Queensland’s new bail rules for serious offenders take effect 30 November
Queenslandâs new bail rules for serious offenders come into force on 30 November 2026 late on 29 October 2026. It builds on the first three tranches of the Governmentâs Adult Crime, Adult Time reforms and targets serious repeat offenders, both young people and adults. The changes come into force on 30 November 2026.Â
Whatâs changing under Queenslandâs new bail rules
- Committing a serious offence while on bail becomes a criminal offence in its own right, with a mandatory minimum of 12 months in custody.
- The bail changes apply to both young people and adults, but they cover different offences. For young people, they cover any Adult Crime, Adult Time offence. For adults, they cover all of those offences plus coercive control and child sexual offences under Danielâs Law.
- Serious offenders face a tougher bail test. Police or a court must refuse bail unless they are satisfied, to a âhigh degree of confidenceâ, that the person will not commit another serious offence while on bail.
- Police are no longer required to consider diversionary options before starting proceedings against a young person.
Context
The Queensland Government says police data shows victim numbers have fallen by 9.6 per cent under its community safety plan, after an earlier rise of 193 per cent. It hasnât said what period either figure covers.
Related: Queensland photo ID replacements and seatbelt penalty rules updated from December 2026
General information only, not legal advice. Check the official source before acting.
Source: Queensland Government. Licence: CC BY 4.0.
