1,507 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.
1507
verified models
57
proven or effective
$15K
avg cost/young person
90x
cheaper than detention
Evidence Levels
6
0% of all models
51
3% of all models
474
31% of all models
70
5% of all models
399
26% of all models
Models by State
What the Models Do
219
Community-Led
165
Wraparound Support
114
Education/Employment
100
Diversion
97
Prevention
89
Therapeutic
84
Cultural Connection
53
Justice Reinvestment
47
Early Intervention
32
Family Strengthening
Top Proven Models
Proven or effective models with cost data — sorted by cost per young person.
| Model | Evidence | Cost/YP |
|---|---|---|
Territory Families Youth Justice Services Wraparound Support | Effective | $3 |
NT Youth Outreach and Re-engagement (YORE) Wraparound Support | Effective | $10 |
Youth Engagement Grants Prevention | Effective | $11 |
Designing a Justice Reinvestment Mechanism for New South Wales Justice Reinvestment | Effective | $2K |
Aboriginal Family Violence Legal Service Wraparound Support | Effective | $4K |
NAAJA Youth Justice Advocacy and Legal Services Diversion | Effective | $4K |
Justice Reinvestment Mechanism Justice Reinvestment | Effective | $4K |
Relationships Australia QLD Family & Youth Counselling Therapeutic | Effective | $5K |
Brotherhood of St Laurence Youth Programs Education/Employment | Effective | $5K |
Central Australia Justice Reinvestment Initiative Justice Reinvestment | Effective | $5K |
Community Justice Group Community-Led | Effective | $5K |
Coordinated Youth Engagement Early Intervention | Effective | $5K |
Dis Yu-on-ner Cultural Connection | Effective | $5K |
Driver Licensing Initiative Education/Employment | Effective | $5K |
GEBIE GANG Youth Program Diversion | Effective | $5K |
headspace Mount Druitt Therapeutic | Effective | $5K |
Jesuit Social Services Youth Justice Programs VIC Diversion | Effective | $5K |
Local Decision-Making Agreement Justice Reinvestment | Effective | $5K |
Maranguka Justice Reinvestment Project (Bourke) Justice Reinvestment | Effective | $5K |
Moorditj Koort (Strong Heart) Youth Program Cultural Connection | Effective | $5K |
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.
Aboriginal-Led Climate Giving Circle
Just Futures Collab · National
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led giving circle activating resources for climate justice. Emerged from Groundswell Caring for Country program ($1M for 30 First Nations climate initiatives). New Dusseldorp partner for 2026.
$5K per young person
Arnhem Land Conservation and Cultural Governance
The Trustee For Karrkad-Kanjdji Trust · VIC
Shared resource for 8 First Nations community-controlled organisations across West and Central Arnhem Land. Conservation of 50,000+ sq km of land and sea Country.
$8K per young person
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.
$8K per young person
Baabayn Homework Club
Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation · NSW
After-school education support for Aboriginal children in Emerton. Combines cultural learning with academic tutoring.
$5K per young person
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.
$5K 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.
$8K per young person
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.
$5K per young person
BG Fit Cultural Mentoring
BG Fit · QLD
One-on-one and group cultural mentoring connecting at-risk First Nations youth with Aboriginal role models and Elders in Mount Isa. Focus on identity, belonging and keeping young people out of the justice system.
$8K per young person
BG Fit Youth Health & Fitness
BG Fit · QLD
Culturally grounded health and fitness program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in Mount Isa. Uses sport, physical activity and cultural mentoring to build resilience and connection.
$5K per young person
Bi-cultural Secondary Education on Country
Nawarddeken Academy Ltd · NT
Registered secondary school at Manmoyi and Mamardawerre outstations in Warddeken IPA. First time senior students accessed formal secondary education on homelands. Bi-cultural curriculum combining Western and Bininj knowledge systems. Part of 10+ year Dusseldorp partnership.
$8K 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.
$5K per young person
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.
$5K per young person
+ 58 more Indigenous-led models in the network
The Argument
1507 alternatives exist. The average costs $15K per young person. Detention costs $1.3M. That's 90x more expensive — for worse outcomes.
This isn't opinion. This is 1507 verified models, 846 with cost data, 57 proven or effective. The alternative exists. It works. It costs less. The only question is whether we fund it.