New laws passed will see offenders who post and boast about their crimes on social media behind bars for longer.

The Crimes Amendment (Performance Crime) Act 2025 outlaws the posting and boasting about certain crimes online and through messaging apps.

The law will target those who publish content bragging about their involvement in crimes such as affray, burglary and robbery, car theft, carjacking, home invasions and violent disorder.

This includes anyone encouraging or facilitating these crimes.

According to Victorian Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny, it leaves no room for offenders to hide behind a ringleader.

The new laws, coming into effect later this month, respond to the trend among those seeking attention and popularity on platforms such as TikTok and Snapchat.

Ms Kilkenny said the behaviour encouraged copycat offending, retraumatised victims and disturbed the community.

“Victorians are rightly disgusted by this heinous behaviour,” she said.

“These laws send a clear message to offenders that there are serious consequences for posting and boasting.”

Anyone found guilty of a specified serious offence who has also posted and boasted about it will face up to two years of jail time in addition to any other sentence imposed for the offence itself.

Currently, posting and boasting can be considered as an aggravating factor in sentencing; however, this new standalone offence will see offenders face tougher penalties.

Third parties who are not involved in the offending, including witnesses, bystanders and journalists, will not be affected.

Ms Kilkenny said it sent a clear message that there was no reward for crime.

“We’re silencing those boasting about their disgraceful crimes online, and backing Victoria Police with more laws to keep cracking down on offenders,” Victorian Police Minister Anthony Carbines said.

The new law builds on the government’s introduction of Australia’s toughest bail test for serious repeat offenders to parliament and the nation-leading machete ban, coming into effect on September 1.

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Thursday, 28th August 2025

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