The Directorate is responsible for reviewing and developing policy and legislation across the justice and community safety portfolio.
Our law enforcement regime maintains the public safety and social order of the community.
A variety of organisations and programs come together to identify and respond to crime, safety and justice priorities.
Information about the ways we promote, support and protect rights.
All about the Human Rights Act, how it works and the review process.
FOI gives members of the community a legally enforceable right to access documents held by government.
Access to a range of emergency response information.
Our emergency response framework.
Members of our community who respond in emergencies.
Safety considerations and information for personal and family wellbeing.
How we keep our community safe.
Information about the Infrastructure Safety and Security Grants Program.
Business obligations for safe workplaces.
Keeping ACT Government assets and information secure.
A national approach to security preparedness and planning.
How we keep safe on ACT roads.
The Directorate is responsible for legislation dealing with commercial regulation in the ACT.
In the ACT there are rights and responsibilities that regulate how business owners, their staff and their customers interact.
The Office of Regulatory Services undertakes activities to ensure compliance to regulations.
The Directorate educates the ACT community and industry on regulatory functions and obligations.
The Directorate is responsible to the Attorney-General, the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and the Minister for Corrections.
The Directorate plays a vital role in providing information and advice to the Minister and supporting ACT representation in national fora.
The Directorate's responsibility for government activities of justice administration, rights protection, business regulation and emergency services.
ACT Corrective Services delivers adult correctional and detention services.
ACT Courts and Tribunal deliver justice through sentencing in criminal cases and rulings in civil cases.
The ACT Emergency Services Agency is responsible for emergency management planning and response.
The ACT Government Solicitor provides legal advice and services to the ACT Government and its agencies.
The Legislation and Policy Branch provides policy advice and research services to develop ACT policies and legislation.
The Office of Regulatory Services undertakes registration and business regulation functions.
The Parliamentary Counsel’s Office provides legislative drafting and publishing services for ACT legislation.
Policing services in the ACT are purchased from the Australian Federal Police.
The Security and Emergency Management Branch is responsible for protection and emergency planning for all hazards, including counter-terrorism.
A number of independent statutory agencies are administered under the portfolio umbrella of justice and community safety.
Victim Support ACT provides specialised assistance to help victims of crime participate in the justice process.
The Director of Public Prosecutions provides independent and effective criminal prosecution services.
Elections ACT is responsible for conducting elections and referendums for the ACT.
The victims of Crime Commissioner advocates for victims of crime and is responsible for delivering services to victims of crime
The ACT Human Rights Commission promotes the human rights and welfare of people living in the ACT.
The Public Advocate protects the interests, rights and dignity of vulnerable people and those with a disability.
The Public Trustee provides independent, professional trustee and asset management services.
The Work Safety Commissioner promotes and educates stakeholders on matters relating to workplace safety in the ACT.
Media information relating to the justice and community safety portfolio.
This section details the ways to contact the Department as well as agency locations.
This section provides access to our searchable database of publications.
Canberra, as the Nation's capital, is home to many of the national institutions that service the federal system of government and legislation. The ACT is serviced by its own courts.
The Supreme Court which hears the most serious criminal cases, including murder and serious drug offences and civil matters involving amounts of more than $250,000. It also hears appeals from the Magistrates Court and the Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Criminal matters in the Supreme Court may be heard by a judge alone or by a judge with a jury. Civil matters are heard by a judge alone. The Supreme Court also includes the Court of Appeal which hears appeals from decisions of single judges of the Supreme Court. The Court of Appeal generally consists of three judges.
The Magistrates Court deals with less serious criminal cases and civil matters involving amounts of less than $250,000. It also has a number of other jurisdictions such as workers compensation and fair trading matters. The Magistrates Court is presided over by a single magistrate in both criminal and civil matters.
The Childrens Court deals with criminal cases involving defendants under 18 years of age and matters relating to the care of children and young people under the age of 18 years. The Childrens Court is part of the Magistrates Court.
The Coroners Court is responsible for inquiring into the cause and manner of a person's death where a person dies in certain specified circumstances, such as where a person dies by drowning and where there are suspicious circumstances. It also inquires into the cause of fires that destroy or damage property and, if requested to do so by the Attorney-General, it inquires into the cause and origins of a disaster. It operates as part of the Magistrates Court.
The Galambany Court is a specialised court for Aboriginal offenders, within the ACT Magistrates Court.
ACT Courts are administered by the Justice and Community Safety Directorate. Other courts operating in the ACT are administered by the Commonwealth Government.
To find out what happens before, during and after court, visit the Courts' websites.