Queensland is set to have the toughest bail laws in the nation under landmark reforms to be debated in Parliament this week, making it significantly harder for serious repeat offenders to be released back into the community.

The Breach Bail, Go to Jail and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 introduces a new "high degree of confidence" test, requiring police and courts to refuse bail unless satisfied to a high degree of confidence that an offender will not commit another serious offence while on bail.

Under the Bill, serious repeat offenders will face a significantly higher threshold before being granted bail, while those who commit a serious offence while on bail will face a mandatory minimum sentence of 12 months imprisonment.

For youth offenders, a serious offence captures any Adult Crime, Adult Time offence committed while on bail.

For adults, a serious offence includes all Adult Crime, Adult Time offences, as well as coercive control and Daniel's Law child sexual offences committed while on bail.

The Bill also removes the mandatory requirement under section 11 of the Youth Justice Act for police officers to consider diversionary options, including administering a caution, before commencing proceedings against youths, including when considering alternatives to arrest for alleged bail condition breaches.

These amendments ensure police can take swift action against repeat youth offenders by removing unnecessary barriers to commencing proceedings, giving officers greater discretion and a stronger response to serious repeat offenders to restore safety where you live.

Premier David Crisafulli said the Government made a promise to make Queensland safer and put the rights of victims ahead of offenders.

“Queenslanders are fed up with seeing serious repeat offenders cycle through the justice system but this week, we're changing that,” the Premier said.

“Offenders need to know that under our laws, not only will there be tougher consequences if they commit further serious offences after being granted bail, but it will be harder to get bail in the first place.”

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity Deb Frecklington said Queensland was leading the nation with stronger bail laws that put the rights of victims and community safety ahead of the rights of offenders.

“The new high degree of confidence test means serious repeat offenders won't simply be able to walk back into the community unless police or the courts are satisfied to a high bar that they will not commit another serious offence,” the Attorney-General said.

“The message is simple: if you're a serious repeat offender, it will be harder to get bail, and if you commit another serious offence while on bail, you'll go to jail.”

Minister for Youth Justice and Victim Support Laura Gerber said the Queensland Government had listened to victims of crime and would be delivering the toughest bail laws in the nation.

“We'll continue to deliver more early intervention and rehabilitation to tackle youth crime and drive down victim numbers,” Minister Gerber said.

“We are more united and more focused than we’ve ever been - on the issues that Queenslanders care about.”

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie said the Queensland Government was continuing to deliver the fresh start Queenslanders voted for with more police, stronger laws and fewer victims.

“We will continue listening to Queenslanders and our hardworking frontline officers to restore safety where you live,” Mr Purdie said.

“The Queensland Government’s nation-leading Breach Bail, Go to Jail reforms are just one of the ways we are cracking down on serious repeat offenders.”