New data released by the Australian Institute of Criminology reveals the rate of assaults by females increased by 49 percent from 125 to 186 per 100,000 between 1996-97 and 2009-10.
In the same period male assault rates increasing by 18 per cent. But men are still more than four times as likely as women to bash someone.
The rate of violent men rose from 664 to 786 in 100,000.
Assault is the most common type of violent crime in Australia, with 171,083 assaults nationally in 2010, compared with 17,757 sexual assaults, 14,582 robberies and 260 homicides.
In 2009-10, men also experienced a higher rate of assault victimisation.
Males were victimised at a rate of 837 per 100,000 compared with 675 per 100,000 for females.
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