The Victorian government's Youth Justice Bill, which includes an amendment to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 12, has passed the Victorian parliament's upper house.
The new legislation follows a significant policy shift by the government this week not to proceed with a plan to eventually raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14.
The reforms include a new crime of committing a serious offence while on bail.
Police have also been given greater power to revoke bail, especially for repeat offenders.
The legislation also provides for the expansion of the Children's Court by appointing an additional magistrate, and Victoria Police's team of prosecutors will also be expanded.
Under the legislated reforms there will be a trial of electronic monitoring of children on bail, more intensive bail supervision and stronger powers to transfer young people over 18 years of age to adult prison.
Premier Jacinta Allan said the laws would focus on victims but also rehabilitate children committing crimes.
"This is transformational reform that will keep the community safe," she said.
Debate in the upper house stretched into the early hours of Friday morning after more than 200 amendments to the legislation were put forward and debated.
The bill will still have to return to the lower house before it passes into law.
The opposition argued the legislation would not adequately protect the community.
The Greens, despite being highly critical of Labor breaking its commitment to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14 by 2027, agreed to support the bill because the government agreed to legislate against the use of spit hoods and mandated better reporting of children placed in isolated custody.
The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria has described the government's youth justice reforms as "ineffective".
Council head Mary Nega said the organisation was against the expansion of police powers and opposed a trial of electronic monitoring.
She said better results would be achieved with investment in youth work to support children in finding alternatives to prison.
Earlier in the week legal groups were scathing of the legislation.
Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service chief executive officer Nerita Waight described the reforms as a betrayal and accused the government of submitting to pressure created by Melbourne's tabloid media.
"We certainly feel this decision is treacherous to our children and our communities," she said.
Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People Meena Singh said the government had abandoned its pledge to care for young offenders.
