Queensland Parliament has passed new laws that expand the use of electronic monitoring for children accused of offences, making significant changes to the state’s youth bail framework.
The Youth Justice (Electronic Monitoring) Amendment Bill 2025 makes electronic monitoring for children on bail permanent and statewide. It also allows monitoring to be used for children as young as 10 years old. The laws came into effect on 30 April 2026.
The reforms form part of the State Government’s approach to youth crime, which it says is focused on reducing reoffending, strengthening consequences, and improving community safety.
However, legal and human rights organisations, including the Queensland Law Society (QLS), have raised concerns that the changes are punitive, may not reduce reoffending, and could have serious impacts on children’s wellbeing.
Here’s what the new laws do, why they matter, and what you should be aware of.
What do the new laws do?
Permanent GPS monitoring for children
The new laws make electronic monitoring a permanent option for youth bail in Queensland. Courts can now order a GPS tracking device for any child aged 10 to 17, including children who have never been charged with an offence before.
The Government has pointed to an earlier trial involving around 16 children as support for expanding GPS monitoring. According to the trial evaluation, monitored children had higher bail compliance, lower rates of reoffending, better engagement with support services and fewer offences involving victims. These results were described as “promising” and were a key reason for making monitoring permanent.
Broader powers to impose monitoring
The laws also expand the situations where courts can order electronic monitoring. Previous restrictions based on age, type of offence or geographic location have been removed.
This means a much wider group of children may now be subject to GPS monitoring, regardless of where they live or the nature of the alleged offence. The laws also allow a device to be fitted without the child’s consent.
Overall, these changes lower the threshold for electronic monitoring and significantly broaden its use in Queensland’s youth justice system.
Why have concerns been raised?
The Queensland Law Society has raised concerns about the expanded use of GPS tracking for children on bail. It notes there is no clear evidence that wider electronic monitoring improves community safety.
The Queensland Law Society also refers to independent research from the University of Queensland, which found no evidence that electronic monitoring reduces reoffending. The research suggested that increased surveillance can sometimes lead to more bail breaches and deeper involvement in the justice system.
Human rights issues
Electronic monitoring affects several rights protected under Queensland’s Human Rights Act, including:
- privacy;
- liberty and freedom of movement;
- family life; and
- education.
Requiring a child who has not been found guilty of an offence to wear a tracking device also raises concerns about proportionality and the presumption of innocence.
Impacts on younger children
QLS has expressed particular concern about children aged 10 to 14 being subject to electronic monitoring.
Potential risks include:
- disruption to schooling;
- social isolation and stigma; and
- increased contact with the youth justice system.
For First Nations children, monitoring may also interfere with important cultural, family and community connections.
Practical and technical issues
Concerns have also been raised about the reliability of electronic monitoring devices. Problems can include battery failures, fitting issues and network dropouts. These risks may be greater in regional and remote areas.
QLS has warned that when technology fails, children may be unfairly penalised for breaches they did not intend or could not prevent.
What do supporters say?
The State Government says the new laws are designed to reduce reoffending and impose stronger consequences when bail conditions are breached. It argues that expanding GPS monitoring will help protect victims and improve community safety.
Supporters of the reforms also say electronic monitoring is part of a broader response, alongside increased policing, early intervention programs and rehabilitation services. The Minister for Youth Justice and Victim Support has described the changes as among the strongest youth bail monitoring laws in Australia.
What does this mean for Queensland?
The laws significantly expand youth surveillance powers in Queensland. Children as young as 10, including first‑time offenders, may now be fitted with GPS tracking devices as a condition of bail.
Supporters believe this will allow closer supervision of children on bail and help improve safety. QLS and other legal advocates caution that the changes may cause harm to children, increase reoffending, and undermine important legal safeguards.
