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Furnish False or Misleading Information (Sex Offender Registry)

Name: Doogue + George Defence Lawyers
Address: Level 5/221 Queen St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, AU
Telephone: (03) 9670 5111
Price range: $$$

Author: Dee Giannopoulos

Practice area: sex offender registry

Dee is a Director at Doogue + George and an LIV Accredited Criminal Law Specialist, recognised by Doyle's Guide as a Leading Criminal Defence Lawyer in Victoria (2026), with extensive experience in adult and child sex offence matters. Her depth of experience in this area means clients receive accurate, considered advice.

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Dee authored this content and last revised it for accuracy on 6 August 2026.

What is the offence of Furnish False or Misleading Information (Sex Offender Registry)?

This offence criminalises the integrity of information provided to Victoria’s Sex Offender Registry. It targets situations where reporting obligations are undermined by the supply of inaccurate or misleading information, and is governed by section 47 of the Sex Offenders Registration Act 2004 (Vic).

Key points

Who can be charged: Only a person classified as a registrable offender.
Nature of the offence: Supplying registry information that is false or misleading in a material way.
Court jurisdiction: Magistrates’ Court.

The maximum penalty for Furnish False or Misleading Information (Sex Offender Registry) is level 7 imprisonment (2 years).

Common defences may include that the information was accurate, or that the offender was not aware the information was required to be reported.

Do the Police want to speak with you about Furnishing False or Misleading Information to the Sex Offender Registry?

We can give you confidential advice about how you should run your case. Our lawyers have dealt with many of these types of matters and know what evidence the Police need to prove the charge of Furnishing False or Misleading Information. We will make sure that you are not pleading guilty to a charge that cannot be proven.

Police interview

Call us to ask about how to handle your matter.

You should remember that anything you tell the Police can be used in evidence to support their case.

Do the Police want to speak with you about an allegation of Furnishing False or Misleading Information? It is important to the success of your case, that you call us to speak with one of our experienced lawyers before you go to the interview.

Pleading not guilty

We are defence lawyers who specialise in Furnishing False or Misleading Information (Sex Offender Registry) charges and we can answer your questions. We know how to run successful defences.

We also know how to properly prepare for pleas of guilty to make sure the Magistrate hears all relevant things that are key to a good outcome.

Pleading guilty

We are also experienced in appearing in pleas of guilty. We can prepare your plea to get the best possible outcome. Our attention to detail can change the outcome of your punishment. A good plea depends on knowing what Judges need to hear and gathering mitigating material.

Sentencing outcomes

Sentencing in the Magistrates’ Courts of Victoria

Source: Sentencing Advisory Council of Victoria (SACStat), Sex Offenders Registration Act 2004 (Vic) s 47(1) — 42 charges across 37 cases, Magistrates’ Court, 1 July 2020 – 30 June 2023.

Sentencing outcome	%
Imprisonment	52.4%
Fine	31.0%
Community Correction Order	9.5%
Adjourned Undertaking	7.1%

The data demonstrates a significant risk of imprisonment for this offence, reflecting the seriousness of breaching reporting obligations. However, courts also utilise financial penalties and supervised community-based options in appropriate circumstances. The ultimate sentence will depend on the nature of the misinformation, prior history and any steps taken to address compliance. Careful preparation is essential where liberty is at stake.

Contact an expert in charges of Furnishing False or Misleading Information (Sex Offender Registry) on (03) 9670 5111.
We provide a free first phone conference.
Download our free booklet to learn more about the Investigation and Court process.

Which court will the case be heard in?

These kinds of cases are heard in the Magistrates’ Court.

Examples of Furnish False or Misleading Information (Sex Offender Registry)

A registered sex offender makes a false statement about where she lives.
A registered sex offender misleads police officers about children he has contact with.

What is the legal definition of Furnish False or Misleading Information (Sex Offender Registry)?

Furnish False or Misleading Information is when a registered sex offender provides information that is inaccurate, incorrect or misleading. And the information is in relation to requirements under the Sex Offenders Registry.

Legislation

The section that covers this offence is section 47 of the Sex Offenders Registration Act 2004.

Offence of Furnishing False or Misleading Information
A registrable offender who in purported compliance with this Part furnishes details (other than details to which section 14 applies) that the registrable offender knows to be false or misleading in a material particular is guilty of an offence and liable to level 7 imprisonment (2 years maximum) or a level 7 fine (240 penalty units).
A registrable offender who in purported compliance with this Part furnishes details to which section 14(1)(d), (da), (db), (dc), (dd), (e), (ea), (f), (g), (j), (k) or (m) applies that the registrable offender knows to be false or misleading in a material particular is guilty of an offence and liable to level 6 imprisonment (5 years maximum).
A registrable offender who in purported compliance with this Part furnishes details to which section 14(1)(a), (b), (c), (h), (i) or (l) applies that the registrable offender knows to be false or misleading in a material particular is guilty of an offence and liable to level 7 imprisonment (2 years maximum).¹

Elements of the offence

A person may be found guilty of the offence of Furnish False or Misleading Information (Sex Offender Registry) if the following elements are proven in court beyond reasonable doubt:

The accused is a registrable sex offender; and
According to section 6 of the Sex Offenders Registration Act 2004, “a registrable offender is a person whom a court has at any time (whether before, on, or after 1 October 2004) sentenced for a registrable offence.”²
“The accused provided details to the Register that he or she knows to be false or misleading in a material particular; or
The accused provided details to which section 14(1)(d), (da), (db), (dc), (dd), (e), (ea), (f), (g), (j), (k) or (m) of the Sex Offenders Registration Act 2004 applies and which the registrable offender knows to be false or misleading in a material particular; or
The accused provided details to which section 14(1)(a), (b), (c), (h), (i) or (l) of the Sex Offenders Registration Act 2004 applies and which the registrable offender knows to be false or misleading in a material particular.”³

What are some of the possible defences to a charge of Furnish False or Misleading Information (Sex Offender Registry)?

The information provided was not false or misleading.
You were not aware of your obligations in relation to the information.

There are other possible defences depending on the circumstances surrounding the alleged offending. Each matter is unique and requires an individual approach and strategy.

Questions in cases like this

Did you say something to the Police about yourself or your circumstances that was incorrect?
Can they prove that something you said was false?

Did the police misunderstand what you said?

Maximum penalty for section 47 of the Sex Offenders Registration Act 2004

The maximum penalty for this offence is level 7 imprisonment (2 years).

What can you be sentenced to for this charge?

If the false information concerns your contact with children, then you might go to jail if you are found guilty. However, if the false information is less serious, then you may only incur a fine or a Community Corrections Order. Obviously every case depends on its own facts and what can be said in your favour.

The difference between receiving a prison sentence and a Community Correction Order can be:

Obtaining an expert psychological report which explains to the sentencing Court how your mental illness (if any) may have impacted your wrong-doing.
Undergoing treatment to address risk.
Demonstrating genuine remorse.

Other information

FindLaw: Furnishing False or misleading information (Sex Offender Registry)

FAQ about Furnish False or Misleading Information (Sex Offender Registry)

Who can be charged with furnishing false or misleading information?

This offence applies only to registrable offenders. A registrable offender is a person who has been sentenced by a court for a registrable offence and is subject to ongoing reporting obligations under the Sex Offenders Registration Act 2004 (Vic).

What type of information is covered by this offence?

The offence relates to information that a registrable offender is required to provide as part of their reporting obligations. It applies where the information given is incorrect or misleading in a way that is significant to the operation of the registry.

Does the prosecution have to prove the information was given knowingly?

Yes. The offence requires proof that the registrable offender knew the information they provided was false or misleading in a material particular. This knowledge element must be established beyond reasonable doubt.

What does “material” mean in this context?

For the offence to be made out, the false or misleading information must be material. This means it must be significant or relevant to the reporting system, rather than a trivial or inconsequential inaccuracy.

What issues commonly arise in defending this charge?

Disputed issues often include whether the information was actually false or misleading, whether it was material, and whether the offender was aware they were required to provide that information at the time.

_{[1] Australian legal Information Institute. “Sex Offenders Registration Act 2004 – Section 47: Offence of Furnishing False or Misleading Information.” Austlii.edu.au. http://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/consol_act/sora2004292/s47.html (accessed June 18, 2020).
[2] Australian legal Information Institute. “Sex Offenders Registration Act 2004 – Section 6: Who is a Registrable Offender?” Austlii.edu.au. http://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/consol_act/sora2004292/s6.html (accessed January 30, 2020).
[3] Australian legal Information Institute. “Sex Offenders Registration Act 2004 – Section 47: Offence of Furnishing False or Misleading Information.” Austlii.edu.au. http://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/consol_act/sora2004292/s47.html (accessed January 30, 2020).}