Text as at 15 April 2026
This provision has not been checked by a human. The text below was read automatically from the official PDF and has not yet been verified against it, so it may differ from the provision as published — in its wording, its numbering, or where one provision ends and the next begins. For the authorised text, see legislation.vic.gov.au.

8A Court may order pre-sentence report

(1)If a court finds a person guilty of an offence, before passing sentence the court may order a pre-sentence report in respect of the offender and adjourn the proceeding to enable the report to be prepared.
(2)A court must order a pre-sentence report if it is considering making a community correction order, a youth justice centre order or a youth residential centre order so that it may—
(a)establish the person's suitability for the order being considered; and
(b)establish that any necessary facilities exist; and
(c)if the order being considered is a community correction order, gain advice concerning the most appropriate condition or conditions to be attached to the order.
(3)A court is not required to order a pre-sentence report under subsection (2) if it is considering making a community correction order with an unpaid community work condition of up to a maximum of 300 hours as the sole condition attached to the order.
(4)If a court orders a pre-sentence report, it must be prepared by—
(a)the Secretary to the Department of Human Services if the court is considering making a youth justice centre order or a youth residential centre order; or
(b)the Secretary in any other case.
(5)The author of a pre-sentence report must conduct any investigation that he or she thinks appropriate or that is directed by the court.