In April 2026, the Queensland Parliament passed further amendments to the Youth Justice Act 1992 (Qld), expanding the range of serious offences for which children may face adult-equivalent sentencing outcomes. The amendments commenced on 30 April 2026 and further extend Queensland’s ‘Adult Crime, Adult Time’ regime.

These reforms build on earlier legislative changes introduced in late 2024 and May 2025 as part of the Queensland Government’s Making Queensland Safer Plan. For background on those earlier reforms, see our previous articles, “Significant changes to youth justice laws in Queensland” and “Adult crime, adult time list of offences expanded from May 2025”.

Which Offences Are Now Covered Under Queensland's 'Adult Crime, Adult Time' Regime?

The latest amendments to section 175A of the Youth Justice Act 1992 (Qld) extend the regime to a further 12 offences, including:

• attempted armed robbery;
• aggravated assault occasioning bodily harm;
• conspiring to murder;
• unlawful stalking, intimidation, harassment or abuse;
• riot;
• abuse of persons with an impairment of the mind;
• indecent treatment of a child under 16;
• choking, suffocation or strangulation in a domestic setting;
• disabling a person to commit an indictable offence;
• stupefying a person to commit an indictable offence;
• endangering the safety of a person in a vehicle with intent;
• aiding suicide; and
• administering poison with intent to harm.

The amendments also broaden the regime so that it extends beyond completed prescribed offences to attempts, conspiracies and accessories after the fact.

As amended, section 175A now includes 45 serious offences for which children aged 10 to 17 may be subject to adult sentencing outcomes. In practical terms, the amendments increase the number of youth justice matters in which sentencing exposure may be materially more serious than under the traditional youth sentencing framework.

How does the amended sentencing framework work in Queensland?

For prescribed offences, the amendments further align sentencing consequences for children with the adult criminal justice system, affecting both the available penalties and some related processes.

Relevant changes include:

• adult-equivalent maximum penalties;
• mandatory minimum sentences for some offences, including life imprisonment with specified non-parole periods;
• probation periods of up to three years, rather than two years;
• restorative justice orders are no longer available for prescribed offences;
• court diversion referrals and presentence referrals to restorative justice remain available, as they do in the adult system; and
• the victim information register now allows a nominated person to receive information on a victim’s behalf.

Importantly, these changes apply only to offences allegedly committed on or after 30 April 2026, making the date of the alleged offending a critical issue in some matters.

Why early legal advice is critical in youth justice matters

Gilshenan & Luton advises and appears in youth justice matters, including serious and complex criminal matters involving children and young people.

These matters can move quickly, and the applicable sentencing framework, available options and overall approach may depend on the alleged offence, the date of the conduct and the stage the matter has reached. Early legal advice can therefore be important.

If you need advice about how these changes may apply to a specific matter, contact Gilshenan & Luton's Brisbane team for clear, practical guidance. We advise and appear in youth justice matters at all stages - from early advice through to sentence.

Contacting Gilshenan & Luton Lawyers

📞 07 3361 0222  (24/7)

📧 gnl@gnl.com.au