People are considered to have died in custody if they:
- are held in the physical or legal custody of a prison, a youth detention centre, or of police at the time of their death
- have died as the result of traumatic injuries sustained or lack of sufficient care provided while in custody, even if that period of custody has now ended
- are fatally injured in the process of attempts by police or prison officers to detain them
- are fatally injured while trying to escape police, prison, or youth detention custody.
Also included all deaths that are supposed to have occurred in the presence of police officers, including deaths from self-inflicted injuries. These include deaths that occurred during a welfare check by police, or attempts by police to prevent someone from committing self-harm.
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Number of deaths in custody Australia 2024, by age
In 2024, Australia recorded the highest number of deaths in custody for people in the age group of ** or over. Over ** people were registered to have died while being in custody in this age group.
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The Guardian, & AIC. (April 30, 2025). Number of deaths in custody in Australia in 2024, by age [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 24, 2026, from /statistics/1611575/australia-deaths-in-custody-by-age/
The Guardian, und AIC. "Number of deaths in custody in Australia in 2024, by age ." Chart. April 30, 2025. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 24, 2026. /statistics/1611575/australia-deaths-in-custody-by-age/
The Guardian, AIC. (2025). Number of deaths in custody in Australia in 2024, by age . ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 24, 2026. /statistics/1611575/australia-deaths-in-custody-by-age/
The Guardian, and AIC. "Number of Deaths in Custody in Australia in 2024, by Age ." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 30 Apr 2025, /statistics/1611575/australia-deaths-in-custody-by-age/
The Guardian & AIC, Number of deaths in custody in Australia in 2024, by age ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1611575/australia-deaths-in-custody-by-age/ (last visited July 24, 2026)
Number of deaths in custody in Australia in 2024, by age [Graph], The Guardian, & AIC, April 30, 2025. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1611575/australia-deaths-in-custody-by-age/
