While South Australia has relatively low levels of crime, we know that more work is needed.
South Australia has the second lowest rate of youth offenders across Australia, after the ACT. However over the past financial year, 20 young people were responsible for roughly 11 per cent of all matters before the Youth court, and responsible for a disproportionate rate of offending.
What the government is doing
The State Government is considering a number of measures to ensure the justice system is able to effectively manage this issue and that there are significant consequences for serious repeat young offenders. This includes:
- funding specialised initiatives to target recidivism and provide effective diversions from the criminal justice system
- convening a stakeholder rountable with industry and sector leaders
- referring the Bail Act to the South Australian Law Reform Institute for review.
Read the Young Offenders Plan (PDF, 795.8 KB) for more details.
Changes to legislation:
Consultation has now closed, and feedback is under consideration.
The Statutes Amendment (Recidivist Young Offenders) Bill 2025 will reform existing South Australian bail and sentencing laws applying to young offenders.
While statistics show South Australia has the second lowest rate of youth offenders across Australia, we know a small number of serious repeat young offenders are responsible for a disproportionate level of offending.
The proposed reforms are tailored to address this small cohort of young offenders, alongside the State Government’s investment in intervention programs.
What is the current legislation?
Currently, youth crime is addressed in South Australia through the following legislation:
Suggested amendments
In response to the Government’s Young Offender Plan, we’re proposing to amend legislation to implement sentencing and bail reforms. These reforms are aimed at those who repeatedly reoffend, with a focus on offending which is serious in nature or results in harm to the community.
The changes include:
- reforms to ensure the recidivist young offender scheme is fit for purpose
- tougher bail laws for recidivist young offenders
- strengthened sentencing laws for youths who have demonstrated a pattern of repeated illegal behaviour.
The Government has also committed, as part of the Young Offender Plan (PDF, 795.8 KB), to a $3 million investment in programs to support young offenders to break the cycle of re-offending.
Access the complete Bill (PDF, 194.1 KB).
Consultation has now closed, and feedback is under consideration.
The Criminal Law Consolidation (Street Gangs) Amendment Bill 2025 will reform existing legislation to address serious and organised crime taking place across the state.
Whilst street gangs may commit similar offences to other crime groups, they tend to have a less formal structure, and a fluid membership which can include youths.
What is the current legislation?
Serious and organised crime is currently addressed in South Australia through the Serious and Organised Crime (Control) Act 2008 (SOCCA) and Part 3B of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 (CLCA).
The laws were designed primarily to deal with Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs. Therefore, the unique characteristics of street gangs require targeted legislative reform.
Suggested amendments
To target and disrupt the criminal activities of street gangs, the Bill seeks to amend the CLCA.
The changes include:
- inserting an express definition of a street gang;
- allowing identified groups to be prescribed as street gangs by regulation;
- allowing the Commissioner of Police to make an application to the courts for a street gang control order for street gang participants;
- empowering the courts to impose conditions on a person who is subject to a street gang control order;
- creating a standalone offence of recruiting a person to a street gang.