This report examines cases sentenced or diverted in Victoria involving offences committed by children aged 10 to 13 at their offending, including their demographics, offending profiles and sentencing outcomes. The report is intended to assist with the implementation and monitoring of measures that apply to children under 14 in the new Youth Justice Act 2024.

This report presents 10 recommendations for reforming sentence deferrals in Victoria, including doubling the purposes for which a sentence may be deferred. These recommendations are the culmination of the Council’s two-year review of deferred sentencing in Victoria.

This final report makes 26 recommendations for reforms to enhance the effectiveness of adjourned undertakings. These recommendations are the culmination of the Victorian Sentencing Advisory Council's extensive two-year review of adjourned undertakings and related orders in Victoria.

The Victorian Sentencing Advisory Council is seeking submissions on the questions posed in this consultation paper. The Council intends to use submissions, and the results of consultations, to make recommendations about the use of sentence deferral in Victoria.

The purpose of this consultation paper is to consider potential options for increasing and improving the use of adjourned undertakings in Victoria.