Recommendations
Evidence-based actions for reform
Based on the evidence, research, and international best practices documented in this report, these are the key actions needed to transform youth justice in Australia.
Policy Reform
High PriorityRaise the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 14
Advocating ForEvidence
Supported by medical, legal, and human rights bodies. Aligns with international standards.
Required Action
Federal and state legislation required.
Mandate diversion for first-time minor offenders
Partially ImplementedEvidence
Diversion reduces recidivism by 20-40% compared to court processing.
Required Action
Expand existing conferencing programs; legislate presumption of diversion.
Establish statutory targets to reduce Indigenous youth incarceration
Advocating ForEvidence
Indigenous youth are 17x more likely to be in detention. Closing the Gap targets needed.
Required Action
Include justice targets in Closing the Gap framework.
Funding & Investment
High PriorityRedirect detention funding to community-based programs
Advocating ForEvidence
Community programs cost 1/10th of detention with better outcomes.
Required Action
Justice reinvestment pilots in high-need areas; redirect savings.
Fund Indigenous-controlled youth justice services
Partially ImplementedEvidence
Community-controlled programs show 2x engagement rates.
Required Action
Direct funding to ACCOs; support capacity building.
Invest in early intervention and prevention
Partially ImplementedEvidence
Prevention delivers $3-8 return for every $1 invested.
Required Action
Expand family support, education engagement, and mental health services.
Practice & Programs
Expand restorative justice conferencing
Partially ImplementedEvidence
Restorative approaches reduce reoffending and improve victim satisfaction.
Required Action
Train more facilitators; expand eligibility criteria.
Implement trauma-informed approaches across the system
Partially ImplementedEvidence
Most system-involved youth have trauma histories.
Required Action
Staff training; therapeutic models in all settings.
Develop transition support for young people leaving detention
Advocating ForEvidence
Critical period for reoffending is first 72 hours after release.
Required Action
Fund dedicated transition workers; housing and education support.
Data & Transparency
Publish real-time youth justice data by jurisdiction
Partially ImplementedEvidence
Transparency drives accountability and informed policy.
Required Action
AIHW dashboard expansion; standardized data collection.
Track and report on inquiry recommendation implementation
Advocating ForEvidence
Hundreds of recommendations remain unimplemented across inquiries.
Required Action
Public implementation tracker; annual progress reports.
Fund independent program evaluations
Partially ImplementedEvidence
Evidence base is limited by lack of rigorous evaluation.
Required Action
Require evaluation for funded programs; publish results.
Take Action
This report is a living document. Help us advocate for these recommendations, track implementation progress, and build the evidence base for reform.