Context baselineSource confirmed2024
$6.4 million
Total Commonwealth funding
“With $6.4 million in Commonwealth funding, OWNW began with a six-week pilot in October 2024 and launched fully in February 2025.”
View the source →← The justice reinvestment network
Perth Justice Reinvestment (ALSWA)
Perth, WA
Aboriginal Legal Service of WADetailed recordPublic record
Old Ways New Ways is an Aboriginal-led justice reinvestment program led by the Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia, delivering culturally secure case management, mentoring and on-Country support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in the Perth metropolitan area (Balga and Armadale) who are at risk of or already involved in the criminal justice system.
Impact on the record
What the public record shows
Every figure carries the source it came from and a label for what kind of figure it is, so an evaluated outcome is never confused with a projection, a background number, or a figure from a related program. Most sites here were funded in the 2024 and 2025 Commonwealth rounds, and the first evaluations under the national framework begin from late 2026. An empty panel is an honest early-stage record, not a failure.
Activity / outputSource confirmed2025
242 referrals
Referrals received (Oct 2024 - Oct 2025)
“From October 2024 to October 2025, OWNW received 242 referrals, and 143 young people have participated in activity days.”
View the source →Activity / outputSource confirmed2025
143 young people
Young people participating in activity days (Oct 2024 - Oct 2025)
“From October 2024 to October 2025, OWNW received 242 referrals, and 143 young people have participated in activity days.”
View the source →Activity / outputSource confirmed2025
282 children
Children referred (first 13.5 months)
“282 children referred in first 13.5 months”
View the source →Activity / outputSource confirmed2025
105 children
Children currently active
“105 children currently active”
View the source →Activity / outputSource confirmed2025
46%
Share of referrals from state agencies
“46% of referrals from state agencies (Justice, Communities, Education, WA Police, Legal Aid, government schools)”
View the source →Activity / outputSource confirmed2025
Zero new offences since joining
Case-study participant outcome
“17-year-old Aboriginal young woman joined in January 2025; attended six OWNW activity days over six months; zero new offences or police apprehension since joining the program”
View the source →What runs here
Programs and approaches
Perth Justice Reinvestment (ALSWA)
Justice reinvestment initiative in Perth, Western Australia, led by the Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia Ltd, funded under the Commonwealth National Justice Reinvestment Program (NJRP). Confirmed on the Attorney-General's Department list of funded justice reinvestment initiatives.
- Old Ways New Ways (Aboriginal-led youth justice reinvestment program, Balga and Armadale sites)
- Youth Engagement Service
- Bail Support
- Custody Notification Service
- Prison In-Reach
The lead organisation also supports
Aboriginal Legal Service of WA Youth Services
Aboriginal-led legal service providing culturally appropriate representation and support for Aboriginal young people in WA. Holistic practice including legal services, custody visiting, court support, and advocacy. Statewide coverage.
The people
Who leads the work
Wayne Nannup
Chief Executive Officer, Aboriginal Legal Service of WA Ltd
Source →Victoria Williams
Director Programs, Aboriginal Legal Service of WA
Source →Bruce Loo
Cultural and Youth Coordinator, Old Ways New Ways
Source →Jamie Jackson
Cultural and Youth Coordinator, Old Ways New Ways
Source →Liam Anthony
Senior Program Manager, Old Ways New Ways
Source →Lenny Yarran
Founder, Wadjak Northside Aboriginal Corporation (consortium partner)
Source →
The arc
How this site came to be
2024
Albanese Government announces $79 million for up to 30 community-led justice reinvestment initiatives (part of a $109 million First Nations justice package); the Wheatbelt and Perth, WA initiative led by Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia Limited is among the first 10 selected. Announced 19 April 2024 by Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus and Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney.
Source →2024
ALSWA launches 'Old Ways New Ways' as a new chapter in justice reinvestment, funded at $3 million per year for two years from the Federal Government, delivered by a consortium of ALSWA, Wadjak Northside Aboriginal Corporation, HOPE Community Services and the Stephen Michael Foundation, working with high-risk young people through the Perth Children's Court.
Source →2024
Six-week pilot of Old Ways New Ways begins in October 2024.
Source →2025
Old Ways New Ways fully launches in February 2025, operating from two sites (Balga and Armadale) with separate weekly sessions for young males and females. Funded under the Federal National Justice Reinvestment Program through 30 June 2026.
Source →
In the record
News and reports
- 'Old Ways New Ways' - A new chapter in Justice Reinvestment
Aboriginal Legal Service of WA Ltd · 2024-04-19
- Next Justice Reinvestment Programs Announced
Aboriginal Legal Service of WA Ltd · 2024-04-19
- 'This is really different and really special' - Old Ways, New Ways: the Aboriginal-led program that is turning kids' lives around
National Indigenous Times · 2025-12-12
- Supporting Young People Through Culture and Connection
National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA)
- Media Release: Old Ways New Ways
HOPE Community Services
- Governor meets with Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia
Government House Western Australia · 2026-01
About this page
This is a public record built from sources in the open, not yet a profile the community holds. Aboriginal Legal Service of WA is the editor of record once it claims this page. When a site claims it, the community decides what the world sees, names its own people, and publishes its own figures. We can stage a page. The community publishes it.