Welcome to the NSW Sentencing Council website

The NSW Sentencing Council advises the NSW Attorney General on sentencing matters.

Research topics and terms of reference are set by the NSW Attorney General or nominated by the Council itself.

Members of the Council include people involved in the process of justice ranging from victims of crime to legal professionals. Representatives of the general community, who might have a special interest in but no direct personal experience of the criminal justice process, are also represented.

The Council is dedicated to strengthening public understanding and confidence in the sentencing process. To improve the public’s confidence in the sentencing process, the Council provides an education program including public forums on sentencing and a plain language guide to sentencing in NSW.

The Council’s research reports are available in full on this website, listed by subject.

Many of the Council’s research reports are responded to by government, in media releases and questions without notice in Parliament.