Victoria’s toughest youth crime reforms in decades will see children aged 14 and above who commit violent offences sentenced as adults, under new laws announced by Premier Jacinta Allan and Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny.
The policy, called Adult Time for Violent Crime, will ensure offenders as young as 14 who commit violent acts such as aggravated home invasion, machete attacks or serious assaults face adult courts, longer sentences, and a greater likelihood of jail.
The Allan Government will introduce the Bill to Parliament this year, marking the first major step in its Serious Consequences—Early Interventions plan to tackle violent youth offending.
Currently, only 34 per cent of offenders in the Children’s Court are jailed for crimes like aggravated home invasion or carjacking. When those same crimes are heard in adult courts, that figure rises to 97 per cent. Under the reform, offenders 14 and over will automatically face the County Court for such crimes.
“The current system isn’t delivering the right consequences,” Premier Allan said. “There are too many victims, not enough consequences. That’s why we’re introducing Adult Time for Violent Crime. We want courts to treat these violent children like adults, so jail is more likely and sentences are longer.”
The changes will also lift the maximum sentence for aggravated home invasion and aggravated carjacking to life imprisonment for offenders aged 14 and above. Other serious crimes such as aggravated burglary, armed robbery, and gross violence offences will face similar toughened treatment, with repeat or serious cases moved to the County Court.
Attorney-General Kilkenny said the reforms were designed to put victims and community safety first. “When child offenders are sentenced in an adult court, most go to jail. Adult courts put more emphasis on victims, violence and community safety,” she said. “There are no easy solutions to youth crime, and the best approach is always to stop crime before it starts. But we absolutely need serious consequences for violent youth crime to protect the community now.”
The Children’s Court will also undergo changes to sentencing principles, with judges required to prioritise community safety, consider victim impact, and move away from treating jail as a “last resort” for children.
The Government will allocate new resources to the County Court, including additional judges, to fast-track cases under the new regime. Exceptions will remain for 14-year-olds with cognitive disabilities or exceptional circumstances.
Premier Allan said the reforms aim to restore public confidence in the justice system and reinforce legal boundaries for young offenders. “As parents, we know children always need firm boundaries—not just at home but under the law,” she said. “The threat of going to jail helps keep children within the guardrails and teaches them right from wrong.”
The new laws are expected to take effect in 2026 once Parliament passes the Bill.
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