This report analyses the youth detention population in Australia, aged 10 and over, for the four year period from the June quarter 2020 to the June quarter 2024. It presents states and territory trends, including the impact of changes to the minimum age of criminal responsibility introduced in the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory during 2023. 

A better understanding of the characteristics and seasonal trends of young people in detention can help support staff, case workers and policy makers to get the best outcomes for these young people. The data may have important policy implications for the age of criminal responsibility among young people.

Findings

• On an average night in the June quarter 2024, 845 young people were in detention.
• 6 in 10 (60%) young people in detention on an average night in the June quarter 2024 were First Nations people.
• Most (81%) young people in detention were aged 14–17, the remainder were aged 10–13 (5%) or 18 and over (15%).
• On an average night in the June quarter 2024, 9 in 10 (90%) young people in detention were male.