Department of Justice
Queensland Budget 2025-26 · Crisafulli Government
As at budget day (2025-06-10)
Key service areas
Budget initiatives
Queensland's increased contribution under the National Access to Justice Partnership, providing legal assistance to vulnerable and disadvantaged Queenslanders including victims of domestic and family violence.
More free legal help for people who cannot afford a lawyer, including in regional and remote areas. This is delivered through the National Access to Justice Partnership between the federal and state governments.
General Government operating, 2025-26 budget year within 4-year total, plus $29.9M per annum ongoing
Upgraded courthouse infrastructure including domestic and family violence improvements, strategic land acquisition, critical remediation and minor capital works.
Safer and more modern courthouses so cases can be heard faster and victims feel protected. The program includes $18.8 million for DFV-related courthouse safety upgrades and new facilities to reduce the court infrastructure backlog.
Capital, total over 5 years across multiple courthouse programs
Funding to maintain operational capacity, reduce major crime DNA backlogs and conduct historical case reviews, plus essential infrastructure upgrades.
Faster and more reliable forensic testing means criminal cases are resolved sooner. The investment in Forensic Science Queensland covers operational capacity, historical case reviews, and an independent review of DNA testing operations.
General Government operating ($18.1M) and capital ($2M) in 2025-26. Future resourcing subject to independent review outcomes. Amount includes both operating and capital.
Commission of Inquiry into Queensland's child safety system to identify systemic failures and recommend reforms.
An independent inquiry examining what is going wrong in Queensland's child safety system. The Commission of Inquiry will make recommendations to improve how vulnerable children are protected, while the $661 million child safety placement boost addresses immediate capacity shortfalls.
General Government operating, over 2 years from 2025-26
Forward estimates
Year-by-year allocations for 3 measures with published forward profiles.
| Measure | 2025-26 | 2026-27 | 2027-28 | 2028-29 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Access to Justice Partnership | $25.8M | $28.2M | $29.0M | $29.9M | $112.9M |
| Forensic Science Queensland | $20.1M | — | — | — | $20.1M |
| Commission of Inquiry into the Child Safety System | $12.1M | $7.6M | — | — | $19.7M |
| Total | $58.0M | $35.8M | $29.0M | $29.9M | $152.6M |
Performance metrics
Service standards from the Service Delivery Statement. Targets and actuals as published.
| Metric | Prior target | Actual | Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 | |
| Backlog indicator — Supreme Court — Criminal | <5% | 9.3% | <5% |
| Backlog indicator — Supreme Court — Civil | <10% | 13% | <10% |
| Backlog indicator — District Court — Criminal | <15% | 18.2% | <15% |
| Backlog indicator — District Court — Civil | <10% | 15.5% | <10% |
| Backlog indicator — Coroners Court | <25% | 43.5% | <25% |
| Backlog indicator — Land Court and Tribunals | <5% | 2.3% | <5% |
| Backlog indicator — Magistrates Court — Criminal | <15% | 14.9% | <15% |
| Backlog indicator — Magistrates Court — Civil | <10% | 10.5% | <10% |
| Backlog indicator — Childrens Court — Criminal | <15% | 14.7% | <15% |
| Backlog indicator — Childrens Court — Child protection | <15% | 32.2% | <15% |
| Clearance rate (finalisations/lodgements) — all Queensland courts | 100% | 98.7% | 100% |
| Overall client satisfaction with Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal | >50% | 58% | >50% |
| Average cost per hour of Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal operations | $63 | $63 | $65 |
| Rate of final child protection orders made by the Childrens Court when determining DCPL child protection applications (per cent) | 99% | 99.9% | 99% |
| Clearance rate (finalisations/lodgements) per cent of applications for child protection order | 100% | 77% | 100% |
| Average number of child protection applications made per DCPL Applicant Lawyer | 116 | 127 | 116 |
| Overall client satisfaction with services provided (feedback rating 1-5) | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Average revenue earned per day, per professional author (lawyer) | $1,490 | $1,490 | $1,490 |
| Conviction rate of defendants who are prosecuted on indictment by the ODPP | 85% | 89% | 85% |
| Percentage of indictments signed from committal within 4 months or under | 60% | 62.4% | 60% |
| Percentage of indictments signed from committal within 4 months — 6 months | 40% | 37.6% | 40% |
| Average number of indictments signed per Crown Prosecutor | 56 | 51 | 56 |
| Average time to process online blue card applications (where no police or other relevant information is returned) (days) | 5 | 2 | 5 |
| Total system cost per blue card application finalised year-to-date | $112 | $108 | $112 |
| Total system cost per disability worker screening application finalised year-to-date | $155 | $169 | $167 |
| Percentage of conciliated consumer complaints finalised with a positive outcome | 80% | 83% | 80% |
| Percentage of licensees found to have resolved identified issues of non-compliance at follow-up visit | 85% | 86% | 85% |
| Percentage of Gambling Help clients who report that counselling has helped resolve their gambling problem | 88% | 92% | 88% |
| Average cost of provision of occupational licensing services | $76 | $74 | $78 |
| Percentage of guardianship decisions made in consultation with the client | 80% | 97% | 80% |
| Average cost per hour of Office of the Public Guardian operations | $75 | $72 | $77 |
| Average cost per record to manage and maintain the Queensland State Archives collection | ≤$5 | $4.85 | <$5 |
| Average time to register life events (days) — Births | 4.5 | 3.2 | 4.5 |
| Average time to register life events (days) — Deaths | 3 | 2.5 | 3 |
| Average time to register life events (days) — Marriages | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Average time to register life events (days) — Change of name | 4 | 3.9 | 4 |
| Average time to issue life event certificate (days) | 4.5 | 4.1 | 4.5 |
| Accuracy of life event registration | 95% | 98% | 95% |
| Average cost per life event registration | $48 | $52 | $57 |
Source: Service Delivery Statement. Prior target and actual are for 2024-25; target is for 2025-26.
Source document
Service Delivery Statement — Department of Justice (PDF)Last updated: 2026-05-26. Factual information from published budget documents.