The ACT Government has today tabled the ACT Youth Justice Strategic Plan 2026-2031, setting out a five-year roadmap to build a safer, fairer and more effective youth justice system that supports young people to turn their lives around while keeping the community safe.
The Strategic Plan brings together commitments from across government, providing a framework for coordinated action to improve the youth justice system, with a particular focus on reducing the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in the youth justice system.
Minister for Children, Youth and Families Michael Pettersson said the ACT Government is committed to delivering evidence-based reforms that improve outcomes for young people and the broader community.
"Most young people who come into contact with the justice system have experienced significant adversity, including trauma, family violence, disability, mental ill-health or involvement with child protection services.
"This Strategic Plan recognises that the best way to improve community safety over the long term is to address those underlying issues early, provide the right support at the right time, and help young people build positive futures.
"The ACT has already led the nation by raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 14 and establishing innovative therapeutic responses for younger children. This Plan builds on those reforms and sets a clear direction for the next five years."
The Strategic Plan sets out six key focus areas:
- Earlier support for children, young people and families.
- Diverting young people from the justice system where appropriate.
- Promoting equity, addressing discrimination and over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.
- Embedding therapeutic, trauma-informed approaches that support healing and wellbeing.
- Respecting, protecting and promoting the rights of young people.
- Supporting safe transitions back into the community.
The Plan also outlines future work to strengthen diversion programs, improve coordination across government services, expand culturally safe supports, enhance rehabilitation at Bimberi Youth Justice Centre and improve throughcare services for young people leaving detention.
Minister Pettersson said reducing the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people remains a critical priority.
"Improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people is a key focus given they continue to be significantly over-represented in the youth justice system.
"This Plan reflects our commitment to Closing the Gap and sets out practical actions to work in partnership with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, strengthen culturally safe services, and support self-determination.
"Achieving sustained change requires government, community organisations, families and young people themselves working together."
The Strategic Plan recognises that youth justice outcomes are influenced by factors including housing stability, education, health, disability support, family circumstances and connection to culture and community.
The ACT Youth Justice Strategic Plan 2026-2031 replaces the Blueprint for Youth Justice in the ACT 2012-2022 and builds on recent reforms including the raising of the minimum age of criminal responsibility, the establishment of the Therapeutic Support Panel, and ongoing implementation of Next Steps for Our Kids 2022-2030.
The ACT Youth Justice Strategic Plan 2026-2031 is available at https://www.act.gov.au/open/youth-justice-strategic-plan.
