Youth Justice
Legislative Change 2007
Legislative reform in the Youth Justice system
Proclamation of the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005
The Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 was proclaimed in late 2005. The new Act represents significant reform in legislation for both the Child Protection and Youth Justice programs in Victoria. The new Children, Youth and Families Act comes into effect on the 23 April 2007 and replaces the Children and Young Persons Act 1989. Information on legislative changes can be accessed on the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 page.
Previous legislative changes
Age Jurisdiction Change and Miscellaneous amendments
On 1 July 2005, the age jurisdiction of the Criminal Division of the Children’s Court increased from 17 to 18 years of age. A number of other changes were also made to the Children and Young Persons Act 1989.
The Children and Young Persons (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2005 contained further legislative amendments, which affected young people and the youth justice system in Victoria. Information on legislative changes can be accessed on the Age Jurisdiction Change page.