Western Australia Youth Justice Tracker
What did the WA 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
Western Australia detains 145 children on an average day at $2,573/day. First Nations young people are 24x overrepresented in detention. 78% of those detained haven't been sentenced — they're on remand. Detention numbers have decreased 10% 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. 73% 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 WA Compares
Western Australia 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.
WA First Nations Detention Rate Trend
1. Evidence & Accountability
Australian Living Map of Alternatives (ALMA) evidence for WA youth justice programs.
2. Political Context
Political Donations by Funded Orgs
| Donor | Recipient | Total | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Justice and Community Safety | Australian Labor Party (ACT Branch) | $259K | 2004-2005–2004-2005 |
| Department of Justice and Community Safety | Liberal Party of Australia - ACT Division | $195K | 2004-2005–2004-2005 |
Trace funding flows from budget to recipients, contracts, and lobbying connections