In Victoria, consent means a free and voluntary agreement to each sexual act. Since July 2023, the affirmative consent model requires a person to say or do something to find out whether the other person consents, and a belief in consent is not reasonable if they did nothing to check. Consent can also be withdrawn at any time.
Youth bail in Victoria is decided under the Bail Act 1977, first by police or a bail justice, and then by the Children’s Court. Since the 2025 bail reforms, community safety is a central consideration, and the principle that remand is a last resort for a child has been removed, so bail for young people is harder to obtain than it once was.
Bushfire-related offences in Victoria run from lighting a fire on a total fire ban day, which carries up to 2 years, to intentionally or recklessly causing a bushfire, which carries up to 15 years, and arson causing death, which carries up to 25 years. Even an accidental fire can lead to charges if the law considers your conduct reckless.
A Commonwealth charge is an offence against federal law, investigated by the Australian Federal Police and prosecuted by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions. A state charge is against Victorian law, run by Victoria Police. Both are heard in Victorian courts, but they use different sentencing and parole systems, and that changes how a case is defended.
In Victoria, carrying a weapon such as a knife in a public place without a lawful excuse is a criminal offence. A controlled weapon carries up to 1 year in prison, and a prohibited weapon, which now includes machetes, carries up to 2 years. Critically, self-defence is not a lawful excuse for carrying a weapon.
