AYJA is proud to present the revised AYJA National Standards for Youth Justice in Australia (the Standards), which provide a set of aspirational standards of practice for child-centred youth justice services in Australia.

The AYJA Standards for Youth Justice in Australia (2023) voids and supersedes all previous versions of the Standards:

• Australasian Juvenile Justice Administrators Juvenile Justice Standards for Custodial Facilities (1999).
• Australasian Juvenile Justice Administrators Juvenile Justice Standards Part 1 & 2 (2009).
• Juvenile Justice Standards Evidence Guide (2010).
• Juvenile Justice Standards Assessment Framework (2010).

The revised Standards:

• Provide a set of aspirational standards of practice for child-centred youth justice services in Australia.
• Recognise that children and young people are different to adults, with different needs, vulnerabilities and behaviours.
• Acknowledge the need for inclusive services that reflect the cultural and linguistic diversity of Australian communities.
• Promote a consistent, coordinated and best practice national approach to youth justice.

It is hoped that the Standards will promote better outcomes for young people, their families and communities who come into contact with the youth justice system.