The On Country program promotes respect for First Nations peoples’ connection to Country – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander society is interconnected with land, sea and Country. Identity, cultural practices, social systems, traditions and concepts of spirituality are all drawn from, and depend upon, connection to Country (We Nurture Our Culture For Our Future, and Our Culture Nurtures Us, Lowitja Institute for the Close the Gap Steering Committee, March 2020).

On Country services provide an intensive cultural immersion experience and integrated case work to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people aged 10 to 17 years of age with a high or very high risk assessment rating (that is, complex needs). Young people will participate in the On Country program (inclusive of case work) for six to eight weeks. By community sharing cultural knowledge and expertise with young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in both individual and/or group settings, it is expected young people will pursue positive life experiences without featuring crime and simultaneously have their individual welfare and cultural needs met in collaboration with other services that specialise in school, other education, training and employment opportunities.
The Department of Youth Justice promotes the design of On Country programs by First Nations peoples, by acknowledging the skills and expertise that is only available from the actual custodians of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural knowledge.