The Aboriginal Justice Forum (AJF) brings together leaders in the Aboriginal community and the most senior representatives of the Justice, Health and Human Services, and Education government departments and Aboriginal Victoria (within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet). Aboriginal community representation at the Forum includes each of the nine RAJAC chairs as well as senior representatives from a number of key Aboriginal community organisations and peak bodies. The functions of the Aboriginal Justice Forum are to:

  • promote and coordinate the AJA principles and initiatives in the Aboriginal community and across the justice system
  • promote discussion and awareness of Aboriginal justice issues and the identification or development of solutions to address improved justice outcomes for the Aboriginal  community
  • promote increased positive participation of the Aboriginal community in the justice system and AJA
  • promote greater accountability and transparency of the justice system in its relationship with the Aboriginal community
  • promote innovative and best practice approaches to the design, development, implementation and evaluation of AJA3 initiatives and other justice-related programs and services that impact on the Aboriginal community
  • report to the Victorian Government on justice issues impacting on the Aboriginal  community
  • monitor, review and report on the implementation of AJA-related initiatives and other justice-related initiatives that impact on the Aboriginal community
  • monitor, analyse and report on data describing Aboriginal contact with the justice system
  • promote cross-sectoral linkages and partnerships with other Aboriginal based structures in government and the community to tackle Aboriginal disadvantage and over-representation.

The AJF have met more than fifty times in almost 20 years. 

Read more about past Aboriginal Justice Forums

The 63rd Aboriginal Justice Forum held in Frankston (Southern Metropolitan region) – 4 May 2023

The 55th Aboriginal Justice Forum held in the Barwon South West region – 3 December 2019

The 54th Aboriginal Justice Forum held in Healesville (Eastern Metropolitan region) – 18 & 19 July 2019

The 53rd Aboriginal Justice Forum held in the Gippsland region – 14 & 15 March 2019

The 52nd Aboriginal Justice Forum held in Thornbury (Northern Metropolitan region) – 18 & 19 October 2018

The 50th Aboriginal Justice Forum held in Shepparton (Hume region) – 15 & 16 March 2018