Better outcomes. Wherever you are. Whoever you are.
Equitable and inclusive outcomes are achieved through understanding and responding to the unique strengths, challenges, and aspirations of diverse communities. This year’s theme recognises place-based, community-driven approaches and solutions to address overrepresentation and diversity in metropolitan, regional, and remote contexts that genuinely reflect lived experiences. This Conference will provide a platform to share what better outcomes look like for young people in the youth justice system, their families/whānau and communities wherever they are and whoever they may be.
Two main sub-themes of this conference will be Weaving the voices of young people into evidence-informed practice
and Leading practice through culture and connection
We empower children and young people by strengthening their resilience, supporting self-determination, building their sense of identity, and deepening their connection to culture. Through a pathway to culturally secure and safe practices, we achieve this by building strong partnerships, addressing the overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, and embracing meaningful co-design practices.
In collaboration with Department of Health SA, the Australasian Youth Justice Administrators (AYJA) will partner with the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science at Swinburne University of Technology to deliver the 6th Australasian Youth Justice Conference: Better outcomes. Wherever you are. Whoever you are.
This three-day conference seeks to bring together policy
contributors, clinicians, legal decision makers, advocates, researchers and
those with lived experience to work together and learn from each other through presentations, keynote addresses, Q & A, and panel discussions.
The conference will be held at the University of Adelaide’s National Wine Centre of Australia. Set in the Adelaide Botanical Gardens, this world-class interpretive and educational centre is situated within walking distance of Adelaide’s CBD.
In addition to this years main theme, X sub-streams for AYJC 2026 are:
- Theme one
- Theme two
- Theme three
- Theme four
- Theme five
These themes will inform presentation steams.
Keynote speakers
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Key dates
Dates below are approximate. Join our mailing list to receive all the important announcements.
Event
Date
Call for papers opens
February
Call for papers closes
March
Registration opens
April
Registrations close
29th September 2026 or before if sold out
Conference
30th September -> 2nd October 2026
Event partners
About the conference organisers
Australasian Youth Justice Administrators
The Australasian Youth Justice Administrators (AYJA) is a collective body of senior government executives from Australian states and territories, and Aotearoa New Zealand, whose purpose is to share information, support the collection of data and research, and promote and maintain national principles, standards and guidelines for youth justice.
Each year AYJA commissions important research and information papers to help build the national evidence base for youth justice policy. AYJA works closely with the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), the Productivity Commission and other research bodies in the development of this work. This includes the delivery of the biennial international youth justice conference.
The Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science
The Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science at Swinburne University of Technology and Forensicare provides academic and clinical excellence in forensic mental health research and practice. We bring together academics, clinicians, researchers and students from a variety of disciplines, including psychology, psychiatry, nursing, social work, law, occupational therapy and epidemiology. Our research, consulting services and professional development and training programs have strengthened the field of forensic behavioural science in Australia and overseas.
Join our mailing list
Stay up to date with all our conference news by joining our mailing list.
Get in touch
Contact the event organisers at ayjc2026@swin.edu.au or +61 3 9214 6222