Criminal offences in Australia
It is important for you to be familiar with the laws in Australia. If you break an Australian law that you did not know about, you could be charged, as not knowing the law is no excuse.
Some of the most serious crimes include murder, assault, sexual assault, violence against people or property, armed robbery or theft, having sexual relations with children or young people who are aged below the legal age of consent, dangerous driving of a motor car, possession of illegal drugs, and fraud.
Everyone has the right to experience positive and safe relationships with their families, friends and loved ones. As in other countries, violence towards another person is illegal in Australia and is a very serious crime. This includes violence within the home and within marriage, known as domestic or family violence. Domestic and family violence includes behaviour or threats that aim to control a partner by causing fear or threatening their safety. Domestic and family violence can include hitting, isolating a family member from friends and family, or threatening children or pets. Domestic and family violence is not accepted and is against the law.
A person who commits these crimes can go to jail, whether they are a man or a woman. No one should accept being treated badly or harmed.
If you or someone you know is in danger you should contact the police. More information is available at www.respect.gov.au and www.1800respect.org.au
Test yourself on this topic
13 questions on this topic, each with the answer explained.
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- As domestic or family violence, which is a crime
- As a crime only if it happens in public
- As a private matter between husband and wife
- As a crime only if they are not married
Explanation: Violence inside the home and inside marriage is called domestic or family violence, and it is against the law.
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- It is domestic and family violence
- It is acceptable if he pays the bills
- It is only wrong if he also shouts at her
- It is a normal part of married life
Explanation: Cutting a family member off from friends and family is listed as domestic and family violence, even without hitting.
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- They are always excused the first time this happens to them
- They can be charged, because not knowing the law is no excuse
- They can be charged only if they are an Australian citizen
- They receive a written warning letter instead of a charge
Explanation: Everyone is expected to learn the laws of Australia; ignorance of a law is not a defence.
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- She should wait until the harm becomes serious
- She can complain only if they are married
- She must accept it because they live together
- No one should accept being treated badly or harmed
Explanation: Nobody in Australia has to tolerate being harmed or badly treated by another person.
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- One of the most serious crimes
- Acceptable if both people agree
- A matter for the school to settle
- A private family matter
Explanation: Australian law lists this among the most serious crimes, whatever the young person says.
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- It is treated as a minor paperwork error
- It is allowed for personal use only
- It is one of the most serious crimes
- It is a matter for your employer to handle
Explanation: Possession of illegal drugs is listed among Australia's most serious crimes.
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- It is illegal only if the injury is severe
- It is illegal and a very serious crime
- It is a family matter, not a legal one
- It is accepted if it happens at home
Explanation: Violence against another person is against the law in Australia and is treated very seriously.
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- Any ordinary disagreement or argument between two partners
- Regularly working long hours away from the family home
- A couple's decision to live apart in two separate homes
- Behaviour or threats that control a partner by causing fear
Explanation: It covers conduct or threats used to control a partner through fear or by threatening their safety.
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- Changing your job without telling anyone
- Fraud
- Refusing to join a political party
- Dangerous driving of a motor car
Explanation: Fraud and dangerous driving both appear in the list of Australia's most serious crimes.
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- Arguing loudly with a neighbour
- Missing a medical appointment
- Playing music late at a party
- Armed robbery or theft
Explanation: Armed robbery and theft sit among the most serious offences in Australian law.
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- Only people who have offended before
- Any person, whether a man or a woman
- Only men who commit it
- Only people who are not citizens
Explanation: The law applies equally to men and women, and either can be sent to jail for these crimes.
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- Only people aged over 18
- Only Australian citizens
- Everyone
- Only married couples
Explanation: This right belongs to every person in Australia, without exception.
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- Her employer
- The police
- The local council
- Her neighbours
Explanation: When you or someone you know is in danger, the police are the ones to contact.
From Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, the official booklet