Nunga Court facts for kids

The Nunga Court, also called the Aboriginal Sentencing Court, is a special type of court in South Australia. It helps decide sentences for Aboriginal people who have admitted to breaking a law. These courts are found in different places across the state.

The Nunga Court was the first of its kind in Australia, starting in 1999. Other states have since created similar courts. It works within a regular magistrates court but uses a less formal way of deciding sentences. This method involves the community and is more respectful of Aboriginal culture. It can also help connect people with services to help them.

Why the Nunga Court Started

People realised in the 1990s that the usual court system wasn't working well for Aboriginal people. Many Aboriginal people were ending up in jail. This was partly because of difficulties they faced.

The very first Nunga Court opened in Port Adelaide on June 1, 1999. A magistrate named Chris Vass helped start it. He had talked with many Aboriginal people and groups. They felt the justice system was hard to understand and didn't trust it. So, he designed this new court.

The word "Nunga" is a local term for Aboriginal people. It later became part of the court's official name.

At first, there was no special money for the court. But in 1999, funding was given for two Aboriginal Justice Officers. More Nunga Courts were then set up in other towns. These included Murray Bridge in 2001, Port Augusta in 2001, and Ceduna in 2003.

Laws were changed in 2005 and again in 2017 to support how these courts work. The Nunga Court model also helped other states create their own Aboriginal courts. Examples include the Koori Court in Victoria and the Murri Court in Queensland.

What the Nunga Court Aims To Do

The Nunga Court helps bridge cultural differences. It makes it easier for Aboriginal people to understand the law and court rules. It also helps build better relationships between the court and Aboriginal communities.

This can help reduce future problems and lead to better results for people. The court can connect them with health, well-being, and other support services.

The Nunga Court tries to get better results than regular courts. It works within the existing legal system.

Some of the main goals of the Nunga Court include:

• Being more culturally suitable than regular courts.
• Helping to reduce the number of Aboriginal people in custody.
• Encouraging more Aboriginal people to take part in court processes.
• Helping to stop the cycle of Aboriginal people repeatedly breaking laws.
• Involving victims and the community in the court process as much as possible.

How the Nunga Court Works

"Aboriginal Court Day," or Nunga Court, is available at several magistrates courts. These include Port Adelaide, Murray Bridge, Port Augusta, Mount Gambier, Port Lincoln, and Ceduna.

A law called the Sentencing Act 2017 allows for a special meeting before sentencing. This meeting is for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Justice Officer helps with this meeting. They also check if someone can use this court.

In the Nunga Courts, a magistrate gets advice from an Aboriginal Elder or an Aboriginal Justice Officer. First, the prosecutor explains the case. Then, the person who broke the law can speak. Members of the Indigenous community can also speak.

The Elders do not make the final decision. However, they can give advice on sentencing options. This helps make sure the sentence is culturally appropriate.

People from the Aboriginal community, especially Elders or respected community members, take part in the sentencing. The Nunga Court only deals with people who admit they are guilty. It is mostly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The court follows regular criminal law, not traditional Aboriginal law. Taking part in the Nunga Court is a choice for those who are eligible.

In the special meeting, everyone sits at the same level. This includes family members, community members, and sometimes victims. Elders, Respected Persons, and Aboriginal Justice Officers give the magistrate advice. This advice is about cultural or community matters. Elders are usually 60 years or older, and Respected Persons are 40-60 years old.

Other Community Courts

The Nunga Courts are different from the Community Courts in Adelaide and Elizabeth. These Community Courts offer treatment programs as part of the sentencing process. They help Aboriginal people with challenges like health or well-being issues. These programs offer an alternative to jail.

As of August 2025, there are two such community courts:

• Aboriginal Community Court Elizabeth (ACCE), started in April 2017.
• Aboriginal Community Court Adelaide (ACCA), started in August 2019.

Both courts meet once a month. Elders are present, and people who attend are supported by a caseworker. They must agree to take part in treatment to help with the issues that led to their legal problems.

More Support for Aboriginal People in Courts

The Courts Administration Authority also works to make courts more culturally suitable for Indigenous people. There are six Aboriginal Justice Officers and two Youth Aboriginal Justice Officers. They work in many different courts and locations. Special Aboriginal Sentencing Conferences are available in all parts of the state's criminal justice system.

See also

• Aboriginal Community Court in Western Australia (2006–2015)
• Community court (Northern Territory) (2005–2012)
• Koori Court in Victoria (2002–present)
• Murri Court in Queensland (2002–2012, 2016–present)
• Youth Koori Court in New South Wales (2015–present)