This statistical report presents data on sentencing practices in Victoria in the decade to 30 June 2024. It is designed to inform the community about sentencing trends in Victoria. Data includes the types of offences, sentences received, and the imprisonment or detention lengths and fine amounts imposed.

This report makes 12 recommendations for reform to the sentencing of occupational health and safety (OHS) offences in Victoria. The recommendations relate to victims and other affected persons, changes in sentencing practices, and fine payment and distribution.

The aim of this report is to determine whether fine amounts imposed in Victoria have kept up with inflation and the values of penalty units. The report assesses how inflation and penalty unit indexation are accounted for in other Australian jurisdictions.

A whistleblower rewards system would empower regulators to reveal and prosecute corporate and white-collar criminal behaviour and create a more competitive and scrupulous economy in Australia, according to this discussion paper. It draws on the success of similar systems overseas to propose a scheme funded by fines for offenders.

Traffic fines in Australia hit low-income earners disproportionally hard. One potential solution to this problem is traffic fines that are proportional to the income of the offender. This discussion paper outlines one way of applying this model – drawn from Finland – to Australia, including a breakdown for states.