South Australia’s government has released draft laws that would make it tougher for serious repeat youth offenders to access bail, alongside new investment in rehabilitation programs aimed at long-term change.
While official figures show South Australia has one of the lowest youth offender rates in the country, the government says a small number of repeat offenders are behind a large share of criminal charges. Data from the Courts Administration Authority reveals that just 20 young people were responsible for between 11 and 13 per cent of all Youth Court charges.
The proposed changes, part of the Young Offender Plan, include automatically declaring individuals who repeatedly commit serious offences as recidivist youth offenders. Under the draft legislation, those identified as such would face a presumption against bail if taken into custody for another serious offence.
The government says the aim is to give courts greater scope to impose tougher penalties where appropriate and to reduce the likelihood of reoffending among those who pose the highest risk to the community.
Alongside the legal reforms, a $3 million investment over three years will fund targeted intervention programs for high-risk young people. The programs will be designed and led by the Department of Human Services, with an emphasis on personalised and culturally-informed support. They will also look to link young participants with existing services, including the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Attorney-General Kyam Maher said the changes aim to strike a balance between community safety and giving young people a better chance to turn their lives around. He acknowledged that while South Australia’s youth crime rate remains low, more tailored responses are needed for the small cohort repeatedly coming into contact with the justice system.
The draft bill has been released for consultation with legal bodies, community stakeholders and the wider public. Submissions will be accepted until Wednesday 20 August 2025.
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