New South Wales Youth Justice Tracker
What did the NSW government promise, who got the money, who runs those organisations, what’s their track record, and what’s the political context?
The Story in Three Numbers
New South Wales detains 200 children on an average day at $3,200/day. First Nations young people are 22x overrepresented in detention. 72% of those detained haven't been sentenced — they're on remand. Detention numbers have increased 86% over 5 years.
The Numbers That Matter
Source: outcomes_metrics database — AIHW, ROGS, state reports.
ROGS 2026 — System Snapshot
Sentenced vs Remand
AIHW quarterly avg nightly detention, ages 10-17. 80% are unsentenced — on remand, not convicted.
Safety in Custody — 10-Year Trend
ROGS 2026 rates per 10,000 custody nights.
Closing the Gap — Target 11
Off TrackIndigenous youth detention rate per 10K — reduce overrepresentation by 2030-31.
How NSW Compares
New South Wales vs other states — AIHW Youth Justice 2023-24 & ROGS 2026.
| Metric | QLD | NSW | VIC | WA | NT | National |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detention rate (per 10K) | 5.1 | 3.6 | 1.4 | 4.2 | 17 | 3.4 |
| Avg daily detention count | 317 | 200 | 120 | 145 | 62 | 950 |
| Indigenous overrepresentation | 26x | 22x | 14x | 24x | 5x | 17x |
| First Nations detention rate (per 10K) | 42 | 32 | 18 | 38 | 25 | 26.1 |
| Avg days in detention | 104 | 55 | 37 | 68 | 45 | 62 |
| Cost per day (detention) | $2,162 | $3,200 | $7,123 | $2,573 | $4,800 | $3,635 |
| % unsentenced (remand) | 86% | 72% | 65% | 78% | 80% | 75% |
| 5-year trend (detention) | +53% | +86% | +37% | -10% | 0% | +19% |
Closing the Gap: Target 11
Reduce rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people (10-17) in detention by 30% by 2031.
NSW First Nations Detention Rate Trend
1. Who Runs It
Board and leadership for top funded NSW youth justice organisations.
2. Evidence & Accountability
Australian Living Map of Alternatives (ALMA) evidence for NSW youth justice programs.
Trace funding flows from budget to recipients, contracts, and lobbying connections