Office of the Children’s Commissioner (OCC) Explainer – Youth Diversion

Authors: Office of the Children’s Commissioner
Year: 2025

As you know, 2025 started with significant change for vulnerable children in the Northern Territory.

The Office of the Children’s Commissioner (OCC) has responsibility for promoting, informing and advocating on matters affecting the rights, interests and wellbeing of vulnerable children.

This includes sharing information, reports and data on the experiences and needs of children and young people in contact with or at risk of entry into child protection and the youth justice systems.

One way of doing this is through the publication of OCC Explainers about issues through the Territory context, reflect best practice and the evidence of what works to meet the needs of vulnerable children and young people in contact with these systems.

In light of recent reforms to the youth justice system and increased attention on youth offending, we have attached the first of our Explainer documents – Youth Diversion – for you today.

In 2025, the OCC will be hosting a series of Webinars on key OCC Explainers which bring together experts to discuss current issues, explain what works and showcase good practice.

For more information about these Webinars and how you might be involved, please contact the Strategy & Rights team.

You can find more information about the role of the Children’s Commissioner, the work of the Office and evidence based research on our website occ.nt.gov.au.