In this submission to Council of Attorneys-General review of the age of criminal responsibility, ACTCOSS recommends the minimum age be raised from 10 to 14 across all states and territories. A minimum age of 14 aligns with international human rights standards and will ensure children under 14 are no longer criminalised. ACTCOSS recommends that children diverted from the youth justice system are responded to in the community. We highlight that non-justice system reforms, including in child protection, family violence, early childhood, and youth homelessness, can better respond to the needs of children.
