The Directorate is responsible for reviewing and developing policy and legislation across the justice and community safety portfolio.
Our law enforcement regime maintains the public safety and social order of the community.
A variety of organisations and programs come together to identify and respond to crime, safety and justice priorities.
Information about the ways we promote, support and protect rights.
All about the Human Rights Act, how it works and the review process.
FOI gives members of the community a legally enforceable right to access documents held by government.
Access to a range of emergency response information.
Our emergency response framework.
Members of our community who respond in emergencies.
Safety considerations and information for personal and family wellbeing.
How we keep our community safe.
Information about the Infrastructure Safety and Security Grants Program.
Business obligations for safe workplaces.
Keeping ACT Government assets and information secure.
A national approach to security preparedness and planning.
How we keep safe on ACT roads.
The Directorate is responsible for legislation dealing with commercial regulation in the ACT.
In the ACT there are rights and responsibilities that regulate how business owners, their staff and their customers interact.
The Office of Regulatory Services undertakes activities to ensure compliance to regulations.
The Directorate educates the ACT community and industry on regulatory functions and obligations.
The Directorate is responsible to the Attorney-General, the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, the Minister for Workplace Safety and Industrial Relations and the Minister for Corrections.
The Directorate plays a vital role in providing information and advice to the Minister and supporting ACT representation in national fora.
The Directorate's responsibility for government activities of justice administration, rights protection, business regulation and emergency services.
ACT Corrective Services delivers adult correctional and detention services.
ACT Courts and Tribunal deliver justice through sentencing in criminal cases and rulings in civil cases.
The ACT Emergency Services Agency is responsible for emergency management planning and response.
The ACT Government Solicitor provides legal advice and services to the ACT Government and its agencies.
The Legislation and Policy Branch provides policy advice and research services to develop ACT policies and legislation.
The Office of Regulatory Services undertakes registration and business regulation functions.
The Parliamentary Counsel’s Office provides legislative drafting and publishing services for ACT legislation.
Policing services in the ACT are purchased from the Australian Federal Police.
The Security and Emergency Management Branch is responsible for protection and emergency planning for all hazards, including counter-terrorism.
A number of independent statutory agencies are administered under the portfolio umbrella of justice and community safety.
Victim Support ACT provides specialised assistance to help victims of crime participate in the justice process.
The Director of Public Prosecutions provides independent and effective criminal prosecution services.
Elections ACT is responsible for conducting elections and referendums for the ACT.
The ACT Human Rights Commission promotes the human rights and welfare of people living in the ACT.
The Public Advocate protects the interests, rights and dignity of vulnerable people and those with a disability.
The Public Trustee provides independent, professional trustee and asset management services.
The Work Safety Commissioner promotes and educates stakeholders on matters relating to workplace safety in the ACT.
Media information relating to the justice and community safety portfolio.
This section details the ways to contact the Department as well as agency locations.
This section provides access to our searchable database of publications.
Primary responsibility for public sector policy development and service delivery in connection with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT rests with the Department of Disability Housing and Community Services. Specific information can be found on their website.
The Justice and Community Safety Directorate works to provide and improve justice services and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within our community.
Research and evidence from a range of sources provides a consistent message as to the issues and circumstances surrounding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people throughout Australia. Research suggests that the justice system needs to:
The Directorate, on behalf of the ACT Government, has developed a whole-of-government approach for the provision of effective services.
ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Justice Agreement 2010 - 2013Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Law and Justice Services in the ACT – A practical guide
ACT Services include:
The Aboriginal Justice Centre provides practical and emotional support to offenders in the criminal justice system. The Centre works with all justice agencies including ACT Policing, ACT Corrective Services, Victim Support ACT, Youth Justice, Ngambra Circle Sentencing Court, Human Rights Commission and legal services to improve and coordinate services.
An Indigenous courts reference group provides ongoing consultation with the Indigenous community to improve the response to Indigenous offenders and victims. More...
Ngambra Circle Sentencing Court (pdf)
The ACT Ombudsman's office has a dedicated Indigenous Unit that provides assistance when dealing with complaints from Indigenous people and communities.
The Australian Federal Police employs an Indigenous community liaison officer who liaises with the Indigenous community to establish and maintain positive relationships and foster mutual understanding.
ACT Corrective Services has developed a number of initiatives to reduce the number of Indigenous men and women in the criminal justice system. These include:
The Office of Regulatory Services provides a consumer guide to provide Indigenous consumers with information about making purchasing decisions for a range of products in a wide range of situations.
Indigenous Consumer Guide (pdf)
The Commission works as part of the Access to Justice for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Network convened by the Women's Legal Centre. The Network engages with the indigenous community, including consulting the Aboriginal Justice Centre, the Aboriginal Legal Services, Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service and Gugan Gulwan Youth Aboriginal Corporation.
Brochure: Have you been treated unfairly? Recent research
The Restorative Justice Unit undertakes additional activities to support Indigenous youth through the restorative justice process including outreach assessments, home visits, support with travel and community based placements involving culturally appropriate support.
Victim Support ACT offers an Indigenous service delivery plan to meet the needs of Indigenous victims of crime. Victim Support ACT works with the Domestic Violence Crisis Service and Canberra Rape Crisis Centre to provide an integrated support approach to Indigenous people.