rate for non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.

Tasmania had the smallest difference in detention rates: the rate of detention for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people was approximately four times the rate for non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people. In Victoria, the rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people was approximately 10 times the rate for non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.

The Australian Capital Territory had the largest decrease in detention rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people: from 205.54 in 2017–18 to 150.51 in 2018–19, a decrease of 26.7%. Tasmania had the largest increase of detention rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people: from 29.37 in 2017–18 to 34.58 in 2018–19, an increase of 17.7%.

Note: Data is based on the count of unique persons (aged 10 to 17) in youth detention at any time during the year.

Rates per 10,000 young people (aged 10 to 17 years) in youth detention in 2018–19, by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status

Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Youth Justice in Australia 2018–19, cat. no. JUV 132, Supplementary Table S85b (2020).