There were 360 drug treatment and testing orders made in 2021-22. The average figure for the preceding eight years was 560.

The pandemic, and associated public health measures, have had an impact on many areas of justice social work during years 2020-21 and 2021-22. This resulted in lower volumes of cases going through courts, especially during 2020-21. Justice social work was affected by the national lockdowns and other measures to keep people safe. Some caution is advised in interpreting the figures for 2020-21 and 2021-22, particularly how they compare with earlier years.

There were 12,150 community payback orders commenced in 2021-22. This was 49 per cent higher than in 2020-21 but was the second lowest in the last decade. From 2012-13 to 2019-20, the number of orders commenced ranged from 16,100 to 19,500.

Community payback orders can be issued with one or more requirement. In both 2020-21 and 2021-22, the most commonly issued requirement was offender supervision followed by unpaid work or other activity. In 2021-22, 71 per cent of orders had supervision and 63 per cent had unpaid work.

The number of diversion from prosecution cases commenced rose for the fourth year in a row. It rose by 20 per cent between 2020-21 and 2021-22 to 2,700. This is the highest level in the last decade.

The number of drug treatment and testing orders commenced rose by 58 per cent between 2020-21 and 2021-22 to 360. This was lower than in any of the previous eight years when numbers averaged 560.

The number of bail supervision cases commenced in 2021-22 was 570, the highest in the last decade. This was 20 per cent higher than the second highest level of 470 in 2019-20.

The number of criminal justice social work reports rose by 36 per cent between 2020-21 and 2021-22 to 23,000, the second lowest in the last 10 years.

There were 930 structured deferred sentences imposed in 2021-22. This was the highest number in the last four years.

There were 1,700 statutory custody and community based throughcare cases commenced in 2021-22, the second lowest in the last 10 years.