Justice services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

If you're an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, there are support services to help you and your family if you are:

• going to court
• in custody
• being released from custody.

These programs are provided by Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOs).

Support for families

You and your family may be eligible for support from the Yarrabi Bamirr program if:

• you have contact with the justice system
• you have children
• you have experienced intergenerational trauma.

The program aims to support you and your family’s personal and social wellbeing. The program can help you create a family plan that covers things such as:

• education
• health
• access to justice and community services.

Yarrabi Bamirr is provided by Clybucca Dreaming, Yeddung Mura (Good Pathways) Aboriginal Corporation and Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services. Find out how to get support by visiting their websites or contacting them.

Support to attend the Galambany Circle Sentencing Court

If you need to attend the Galambany Circle Sentencing Court, the court support program can help with:

• transport to and from court
• transport to and from any court-appointed appointments or programs.

You can get support by contacting Yeddung Mura (Good Pathways) Aboriginal Corporation.

Support if you have an outstanding warrant or have breached bail

You may be eligible for support through Front up if you have an outstanding warrant or have breached bail.

The Front up service will:

• provide you with a support person and lawyer
• help you prepare for and attend court.

Where possible, they will act to ensure you aren’t held in custody while the matter is being resolved.

Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT provides the Front up service.

Find out how to get support if you have an outstanding warrant or have breached bail.

Support if you are applying for or on bail

You may be able to get help from the Ngurrambai Bail Support program if you are on bail or applying for bail.

The service can:

• help you prepare for and provide legal representation for your bail application
• provide referrals and other support you need to complete your bail application
• create a care plan for support, treatment, monitoring and supervision during your bail period.

Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT provides the Ngurrambai Bail Support program.

Find out how to get support if you're on, or applying for, bail.

Alternative locations to report for supervision

We have some alternative reporting sites for eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are on a:

• Bail Order
• Parole Order
• Good Behaviour Order
• Intensive Correction Order

You might be eligible to attend one of the sites for your supervision appointment instead of the Community Operations office. The locations are:

• Yeddung Mura Aboriginal Corporation in Fadden. Available on Tuesdays from 10am to 3pm
• Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services in Narrabundah. Available on Wednesdays from 10am to 3pm
• Canberra Alliance for Harm Minimisation and Advocacy (CAHMA) in Belconnen. Available on Fridays between 10am to 3pm

There is a Community Corrections Officer and a Cultural Engagement Officer at each site.

Pilot for bail reporting

We are piloting these alternative supervision reporting sites for eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are reporting for bail. You can apply to report at one of these locations instead of at a police station during your bail application.

The pilot is until the end of 2025.

Support to transition back to living in community

The Yeddung Mura Throughcare Program provides tailored support to help you when you are leaving custody.

It can help you:

• find somewhere to live
• get clothing, food and medicines
• get to appointments
• set up other services such as Centrelink.

Yeddung Mura also provides support programs that can help you:

• re-stablish links to your community and culture
• restore relationships with your family, friends and peers
• manage your own life.

Find out how to get support to transition back to living in the community.

You may also want to join one of Yeddung Mura's many Yarning Circles. There are many different circles dealing with different issues and circles for men and for women only.

Find out how you can join a yarning circle.

Support to heal and reduce trauma

You may be able to join a program to support connection to heal and reduce trauma. This includes:

• yarning circles
• on country programs for young people
• support for women affected by the criminal justice system
• cultural healing for men.

To find out how to get support to heal and reduce trauma, contact the First Nations Justice Branch.