6th Australasian Youth Justice Conference
30th September - 2nd October
Murrundi - Murray River, SA.
We would like to acknowledge the traditional lands for the Kaurna people and we respect their spiritual relationship with their country. We also acknowledge the Kaurna people as the custodians of the greater Adelaide region and that their cultural and heritage beliefs are still as important to the living Kaurna people today.
Better outcomes. Wherever you are. Whoever you are.
The Australasian Youth Justice Administrators (AYJA) invite you to participate in the 6th Australasian Youth Justice conference.
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 leading practice through culture and connection and weaving the voices of young people into evidence-informed practice.
In collaboration with Department of Human Services 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.
Karta Pintingga - Kangaroo Island, SA
Ikara - Flinders Ranges, SA
In addition to this years main themes, ten sub-themes of focus for AYJC 2026 are:
- Building and retaining safe and stable workforces within frontline operations
- Family-led and community-led practice – what does true co-design look like?
- Storytelling/pūrakau, songlines, healing, and spirit – restoring agency through culturally grounded intervention tools
- Victims of offending -turning the negative into positive change through victim reclamation, young people’s accountability and shared empowerment
- Supporting young people impacted by family, sexual or domestic violence – complexities of addressing young people as both victims and perpetrators
- Contemporary approaches to legislation and reform - pushing practice and working with young people beyond mandate
- Working together to create alternative and effective pathways for young people
- Partnerships and collaboration to navigate complex needs and systems
- Sharing challenges, successful impacts and outcomes in small place-based youth justice services
- Other
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.
Conference venue
This year's conference will be held on the 30th of September to the 2nd of October 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.
Key dates
Event
Date
Call for abstracts opens
16th February, 2026
Call for abstracts closes
30th March, 2026
Registration opens
1st April, 2026
Early bird rates finish
17th August, 2026
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 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.
Acknowledgement from the AYJA Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Māori Advisory Group (IAG)
We as First Nations people of two ancient cultures would like to acknowledge and pay respects to our ancestors and elders whom have passed in spirit and set the path for us here today, those elders and leaders who are with us leading the way, and to our strong fearless young leaders always acknowledging respects to Mother Earth and Father Sky for the proud, rich in beauty, culture we all stand for and represent … we fill this space together in the spirit of our ancestors to improve the lives of our children who are our future. As we continue to connect to our sacred lands, winds, waters and kinships we say thank you and welcome.
“WELCOME to everyone from our family homelands to yours.”
Penned by IAG members Paula McGrady (ACT) and Pele Ware (QLD) 2021
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Get in touch!
Or contact the event organisers at ayjc2026@swin.edu.au or +61 3 9214 6222