Our Annual Report for 2024-2025 highlighted the following achievements:
This year, 73% of matters were resolved early, either finalised in the Local Court or committed for sentence to a higher court.
This year, 86% of matters in the District and Supreme Courts resolved in a finding of guilt, either by a plea of guilty or verdict of guilty. This is consistent with conviction rates for the previous five years.
A total of 5,300 committal hearings were completed in the Local Court this year.
A total of 1,203 trials were completed in the District Court this year.
A total of 1,653 committals for sentence were completed in the District Court this year.
A total of 43 trials were completed in the Supreme Court this year.
Plea Resolution Callovers are a District Court initiative to facilitate appropriate pleas of guilty being entered before a trial begins. A Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions and appointed Public Defenders review the matters, take instructions and engage in discussions to either resolve matters or attempt to narrow issues, with matters listed before a designated District Court Judge.
Super Callovers result in matters being resolved earlier, resources being saved and trial dates being freed up to list other matters, helping to reduce the backlog of trials.
The ODPP’s Witness Assistance Service continued to provide its vital services to 2,783 new complainants, victims and witnesses and was working with 7,797 active referrals at the end of the year.
The ODPP proudly hosted the inaugural National ODPP First Nations Gathering, an historic event bringing together First Nations employees from prosecution agencies across Australia. This landmark initiative provided a dedicated platform for sharing best practices, cultural insights, and innovative approaches to justice. Participants engaged in meaningful dialogue, reflecting on diverse experiences and expertise from their respective jurisdictions. The gathering fostered deeper understanding, professional growth, and a collective commitment to improving outcomes for First Nations communities within the justice system. Importantly, the event also enabled participants to identify and advocate for shared challenges at a national level, while cultivating a strong network of collaboration that continues to evolve and strengthen beyond the gathering itself.
The ODPP launched its inaugural First Nations Strategy and First Nations Employment Strategy, each serving distinct but complementary purposes in advancing reconciliation and cultural responsiveness.
The First Nations Strategy sets a broad framework for increasing First Nations staff representation, deepening cultural understanding, promoting truth-telling, and embedding First Nations knowledge across the organisation. It reflects our commitment to self-determination, leadership, and improving the experience of First Nations peoples engaging with the ODPP and the justice system.
The First Nations Employment Strategy focuses specifically on creating equitable employment pathways, recruiting and retaining First Nations talent, and supporting career development— particularly for law students aspiring to become Solicitors.