The ACT Government is providing more support for community safety through the 2025-26 ACT Budget.

The investment will support ACT Policing’s workforce and infrastructure.

This will ensure police can continue responding to the needs of a growing city and keep the community safe.

The Budget includes funding for the recently agreed Australian Federal Police Enterprise Agreement.

This investment will support salary increases, leave entitlements and allowances for ACT Policing staff, in addition to enabling services.

The Budget provides support for:

• detailed design of critical infrastructure upgrades at Winchester and City Police Stations, including mechanical, electrical, fire and hydraulic systems
• detailed planning and analysis of future police accommodation in the Woden Patrol Zone and a Molonglo Police Station.

The Government will also implement the Sexual Assault Advocate Pilot Program. This was a key recommendation of the Sexual Assault (Police) Review.

The program includes:

• establishing a fourth Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Team within ACT Policing to manage high investigative caseloads
• dedicated sexual assault advocates to support victim-survivors during police engagement
• a new Witness Assistant Scheme officer in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

These reforms will improve support and outcomes for victim-survivors of sexual violence in Canberra.

Strengthening access to justice for vulnerable Canberrans

The ACT Government is investing in practical, targeted justice initiatives.

These will ensure vulnerable Canberrans can continue to access the legal services they need, when they need them.

The 2025–26 ACT Budget is supporting key legal assistance services, justice reform initiatives, and the growing need for responsive support for victims of crime, people on low income, women, First Nations peoples and culturally diverse communities.

These initiatives will strengthen frontline legal services and improve outcomes for people facing disadvantage, hardship or discrimination.

Key measures in the 2025–26 ACT Budget include:

• appointment of a 10th Magistrate to the ACT Magistrates Court, to improve processing times and address growing demand in civil and criminal matters
• additional funding for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions’ Witness Assistance Scheme and to meet the increased demands of an expanded judiciary
• funding for legal assistance providers, including the Women’s Legal Centre, Canberra Community Law, the Aboriginal Legal Service, and CARE Financial Counselling
• investment in the ACT Human Rights Commission, to continue the Intermediary Program, which provides targeted services for vulnerable complainants, witnesses and accused persons in the criminal justice system.
• support for Legal Aid ACT’s services across a number of programs
• additional funding for the Victims Services Scheme and Financial Assistance Scheme administered by Victims Services ACT
• implementation of a sexual assault advocate pilot program to support victims’ access to specialist services, and conducting of investigations in a more victim-centric and trauma-informed way
• support for the ACT Government Solicitor’s Office to meet increased demand for legal advice under the Human Rights Act 2004. A new regulatory prosecution function will also strengthen enforcement and compliance across government
• funding to enhance the Coroner’s Court with increased resourcing to manage caseloads. It will also support efficient and sensitive handling of matters that often involve vulnerable individuals and families.