NEW SOUTH WALES

Sentencing Assessment Reports NSW

In shortA sentencing assessment report, previously called a pre-sentence report, is prepared by Community Corrections to help a NSW court choose sentence options and conditions. The court may request one, and must have one before imposing an intensive correction order in most cases or a community service work condition. Cooperation with the interview matters.

Formerly a pre-sentence report: now an assessment report under Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 ss 17B to 17D, since 24 September 2018.
When required: generally before an intensive correction order, and before any home detention or community service work condition (s 17D).
The interview: covers your background, health, alcohol and drugs, work, finances and the offence; the report is a recommendation only.

New South Wales law · law checked 21 Oct 2026

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What's on this page

What is a sentencing assessment report?

A sentencing assessment report (often called a SAR) is a report prepared for a NSW court by a community corrections officer from Corrective Services NSW. Its purpose is to help the court decide the appropriate sentence options and the conditions to impose (Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 s 17B(2)). The Act calls it an "assessment report".

It used to be called a pre-sentence report. Before the NSW sentencing reforms that commenced on 24 September 2018, these reports were generally known as pre-sentence reports (PSRs). Many people, including some lawyers and court staff, still use that name. In Queensland, pre-sentence reports continue under their own legislation, and this page deals only with NSW.

When does the court order one?

The court may request an assessment report, but it is not obliged to (s 17C(1)(a)). It can do so at certain times, including:

after finding you guilty (by plea or after a hearing) and before sentence;
after a sentence of imprisonment has been imposed, to decide whether it can be served by an intensive correction order;
when adding, varying or revoking conditions on a community correction order or conditional release order;
when re-sentencing after an order has been revoked; and
on an appeal against sentence (s 17C(1)(b)).

In some cases a report is required. The court must not:

make an intensive correction order without a relevant assessment report, unless it is satisfied it already has enough information (s 17D(1), (1A));
impose a home detention condition on an intensive correction order without a report on that condition (s 17D(2)); or
impose a community service work condition on an intensive correction order or community correction order without a report on that condition (s 17D(4)).

Courts often order a report in more serious matters where imprisonment is a real possibility. Imprisonment is a sentence of last resort: the court must not sentence a person to imprisonment unless satisfied that no penalty other than imprisonment is appropriate (s 5(1)). A report helps the court assess alternatives. For very serious matters, the court can impose a custodial sentence without a report.

What happens once a report is ordered?

The court usually adjourns the matter, commonly for around 6 weeks, for the report to be prepared. The court or the registry will tell you how to contact Community Corrections, and you are usually directed to make contact within a short time, often within days. Follow those directions exactly.

Community Corrections will arrange an interview, usually during business hours, in person or by phone or video. A second interview is sometimes needed. The officer may also contact people such as family members, your employer or treatment providers to confirm what you have said, and may check records.

Your cooperation matters. The report will often comment on your attitude, your engagement and your suitability for supervision or community service work. Attend on time, follow every direction and be respectful.

What the officer will ask about

The interview covers a wide range of topics. Be ready to discuss:

Living arrangements: your address, how long you have lived there, and addresses over the past 12 months.
Family background: your parents and siblings, family relationships growing up and now, whether you have their support, and any family history of offending.
Relationships: whether you are married, in a de facto relationship or single, any apprehended violence orders (AVOs), any history of domestic violence, and the support you have from a partner and family.
Cultural background: religion, culture and any cultural responsibilities. If you are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, you can tell the officer about your community and connections.
Education: your schooling, any post-school qualifications or training, and any problems such as suspension or expulsion.
Employment: your current and previous jobs, how long you held them, and any workplace problems.
Finances: your income and regular expenses. Be accurate, because this can be relevant to fines and to conditions.
Community involvement: sports clubs, churches, charities, volunteering and what you do in your spare time.
Friends and associates: who you spend time with, and whether you need to distance yourself from people involved in offending. Showing that you recognise this demonstrates insight.
Alcohol and other drugs: use, dependence and any treatment. Being honest allows the officer to consider suitable programs.
Physical and mental health: past and present medical or psychological issues, and any disability that might affect your ability to comply with directions or community service work.
The offence: your account of what happened, your attitude to it, and what you have done since.
Verification: who the officer can contact to confirm what you have said.

If you answer honestly, completely and respectfully, the officer can give the court a full picture and the widest range of options.

Preparing for your interview

Some practical steps make the interview go more smoothly:

Prepare mentally. Expect questions about the offence and your history, some of which may be personal or uncomfortable. Think about your answers beforehand.
Bring documents. Useful documents include identification, evidence of employment or study, medical and counselling reports, treatment records, and certificates from courses such as a traffic offenders program.
Have contact details ready. The officer may want to speak to a family member, employer or treating practitioner. Ask those people beforehand whether they are willing to be contacted.
Be on time and presentable. Attend at the arranged time, dress neatly, and allow extra time for travel and waiting.
Be honest. If something is difficult to talk about, say so, but do not give false or misleading information. Inconsistencies can be checked and may undermine the report.
Do not argue about guilt. If you have pleaded guilty, the report is not the place to dispute the offence. Explain your perspective calmly and show that you accept responsibility.
Tell your lawyer about the interview. Let your lawyer know how it went and whether anything was missed or misunderstood.

After the report: the sentence hearing

The report is sent to the court and the parties before the adjourned sentence date. At the hearing, the prosecutor and your lawyer can refer to it. Your lawyer can rely on the positive parts, address any concerns, and ask the court to adopt a recommended option or to impose a different one. If the report recommends an option that the court is not considering, or says you are unsuitable for an option, your lawyer can explain why another approach is appropriate.

If you are found suitable for community service work or supervision and the court imposes an order with those conditions, you will be told how to report to Community Corrections. Comply with every direction, because breaching an order can lead to the court re-sentencing you.

What the report contains

The matters to be addressed in an assessment report can be set by regulation (s 17B(4)). In practice a report usually covers your background, the factors the officer considers relevant to your offending, your risk of reoffending, and your suitability for options such as:

a conditional release order, with or without conviction, which can include supervision;
a community correction order, which can include supervision, community service work, curfews and treatment conditions;
an intensive correction order, which is a sentence of imprisonment served in the community, possibly with home detention or community service work conditions; and
particular programs or conditions, such as drug and alcohol treatment.

The report is a recommendation. The court decides the sentence. These orders replaced the older supervised bonds and community service orders.

Traffic matters

Assessment reports are less common in ordinary traffic matters, but they are often ordered for serious or repeat offences where imprisonment is possible, such as high range or repeat drink driving, driving while disqualified with a poor record, police pursuits and dangerous driving. See other traffic offences NSW and the high range PCA guideline judgment.

How a lawyer can help

A lawyer can explain the process, help you prepare for the interview, check the report when it is received, and respond to anything that is inaccurate or unfair at the sentence hearing. Your lawyer can also put other material before the court alongside the report, such as references, treatment records and evidence of rehabilitation.

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FAQs: sentencing assessment reports in NSW

Is a sentencing assessment report the same as a pre-sentence report?

In NSW, yes in practice. The report previously called a pre-sentence report is now an assessment report under Division 4B of Part 2 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999, and Corrective Services NSW calls it a sentencing assessment report.

Does ordering a report mean I am going to jail?

No. A report is ordered so the court can consider alternatives. But it often means the court regards imprisonment as a possibility, so preparation is important.

Do I have to take part?

If the court directs you to contact Community Corrections, you should comply. Not taking part can delay your matter and leave the court without information that might support a community-based sentence.

Can I see the report?

Your lawyer will usually receive a copy before the sentence hearing. You can raise inaccuracies through your lawyer.

What if the report is negative?

The report is not binding. Your lawyer can make submissions about it and put other evidence before the court.

Disclaimer: This page is general information about NSW law only, not legal advice.

Call 1300 941 900 or make an enquiry about legal representation.

Sources and date checked

The law on this page was checked against these primary and official sources on 21 Oct 2026. Penalty unit dollar amounts are as at 21 Oct 2026.

Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) – ss 5, 17B–17D — checked 21 Oct 2026
Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Regulation 2024 (NSW) — checked 21 Oct 2026
Corrective Services NSW – Community Corrections — checked 21 Oct 2026

This page is general information about New South Wales law only. It is not legal advice. Every matter turns on its own facts.

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What to have ready

Court & next listing date: Which court is on your paperwork and when your matter is listed.
Charge or reading (if known): Tell us the charge or reading if you have it — you do not need your full police facts yet.
Work & driving needs: Let us know if you rely on your licence for work or family responsibilities.

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