Criminals who share their disturbing crimes on social media will face extra jail time under new laws passed by the Allan Labor Government.
The Crimes Amendment (Performance Crime) Act 2025 outlaws the cowardly behaviour of 'posting and boasting' about certain crimes on social media and messaging apps.
The new offence targets those who publish content bragging about their involvement in serious crimes such as affray, burglary and robbery, car theft, carjacking, home invasions and violent disorder.
This includes anyone encouraging or facilitating these crimes - so there is no room to hide behind the ringleader.
These laws respond to the dangerous trend among young people chasing clout on Tik Tok and Snapchat about their heinous crimes which encourages copycat offending, retraumatises victims and deeply disturbs the community.
Anyone found guilty of a specified serious offence who has also posted and boasted about it will face up to two years' jail time on top of any other penalty imposed for the substantive offence.
Currently, posting and boasting can be considered as an aggravating factor in sentencing - but this new standalone offence will see offenders face tougher penalties, and sends a clear message that there's no reward for crime.
Third parties who are not involved in the offending such as witnesses, bystanders and journalists will not be captured by the new offence.
The laws will be in effect upon Royal Assent later this month. They build on the Labor Government's action to ensure community safety comes first - this includes introducing Australia's toughest bail test to Parliament and the nation-leading machete ban coming into effect on 1 September.
As stated by Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny
"Victorians are rightly disgusted by this heinous behaviour. These laws send a clear message to offenders that there are serious consequences for posting and boasting."
"We have many new laws coming into effect to keep the community safe - including Australia's toughest bail test for serious repeat offenders."
As stated by Minister for Police Anthony Carbines
"We're silencing those boasting about their disgraceful crimes online, and backing Victoria Police with more laws to keep cracking down on offenders."
