Minimum age of criminal responsibility
The QFCC is committed to promoting the safety, wellbeing and best interests of children and young people.
That’s why we’ve listened to the views and experiences of children, young people, families and organisations on youth justice and the minimum age of criminal responsibility (MACR).
The MACR is the minimum age at which children can be arrested, charged and convicted of a crime. The MACR in Queensland is currently 10 years. The United Nations recommends the MACR be at least 12 years.
The Age of Criminal Responsibility in Queensland information paper (PDF, 1.83MB) encourages Queensland to consider these reform options:
- the MACR be raised to 12 years
- children aged 10 to 12 years cannot be sentenced to youth detention
- youth justice conferences be mandatory for children aged 10 to 12 years.