Carjacking in Australia: Trends, Realities, and Legal Consequences

Australia is currently grappling with a disturbing rise in violent carjacking incidents, punctuated by shocking events like the Sunshine Coast tragedy in April 2025. In this case, a man, after crashing his Porsche, went on to hijack multiple vehicles at gunpoint.

Though still less common than other types of vehicle theft, carjacking is becoming harder to ignore. Recent data points to worrying shifts, including: 

• New offender profiles are emerging, 
• The crime is becoming more brazen,
• and the legal consequences, particularly in Queensland and Victoria, are severe.

What is going on?!

The Sunshine Coast Incident: A Snapshot

In April 2025, Queensland police responded to a chaotic scene on the Bruce Highway. After crashing his own Porsche, a 41-year-old man allegedly shot another motorist and carjacked two more vehicles in a desperate attempt to flee. 

Tragically, this shocking carjacking resulted in the death of a 22-year-old woman. This incident, while very extreme, highlights the potential for violence and the trauma inflicted on innocent bystanders during carjackings.

Carjacking and Vehicle Theft: Are Rates Rising?

A Growing Problem in Key States

Some states are seeing more carjacking related crime than others. For example:

• Queensland recorded the highest number of stolen vehicles in 2023, with 20,153 thefts, an increase from 19,237 the previous year.
• Victoria also saw a sharp rise, from 14,632 in 2022 to 18,259 in 2023.
• Nationally, motor vehicle thefts reached 60,417 in 2023, the highest since 2008.

Insurance data mirrors these trends: In Queensland, the total value of motor vehicle theft claims has skyrocketed, jumping an astonishing 214% between 2015 and 2024. That’s not just a number; it reflects thousands of everyday Australians dealing with the shock, stress and financial fallout of having their vehicles stolen. 

Victoria has seen a similar surge, highlighting a national trend that’s leaving more families and businesses vulnerable than ever before.

So Why the Increase in Carjacking in Australia?

Since the pandemic, crime rates have started to “bounce back”. However, in some areas, like regional NSW and parts of Queensland, vehicle theft has surged well beyond pre-COVID levels. 

Therefore, it is not just opportunistic crime we need to be concerned about. Worryingly, social media platforms like TikTok are playing a role in glamorising and even encouraging car theft among younger people. What used to be seen as a serious crime is now sometimes treated like a viral challenge. This social media hype is only making the situation even harder for police and communities to manage. 

Who Commits Carjackings?

Youth Crime: A Persistent Factor, But Not the Whole Story

Traditionally, car theft and carjacking have both been associated with young offenders. In many cases, young people steal cars for the thrill of a joyride, not for financial gain. In fact, carjacking offenders living in Victoria, aged 15-24, accounted for over half of all motor vehicle thefts. Within that group, the 15-19 age group were most represented.

Furthermore, qualitative studies of youth in custody for violent vehicle crimes reveal some telling similarities. Many young offenders accused of carjacking shared backgrounds marked by family violence, child protection involvement, and disengagement from school. 

However, that’s not to say carjacking is exclusively a youth crime. Data from Victoria shows that while youth offenders (10-25 years) make up a significant portion of carjacking offenders (about 61%), adults aged 26+ now represent nearly 39% of offenders. The number of older offenders of vehicle related crimes are also rising in recent years. Additionally, the Sunshine Coast incident, involving a 41-year-old man, underscores that carjacking can be perpetrated by adults. 

Organised Crime and Opportunism

While some carjackings are linked to youth gangs seeking notoriety or thrill, others are opportunistic or connected to broader criminal activity. Some carjackings are linked to other offences, including armed robbery and drug offences.

In regional areas, vehicle theft is often used for joyriding or short-term transport. The fact that these vehicles are often found and recovered quickly suggests that many of these incidents aren’t linked to organised crime. 

State-by-State: Queensland and Victoria in Focus

Queensland

Not a race to be proud of, but Queensland now leads the nation in vehicle theft, with a notable spike across both urban and regional areas. The penalties are still severe in the Sunshine State. In fact, the offence of unlawful use of a motor vehicle carries a maximum penalty of seven years, or up to ten years if the vehicle is used to commit another indictable offence.

Carjacking per se is less frequently prosecuted than unlawful use, but when violence or weapons are involved, charges escalate rapidly.

Victoria

To combat a rise in crime, Victoria introduced specific carjacking and aggravated carjacking offences in 2016. These changes reflected community concern over a spate of violent incidents, many involving youth.

In Victoria, carjacking (section 79, Crimes Act 1958) carries a maximum penalty of 15 years. Aggravated carjacking (section 79A, involving weapons or injury) carries a much heavier 25 years, with a statutory minimum non-parole period of three years for aggravated cases. 

For carjacking incidents, courts almost always impose custodial sentences, with the median prison term for carjacking being 3.19 years in higher courts.

Youth offenders may be sentenced to Youth Justice Centre orders. However, aggravated carjacking is classified as a “Category A” serious youth offence, which often results in the young person being dealt with in adult court and facing more severe penalties. 

Legal Implications and Sentencing

Mandatory sentencing also applies in Victoria for carjacking. Basically, this means courts must impose custodial orders unless special reasons exist. 

Unsurprisingly, aggravated carjacking, involving weapons or causing injury, attracts much harsher penalties and a presumption against bail – this is regardless of the offender’s age.

Young offenders may receive Youth Justice orders, but courts increasingly “uplift” serious cases to adult jurisdictions.

Commonalities and Prevention

Key Patterns in Vehicle Related Crimes 

Most carjackings involve male offenders, who are often under 25. However, older adult offenders are increasingly represented.

Many offenders have histories of trauma, family dysfunction, and early disengagement from education.

Carjackings are more likely to occur in urban areas, but are rising in regional communities as well.

Weapons (often knives or firearms) and threats of violence are common, especially in aggravated cases.

Prevention and Community Response

To tackle the growing issue of vehicle theft and carjacking, a multi-faceted approach is needed. Enhanced vehicle security, along with greater community awareness and collaboration with law enforcement, are crucial steps in reducing incidents. 

However, addressing the deeper, underlying social factors such as family violence, substance abuse, and youth disengagement is key to long-term prevention. While law reforms and tougher penalties are an important part of the response, rehabilitation and early intervention are vital. We need measures to help break the cycle of crime and protect those at risk before they fall too deep into criminal behaviour. 

Combating Carjackings in Australia

While carjacking remains a relatively rare crime in Australia, its frequency is rising, particularly in Queensland and Victoria states. At the same time, these crimes are becoming increasingly violent and unpredictable. The recent tragedy on the Sunshine Coast serves as a stark reminder of the profound impact these incidents have on victims and communities.

As the legal system responds with harsher penalties, particularly for aggravated carjacking, those facing such charges must seek the right legal advice. However, addressing this issue requires more than just tough laws. A holistic approach, one that integrates stricter legislation with proactive social intervention, will be essential to reversing this disturbing trend and safeguarding communities.

Facing Carjacking or Vehicle Theft Charges?

Kingsford Lawyers’ experienced team understands the complexity of these cases. With offices on the Gold Coast and in Melbourne, we provide practical support when you need it most. Contact us online or call 1300 244 342 for a confidential discussion about your situation.