OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS (ODPP)

Australians Unified – Attorney‑General’s Portfolio

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) is Australia’s independent national prosecution service. It conducts prosecutions for serious Commonwealth offences, supports victims and witnesses, and ensures justice is delivered fairly, efficiently, and in the public interest.

The ODPP works closely with the AFP, ACIC, state and territory police, and national security agencies to uphold the rule of law and maintain public confidence in Australia’s justice system.

 

OUR ROLE

The ODPP exists to:

  • Prosecute serious Commonwealth criminal offences

  • Provide independent legal advice to law enforcement agencies

  • Support victims and witnesses throughout the justice process

  • Ensure fair, consistent, and transparent prosecution decisions

  • Lead national prosecution standards and legal frameworks

  • Work with courts, police, and intelligence agencies

  • Protect the integrity of Australia’s justice system

The ODPP ensures justice is delivered with fairness, independence, and accountability.

 

OUR STRENGTHS

Legal & Prosecution Strengths

  • Highly skilled prosecutors and legal specialists

  • Strong relationships with AFP, ACIC, and national security agencies

  • Proven capability in complex, high‑profile prosecutions

  • National consistency in prosecution standards

  • Trusted independence and integrity

Sovereign Strengths

  • Independent statutory authority

  • National leadership in prosecution policy

  • Critical role in maintaining public trust in justice

 

Structural Weaknesses

  • Increasing caseload pressures

  • Ageing digital case‑management systems

  • Limited resources for complex, long‑running trials

  • Slow recruitment and onboarding of specialist prosecutors

  • Inconsistent support services across jurisdictions

Operational Weaknesses

  • Rising complexity of cyber, financial, and organised crime cases

  • High emotional toll on prosecutors and support staff

  • Limited victim and witness support capacity

  • Fragmented data sharing with partner agencies

 

OUR THREATS

External Threats

  • Growth in cyber‑enabled and transnational crime

  • Increasingly complex financial crime and fraud

  • Rising trial lengths and court backlogs

  • Public misinformation undermining trust in justice

Internal Threats

  • Workforce fatigue and retention challenges

  • Outdated digital systems

  • Rising operational costs

  • Limited surge capacity for major cases

OUR OPPORTUNITIES

Strategic Opportunities

  • Modernise digital case‑management and evidence systems

  • Strengthen victim and witness support services

  • Expand specialist prosecution capability (cyber, financial crime, terrorism)

  • Improve national data sharing and legal interoperability

  • Enhance training and professional development pathways

Operational Opportunities

  • Recruit and retain specialist prosecutors

  • Improve coordination with AFP, ACIC, and courts

  • Expand community engagement and transparency

  • Strengthen early‑intervention and diversion programs

BETTER INTEGRATION WITH JUSTICE & SECURITY PARTNERS

One national prosecution system

Key Actions

  • Integrated evidence and case‑sharing platforms

  • Joint training with AFP, ACIC, and courts

  • Strengthened international cooperation

  • Shared data and analytics systems

Outcome: A more coordinated, mission‑ready justice network.

 

5. A FAIRER, MORE TRUSTED JUSTICE SYSTEM

Protecting victims, communities, and the rule of law

Key Actions

  • Expanded victim and witness support

  • Community education and transparency

  • Early‑intervention and diversion programs

  • Public reporting and accountability

Outcome: A justice system that is fair, transparent, and trusted.

THE FUTURE‑READY ODPP

A national blueprint for fair, modern, independent prosecution services

 

1. FASTER, MORE EFFECTIVE PROSECUTION SYSTEMS

Strengthening national justice capability

Key Actions

  • Modern digital case‑management systems

  • Faster evidence processing

  • Improved legal advice pathways

  • Strengthened coordination with AFP & ACIC

Outcome: A more agile, efficient prosecution system.

 

2. STRONGER SOVEREIGN PROSECUTION CAPABILITY

Building Australian capability for justice and accountability

Key Actions

  • Specialist prosecution teams (cyber, financial crime, terrorism)

  • National legal training and development

  • Strengthened legal frameworks

  • Enhanced oversight and governance

Outcome: A more resilient, justice‑focused national system.

 

3. A MODERN, RESILIENT ODPP WORKFORCE

Supporting the people who deliver justice

Key Actions

  • Workforce wellbeing and retention programs

  • Specialist legal training pathways

  • Diversity and inclusion initiatives

  • Modern tools and digital systems

Outcome: A strong, supported ODPP workforce.

 

7‑TILE VERTICAL STRATEGIC ROADMAP POSTER — ODPP

 

TILE 1 — TITLE TILE

OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS

Strategic Roadmap Future‑Ready ODPP: Justice, Integrity & Accountability Colour: Deep Navy

 

TILE 2 — PHASE 1: FOUNDATION (Years 1–2)

Stabilise & Strengthen Core Systems

  • National prosecution system audit

  • Priority upgrades to case‑management systems

  • Faster recruitment of prosecutors

  • Governance and compliance uplift

  • Evidence‑handling improvements Delivers: Faster, safer prosecution processes Colour: Sage Green

 

TILE 3 — PHASE 2: ACCELERATION (Years 2–4)

Expand Capability & Modernise Operations

  • Specialist prosecution teams

  • Digital evidence and analytics tools

  • Strengthened victim support

  • National training programs

  • Improved partner integration Delivers: Better integration with justice partners Colour: Blue‑Grey

 

ODPP YEARLY COSTING MODEL

Baseline + Uplift Investment Model (Matching ACIC Style)

 

BASELINE FUNDING (Already Provided)

  • Core annual ODPP budget: ~$0.38B

  • Witness & victim support programs: ~$0.06B

  • Legal operations & court services: ~$0.08B

Total Baseline Funding: ~$0.52B per year

 

PHASE 1 — FOUNDATION (Years 1–2)

Additional Annual Uplift: $0.45B – $0.60B Total Annual Operating: $0.97B – $1.12B

2‑Year Uplift Total: $0.90B – $1.20B

 

PHASE 2 — ACCELERATION (Years 2–4)

Additional Annual Uplift: $0.70B – $0.95B Total Annual Operating: $1.22B – $1.47B

3‑Year Uplift Total: $2.10B – $2.85B

 

PHASE 3 — EXPANSION (Years 4–6)

Additional Annual Uplift: $0.90B – $1.20B Total Annual Operating: $1.42B – $1.72B

2‑Year Uplift Total: $1.80B – $2.40B

 

PHASE 4 — FUTURE‑READY (Years 6–10)

Additional Annual Uplift: $1.10B – $1.45B Total Annual Operating: $1.62B – $1.97B

4‑Year Uplift Total: $4.40B – $5.80B

🇦🇺 TOTAL COST — 6 YEARS

  • Uplift: $4.80B – $6.45B

  • Baseline (6 years): $3.12B

Total 6‑Year Investment:

$7.92B – $9.57B

 

🇦🇺 TOTAL COST — 10 YEARS

  • Uplift: $9.20B – $12.25B

  • Baseline (10 years): $5.20B

Total 10‑Year Investment:

$14.40B – $17.45B

TILE 4 — PHASE 3: EXPANSION (Years 4–6)

Grow Sovereign Prosecution Capability

  • National legal data platform

  • International cooperation expansion

  • Community partnerships

  • Legal policy innovation

  • Regional and remote outreach Delivers: Stronger sovereign capability Colour: Sand / Gold

 

TILE 5 — PHASE 4: FUTURE‑READY (Years 6–10)

A Modern, Independent ODPP

  • Smart prosecution technologies

  • Climate‑resilient facilities

  • Integrated national justice ecosystem

  • Continuous legal innovation

  • Fully modernised ODPP estate Delivers: A competitive edge in justice delivery Colour: Deep Teal

 

TILE 6 — PEOPLE & COMMUNITY

Supporting Prosecutors & Australians

  • Workforce wellbeing programs

  • Specialist legal training

  • Community engagement

  • Diversity and inclusion

  • Public trust and transparency Delivers: A strong, supported ODPP workforce Colour: Olive Green

 

TILE 7 — OUTCOME TILE

THE FUTURE‑READY ODPP

  • ✔ Faster, more effective prosecutions

  • ✔ Stronger sovereign capability

  • ✔ A modern, resilient workforce

  • ✔ Better national justice coordination

  • ✔ A fairer, more trusted Australia Colour: Navy + Gold Accent