Koori Court facts for kids

A Koori Court is a special part of the regular courts in Victoria, Australia. These courts are for Indigenous Australians who choose to have their cases heard there. The main goal of a Koori Court is to help reduce the number of times people reoffend. It does this by involving Elders and other respected community members. They share information about the person's background and suggest sentences that fit their culture.

Koori Courts are the only Indigenous sentencing courts in Australia that handle more serious cases.

What is a Koori Court?

The word Koori is used to describe Aboriginal Australians from the south-east part of Australia. This includes areas like State of Victoria and southern New South Wales.

Koori Courts are special divisions within the Magistrates', County, and Children's Courts in Victoria. They handle specific cases where Aboriginal people have chosen to have their matters heard in a way that includes their community and culture.

Why Were Koori Courts Created?

Koori Courts were started as part of the Victorian Aboriginal Justice Agreement (VAJA). This was a plan between the Victorian Government and the Koori community. The main aim was to reduce the number of Indigenous Australians involved in the justice system. It also aimed to improve how justice works for Aboriginal Victorians.

The idea for these courts came from recommendations made in 1991. The courts also took inspiration from the Nunga Court in South Australia, which started in 1999. Koori Courts were created to help connect Aboriginal community and culture with the Australian legal system. They try to bridge the differences between traditional Indigenous laws and Australia's common law system.

The first Koori Court opened in Shepparton in October 2002. Soon after, more Koori Courts were set up, including one for young people in 2005. A Koori Court for more serious cases (County Koori Court) began in 2009.

How Koori Courts Work

The laws used in Koori Courts are exactly the same as in any other Australian court. However, the way the hearings happen is different. Koori Courts focus on certain types of cases, but they do not handle all kinds of cases.

A Different Kind of Courtroom

In a Koori Court, the magistrate or judge sits at a table with everyone involved. This includes the person whose case is being heard, their lawyers, community Elders, and family members. The language used is simple and easy to understand, not complicated legal talk.

The people involved, like the prosecutor, talk directly with the person about their situation. This helps everyone understand what happened and find the best way forward. The Elders or other respected community members can advise the magistrate. They suggest sentences that are culturally appropriate. They also suggest ways that might help the person avoid reoffending in the future.

How Koori Courts Help

After a trial period, Koori Courts proved to be very helpful in reducing reoffending. For example, in the Shepparton Koori Court, the reoffending rate was much lower than the general rate. These courts have also been successful in making the role of community Elders and family structures stronger.

Where Are Koori Courts Located?

As of August 2025, Koori Courts are located in several places across Victoria:

Other Similar Courts

• Murri Court in Queensland
• Nunga Court in South Australia
• Youth Koori Court in New South Wales