Police diversion. A police officer must consider alternatives to proceeding (s 11) and must use the preferred way to start proceedings, which favours notice to appear over arrest where appropriate (s 12). The police caution scheme operates under sections 14 to 21. A caution may be administered (s 15) only on conditions (s 16), and for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander children may be administered by a respected person of the community (s 17). The procedure must involve explanation (s 18), and may include apology to a victim (s 19). The child must be given a notice of caution (s 20). A failure to caution where a caution should have been administered may lead the Childrens Court to dismiss the charge (s 21).
Restorative justice. Police may refer an offence to a restorative justice process (s 22). If an agreement is made and complied with the matter is concluded (s 23), but if the referral is unsuccessful or the child contravenes the agreement, the police officer regains the power to proceed (s 24). The court can also refer a matter and may dismiss a charge that should have been referred (s 24A).
Bail and custody. Part 5 sets out a child-specific bail regime, including custody when bail is refused. Part 5A deals with children who are prisoners of a court or are detained in court cells.
Court process. Part 6 contains the jurisdictional and procedural framework, including the Childrens Court's exclusive role for most matters and the rules for committal and trial in the Supreme or District Court for serious indictable offences. Section 148 deals with the recording of findings of guilt, and section 184 deals with conviction status (for example, a finding of guilt with no conviction recorded under s 184(2)).
Sentencing. Part 7 is the sentencing code. Section 149 makes the jurisdiction to sentence a child exclusive: a court that sentences a child must sentence under Part 7. Section 150 sets the sentencing principles: a court must have primary regard to any impact of the offence on a victim, including harm mentioned in information given under the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992 section 179K, and must have regard to the youth justice principles, the nature and seriousness of the offence, the child's criminal history, the hardship the sentence would have on the child (taking into account disability, gender identity, parental status, race, religion, sex, sex characteristics, and sexuality), and the probable effect on family or care relationships and any pregnancy. The Act expressly directs the court not to have regard to any principle that detention is a last resort or that a community-based sentence is preferable.
Detention administration. Part 8 is a self-contained code. The Corrective Services Act 2006 does not apply to a child unless this Act expressly applies it (s 261). Detention centres are established by regulation (s 262), and the Act includes specific declarations under section 43 of the Human Rights Act 2019 (s 262(2) and following). The Act regulates how children in detention are accommodated, treated, used force on, disciplined, and released.
Information about offending. Part 9 controls disclosure of information about a child's offending: who can be told what, when, and how childhood findings are admissible against an adult later in life. Sections 148 and 184 are the operative provisions on whether a finding is treated as a conviction for these purposes. The interaction with the Commonwealth Crimes Act 1914 Part VIIC (spent convictions and disclosure) is critical.