From 20 September 2025, two new criminal offences will better protect more Victorians from vilification.
On 20 September 2025, Victoria introduced two new serious criminal vilification offences under the Justice Legislation Amendment (Anti-vilification and Social Cohesion) Act 2025.
In essence, the new law makes it a crime to:
incite hatred, serious contempt, revulsion or severe ridicule of a person or group on the basis of a protected attribute (maximum penalty: 3 years’ imprisonment).
- threaten physical harm or property damage to a person or group on the basis of a protected attribute (maximum penalty: 5 years’ imprisonment).
“Protected attribute” under the law includes race, and religious belief or activity, among others.
To help Victorians understand their rights and obligations under these new provisions, the Victorian Department of Justice and Community Safety has published fact sheets. Below are the fact sheets in English and Hebrew.
For media inquiries, please contact the JCCV on +61 3 9272 5566 or email community@jccv.org.au
