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The Australasian Juvenile Justice Administrators (AJJA)

The Australasian Juvenile Justice Administrators (AJJA) is a Standing Committee of the Community and Disability Services Minister's Advisory Council (CDSMAC) which provides support to the Community and Disability Services Minister's Conference (CDSMC). This internet site has been established to facilitate the work of the Australasian Juvenile Justice Administrators. Access beyond this screen, is available only to AJJA representatives and authorised staff of the relevant Departments.

AJJA Membership

AJJA membership comprises a minimum of one senior executive officer from each of the Australian state or territory departments and New Zealand who is responsible for the delivery of juvenile justice services.

Terms of Reference

AJJA comprises Australian and New Zealand juvenile justice administrators. AJJA works collaboratively to lead and influence the development of youth justice systems and to contribute to better outcomes for young people and the community.

This is achieved through:

  • promoting youth justice strategy;
  • making policy recommendations to the Ministerial Standing Council on Community Services, Disability and Homelessness which are evidence based and best practice;
  • developing a national approach and benchmarks for youth justice administration which includes national standards and guidelines for state and territories to model;
  • sharing of relevant information between Australian and New Zealand juvenile justice administrators;
  • recognition of AJJA as the government's peak body on youth justice issues.

In order to meet its objectives AJJA undertakes to:

  • make use of available data and research to progress the strategic agenda on youth justice issues;
  • support and contribute to building the evidence base for effective youth justice interventions;
  • maintain and enhance information and research partnerships with the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC), the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) and Universities;
  • contribute to the development of performance indicators through the Steering Committee for the Report on Government Services;
  • establish links with relevant forums and key partners to ensure consideration of youth justice issues;
  • continue development of the Juvenile Justice National Minimum Data Set; and
  • continue to develop and promote national standards for youth justice.

Chairing

A Chair and Deputy Chair is appointed every two years.

Decision Making

AJJA does not have statutory powers. AJJA representatives work collaboratively and employ a consensus decision making model and the development of a national approach on any topic takes account of the views of all jurisdictions including divergent positions.

AJJA Juvenile Justice Standards

The AJJA Juvenile Justice Standards are published jointly by the juvenile justice administrators across Australia and New Zealand. The standards outline an agreed minimum standard for practice that juvenile justice services agencies aspire to meet.

Click here to view the Standards.