Search and Detention Powers for Children Under 14
Crimes Legislation Amendment Bill 2025
Assembly
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
Issuing officers can now grant warrants to search or frisk children under 14; they must consider the child's best interests when deciding.
Police officers are banned from stopping, searching or detaining children under 14 unless they meet specific legal conditions.
Police can stop or detain a child under 14 if they believe the child is at least 14; they can also do so to prevent serious harm or ensure safety.
Police can stop or detain a child under 14 if they believe the child has evidence regarding an offence committed by someone else.
Police may keep a child under 14 in detention only as long as needed to hand them over to a parent or a responsible carer.
Warrants and emergency entry powers now apply to cases involving physical injury to a person; previously these only applied to offences.
Spent convictions no longer stay hidden when someone applies for Working with Vulnerable People registration.
Topics
background checks child safety juvenile justice police powers search warrants vulnerable people youth rights