← Youth Justice
State Deep DiveQLD

Queensland Youth Justice

Queensland has the highest First Nations overrepresentation (26x) and remand rate (86%) in Australia. $3.5B spent over 10 years with 317 children detained on an average day. This report maps who gets funded, what evidence exists, and who has political connections.

Justice FundingALMAHansardAccountability Tracker
$1.1B
QLD Youth Justice Funding
317
Avg Daily Detention
26x
First Nations Overrepresentation
99%
Evidence Coverage

Key Outcomes

AIHW Youth Justice 2023-24 & ROGS 2026 data.

5.1
Detention rate per 10K
317
Avg daily detention
86%
Unsentenced (remand)

Detention rate per 10,000 young people

MetricQLDNSWVICWANTNational
Detention rate (per 10K)5.13.61.44.2173.4
Avg daily detention31720012014562950
Indigenous overrepresentation26x22x14x24x5x17x
% unsentenced (remand)86%72%65%78%80%75%
Cost per day (detention)$2,162$3,200$7,123$2,573$4,800$3,635
5-year trend+53%+86%+37%-10%0%+19%
Sources: AIHW Youth Justice in Australia 2023-24, ROGS 2026 Table 17A.

Where the Money Goes (ROGS)

Productivity Commission ROGS 2026 — 10-year expenditure breakdown.

54%
Detention-based
$1.9B
43%
Community-based
$1.5B
3%
Group conferencing
$101.4M
DetentionCommunityConferencing

Funding by Program

Community and Youth Justice Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Services1,026 grants$279.1M691 orgs
Young People1,821 grants$224.3M326 orgs
YouthLink16$13.1M
Youth Housing and Reintegration Service Including After Care Service (Inala)9$10.4M
Youth Housing and Reintegration Service including After Care Service (Townsville)9$8.9M
Youth Housing and Reintegration Service including After Care Service (Toowoomba)9$7.9M
Youth Housing and Reintegration Service including After Care Service (Rockhampton)9$7.8M
Anglicare Youth Support Program19$5.6M
TAIHS Youth Support Services (TYSS)ACCO15$5.2M
Regional Youth Support Service15$4.8M
Youth Support Program18$4.4M
Indigenous Youth ServiceACCO8$4.2M
ATSICHS Youth ServiceACCO4$4.2M
Youth Empowering Strength (YES) ProgramACCO13$4.1M
Young People's Kinnections17$4.1M
Hervey Bay/ Maryborough Youth Housing and Reintegration Service including After Care Service (YHARS)8$3.7M
Indigenous Youth Health ServiceACCO3$3.5M
Western Region Youth Service14$3.2M
KYC - Youth Access Moreton Bay Initiative - (YAMBI)11$3.1M
South Burnett Youth Services (FUSION)18$3.0M
ASPIRE - Townsville17$2.7M
Roseberry Community Services Limited - Branch Out19$2.4M
QYS - Mount Isa Youth Housing and Reintegration Support Service6$2.3M
Youth Engagement and Linkage Service - YELS11$2.2M
YIRS Integrated Support Service19$2.2M
Aurukun Youth Support Service24$2.0M
Fraser Coast Youth Support Service15$2.0M
ICYS - Regional Youth Support Service (Lockyer and Somerset)12$1.8M
ICYS - Ipswich Youth Support Service9$1.7M
Jabiru Communities Team - Youth Support Services17$1.7M
Circles of Support - Youth Service11$1.7M
Youth Engagement and Linkage Service (YELS)8$1.6M
Community, Youth Justice Services and Women432 grants$176.9M432 orgs
Community & Youth Justice Services & Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Services445 grants$160.6M445 orgs
Social Services67 grants$150.6M33 orgs
General Goods and Services415 grants$28.2M138 orgs
Young Offender Support Service111 grants$24.2M49 orgs
Young Adults Exiting the Care of the State161 grants$23.9M56 orgs
Bail Support Service51 grants$16.7M34 orgs
Young Adults Exiting the Care of the State — Service Procurement61 grants$11.0M22 orgs
Bail Support Program28 grants$10.7M15 orgs
Young People in Residential Aged Care25 grants$4.4M14 orgs
Kickstarter Grants28 grants$3.8M28 orgs
YJ_CON_10592 South West Bail Support Service 400483 FS1 grants$2.6M1 orgs
YJ_CON_10562 Cairns and Yarrabah Youth Bail Support Service (CYYBSS) FS1 grants$2.5M1 orgs
General Goods & Services72 grants$2.4M50 orgs
Youth Justice Family Led Decision Making trial10 grants$2.0M5 orgs
Youth Offender Support Service8 grants$2.0M6 orgs
Flexible Respite for young People71 grants$2.0M37 orgs
Intensive Bail Initiative2 grants$1.9M2 orgs

Top Funded Organisations

OrganisationGrantsTotal
Lifeline Community Care3$30.1M
Relationships Australia (Qld)4$25.5M
The Corporation of the Synod of the Diocese of Brisbane7$21.6M
Mission Australia6$20.1M
The Ted Noffs Foundation4$16.6M
Life Without Barriers26$16.6M
Shine For Kids Limited2$13.3M
YouthLink16$13.1M
UnitingCare Community1$12.7M
Bridges Health & Community Care Ltd6$12.2M
Youth and Family Service (Logan City) Inc4$11.4M
Australian Red Cross Society4$10.8M
Youth Housing and Reintegration Service Including After Care Service (Inala)9$10.4M
Save The Children Australia11$9.4M
Wesley Mission Brisbane4$9.4M
Youth Housing and Reintegration Service including After Care Service (Townsville)9$8.9M
Palm Island Community Company Ltd4$8.7M
Abused Child Trust Inc3$8.7M
Anglicare North Queensland Ltd4$8.4M
ACT for Kids2$8.2M
Centacare Townsville4$8.2M
Youth Housing and Reintegration Service including After Care Service (Toowoomba)9$7.9M
Youth Housing and Reintegration Service including After Care Service (Rockhampton)9$7.8M
South Burnett CTC Inc4$7.7M
Micah Projects Inc4$7.7M
Murri Watch Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Corporation3$7.6M
Dvconnect Ltd4$7.6M
Gallang Place Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Corporation6$7.0M
Domestic Violence Prevention Centre Gold Coast Inc4$7.0M
Queensland Council of Social Service Inc4$7.0M
Roman Catholic Trust Corporation for the Diocese of Townsville4$7.0M
Youth Advocacy Centre Inc10$6.6M
Yumba-Meta Housing Association Ltd4$6.6M
Darumbal Community Youth Service Inc8$6.5M
Fearless Towards Success Ltd1$6.5M
Kurbingui Youth Development Limited3$6.5M
Queensland Youth Services Inc5$6.2M
The Benevolent Society3$5.9M
Local Government Association of Queensland Inc4$5.9M
Anglicare Youth Support Program19$5.6M
Caxton Legal Centre Inc7$5.6M
Youth Insearch Foundation (Aust) Inc1$5.5M
Kokoda Youth Foundation1$5.5M
Yabun Panjoo Aboriginal Corporation1$5.3M
TAIHS Youth Support Services (TYSS)15$5.2M
Cape York Partnerships for Welfare Reform Pty Ltd3$5.2M
Anglicare - Central Queensland Ltd4$5.1M
Corporate Development Services (Aust) Pty Ltd & Wapdas Pty Ltd25$5.1M
Queensland Police Citizens Youth Welfare Association4$4.8M
Coalition on Criminal Assault in the Home (North Queensland) Inc4$4.8M

ALMA Interventions (226)

Deadly Inspiring Youth Doing Good (DIYDG)
Deadly Inspiring Youth Doing Good (DIYDG) Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Corporation
Cultural ConnectionIndigenous-led (culturally grounded, community authority)QLD
QATSICPP (Youth Justice Peak)
Queensland Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak Limited
Community-LedUntested (theory/pilot stage)QLD
Youth Legal Aid Service
Legal Aid Queensland
Wraparound SupportUntested (theory/pilot stage)QLD
headspace National Youth Mental Health Service
Headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation Ltd
TherapeuticPromising (community-endorsed, emerging evidence)QLD
Youth Support Service
Youth Advocacy Centre Inc
Wraparound SupportPromising (community-endorsed, emerging evidence)QLD
Community Youth Response and Diversion (CYRaD)
Queensland Department of Youth Justice
DiversionPromising (community-endorsed, emerging evidence)QLD
Inspire Youth and Family Services
Inspire Youth and Family Services Inc
TherapeuticPromising (community-endorsed, emerging evidence)QLD
ICYS Ipswich Community Youth Service Inc.
Wraparound SupportPromising (community-endorsed, emerging evidence)QLD
Youth Justice Sunshine Coast and Central Region
Queensland Department of Youth Justice
Wraparound SupportPromising (community-endorsed, emerging evidence)QLD
Youth Justice South West Region
Queensland Department of Youth Justice
Wraparound SupportPromising (community-endorsed, emerging evidence)QLD
Youth Justice South East Region
Queensland Department of Youth Justice
Wraparound SupportPromising (community-endorsed, emerging evidence)QLD
Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs Child Safety Services
Cultural ConnectionUntested (theory/pilot stage)QLD
Youth Justice North Queensland Region
Queensland Department of Youth Justice
Wraparound SupportPromising (community-endorsed, emerging evidence)QLD
Gold Coast Project for Homeless Youth
Gold Coast Project For Homeless Youth Inc
Wraparound SupportUntested (theory/pilot stage)QLD
WMQ Youth Support Services
Regional Youth Support Services Inc
Wraparound SupportUntested (theory/pilot stage)QLDEagleby
YouthLink
YFS Ltd
Wraparound SupportUntested (theory/pilot stage)QLDSlacks Creek
Townsville Community Justice Group
Townsville Community Justice Group Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Corporation
Cultural ConnectionUntested (theory/pilot stage)QLD
Cherbourg Justice Reinvestment Project
Gindaja Treatment and Healing Indigenous Corporation
Justice ReinvestmentPromising (community-endorsed, emerging evidence)QLD
Justice Reform Office (JRO)
DiversionPromising (community-endorsed, emerging evidence)QLD
Youth Support Service
Community-LedUntested (theory/pilot stage)South East QueenslandQLD
Safe and Supported Youth Advisory Group
Community-LedPromising (community-endorsed, emerging evidence)NationalQLD
Stronger Community Justice Group (CJG)
Cultural ConnectionUntested (theory/pilot stage)QLD
Mornington Island Youth Service
Mission Australia
Cultural ConnectionUntested (theory/pilot stage)QLDWellesley Islands
Mission Australia (Townsville Youth Foyer)
JESUIT MISSION AUSTRALIA LIMITED
Wraparound SupportUntested (theory/pilot stage)QLD
Community Justice Groups (CJGs)
Stronger Community Justice Group (CJG)
Cultural ConnectionPromising (community-endorsed, emerging evidence)QLD

Evidence Coverage

223 of 226 interventions have formal evidence99%
223 with evidence3 without evidence
InterventionTypeEvidenceMethod
Lamberr Wungarch Justice GroupWraparound SupportGap
Queensland youth partnership initiativePreventionGap
Youth Justice Far North Queensland RegionWraparound SupportGap
Adam Wenitong Youth Response ProgramCommunity-LedYesMeta-analysis of 47 Australian mentoring programs
Anglicare Youth Support ProgramWraparound SupportYesMeta-analysis of 47 Australian mentoring programs
Archdiocese of Brisbane Youth & Family ServicesFamily StrengtheningYesReview of 38 family-based intervention programs
Aruma Interchange Youth ProgramsWraparound SupportYesMeta-analysis of 47 Australian mentoring programs
Aurukun Youth Support ServiceWraparound SupportYesMeta-analysis of 47 Australian mentoring programs
Australian Youth Mentoring NetworkCommunity-LedYesMeta-analysis of youth mentoring programs in justice context
BABI Youth Drop-InCommunity-LedYesMeta-analysis of 47 Australian mentoring programs
Banana Shire Youth ServiceCommunity-LedYesMeta-analysis of 47 Australian mentoring programs
Beaucare Community Youth ServiceWraparound SupportYesMeta-analysis of 47 Australian mentoring programs
Beyond DV Youth ProgramWraparound SupportYesMeta-analysis of 47 Australian mentoring programs
BG Fit Youth Health & FitnessPreventionYesAnalysis of 35 sport-based youth development programs
Brisbane Housing Company Youth Transitional HousingPreventionYesAnalysis of 22 transitional housing and supported accommodation programs
Brisbane Youth Detention CentreDiversionYesMeta-analysis of 47 Australian mentoring programs
Brisbane Youth ServiceWraparound SupportYes
Brisbane Youth ServiceWraparound SupportYes
Brisbane Youth Service IncWraparound SupportYesMeta-analysis of 47 Australian mentoring programs
Cairns Youth FoyerWraparound SupportYesMeta-analysis of 47 Australian mentoring programs
CALD Youth Soccer Program for a Safer TownsvillePreventionYesMeta-analysis of 47 Australian mentoring programs
CentacareCQ Youth Support ServiceCommunity-LedYesMeta-analysis of 47 Australian mentoring programs
CentacareNQ Normanton Youth ServiceWraparound SupportYesMeta-analysis of 47 Australian mentoring programs
Central Burnett Youth ServiceWraparound SupportYesMeta-analysis of 47 Australian mentoring programs
Charleville Youth Support ProgramWraparound SupportYes
Cherbourg Justice Reinvestment ProjectJustice ReinvestmentYes
Chinchilla Youth Connect ServiceWraparound SupportYesMeta-analysis of 47 Australian mentoring programs
Circles of Support - Youth Service (Gympie)Wraparound SupportYesProgram description outlining service delivery model including individual and group support, case management, and community connection facilitation
Circles of Support - Youth Service (Sunshine Coast)Wraparound SupportYesMeta-analysis of 47 Australian mentoring programs
Cleveland Youth Detention CentreDiversionYesMeta-analysis of 47 Australian mentoring programs

Funding by LGA

Funding by LGA

SEIFA 1-3 SEIFA 4-6 SEIFA 7-10
LGAOrgsTotal FundingSEIFA Decile
Brisbane226$352.4M1
Townsville27$68.1M2
Cairns45$66.4M3
Livingstone23$59.2M3
Moreton Bay45$33.2M1
Gold Coast49$29.5M3
Toowoomba30$23.7M2
Scenic Rim18$15.9M2
Mackay18$15.0M1
Carpentaria14$14.9M1
Sunshine Coast35$14.5M3
South Burnett2$13.3M2
Ipswich14$11.8M1
Douglas11$10.7M1
Tablelands12$8.8M1
Logan25$7.5M1
Charters Towers9$7.1M2
Redland20$6.0M1
Western Downs5$4.1M1
Whitsunday5$3.4M2

Community-Controlled Funding Gap

Community Controlled
$115.5M
141 orgs, avg grant $331K
Non-Indigenous
$935.9M
1155 orgs, avg grant $228K

Funding by Remoteness

RemotenessOrgsTotalGrants
Major Cities of Australia738$655.6M2,581
Outer Regional Australia224$188.1M782
Inner Regional Australia223$150.8M736
Very Remote Australia46$24.0M201
Remote Australia37$23.8M135

Revolving Door

QLD youth justice organisations with multiple influence vectors (donations, contracts, lobbying, funding).

OrganisationScoreVectorsDonatedContractsFunded
Life Without Barriers184$39K$1.6B$21.7M
Central Queensland University164$1.3M$8.5M$536K
Mission Australia163$0$400.6M$22.8M
The Smith Family163$0$27.6M$492K
Griffith University153$1.5M$82.8M$1.4M
CALLIDE ENERGY PTY. LTD. (86 082 468 746)143$110K$140.4M$104K
The University Of Queensland133$2.3M$344.7M$240K
Community Solutions Group Ltd112$0$10.2M$2.9M
The Benevolent Society112$0$320.2M$5.9M
LiveBetter Services Limited112$0$18.7M$774K

Political Connections

QLD Hansard Mentions

AsifALPSandgate2026-03-04
I also rise to speak on the motion of condolence for Raymond Hollis. Raymond Hollis was born in London on 30 January 1940 and came to Australia as a merchant seaman in 1962. Before entering politics, Ray worked as a railway worker, a farmhand, a gallery boy, a cook, a paper mill operator, a steward ...
Miles3.08 pm2026-03-04
My question is to the Minister for Health. Queensland Health workers join us in the gallery today. On their behalf, I table their invoices for services provided beyond their base scope. > Tabled paper : Bundle of documents titled ‘United Workers Union, Invoices’ [ 265 ]. 442 Questions Without Not...
MarrLNPThuringowa2026-03-04
I am very keen to speak on the amendment moved by the Minister for Police. For 10 long years, families in my electorate and across North Queensland have lived in fear. Opposition members interjected. Ms MARR: They will continue to talk across there, Mr Speaker, because they do not want to hear t...
KatterKAPTraeger2026-03-04
I present a bill for an act to amend the Criminal Code for particular purposes. I table the bill, the explanatory notes and a statement of compatibility with human rights. I nominate the Justice, Integrity and Community Safety Committee to consider the bill. > Tabled paper : Criminal Code (Defence...
JamesLNPBarron River2026-03-04
The cheese has well and truly fallen off the cracker over here. They are now accusing our police of fudging figures. I rise to support the amendment to the motion. Across Far North Queensland there is a simple expectation that families share; that is, that people want to feel safe in their homes. Th...
HuttonLNPKeppel2026-03-04
In the Jewish Holocaust Museum, a poem adorns the wall. It says—
In the Jewish Holocaust Museum, a poem adorns the wall. It says— > First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a communist; > Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist; > Then they came for the trade unionists, and I ...
Miles10.46 am2026-03-03
My question is to the Minister for Police. It has been reported today that the Crisafulli government has been misreporting and fudging the number of child victims of assault since April. Considering this is the second time the LNP has been caught with incorrect victim numbers, what other changes to ...
Deputy SpeakerMr Krause2026-03-03
Member for Woodridge, it has been brought to my attention that in your MPI you used language akin to that which has been ruled in the past to be unparliamentary. I would ask if you could withdraw, please. Mr DICK: I withdraw. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Woodridge. I appreciate that....
BoydALPPine Rivers2026-03-03
Hate speech is always unacceptable. No hate speech should ever be tolerated in a thriving democracy like ours. National protection should continue to be defended, and governments at all levels should act to do all they can to promote and protect cohesive, kind, accepting and tolerant communities. ...
Deputy SpeakerMr Krause2026-03-03
Thank you, Manager of Opposition Business. I will keep an eye on that. I appreciate your advice.
Thank you, Manager of Opposition Business. I will keep an eye on that. I appreciate your advice. Mr BLEIJIE: That is why he cannot take action against the member for Cairns. I was in here during his 10-minute speech. He has an anti-Semite sitting behind him and he did not mention it once. For 10 m...
Deputy SpeakerMr Lister2026-03-03
I take your point. It is not inappropriate to canvass issues associated with this bill, but the peculiarities of our respective party rooms or caucuses do not feature in this bill, so I would ask you to return to relevance, member for Algester. Ms ENOCH: Thank you for your guidance, Mr Deputy Spea...
PooleLNPMundingburra2025-12-10
I rise in support of the amendment moved by our police minister, Dan Purdie. Every sworn Queensland police officer remembers where they were on that terrible day when they heard the devastating news of the deaths of Constable Rachel McCrow, Constable Matthew Arnold and neighbour Mr Alan Dare. Every ...
RussoALPToohey2025-12-10
I rise tonight to speak about what we have heard in relation to the Energy Roadmap and to address the LNP government’s energy policy. Queensland once led the charge towards a clean energy future: 50 per cent by 2030, 70 per cent by 2032 and 80 per cent by 2035. Under Labor these targets were locked ...
Miles2.49 pm2025-12-10
My question is to the Minister for Health. Nurses and midwives have told the opposition there has been a reduction in the number of nursing and midwifery graduate positions for the 2026 intake. Is it the case that the health minister is slashing the number of new graduate nursing and midwifery posit...
PowerALPLogan2025-12-10
I rise to support the opposition’s Greenhouse Gas Storage Amendment Bill 2025. Firstly, I want to express my real disappointment that debate on this bill and discussion on carbon capture and storage has been cut short by the government—and not only is it cut short but also, as it is joined to the de...
Berkman8.42 pm2025-12-10
I move amendment No. 1 circulated in my name—
I move amendment No. 1 circulated in my name— > 1Clause 1 (Short title) > Page 8, lines 4 and 5, ‘Energy Roadmap Amendment Act 2025’— > omit, insert — > Propping Up Coal and Delaying Renewables Amendment Act 2025 I table the explanatory note to my amendment. > Tabled paper: Energy Roadmap Ame...
Miles10.17 am2025-12-09
My question is to the Treasurer. Premier Crisafulli said—
My question is to the Treasurer. Premier Crisafulli said— > ... taxpayers’ money being handed over to the big four consulting firms to complete the work of the public service will end. I table a document which shows KPMG have joined WorkCover’s business solutions team and sit alongside public ser...
Deputy SpeakerMr Krause2025-12-09
Pause the clock, please.
Pause the clock, please. Mr STEVENS: The member used unparliamentary language. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I will seek some advice about that. Ms FARMER: I withdraw, Mr Deputy Speaker. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER: I accept the withdrawal from the member for Bulimba. Ms FARMER: They said that teachers were be...
Deputy SpeakerMr Krause2025-12-09
Member for Waterford, I ask you to please enlighten the House as to how this is relevant to the motion.
Member for Waterford, I ask you to please enlighten the House as to how this is relevant to the motion. Ms FENTIMAN: I would very happily like to enlighten you, Deputy Speaker. In moving this motion, the Deputy Premier talked at length about the Labor Party state conference. The motion does not ta...
SmithALPBundaberg2025-12-09
I begin, with the indulgence of the House, by welcoming the new member. It is not always this friendly! We will see how the rest of the festive season goes. I want to start with what are very real circumstances that occurred overnight in Bundaberg: the very sad passing of a man believed to be in h...

Federal Lobbying Connections

EntityLobbyistClient
2M Language ServicesAXIOM PUBLIC POLICY PTY LTDOncall Language Services Pty Ltd
AMERICAN EXPRESS AUSTRALIA LIMITED
Apple Pty Ltd
Australian National UniversityDPG Advisory Solutions Pty LtdAustralian National University
Australian National University
AXIOM PUBLIC POLICY PTY LTDAXIOM PUBLIC POLICY PTY LTDOncall Language Services Pty Ltd
Blue Knot FoundationHawker BrittonBlue Knot Foundation
Central Queensland University
Cornerstone Group Australia Pty LtdCornerstone Government RelationsDell Australia Pty Ltd
DELL AUSTRALIA PTY LTDCornerstone Government RelationsDell Australia Pty Ltd
DELL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
DPG ADVISORY SOLUTIONS PTY LTDDPG Advisory Solutions Pty LtdAustralian National University
ERNST & YOUNGPyne and Partners ERNST & YOUNG
ERNST & YOUNGGC Advisory Pty LtdERNST & YOUNG
Etheridge Shire CouncilEtheridge Shire Council
Network Graph
Explore Queensland Youth Justice funding flows

Interactive force-directed graph showing programs, recipients, and evidence links

Open Graph