The Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS) is committed to supporting Aboriginal people in contact with the criminal justice system, aligning its work with the Aboriginal Justice Agreement Burra Lotjpa Dunguludja Phase 4 (AJA4). The AJA4 is a partnership agreement between the Victorian Aboriginal community and the Victorian Government. Statewide initiatives of the AJA4, co-designed with the Victorian Aboriginal community, focus on reducing the over-representation of Aboriginal people in the justice system by prioritising culturally safe, early intervention and diversionary approaches.

Nine Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committees (RAJACs) have been established throughout Victoria and play an integral role in the partnership between the Victorian Government and the Aboriginal community to implement the objectives of the AJA4.

The Local Justice Worker Program (LJWP) is an initiative of the AJA4, delivered by Aboriginal Community Organisations across Victoria. The LJWP drives self-determination and several strategic priorities, including the AJA4 Goal (2.3) and outcomes of:

Goal 2.3 – Fewer Aboriginal people progress through the criminal justice system

• Outcome 2.3.1: More people are diverted from further contact with the criminal justice system
• Outcome 2.3.2: Fewer people are remanded into custody
• Outcome 2.3.3: More people successfully address fines, warrants, and/or meet conditions of orders and sentences.

The LJWP aims to support Aboriginal people in various aspects of the justice system, including increasing the likelihood that Aboriginal people successfully complete Community Corrections Orders (CCOs), supporting individuals with outstanding fines and warrants to meet their obligations, and providing community education about justice systems, processes, and obligations.

Additionally, LJWP assists Aboriginal people in accessing local support services to address the underlying drivers of offending, thereby helping to prevent future contact with the criminal justice system. A key component of the program also involves assisting participants of the Yawal Mugadjina Cultural Mentoring Program in progressing through their Cultural Journey plan, reinforcing cultural connection and personal development, and providing post-release cultural support.

Note: There is a briefing session on Thursday, 8 May 2025 (online) at 10.00 am. Maximum two people per organisation. Further details on how to confirm attendance will be published on this site.