Crime and the law

About reporting a crime

When reporting a crime you need to decide whether it is an emergency situation or a non-urgent issue.

This page will help you to choose how to report. You should report:

  • if life or injury is being threatened
  • if property is being threatened
  • a crime that is in progress, being witnessed or just committed
  • a domestic violence incident
  • anti-social behaviour.

Report an emergency

In an emergency you should call 000.

Find out more about when to call 000.

Report non-urgent incidents

You should call 131 444 to talk to a police operator. This is a 24-hour hotline.

A non-urgent incident could be:

  • suspicious activity
  • damage or graffiti
  • nuisance or disturbance
  • stolen vehicles
  • break-ins.

Contact Crime Stoppers

You can report information that may help solve a crime to Crime Stoppers:

You don’t need to give your name or address and you can remain anonymous.


Apply for a criminal history check

This page has information about applying for a national police history check.

Before you apply

To apply online for a national police check, you will need all of the following:

  • a credit or debit card for payment - MasterCard or Visa only
  • your email address
  • scanned copies of your identity documents.

If you're not an Australian resident

If you need a criminal history record check for Australian citizenship, residency, spouse visa or guardianship, you must apply to the Australian Federal Police.

For more details, go to the Australian Federal Police website.

How to apply

Apply and pay online on the NT Police website.

Apply now

By mail or in person

To apply by mail or in person, follow these steps:

Step 1. Get the SAFE NT criminal history check form on the Police, Fire and Emergency Services website.

Step 2. Pay the fee. You can pay SAFE NT either:

  • in person with cash, cheque, money order or credit card
  • or by mail with cheque, money order or credit card authorisation - do not send cash.

Step 3. Submit the application and fee.

In person

SAFE NT
Ground floor
37 Woods Street 
Darwin 
Phone: 1800 723 368
safent.police@nt.gov.au

By mail

NT Police
PO Box 39764
Winnellie NT


Crime statistics

The Northern Territory's (NT) crime statistics are updated on a monthly basis on the Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency website.

They are prepared by the Department of the Attorney-General and Justice using data recorded by NT police.

To see the statistics in specific areas, click on the links below for:


Cross-border justice

The Cross Border Justice Scheme is a partnership between Western Australia (WA), the Northern Territory (NT) and South Australia (SA).

It removes the state and territory borders in the outback cross-border region to improve law enforcement and justice in the area.

This means police, judges, fine enforcement agencies, community corrections officers and prisons can deal with offences that may have occurred in another state or territory. 

Offenders cannot escape justice by going interstate. This provides a safer environment for residents in the cross-border justice region and gives communities the confidence to report crimes.

Where is the cross-border region

The cross-border region is known as the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) lands.

NT map with border

How cross-border justice works

Who does the cross-border scheme apply to?

The law applies to anyone who:

  • is suspected, alleged or found to have committed an offence in the cross-border region
  • is arrested in the region
  • usually lives in that region at the time of the offence or when they were arrested.

Someone may also have a connection to a cross-border region if they live there or have another matter before the court in a region they are connected with.

When someone is arrested in the cross-border region

When someone is suspected of committing an offence in the cross-border region of SA, WA or NT, police can take them to the nearest police station for a blood-alcohol or drug test. This may mean crossing the border into another state or the NT.

If someone commits a crime in NT, can police chase them into SA or WA?

Police can interview, investigate and arrest you in another state or territory as long as you are connected with the cross-border region.

When someone is remanded in custody in the cross-border region

If you are over 18 and you have been remanded in custody, you are likely to be held in either Port Augusta, Alice Springs or Kalgoorlie.

If you are under 18, factors such as where you normally live and where your family lives will be taken into account when considering where you should be held in custody. It must be a juvenile detention facility.

There are juvenile detention centres in Alice Springs, Adelaide and Perth.

When someone is given bail by the police 

If you are given police bail, it should be granted to a court closest to where you live or the community where you spend the most time.

If you already have other charges on your record, you may be bailed to the court where those charges are next listed for hearing.

Legal rights under cross-border justice

Your legal rights will be determined by the laws of the state and territory you committed the alleged offence - SA, WA or NT. 

For example, if you assault someone in SA, but you are arrested in NT or WA, you will have the same legal rights as anyone in SA.  

When someone is released: how to get home

Local police will help you get home or back to your community.

If you are released by a court or a corrections facility (jail) you will be given help to get home or back to your community.

Restraining orders in the cross-border region 

The scheme allows a victim to ask that a restraining order apply in SA, WA and NT. 

Travel across the border 

You may be restricted in where you can travel if the court police makes that a part of your bail conditions or another order.

If you are put under a community supervision order, you must tell your community corrections officer if you want to travel somewhere before you go.

If you are put under a parole board order, you must ask the board for permission to travel before you go.

You can't cross the border if police, the court or the parole board say you are not allowed to. 

Moving across the border

If you want to move across the border, you must ask one of the following before you go:

  • police
  • the court
  • the parole board
  • the Department of Children and Families
  • your community corrections officer. 

Why the scheme was developed

The scheme started in November 2009. It was developed in response to a call from the women and children of the NPY lands for help to reduce the prevalence of abuse in their communities.

More information on cross-border justice

You can ask police officers, correctional officers, court staff and legal aid representatives if you have questions about cross-border justice.

Read, watch or listen about cross-border justice using the below resources: 

Beyond the border is not beyond the law
Beyond the border is not beyond the law PDF (414.6 KB)
Cross-border justice poster PDF (287.6 KB)
A story about hats PDF (3.8 MB)


Drugs and the law

This page has information on prohibited drugs laws in the Northern Territory (NT).

Illegal drugs

It’s an offence in the NT to possess, supply or manufacture a prohibited drug. Many drugs are prohibited.

In the NT, the most serious drugs that carry the highest penalties include all of the following:

  • heroin
  • cocaine
  • PCP or Angel Dust - also called phencyclidine
  • LSD - also known as lysergic acid and lysergide
  • methamphetamine - also known as meth, speed and ice.

Other prohibited drugs include all of the following:

  • cannabis
  • cathinone and methcathinone - also known as meow meow or bath salts
  • ketamine
  • MDMA - also known as ecstasy or methylenedioxymethamphetamine.

Driving and drugs

It’s an offence in the NT to drive if you have a prohibited drug in your blood. This is measured by NT police using a saliva test.

Read more about drug driving penalties.

Young people: crime, alcohol and drugs

If you are under 18 and commit a crime that is connected to alcohol or drug use, the police can send you to counselling or drug and alcohol abuse programs in Darwin, Katherine, Tennant Creek, Nhulunbuy and Alice Springs.

Read more about diversion programs for young people.

You may also have to go to the Youth Justice Court. Read more about young people and going to court.

Sniffing and volatile substances

It is not against the law to sniff or inhale a volatile substance.

It is against the law to supply a volatile substance to another person knowing they intend to inhale it. You can read the Volatile Substance Abuse Prevention Act 2005.

Volatile substances can be all of the following:

  • intoxicating fuels for vehicles, such as petrol
  • butane gas (lighter fluid)
  • aerosol paints and spray paint
  • glue
  • spray deodorant
  • correction fluid.

Read about the health effects of inhaling volatile substances.

What the police can do

If the police think you have been sniffing or inhaling a volatile substance they can do any of the following:

  • search you
  • dispose of the substance
  • take you into protective custody
  • take you to a place of safety or to a responsible adult
  • arrest you if you have committed a crime.

Firearms licences and weapons

To apply for a firearms licence, you must meet basic requirements. Read the Firearms Act 1997.

Find out more about the basic licence requirements for individuals and businesses.

All recreational shooter licence applicants must pass a questionnaire based on the National Firearms Safety Code booklet. To get a copy go to the Northern Territory Police website.

You may also have to attend a Firearm Safety Training Course for some categories of firearms under a corporate employee licence.

For more information and to apply go to the Northern Territory Police website.

Genuine reason or need to hold a licence

You must have a genuine reason or need to hold a firearms licence.

Genuine reasons include any of the following:

  • sports shooting
  • recreational shooting and hunting
  • primary production
  • vertebrate pest animal control
  • business or employment
  • occupational requirements
  • animal welfare
  • firearm collection
  • museum display
  • inheritance.

Your genuine reason or need will set out:

To read more about reasons to hold a licence and what type of licence you can get go to the Northern Territory Police website.

Storage requirements

To be issued a licence you must meet the safe storage requirements.

A wide range of commercial gun cabinets and safes in the Northern Territory have been approved by police and can be bought through most gun shops or locksmiths.

Police can also approve custom-built safes as long as they meet the safe storage requirements.

To read more about firearms storage requirements go to the Northern Territory Police website.

Read the Weapons Control Act 2001.


Kava

Kava comes from the root of the pepper plant piper methysticum.

It is used in traditional ceremonies and for social occasions in many places in the Pacific Islands.

In the NT, Aboriginal people make a kava drink by mixing the dry, powdered root with water.

The strength of the kava varies greatly on the plant form and how it is prepared.

What's legal

Under the Kava Management Act 1998, you can possess kava in the Northern Territory (NT) if the amount is less than 2 kilograms.

Read section 4 of the Act.

What’s not legal

You cannot possess kava in amounts of more than 2 kilograms.

It is also illegal to do any of the following with kava in the NT:

  • import
  • sell
  • supply
  • cultivate
  • manufacture and produce.

Read more about kava rules in the Act.

Changes to national law

Recent changes to national law have opened avenues for kava to be reintroduced commercially in the NT. But it is still illegal to sell or import kava in the NT.

Read more about these changes on the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade website.


Law reform

To find out what laws are being amended or changed, and how to have your say, go to the law reform page on the Department of Attorney-General and Justice website.

Go to a list of all NT legislation.


Offender information for victims

If you are the victim of violent or sexual crime, you have the right to get information about the offender who committed the crime.

You can do this through the Northern Territory (NT) Victims Register.

You do not have to live in the NT to be included on the register.

Who can apply

You can be included on the register if you are either:

  • the victim of a violent or sexual crime
  • or are the legal guardian of a victim who is a child or suffers a disability.

If you are not any of the above, you may still be able to apply for information through the register if you fit any of the following:

  • you have been nominated by the victim to receive information
  • you are a primary caregiver or family member other than a parent
  • you have a history of domestic violence with the offender
  • you have a proven concern with the relevant offence.

Information you will be told

You will be given the following information about the offender:

  • if they are transferred to another prison interstate or overseas
  • if they have applied for parole and whether it was granted
  • when they are due for release
  • if they have escaped and any recapture
  • if they have died in custody.

Information you can request

You can also request to be told any of the following:

  • if they are transferred to another prison in the NT
  • the status of security ratings or any change in the status
  • any courses or programs they are taking for their rehabilitation
  • if they have been approved for aleave of absence.

Documents you will need

To join the register you will need to fill in the form.

victims register form PDF (243.2 KB)
victims register form DOCX (61.2 KB)

You will need to show proof of identity documents. This must include a copy of one of the following:

  • current Australian driver licence
  • birth certificate
  • current passport.

Information you provide on the crime will remain strictly confidential. Access to this information is strictly limited to Crime Victims Services Unit staff.

How to join the register

Submit your completed form and identity documents using the following contact details.

By post

You will need to send your form and identity documents in an envelope marked with the words ‘private and confidential’ to:

NT Victims Register Coordinator
Crime Victims Services Unit
Department of Attorney-General and Justice
GPO Box 1722
Darwin NT 0801

By email

You can email a copy of your completed form and identity documents to victims.register@nt.gov.au.

Contact

You can contact the Victims Register by free call on 1800 221 372.


Report an escapee

If you see an escapee in the Northern Territory (NT) you should not approach them. They could be dangerous.

Any information about an escaped prisoner can be provided anonymously to the NT Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

It is an offence under the law to protect or hide a criminal.

What happens to an escapee after they have been found

It is a criminal offence to escape from a correctional centre in the NT.

An escapee may have to go to the Local Court to face new charges after they have been found and arrested by police.

Escaping from a correctional centre automatically increases a prisoner’s security rating and they will not be considered for a minimum security rating for an appropriate period of time.


Report child abuse

In the Northern Territory (NT), you must report your concerns if you believe a child is being, or has been, harmed or abused.

This is a legal responsibility under the Care and Protection of Children Act 2007 and is called mandatory reporting.

Your report should include any relevant information about your concerns for the child's safety and wellbeing.

You don't need proof of harm or abuse to report your concerns - you just need a reasonable belief that a child has been harmed or is likely to be harmed.

If you are worried about neglect or harm to a child but are not sure if it's something you should report, you should talk about your concerns with professional staff at the child protection reporting line on 1800 700 250. The reporting line operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You are safeguarded under the law from legal or professional liability if you make a report in good faith.

If you need to make a report on suspected child abuse, you can:

  • contact the child protection reporting line on 1800 700 250 - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
  • CARE Services - report a concern online.

If its an emergency:

If it's not an emergency:

  • call police on 131 444
  • contact your local police station.

Find out more about child abuse.


Support for victims of crime

If you are the victim of a violent act, or the relative or close friend of a victim, you can get free counselling.

Counselling services for victims of crime are located across the Northern Territory (NT).

Support services

Victims of Crime NT (VoCNT) is a non-government agency that provides crisis support, information, advocacy, court support and referrals to other support services.

VoCNT operates a 24-hour phone line.

Freecall: 1800 672 242
www.victimsofcrime.org.au

CatholicCare NT

Free call: 1800 899 855 and 08 8944 2000
www.catholiccarent.org.au

Kids Helpline

Free call: 1800 55 1800
www.kidshelpline.com.au

National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service

Free call: 1800 737 732
www.1800respect.org.au

Ruby Gaea (Darwin)

Phone: 08 8945 0155
www.rubygaea.net.au

Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC)

Darwin: 08 8922 6472
Alice Springs: 08 8952 6075
Katherine: 08 8971 0777
Tennant Creek: 08 8962 4100

Read about SARC.

Crime Victims Services Unit (CVSU)

Victims may be eligible to receive financial assistance for financial loss or injury resulting from a violent act that occurred in the Northern Territory.

VoCNT

VoCNT administers the Safe at Home Clean Up and Re-Secure Program which provides a small amount of financial assistance to clean and secure homes after a violent crime or break-in.

Free call: 1800 672 242
www.victimsofcrime.org.au

Witness Assistance Service (WAS)

WAS is a unit within the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) that supports victims of crime and witnesses who need to appear in Court to give evidence.

WAS can also assist with the preparation of victim impact statements.

Free call: 1800 659 449
www.dpp.nt.gov.au

VoCNT

VoCNT can provide a support person for victims feeling traumatised or overwhelmed by the court process.

VoCNT can also assist with the preparation of documentation including applications for financial assistance and victim impact statements.

Free call: 1800 672 242
www.victimsofcrime.org.au

YWCA Darwin

Victims of domestic and family violence in Darwin and Palmerston may be eligible to receive free safety planning and home security upgrade services.

Phone: 08 8932 9155
www.ywcaofdarwin.com.au

VoCNT

VoCNT administers the Safe at Home Security Improvement Program, which provides home security upgrades to Territorians who are most at risk of unlawful entry or domestic violence.

VoCNT also administers the Business Resecure Program to help small businesses resecure their business premises after a break-in.

Free call: 1800 672 242
www.victimsofcrime.org.au

Central Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Unit

Free call: 1800 088 884 (Alice Springs) and 1800 068 830 (Tennant Creek)
www.caaflu.com.au

Central Australian Women’s Legal Service (Alice Springs)

Free call: 1800 684 055
www.cawls.org.au

Darwin Community Legal Service

Free call: 1800 812 953
www.dcls.org.au

Domestic Violence Legal Service (Darwin)

Phone: 08 8999 7977
www.dvls.nt.gov.au

Katherine Women’s Information and Legal Service

Free call: 1800 620 108
www.kwils.com.au

North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service

Free call Darwin: 1800 041 998 and Katherine: 1800 184 868
www.naafls.com.au

North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency

Free call Darwin: 1800 898 251, Katherine: 1800 897 728, Alice Springs: 1800 636 079, Tennant Creek: 08 8962 1332.
www.naaja.org.au

Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission

Free call: 1800 019 343
www.legalaid.nt.gov.au

Top End Women’s Legal Service (Darwin)

Free call: 1800 234 441
www.tewls.org.au


Report online extremism

If you find material on the internet that is violent, extremist or promotes terrorism you should report it.

You can report it anonymously to the Australian Government using their report online extremism tool.

Extremist material includes any of the following:

  • articles, images, speeches or videos that encourage hate or violence
  • statements or posts made on social media, chat rooms or blogs that encourage hate or violence
  • content encouraging people to commit acts of terrorism
  • websites created or hosted by terrorist organisations
  • terrorist training materials
  • suspicious content about use or sale of chemicals online
  • videos or images of terrorist attacks.

If you are reporting a crime or emergency situation call 000.

Read more about calling 000.


Report sexual assault

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted you should call the police.

You should call 000 if any of the following apply:

  • a life is being threatened
  • a person is in danger of being injured again
  • property is being threatened
  • it is a domestic or family violence incident.

You can also call 131 444 to talk to a police operator. This is a 24-hour hotline.

If you don’t want to call police

You can use the following contacts if you don't want to talk to the police.

Contact a sexual assault help centre

You can call the national sexual assault information and support 24-hour hotline on 1800 737 732 or go to the 1800 Respect website.

This website also lists the contact details for organisations in the Northern Territory (NT) that provide support for sexual assault.

Contact Crime Stoppers

You can report information that may help solve a crime to Crime Stoppers by:

You don’t need to give your name or address and you can remain anonymous.


Seizure of property due to a crime


Under the law, your property may be seized and may be confiscated or sold, also known as forfeited, if it is suspected of being involved in any of the following:

  • used in a criminal act
  • obtained through crime - e.g: you bought it with money earned from a crime
  • the property of a drug trafficker.

Your property may also be seized if you have unexplained wealth.

If you use property belonging to someone who is innocent of a criminal act, you may have to surrender your own property in equal value.

The Public Trustee manages property that is under investigation and sells forfeited property. Read the Criminal Property Forfeiture Act 2002.


Sexual harassment: your rights

Sexual harassment is a type of discrimination

It can be unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favours or other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature.

It can be any of the following:

  • suggestive behaviour
  • staring or leering
  • sexual jokes
  • unwanted physical contact
  • sexting.

For more examples of sexual harassment, and information about what you can do if you feel you are being sexually harassed, go to the Anti-Discrimination Commission website.


Sharing intimate images without consent

It is against the law to share an intimate image of someone without their consent, or to threaten to share an intimate image of someone.

This includes sharing:

  • physically (such as showing people images contained on your camera, phone, tablet or computer)
  • electronically (online, email, social media, text message).

The penalty for these offences carries up to three years’ imprisonment.

The law gives courts the power to order a person found guilty to remove, delete or destroy the intimate images they shared or threatened to share. Failing to do what the court orders is an offence.

You should read the Criminal Code Act 1983.

Types of intimate images and photos

An intimate image can be a still or moving picture that shows:

  • a person doing a sexual act that you would not ordinarily see in public
  • a person in some other sexual manner or context, such as posing in a sexual way, or
  • the genitals, anal area or breasts of a person, either bare or covered only with underwear.

The image could be:

  • photos or videos on a mobile phone
  • photos or images on an app
  • printed photos or negatives
  • screenshots
  • photos or videos that have been photoshopped.

What is consent

Consent is when a person freely and voluntarily agrees to something.

Consent must be voluntary and ongoing. If consent is given to one activity, it does not mean consent is given to all future activities.

For example:

  • A person might share an intimate image with someone during a relationship. This does not mean the person consents to the image being shared more widely.
  • A person might consent to someone else sharing an intimate image with a third person. This does not mean they consent to it being shared with other people.
  • A person might consent to sharing an intimate image on one occasion. That does not mean they are consenting to it being shared on other occasions.
  • A person might consent to an intimate image being shared in a particular way, for example in a photographic exhibition. This does not mean they consent to it being shared in other ways, such as on Facebook with sexual comments.

Children under the age of 16

Children under 16 can't consent to an intimate image of themselves being shared. This helps to protect young people who might not be able to make good decisions about sharing intimate images.

What you should do if your image is shared

If someone shares an intimate picture of you online without your consent, you can report it to the online service it was posted on. For example, you can use the "report" button on Facebook photos and videos.

You can also report it to the Australian Government eSafety office. Find out more, including what actions you can take, at the image-based abuse section of the eSafety website.

Police may be able to assist. Read more about how to report a crime.

If you are experiencing domestic or family violence, find out how to get help.


Terrorism: report suspicious behaviour

This page has information about suspicious behaviour and how to report it.

How to report suspicious behaviour

If you are reporting a crime or emergency situation call 000.

If the matter isn’t urgent, you can report to the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400.

Deaf or speech impaired people should use the TTY service on 1800 234 889.

You can also contact the National Security Hotline by:

Suspicious behaviour to look out for

Behaviour to look out for includes any of the following:

  • unusual videotaping or photography of official buildings or other critical infrastructure
  • suspicious vehicles near significant buildings or in busy public places
  • suspicious accommodation needs
  • unusual purchases of large quantities of fertiliser, chemicals or explosives
  • false or multiple identities
  • unattended bags.

Read more about suspicious behaviour on the Australian National Security website.


Victim rights

    The Northern Territory (NT) charter of victims' rights explains what your rights are as a victim within the justice system. It ensures every reasonable resource will be used to help keep yourself, your property and your family safe.

    The charter is also a guide for government agencies and contracted services to ensure you are treated:

    • fairly
    • respectfully
    • compassionately.

    Read the NT charter of victims' rights PDF (4.8 MB).

    Support, protection and information

    As a victim, all services who engage with you must:

    • treat you with courtesy, compassion and respect
    • provide fair and equal services
    • keep your contact details private except where legally required, of which you will be kept informed
    • help you understand how you can be legally protected against violence and intimidation by the accused
    • tell you about services you can access, like counselling, healthcare, legal help and financial support
    • be give you updates about the investigation if those details can be shared and if you choose to.

    Staying informed

    If you want to, you will be informed by police or prosecutions in a timely manner about:

    • charges laid
    • court processes, your rights in relation to attending any trial or hearing
    • your role in the justice system, including as a witness for the prosecution
    • the outcome of any bail applications
    • any bail conditions imposed to protect you and your family members
    • options regarding court-ordered restitution or compensation
    • the time, date and place of any court dates
    • any substantial changes to the charges
    • reasons for not laying charges, accepting a plea of guilty to a lesser charge or not prosecuting
    • where practicable, your views about accepting a plea of guilty to a lesser charge will be heard and considered, the prosecutor will make the final decision
    • the outcome of the criminal proceeding, including any sentence imposed and any conditions that are set and what it means
    • an appeal being made, the grounds of the appeal and the result of the appeal
    • the release or escape from custody of the accused, including before trial and when they are returned to custody.

    You can apply to be on the victim register, this will keep you informed about the offender. This includes the offender’s:

    • imprisonment
    • parole applications
    • release dates
    • escapes.

    The Crime Victims Services Unit can assist with your application to be placed on the victim register.

    Your involvement in court proceedings

    If you have been asked to give evidence in court, you may be able to refuse or raise an objection, this will be considered and decided by the court. You may be eligible to provide evidence as a vulnerable witness.

    Read more about going to court as a witness.

    You also have the option to provide a victim impact statement to the court and engage in restorative justice through victim-offender conferencing.

    Support services

    If you are a victim of a violent crime you may apply for financial assistance.

    There are also other support services you can access as a victim, find out more about support services for victims.

    If your rights are not upheld

    If you believe the charter has not been followed, contact the service provider.

    If you're unhappy with their response, you can make a complaint to Ombudsman NT, find out more on the Ombudsman NT website.


    Apply to remove a past homosexual offence

    If you were charged with a homosexual offence in the past, you can apply to have it removed from your record.

    Consensual sex between adult men in private stopped being a crime in the Northern Territory (NT) on 1 January 1984.

    The NT Government has introduced a new law to allow historical homosexual offences to be expunged, meaning removed, from a person's criminal record. This includes people found guilty or charged but not convicted of the offence.

    Read about the Expungement of Historical Homosexual Offence Records Act 2018.

    To remove a past conviction or charge from your record, the act must not be an offence under current NT law.

    If a charge or conviction is expunged, it means you will be treated as though it never happened.

    It also means:

    • you don’t have to tell anyone about the charge or conviction, even when giving evidence under oath
    • the charge and any conviction will no longer be part of your criminal history
    • you can’t be refused an appointment, office, job or any licence, permit or registration because you:
      • have an expunged conviction or charge
      • fail to mention you have an expunged conviction or charge
    • it is an offence for any unauthorised person to reveal or get information about your expunged charge or conviction.

    Examples of offences that you can apply to have removed from your record include:

    • consensual sexual activity of a homosexual nature
    • loitering or soliciting for homosexual purposes at gay beats
    • buggery or attempted buggery
    • consensual sex or sexual conduct in private by a male with a male above the age of 16.

    This includes attempting, inciting or conspiring to commit any of the above offences.

    There are different types of records that you can apply to have amended.

    These include:

    • criminal history
    • antecedent reports
    • court files
    • information for courts
    • charge sheets.

    These records are held by:

    • NT Police
    • the Director of Public Prosecutions
    • a court
    • NT Archives Service.

    These authorities must amend and annotate these records if they relate to an expunged charge or conviction.

    You can apply if you:

    • were charged, found guilty of or convicted of a past expungable offence in the NT
    • are acting on behalf of a person who:
      • has died or
      • has an impaired decision-making capacity.

    Decision-making capacity is a person's ability to:

    • understand the nature and effect of decisions
    • freely and voluntarily make decisions
    • communicate those decisions in some way.

    Apply for a deceased person

    To apply on behalf of a person who has died, you must be one of the following:

    • surviving spouse or de facto partner
    • parent, child or sibling
    • executor of the person's will or the administrator of their estate
    • person who was in a close personal relationship with the person before they died
    • person involved in the act that was the subject of the charge or conviction.

    Apply for a person with an impaired decision-making capacity

    To apply on behalf of a person with a decision-making capacity, you must be one of the following:

    • guardian
    • public guardian
    • attorney appointed under an enduring power of attorney
    • decision‑maker appointed under the Advance Personal Planning Act
    • spouse, de facto partner, parent, child or sibling
    • person in a close personal relationship with the person
    • person involved in the act that was the subject of the charge or conviction.

    If you are the applicant or are applying on behalf of someone else, you must provide photographic identification.

    This is to prove you have the right to make the application and access personal information.

    A list of approved identification documents can be found at the back of the application.

    To apply, follow these steps:

    Step 1. Fill in the application

    Fill in the expungement of historical homosexual offence records application DOCX (176.1 KB).

    There is no fee to apply.

    You can apply to have more than one conviction or charge removed from your record in one application.

    You will need to provide the following information to help identify and locate the official records:

    • full name, date of birth and contact details of the person who is the subject of the application
    • a description of the offence that the person was charged with or convicted of
    • the name and location of the court where the person was convicted
    • the date of the charge or conviction
    • any relevant transcript or sentencing remarks (if you have any).

    Supporting documents

    As well as providing proof of your identity, you may need to include the following:

    • documents supporting the relationship between you (if you are applying on behalf of someone) and the applicant
    • statements or documents relating to the charge or conviction.

    You must fill in the consent section of the form and sign the form for your application to be processed.

    Step 2. Submit your application

    You can submit your application by mail, email or in person.

    In person

    Department of the Attorney-General and Justice
    Level 7
    Old Admiralty Towers
    68 The Esplanade
    Darwin NT 0801
    agd.expungement@nt.gov.au.

    Mail

    GPO Box 1722
    Darwin NT 0801

    You will be notified once your application has been received.

    The CEO of the department will review your application and make a decision.

    Your application will be handled sensitively and treated with confidentiality.

    The assessment process

    The department will carry out an initial assessment once it receives your application.

    This involves:

    • contacting the police, courts and other public sector agencies for records
    • contacting you if further information is required.

    The application process may take several months. This is to allow enough time for the department to find the relevant records and request them before assessing your application.

    You can also provide additional information or documents during this time before a decision is made.

    The department will communicate with you by your preferred method of contact. All material you receive will be marked 'private and confidential'.

    You can withdraw your application at any time. You should contact the department before a decision on your application is made.

    You will be notified of the decision in writing.

    If your application is unsuccessful

    If your application is unsuccessful, you can apply to the Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal to review the decision.

    To find out more, go to the Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal website.

    To find out more, get the expungement of historical homosexual offence records fact sheet DOCX (180.7 KB).

    Read the Expungement of Historical Homosexual Offence Records Act 2018.

    For more information, contact the Department of the Attorney-General and Justice by emailing agd.expungement@nt.gov.au or calling 08 8935 7668.


    Trespass and your business

    From May 2023, trespassing laws will change.

    Under the new 2023 Trespass Act, an occupier can remove and exclude a person from a place by giving a:

    • direction to leave - with a ban of up to 7 days
    • warning to stay off a place - with a ban of up to 12 months.

    Failure to comply with a direction or warning is an offence.

    Read the guide  PDF (382.6 KB)

    If you feel threatened, call 000 and ask for police.

    If it's not an emergency, call police on 131 444.

    Who can give a direction or warning

    The following people can give a warning or direction:

    • business owner
    • shop owner
    • tenant
    • employee or security guard - if authorised to do so.

    You can also ask police to give a direction on your behalf.

    Use this to remove a person from a premises and ban them for up to 7 days.

    When it can be given

    Any time a person is on your property.

    You don't need a reason to give a direction, but it can't be for discriminatory reasons. For example, because of a person or group's race, sex or age.

    How it's given

    You can give a direction verbally or in writing.

    You don't need to get a person’s name, address or date of birth for the direction to take effect. However, these details would be helpful for your written record or incident log.

    Verbal direction

    Make sure you:

    • give clear instructions
    • record it.
    Give clear instructions

    State all of the following:

    • you are an occupier or are authorised by the occupier of a place
    • you are directed to stay off, or if on the place, to leave the place immediately and banned from entering
    • a ban period applies
      • if you don't state a ban period, the person is banned for 72 hours and
    • the place that the ban period applies to.

    You should also state that entering the place during the ban period is a criminal offence.

    Record it

    Keep a written record - for example, an incident log.

    This should include:

    • that a direction to leave was given
    • the date and time
    • the place or location
    • the person who gave the notice
      • if an employee or other authorised person, that they are authorised by the occupier
    • if the notice was verbal or in writing, or both
    • if known, the name and address of the banned person
    • if a period of time was specified, the length of the ban (up to 7 days)
    • what information was given to, or stated to, the banned person.

    The written record may be needed for evidence if a person breaches the direction to leave.

    Written direction

    You can give a written direction to leave.

    A written direction should include the same information given in a verbal direction to leave.

    It is easier to prove that the direction was given to the person and details of the ban if you record a written notice.

    Use this for a person who is trespassing or has trespassed on your property. It bans them for up to 12 months.

    When it can be given

    When:

    • a person is trespassing or has trespassed on your property
    • you have reasonable grounds to suspect the person will trespass on a place.

    Reasonable grounds includes a person who has been directed to leave a place and is seen approaching but has not yet entered the place.

    If a person who has been banned and warned to stay off enters the place during the ban period, this is a trespass.

    How it's given

    You can give a direction verbally or in writing.

    You don't need to get a person’s name, address or date of birth for the warning to take effect. However, these details would be helpful for your written record or incident log.

    Verbal warning

    Make sure you:

    • give clear instructions
    • record it.
    Give clear instructions

    State all of the following:

    • you are an occupier or are authorised by the occupier of a place
    • the person is warned to stay off and banned from entering
    • a ban period applies
      • if you don't state a ban period, the person is banned for 3 months
    • the place that the ban period applies to.

    You should also state that not leaving immediately is a criminal offence, as is entering the place during the ban period.

    Record it

    Keep a written record - for example, an incident log.

    This may include:

    • that a warning to stay off was given
    • the date and time
    • the place or location
    • the person who gave the warningif an employee or other authorised person, that they are authorised by the occupier
    • if the notice was verbal or in writing, or both
    • if known, the name and address of the banned person
    • if a period of time was specified, the length of the ban (up to 12 months)
    • what information was given to, or stated to, the banned person.

    The written record may be needed for evidence if a person breaches the warning to stay off.

    Written warning

    You can give a written warning to stay off.

    A written warning to stay off should include the same information given in a verbal warning to stay off.

    It is easier to prove that the warning to stay off given to the person and details of the ban if you record a written notice.

    If your direction is breached or ignored

    If a person breaches a direction to leave or a warning to stay off, you should contact the police.

    You can't use force to detain a person under the law.

    Penalties

    A trespass offence can result in a fine of up to $3,240.

    More information

    To find out more about trespassing laws and your rights, fill in the online form.

    Get an A3 printable summary of the differences between a direction and warning.

    Differences between a direction and warning PDF (108.4 KB)
    Differences between a direction and warning DOCX (53.6 KB)


    Apply for victim financial help

    You can apply for financial help if you have been affected by a violent crime.

    Who it is for

    Financial assistance may be available if you are a:

    • victim, known as a primary victim
    • injured from witnessing, or becoming aware of a violent act, known as a secondary victim
    • family member of a victim who died, known as a family victim.

    Counselling is offered to all victims, including anyone who shared a close relationship with a primary victim, this is known as a related victim.

    What you can get

    The amount you can get depends on how the violence has affected you.

    You can only make a single claim related to the same violent act.

    What you need to do

    To support your application, you should:

    • report the crime to the police within a reasonable time
    • cooperate with investigations
    • provide enough evidence to support your claim such as:
      • medical reports
      • receipts
      • quotes.

    Primary victim

    You are the primary victim of a violent crime if you were:

    • injured by violence, including domestic violence
    • sexually assaulted
    • injured while trying to stop another person from committing violence
    • injured trying to help or rescue another person from violence, outside of your job.

    You can claim up to $40,000. This includes up to $10,000 for financial loss as part of the total amount.

    How to apply

    Fill in the form.

    Primary victim financial assistance application PDF (505.3 KB)
    Primary victim financial assistance application DOCX (125.3 KB)

    Secondary victim

    You could be a secondary victim if you:

    • witnessed a violent act and you suffered an injury as a result of witnessing the act
    • were a child when a violent crime occurred against your parent, step-parent or guardian
    • were a parent, step-parent or guardian when a violent crime occurred against your child.

    You can claim up to $40,000. This includes up to $10,000 for financial loss as part of the total amount.

    If there is more than one secondary victim for the same violent act, the money is shared.

    How to apply

    Fill in the form.

    Secondary victim financial assistance application PDF (508.2 KB)
    Secondary victim financial assistance application DOCX (123.9 KB)

    Family victim

    You could be a family victim if you incurred financial loss and were:

    • financially dependant on a person who died due to the violence or
    • related to the person who died in any of the following ways:
      • spouse or de facto partner
      • parent, step-parent or guardian
      • child, stepchild or under guardianship.

    You can claim up to $10,000 for financial loss for out-of-pocket expenses.

    If there is more than one family victim for the same violent act, the money is shared.

    How to apply

    Fill in the form.

    Family victim financial assistance application PDF (497.5 KB)
    Family victim financial assistance application DOCX (120.8 KB)

    Interim financial help

    You can apply for help if you are experiencing financial hardship.

    You can claim up to $5,000.

    This is for:

    • loss of earnings or wages
    • loss or damage to clothing and other belongings
    • expenses for medical treatment of injuries
    • in rare cases, the cost of relocating or securing your home or business
    • circumstances where the victim died and you were financially dependent on them.

    How to apply

    Fill in the form.

    Interim financial assistance application PDF (516.4 KB)
    Interim financial assistance application DOCX (128.0 KB)

    Funeral expenses

    You can apply for help if you have incurred, or are going to incur, the costs of a funeral of a primary victim of a violent act.

    You can claim up to $15,000.

    How to apply

    Fill in the form.

    Funeral expenses application PDF (479.9 KB)
    Funeral expenses application DOCX (119.2 KB)

    Contact

    Crime Victims Services Unit

    GPO Box 1722
    Darwin NT 0801

    Level 1, Darwin Central
    21 Knuckey Street
    Darwin NT 0800

    Email: cvsu.doj@nt.gov.au
    Freecall in the NT: 1800 460 363 or 08 8924 4080
    Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4pm