The number of children in detention in New South Wales has climbed more than 30 percent in two years, driven by a spike in break-and-enter charges and prompting warnings from the state’s crime statistics agency.
Latest figures from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) show 234 minors are now in youth detention centres—up 34 percent since 2023—with nearly three in four still awaiting trial.
BOCSAR executive director Jackie Fitzgerald described the trend as “really problematic,” especially for Aboriginal children.
“Currently, nearly 3 in 4 young people in custody have not been convicted and are awaiting their day in court,” she said on Aug. 14.
Aboriginal Overrepresentation Deepens
Aboriginal children now make up 60 percent of the youth detention population, one of the highest proportions NSW has ever recorded. Their numbers have risen 36 percent in two years.
Among Aboriginal youth, break-and-enter charges account for 86 percent of the increase. Statewide, the number of minors in custody for break-and-enter offences has jumped 229 percent, from 17 in June 2023 to 56 in June 2025.
Nearly one in four youth detainees is now held for the offence.
“From 2010 to 2021, NSW saw a steady decline in the number of young people in custody. That trend has now reversed,” Fitzgerald said.
This places NSW at odds with our Closing the Gap target to reduce the number of Aboriginal young people in detention.
Bail Law Changes Under Scrutiny
The surge comes months after the state government extended strict bail restrictions for minors accused of repeat car thefts and home invasions.
The rules, introduced in April 2024 and renewed in March 2025, limit bail for 14–18-year-olds charged with certain offences if they were already on bail for similar crimes. The policy was paired with a $26 million youth outreach and community safety package.
Attorney General Michael Daley defended the policy.
“We can see this law is working and that’s why we’ve extended it—to make sure we break the cycle of youth offending and strengthen community safety,” he said.
The NSW Opposition has pushed for even tougher measures, including expanding the definition of repeat offences to cover all serious indictable crimes, introducing electronic monitoring and curfews, and automatically revoking bail for breaches.
