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= Good behaviour bond = In the Australian legal system, a good behaviour bond is a type of non-custodial sentence which involves the condition of the offender’s “good behaviour” for a set period. The condition of “good behaviour” primarily requires the offender to obey the law, but may also include additional supervision or mandatory participation in rehabilitation, counselling and intervention programs. These imposed conditions are determined by state legislation and at the magistrate’s discretion. A good behaviour bond may be established with or without a recorded legal conviction for the offence.

The specific conditions which constitute good behaviour bonds and the consequences for breaching them vary under each Australian state or territory’s legislation, but in general are used most commonly for first-time and juvenile offenders.

NSW
The Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act (1999) specifies the requirements of a good behaviour bond in New South Wales, through Sections 9, 10 and 12. A good behaviour bond under Section 9 replaces imprisonment even when the option is valid, but cannot exceed a term of 5 years. Under Section 10, the "extenuating circumstances" of an offence and expediency are also taken into account, and is exercised when determined that any other form of punishment would be ineffective. Section 12 guides the imposition of a good behaviour bond for an offender sentenced to less than 2 years' imprisonment. The sentence is suspended on the condition of the offender adhering to a good behavior bond.

QLD
In Queensland, the relevant act for good behaviour bonds is the Penalties and Sentences Act (1992). Section 19(1)(b) states that "The court may make an order that the offender be released...on the conditions that the offender must be of good behaviour and appear for conviction and sentence if called on at any time during such period".

VIC
Good behaviour bonds are also referred to as "adjourned undertakings" in Victoria. They are dealt with under Section 72 of the Sentencing Act (1991).

NT
Courts in the Northern Territory rely upon the Sentencing Act 1995 (NT) when prescribing good behaviour bonds for offenders.

SA
The Criminal Law (Sentencing) Act (1988) is referred to by South Australian magistrates when imposing a good behaviour bond.

WA
In Western Australia, the Sentencing Act 1995 (WA) details the required circumstances of an offence for a good behaviour bond to apply.

TAS
The Sentencing Act 1997 is cited by the courts in Tasmania when determining whether good behaviour bonds are appropriate.

ACT
The legislation applied to good behaviour bond imposition in the Australian Capital Territory is the Crimes (Sentencing) Act 2005.

Related law reform submissions & issues
The legal application of good behaviour bonds is considered positively as a branch of restorative justice, as research indicates that it may contribute to reduced rates of recidivism, as well as increased victim satisfaction with greater accountability for the offender. However, law reform submissions have been made surrounding the potential issues of good behaviour bonds.

The Parliament of Australia heard submissions from the Redfern Legal Centre (RLC) surrounding the over-policing of Indigenous Australian offenders who were given non-custodial sentences (i.e. good behaviour bonds). The policies which target these individuals, such as the New South Wales' Suspect Target Management Plan (STMP), were criticised by the RLC for their failure to distinguish between minor and major offences. The RLC claimed that this resulted in unjust treatment and the increased chance of re-offending or good behaviour bond breaches.

Under consideration of current sentencing options (Section 19), the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) also reflected upon the process of implementing good behaviour bonds for young offenders from remote Indigenous Australian communities. At 19.69, the submission of the Oz Child Legal Service (OCLS) suggests that courts should take into account the offenders' varying perceptions of time when prescribing good behaviour bonds. The OCLS claim that the given penalty should be achievable, and described in periods of time (e.g. school terms) which can be easily recognised by the offender.