An expert panel has been appointed to help create better safety nets for at-risk youths as Victoria moves to raise the age of criminal responsibility.
The Victorian government in April committed to lifting the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 12 years by the end of next year, before raising it again to 14 by 2027 with some exceptions.
However, the second stage of the changes is subject to the development of alternative early interventions and rehabilitative supports, which will be steered by an independent review panel.
Children Minister Lizzie Blandthorn on Monday announced former deputy commissioner of Victoria's royal commission into family violence Patricia Faulkner as chair of the panel.
Other members are Victoria's former emergency management commissioner Andrew Crisp, inaugural commissioner for Aboriginal children and young people Andrew Jackomos, Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne vicar general Father Joseph Caddy and Sentencing Advisory Council deputy chair Lisa Ward.
The Victorian government is set to introduce legislation to raise the age from 10 to 12 early next year.
The Northern Territory raised the age to 12 in August, while the ACT government introduced legislation in May to lift it to 14 by 2025 in a similar proposed two-stage approach to Victoria.
The Tasmanian government has pledged to raise the minimum age of criminal detention to 14, but is yet to reach a position on the age of criminal responsibility.
The United Nations, child welfare groups, medical experts, human rights lawyers and Indigenous advocates say the minimum benchmark should be no lower than 14 with no exception.
