Skip to content

About

Alternative First Responders is a project brought to you by National Justice Project. 

National Justice Project is a cutting-edge human rights law firm fearlessly fighting to end discrimination. The National Justice Project uses strategic litigation to hold institutions and systems accountable for upholding the rights of all people across this nation. A priority of this work has included policing and prison reform. All members of the community should feel safe and respected when interacting with police services. However, police frequently violate the human rights of diverse communities.  

Across conversations, research, advocacy, surveys and feedback there is a growing and positive consensus that in Australia we need a policy and funding commitment for alternative first responders to police. Despite overwhelming support from research and communities, there has been a longstanding failure to commit to alternative first-response models, along with poor funding for health, social, and community support services at all levels of government. 

As a result, police as the current first response is ineffective and fails to meet the diverse needs of the community. This default police-first response causes significant harm to individuals, their families and entire communities. The impact is profound and long-lasting.  Alternative first response models aim to achieve outcomes that connect individuals with their communities, treat people with care and respect, and recognise people as whole beings. These models empower people to make decisions that best meet their individual needs, while securing access to both short-term and long-term support that addresses all aspects of their wellbeing. At the core of these outcomes is a process and approach that rejects punishment or isolation.  

The need for alternative first responders is gaining momentum across the nation, and we have a growing coalition focused on ensuring that the policy approach to alternative first responders is co-designed, place-based, and prioritises community wellbeing, inclusivity, empathy, and safety. 

We are proud to note the following organisations to date have endorsed our position paper on Alternative First Responders:

Justice Reform Iniaitive is alliance of people who share long-standing professional experience, lived experience and/or expert knowledge of the justice system.

Change the Record is Australia’s only First Nations led coalition of legal, health and family violence prevention experts working to end family violence against First Nations women and children and reduce the over-incarceration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

FNAAFV was established as a national peak body in 2012 and works in collaboration with its members from the Family Violence Prevention & Legal Services (FVPLS) sector to increase access to justice for First Nations people effected by domestic, family, and sexual violence – predominantly women and children.

Jumbunna Institute of Indigenous Education and Research are committed to practical innovation and to the development of impact-driven research that benefits industry and the broader Indigenous community, helping shape the world we live in.

National Indigenous Youth Education Coalition backs the voice and agency of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and students to assert our collective rights to education. We are committed to long-term, systemic change to ensure our learning systems are designed for self-determined futures, where young mob feel strong in who they are.

SANE Australia is the leading national mental health organisation for people with complex mental health issues in Australia and for the families and friends that support them.

The Justice and Equity Centre (formerly known as the Public Interest Advocacy Centre) is a leading independent law and policy centre. We help build a fairer, stronger society by tackling injustice and inequality.

Redfern Legal Centre (RLC) is committed to providing integrated and effective responses to the needs of people experiencing disadvantage, and to driving innovation and change within the legal system.

Youth Advocacy Centre (YAC) is a Brisbane-based not-for-profit organisation that has a mission to increase young people’s access to justice, both legal and social.

Social Reinvestment WA are a coalition body, led by Aboriginal leaders, the non-profit sector, experts, and lived experience people; Working collectively for an effective and connected approach to justice in Western Australia

WA Justice Association (WAJA) seeks to reduce incarceration rates and improve outcomes for people coming in contact with Western Australia’s criminal justice system. WA Justice Association hopes to achieve this by effecting law reform and promoting student engagement with NGOs and the legal community.

VMIAC is the peak Victorian organisation for people with a lived experience of mental health or emotional challenges across all of Victoria, supporting consumers in all metro, rural and regional communities. We’re run by consumers, for consumers.

Central Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Unit (CAAFLU) provides culturally sensitive legal and support services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals who have experienced or are currently facing domestic and family violence or sexual assault.

Streetwork believes that VULNERABLE YOUNG PEOPLE should have the same opportunities as their peers: being empowered To achieve their dreams and supported to grow their self-esteem.

Wayside Chapel has provided unconditional love, care and support for people on and around the streets of Kings Cross, and the wider Eastern Suburbs since 1964.

The Shopfront Youth Legal Centre provides free legal assistance for homeless and disadvantaged young people aged 25 and under. We are based in inner Sydney but can also help young people outside this area.

Matthew Morgan is a Lecturer in Criminology and Criminal Justice in the Thomas More Law School at the Australian Catholic University (ACU).

The South Australian Council of Social Service is the peak representative body for the non-government community, social and health sectors.

NPY Women’s council is led by women’s law, authority and culture to deliver health, social and cultural services for all Anangu.

South Australian Network of Drug and Alcohol Services (SANDAS) works to lead and strengthen community responses to the harms caused by alcohol and other drugs.

Sydney Drug and Education Counselling Centre (SDECC) is a not-for-profit organisation providing alcohol and drug counselling services, based on the Northern Beaches and North Shore of Sydney. We specialise in supporting young people aged 12-25 and their families.

Federation of Community Legal Centres (Victoria) leads and supports excellence in the community legal sector, promotes the purpose and value of community legal centres, and advances social justice and a fair legal system.

Subscribe

Join the call for care, not force.

Subscribe and pledge your support. We’re building a movement to re-think the first response – one that puts care, community, diversity and human rights at the centre.

By signing up you are adding your name to the pledge for Alternative First Responders. You’ll receive regular updates about the campaign, ways to get involved and how you can help push for alternative first responders.

* indicates required
Indigenous flags

The National Justice Project acknowledges that we live and work on unceded sovereign Aboriginal land, with our office on Gadigal Country. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and celebrate First Nations’ continuation of a living spiritual, cultural and social connection with the land, sea and sky.

Diversity flag

The National Justice Project is committed to embracing diversity and eliminating all forms of discrimination in the provision of its services. We welcome all people irrespective of ethnicity, disability, faith, sexual orientation and gender identity.

© Alternative First Responders 2025 brought to you by the National Justice Project