Have you been charged with sex offender registry offences?
We can help you.
Being on the Sex Offender Registry is very onerous and can be hard on people. The police will prosecute even the most minor breaches of the registry.
You may need advice in three areas;
- You want to avoid getting on the Registry and have been charged with Sex Offences
- You have been charged with breaching a condition of the Sex Offender Registry
- Police have refused to let your travel.
There are a lot of important issues with the Sex Offender Registry
- Can I travel if I am on the Sex offender Register?
- Can I get off the Sex Offender Registry?
- How long do I have to stay on the Sex Offender Registry?
Read further about the sex offender registry below and download our free Sex Offender Registry booklet on the right.
The Sex Offenders Register in Victoria operates under the Sex Offenders Registration Act 2004, for the purpose of obligating offenders who commit sexual offences to keep police informed of their whereabouts and other personal details for a period of time. The aim of the register is to reduce the likelihood of re-offending and to assist in the investigation and prosecution of any future offences as well as preventing registered sex offenders from working in child-related employment.
Who is Placed on the Sex Offenders Register?
There are different classes of offending for which a person can be ordered to be registered as a sex offender.
Generally, the different classes distinguish between penetrative and non-penetrative offences and
between whether or not the offence was committed against children or adults.
- Class 1 offences involve sexual penetration of children
- Class 2 offences cover non-penetrative offending involving children,
- Class 3 is penetrative offending against adults
- Class 4 is non penetrative offending involving adults.
Being convicted of a sexual offence involving a child results in mandatory inclusion on the register. The Court has no discretion not to place you on the sex offences register.
When children are convicted of sex offences or adults are convicted of sexual offences committed against other adults then there can be a discretionary inclusion in the register pursuant to an order made under section 11 of the Act.
Reporting Periods
The length of time for which a person placed on the register depends on the class of offence they have been found guilty of, if their sentence involves a term of imprisonment, then their reporting obligations begin once they have been released.
Registration periods are set at 8 years, 15 years or life. If the person was a child when tthe offences were committed then half of the period applies – 4 years or 7 and a half years. Life registration is also treated as 7 and a half years.
| Reporting Period | Findings of guilt by offence class and number | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 years: s34(1)(a) | 1 Class 2 offence | ||
| 15 years: s34(1)(b) | 1 Class 1 offence | 2 Class 2 offences | |
| Life: s34(1)(c) | 2 or more Class 1 offences | 1 Class 1 offence & 1 Class 2 offence | 3 or more class 2 offences |
