One of Australia's most notorious paedophiles, former magistrate Peter Liddy, has applied for release from jail.

Key points: South Australia's Parole Board will consider paedophile Peter Liddy's bid to be released from jail

South Australia's Parole Board will consider paedophile Peter Liddy's bid to be released from jail He has served his 18-year non-parole period

He has served his 18-year non-parole period The Attorney-General is seeking advice on whether to apply for an indefinite detention order

Liddy was jailed in 2001 for 25 years with an 18-year non-parole period for the sexual abuse of children between 1983 and 1986.

He became eligible to apply for parole in July.

His application is due to go before the parole board in September.

Liddy's victims were notified about his bid for parole by letter.

The 75-year-old was initially housed in solitary confinement in Yatala Labour Prison's high-security wing, home to some of the state's most dangerous criminals.

In 2011, he was shifted to Mount Gambier Prison, where other paedophiles and sex offenders, including Families SA carer Shannon McCoole, are incarcerated.

With his sexual abuse of young boys at Brighton Surf Life Saving Club putting him on the other side of the dock, he gained the record for the longest jail sentence to be handed down in South Australia at the time.

Liddy was found guilty of unlawful sexual intercourse, indecent assault and attempting to bribe a witness.

Byron Mills' family says he has been handed a life sentence of trauma through his abuse. ( Supplied: Trevor Mills )

A lifelong sentence for Liddy's victims

The family of Byron Mills, who was one of the first to come forward with allegations against Liddy, pledged to fight to keep the former magistrate behind bars.

"It amounts to a lifetime sentence of torment for them, caused by Liddy's selfish, evil and depraved actions; the abuse made worse, if possible, because of his position in the club and in society," Byron's father, Trevor, said.

"Even now, health issues arise, the cause of which are directly attributable to Liddy's treatment of him.

"Liddy has forfeited his right to live in our society and should, at the very least, serve his full sentence of 25 years."

Andy Martin received his letter in the mail today alerting him to Liddy's parole bid.

"There shouldn't be one bit of leniency shown toward him," he said.

Applying to SA's Parole Board

Attorney-General Vickie Chapman described Liddy's crimes as "abhorrent".

"I have sought advice from the Crown Solicitor's Office (CSO) as to whether it would be appropriate for an application to be made for Mr Liddy to be indefinitely detained on the basis that he may be either unwilling to control or incapable of controlling his sexual instincts," she said.

"That advice is currently being prepared by the CSO."

South Australian Victims' Rights Commissioner Bronwyn Killmier. ( ABC News: Rebecca Puddy )

Victims' Rights Commissioner Bronwyn Killmier said Liddy's application for release could be triggering for his victims, who continued to suffer despite the passage of at least three decades since the offences occurred.

"People don't always recover — they cope, but they don't always recover — so this could traumatise some victims," she said.

"I know that Corrections are contacting the already registered victims but if anybody else would like help, please contact our office and we can help with submissions to the Parole Board."

Parole Board takes into account many factors

Under South Australia's corrections law, Liddy must apply to the Parole Board for release, because he was found guilty of a sexual offence.

In considering whether to release him into the community, the board takes into consideration sentencing remarks, prison behaviour, victim submissions and psychological reports.

This can also include admissions of guilt and demonstrated understanding into why the criminal offended.

In some cases, indefinite detention orders can be made, including when a sex offender is eligible for parole but is still considered to be at high risk of reoffending.

If Liddy is released, his name could be included on a yet to be established national public register on child sex offenders.

The Morrison Government committed $7.76 million over four years from 2019 to develop the national register, but the system is yet to go live.

Peter Liddy was initially held in solitary confinement at Yatala Labour Prison. ( ABC News )

Once the state's longest-serving magistrate

Nearly two decades ago, Liddy was South Australia's longest-serving magistrate, sitting on the bench for 25 years.

In 2010, a push to prosecute Liddy on an additional 10 child sex charges allegedly committed between 1969 and 1983 was thrown out of court because of concerns Liddy would not get a fair trial as a result of the widespread publicity his case had attracted and the decades that had passed since the alleged sex acts.

Medical evidence on Liddy's health also hindered the likelihood of a successful prosecution.

Seven claims for damages against Liddy were later dropped because there was very little left of his estate.

His victims were instead given $10,000 each in State Government victim compensation funding.