Youth Justice in Australia
A comprehensive, live database of youth justice interventions, research evidence, historical inquiries, and international best practices. Updated continuously.
Explore the Report
Interventions by State
1,775 programs across 8 jurisdictions. Filter by type, evidence level, and community authority.
Australian Research
631 peer-reviewed studies, evaluations, and research papers on youth justice interventions in Australia.
Connected to ALMA Knowledge BaseHistorical Inquiries
Royal commissions, parliamentary inquiries, and reviews into youth justice across Australian jurisdictions.
Tracking implementation statusInternational Best Practices
Effective youth justice approaches from New Zealand, Scandinavia, Canada, and other jurisdictions.
Replication guidance includedIntervention Types
Key Findings
Community-led programs show better outcomes
Programs with high community authority scores consistently demonstrate better engagement, lower recidivism, and stronger cultural connection outcomes.
Diversion works better than detention
Evidence consistently shows diversion programs are more effective at reducing reoffending than detention, particularly for first-time and minor offenders.
Indigenous-led approaches are essential
First Nations young people are drastically overrepresented. Indigenous-led, culturally grounded programs are critical to addressing this systemic issue.
Early intervention prevents escalation
Programs that engage young people early, before formal justice contact, show the strongest long-term outcomes and best cost-effectiveness.