1,117 Verified Models
The Wall of Proof
Every verified alternative model in Australia. Evidence levels. Cost data. Real organisations doing real work. This is the proof that the alternative exists — and it works better.
1117
verified models
41
proven or effective
$181K
avg cost/young person
7x
cheaper than detention
Evidence Levels
5
0% of all models
36
3% of all models
467
42% of all models
33
3% of all models
459
41% of all models
Models by State
What the Models Do
204
Wraparound Support
151
Community-Led
139
Cultural Connection
135
Prevention
91
Diversion
82
Education/Employment
80
Therapeutic
49
Justice Reinvestment
38
Early Intervention
31
Family Strengthening
Top Proven Models
Proven or effective models with cost data — sorted by cost per young person.
| Model | Evidence | Cost/YP |
|---|---|---|
Youth detention population in Australia 2024, About - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Prevention | Proven | $77K |
Murra Pathways Cultural Connection | Effective | $87K |
Walk About Burun Cultural Connection | Effective | $87K |
Walking on Yarun Cultural Connection | Effective | $87K |
Youth Engagement Grants Prevention | Effective | $110K |
Brotherhood of St Laurence Youth Programs Education/Employment | Effective | $124K |
Speak Up Program Education/Employment | Proven | $124K |
CREATE Foundation Community-Led | Proven | $155K |
Cultural Connection and Healing Camps Cultural Connection | Effective | $170K |
Cultural Mentoring Cultural Connection | Effective | $170K |
Dis Yu-on-ner Cultural Connection | Effective | $170K |
Moorditj Koort (Strong Heart) Youth Program Cultural Connection | Effective | $170K |
Murma Thalgarie Cultural Connection | Effective | $170K |
The Deadly Matters Program Cultural Connection | Effective | $170K |
Yiliyapinya Indigenous Corporation Cultural Connection | Effective | $170K |
Youth Justice family-led decision making Cultural Connection | Effective | $170K |
Youth Justice Indigenous Support Cultural Connection | Effective | $170K |
Youth Yarnz After Dark Cultural Connection | Effective | $170K |
Cowra Justice Reinvestment Justice Reinvestment | Effective | $188K |
Designing a Justice Reinvestment Mechanism for New South Wales Justice Reinvestment | Effective | $188K |
Indigenous-Led Models
Culturally grounded, community authority. These models don't need Western evidence frameworks to prove they work — they have 65,000 years of proof.
Atnarpa Homestead On-Country Experiences
Oonchiumpa · NT
Cultural camps at Atnarpa Homestead — bush tucker, traditional medicine, Elder-led yarning, connection to Country. Immersive cultural healing for young people disconnected from culture. Evaluation reports show strong engagement and cultural reconnection.
BackTrack Youth Works
BackTrack Youth Works · NSW
Award-winning dog and at-risk youth program in Armidale, NSW. Young people work with rescue dogs, engineering projects, and environmental conservation. Achieved 50% reduction in police contact, 60% improvement in school engagement, 70% reduction in substance use. Intensive mentoring, practical skills, and community connection.
$155K per young person
Backyard Campus
Mounty Yarns · NSW
Youth-designed community space in Mount Druitt: yarning circle, gym container, basketball court, Aboriginal flag ground mural, community kitchen. Physical base for all Mounty Yarns programs and community connection.
Balund-a Aboriginal Corporation Youth Services
Balund-a Aboriginal Corporation ·
Aboriginal-led organization delivering cultural programs, mentoring, and support for Aboriginal young people in South West Sydney. Focus on cultural connection, identity strengthening, and diversion from justice system.
$241K per young person
BMNAC Goori Learning Centres & Gumbaynggirr Bilingual Education
Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation · NSW
Three after-school Goori Learning Centres (Wongala Estate, Woolgoolga High, William Bayldon Primary) established from 2010, providing culturally grounded education support. Led to creation of the first bilingual school of an Aboriginal language in NSW — teaching children in both English and Gumbaynggirr. "Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan" means "Two Path Strong" — ensuring youth are strong in culture and strong in education. Includes Gumbaynggirr language revitalisation programs, cultural camps, and cultural engagement training.
Building Self-Reliance through Strong Culture
NIAA-funded prevention program that strengthens Arrernte culture by supporting Arrernte people to organise cultural activities prioritised by the community. Does not aim to address issues directly but builds self-reliance and strengthens connection to culture as protective factors. A pure prevention approach — engaging young people before any sign of crisis.
Children's Ground - Whole of Community Early Years
Children's Ground Limited · NT
Arrernte-led 25-year whole-of-community approach focused on the first 1,000 days and early years (0-5). Combines cultural education with Western early childhood pedagogy — children travel onto Country at least twice weekly with cultural educators alongside Western-trained staff. Between 2017-2022, children engaged in early learning increased 57% and 87% of families reported improved child health and wellbeing. Longitudinal evaluation by Murdoch Children's Research Institute and James Cook University delivers results every 3 years.
Children's Ground — Health, Wellbeing & Cultural Identity Program
Children's Ground Limited · NT
Integrated health and cultural wellbeing program operating across Central, Eastern and Western Arrernte Country. Combines community-controlled health services with cultural strengthening — language revitalisation, ceremony participation, and intergenerational knowledge transfer. Part of the 25-year generational change model co-designed with Arrernte Elders. Dual governance structure recognising both First Nations and Western governance standards. Founded by Arrernte man William Tilmouth and developed in collaboration with community Elders.
Community-led justice and other programs
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing Services · QLD
Programs developed and run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities as part of justice reinvestment, focusing on breaking cycles of offending through family support, better health outcomes, and access to housing, jobs and education.
$155K per young person
Connecting to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture: A resource to help Carers connect children and young people in their care to their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture
Connect Program · QLD
A resource guide for foster and kinship carers in South Australia, designed to assist them in connecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in their care to their culture. It provides information on communities, languages, service providers, and cultural activities.
$41K per young person
Cultural Brokerage & Service Navigation
Oonchiumpa · NT
Connecting Aboriginal youth and families to 32+ partner organisations across 7 language groups in Alice Springs region. Staff act as cultural brokers navigating Western service systems and Aboriginal cultural protocols. Covers 150km radius from Mparntwe.
Deadly Inspiring Youth Doing Good (DIYDG)
Deadly Inspiring Youth Doing Good Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation · QLD
Deadly Inspiring Youth Doing Good (DIYDG) is an Indigenous youth-led organization that provides culturally appropriate support services and programs for at-risk Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people. They focus on mentoring, cultural connection, and leadership development through various community initiatives and activities.
$170K per young person
+ 21 more Indigenous-led models in the network
The Argument
1117 alternatives exist. The average costs $181K per young person. Detention costs $1.3M. That's 7x more expensive — for worse outcomes.
This isn't opinion. This is 1117 verified models, 738 with cost data, 41 proven or effective. The alternative exists. It works. It costs less. The only question is whether we fund it.