Restorative justice — approaches to crime and conflict that bring together those who have caused harm, those who have experienced harm, and their communities to repair relationships and make things right — represents an alternative to purely punitive criminal justice responses. In Australia, restorative justice practices are increasingly embedded in the formal justice system and supported through grants from government and philanthropy.
Restorative justice asks three questions differently from traditional criminal justice:
- Traditional: What law was broken? Who did it? What should the punishment be?
- Restorative: What harm was caused? Who was affected? What can be done to repair the harm?
Restorative processes include:
- Community conferencing: bringing together offenders, victims, their supporters, and community representatives to discuss the offence and agree on reparation
- Victim-offender mediation: facilitated dialogue between victim and offender
- Circle sentencing: Indigenous-led circles (from Canadian First Nations models, adapted in Australia) involving community in sentencing decisions
- Family group conferencing: adapted for youth and child protection contexts
Youth justice conferencing
Most Australian states have youth justice conferencing systems — diverting young offenders from court through restorative processes:
- Queensland: Youth Justice Conferencing
- New South Wales: Youth Justice Conferencing
- Australian Capital Territory: Restorative Justice Unit
- Victoria: Youth Restorative Justice pilots
These programmes are government-run but contract with community organisations for facilitation and support.
Adult restorative justice
Less developed than youth justice, adult restorative justice is growing:
- ACT Restorative Justice Unit handles adult matters
- Victoria Community Based Orders can include restorative elements
- Some courts pilot restorative approaches in sentencing
Restorative justice aligns closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander approaches to justice and community repair.
Circle sentencing
Circle sentencing involves Aboriginal Elders, community members, victims, and offenders in sentencing discussions — incorporating cultural authority and community accountability.
- Murri Court (Queensland)
- Koori Court (Victoria)
- Nunga Court (South Australia)
- Murri Court (Queensland)
These courts are government-funded but rely on Elder participation and community organisation support.
Night Patrol and community justice
Night patrol programmes — run by Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations — provide community-based responses to alcohol-related disorder, domestic violence, and community conflict:
- Diversion from police contact
- Transport to safety
- Family and community mediation
Justice reinvestment
Justice reinvestment applies resources to community-based solutions rather than incarceration — reducing crime and its consequences by investing in underlying causes. Programmes in NSW (Bourke, Cowra) and elsewhere have generated philanthropy interest.
State courts and justice departments
Conferencing coordinators and restorative justice facilitators are often employed by state justice departments or contracted community organisations. Funding comes through justice and police budgets.
Community Corrections
Community corrections agencies contract with community organisations for support programmes — including restorative elements.
Legal Aid commissions
Legal Aid funds some restorative justice support for victims and offenders navigating the process.
ATSIC / Closing the Gap
Indigenous justice programmes receive specific Commonwealth-State investment through Closing the Gap targets on reducing Indigenous incarceration.
Centre for Innovative Justice (RMIT)
RMIT's CIJ conducts research and advocacy on restorative and innovative justice — some philanthropic support.
Uniting Church, Anglicare
Faith-based organisations support restorative justice as aligned with values of reconciliation and restoration.
Paul Ramsay Foundation
Poverty and justice focus includes justice reinvestment.
Victorian Legal Services Board
Some research and programme funding through the Legal Services Board.
Human rights foundations
Human rights-focused philanthropy supports criminal justice reform — including restorative approaches.
Conferencing facilitation
Training and support for restorative justice facilitators — community organisations contracted to facilitate conferences between offenders and victims.
Victim support in restorative processes
Victims who participate in restorative processes need preparation and support:
- Pre-conference preparation
- Support during the conference
- Post-conference follow-up
Community facilitator training
Building community capacity to facilitate restorative processes — training community members, particularly Indigenous Elders and community leaders, in facilitation skills.
School-based restorative practices
Schools are increasingly using restorative practices to manage conflict and discipline:
- Restorative conversations (instead of suspension)
- Circle processes for community harm
- Whole-school restorative culture development
- Teacher training in restorative approaches
Workplace restorative approaches
Applying restorative principles to workplace conflict and bullying.
Evaluation and research
Research into the effectiveness of restorative justice — victim satisfaction, re-offending rates, community impact.
Evaluation evidence
Restorative justice grant applications benefit from referencing evaluation evidence — particularly for victim satisfaction and recidivism outcomes. The evidence base is positive but contested.
Victim-centred framing
Restorative justice is often framed through an offender rehabilitation lens — but victim satisfaction and empowerment are equally important outcomes. Lead with victim benefit.
Cultural competence
Many restorative justice programmes specifically serve Indigenous communities. Demonstrate genuine cultural competence and Indigenous leadership.
System integration
Show how your restorative programme integrates with the formal justice system — referral pathways from police, courts, and corrections are essential for scale.
Training and quality
Restorative justice requires skilled facilitation — show your training approach, ongoing supervision, and quality assurance.
Tahua's grants management platform supports justice organisations and funders — with programme outcome tracking, conference outcome data, participant journey management, and the tools that help restorative justice providers demonstrate effectiveness and manage grant programmes across the criminal justice system.