Updated April 17, 2026
In Victoria, youth crime is a significant legal issue. As such, its youth justice system has introduced stricter measures for any youth offending, including the possibility of Adult Time for Violent Crime. This blog discusses Victoria’s youth crime reform in detail, outlining how the youth justice laws work, why the new reforms are controversial, and how all of this can affect the families of those who commit violent crimes.
The Victorian Government handles youth justice with a strict framework that differentiates how culpability works for a child and an adult. This depends on the age of responsibility and how sentences are decided accordingly.
Previously, children as young as 10 years old could be held criminally responsible in Victoria. The Youth Justice Act 2024 (Vic) has raised this minimum age to 12, meaning 10- and 11-year-olds can no longer be prosecuted under the criminal justice system.
In most cases, a youth offence hearing happens in the Children’s Court of Victoria, which is less formal than adult courts. The Children’s Court hears almost all offences committed by anyone under 18 years old and focuses on the child’s specific needs. The exceptions here are gross violence crimes, such as armed robbery or attempted murder, that go to the County Court or Supreme Court.
In the Children’s Court, sentencing principles are governed by the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005. Section 362 of the Act states that the Court must consider the following for sentencing decisions:
Victoria has witnessed a surge in child offences, especially last year. This has led to the Victorian Government wanting to implement serious consequences to prevent such acts, including offences involving children causing reckless or intentional injury. However, this reform has also met with heavy criticism.
In 2025 alone, there have been various concerns about youth crime, with reports stating:
Given how these incidents often involve arrests for the same crimes, the Government decided to introduce new reforms into the youth justice system, especially for more violent youth offenders.
The Government’s primary response was to introduce the Youth Justice Act (2024) to raise the age of criminal responsibility. But what really led to significant debate was the Allan Labour Government’s 2025 reform of possibly adopting Adult Time for Violent Crime, under which young offenders can face adult sentences for violent crimes. This has met with polarising opinions; some say that both the offenders and victims deserve the harsh treatment, while others argue that this could increase reoffending rates.
The ultimate goal behind this new reform is balancing the offender’s betterment with accountability. This is why the Children’s Court will continue to be where such cases are heard, but now, offences by young people will be treated like adult crimes to ensure a stronger grip over community safety.
With the Youth Justice Act (2024) in place and Adult Time for Violent Crime being considered, here’s how children and young people might be affected if they commit a crime:
The Children’s Court can currently impose up to 3 years for children. But the new reform, especially under Adult Time for Violent Crime, will mean that children 14 and above could receive adult-level sentences, with violent crimes potentially resulting in a maximum custodial sentence of up to 25 years.
The new reform is expected to impose adult sentences when children are charged with the following crimes:
While the offender’s rehabilitation remains important, the new reforms aim to prioritise community safety and scenarios where not enough consequences are imposed, based on what the victim went through.
According to current legislation, here’s how sentencing decisions are taken for youth offenders:
Current laws state that the Children’s Court can impose sentencing as per the following:
For custodial sentences, the Children’s Court considers the following factors as outlined in Section 5(2) of the Sentencing Act 1991 (Vic):
Under the dual track system, cases of grave offences, such as aggravated home invasion or carjacking, are usually transferred to the County Court, Supreme Court, or the Magistrates Court, where offenders can be given longer detention sentences.
Victoria’s youth crime reform can completely change how the justice system operates for young people sentenced. Here are the key things to keep in mind:
Adult Time for Violent Crime would allow the Courts to impose more serious consequences for young people found guilty of serious violent crimes, including longer custodial sentences than three years.
Early intervention will be of utmost importance once the new reforms are active. An expert criminal defence lawyer can argue with substantial and compelling reasons to bring charges down and ensure that a case doesn’t move to the adult courts.
Besides the harsh psychological impact of being labelled as a criminal, a youth conviction could potentially lead to travel restrictions and difficulties in attaining employment in the future.
While the youth crime reform in Victoria addresses the rising concern of too many victims and too few consequences, the larger impact will be on how the youth are treated. The changes would mean families cannot just depend on youthful indiscretion to avoid harsher sentences, but their implementation will also require significant amendments to the Children, Youth and Families Act, the Crimes Act, and the Youth Justice Act.
With 30+ years of experience in criminal defence, Doogue + George Defence Lawyers assists families facing youth offence charges in Victoria. If your child has been charged with an offence, our defence lawyers can ensure that you know your obligations thoroughly and can proceed with confidence. Contact us to learn more.
Following the commencement of the Youth Justice Act 2024, the minimum age of criminal responsibility in Victoria is 12 years old. Children aged 10 and 11 can no longer be charged with a criminal offence.
It is Victoria’s designated court for hearing criminal cases against children and young people.
Yes. Current reforms state that young people can receive detention sentences, but the new reforms can change those to more serious consequences, with cases being heard in adult courts.
Yes. They can still be available during police checks and on state records.
Yes. Especially to deal with the new reforms if they are passed, as a lawyer can ensure that all the legal proceedings are followed correctly.
“This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Please consult a qualified criminal defence lawyer before making any decisions regarding your matter”
