Crime prevention schools

The Queensland Government is committed to delivering safety where you live and securing brighter futures for at-risk youth through the establishment of Crime prevention schools. This initiative is part of a broader $50 million investment across 5 years to create 4 new specialised schools that re-engage youth who:

• are in grades 7 to 12
• have disengaged from mainstream education
• are at risk of coming into contact with police
• have needs that cannot be accommodated within a conventional school setting.

Operating under the Special Assistance School model, Crime prevention schools will deliver a program that:

• provides youths with a stronger engagement with education and employment
• secures improvements in wellbeing, resilience and mental health outcomes
• fosters stronger family and community supports
• delivers wraparound support services in conjunction with the education program
• works in partnership with families and communities to build protective factors
• supports youths to achieve positive goals
• takes into account the specific needs of the local community.

The 4 new schools will be located in:

• Townsville
• Gold Coast
• Ipswich
• Rockhampton.

The Men of Business Academy at Southport will operate the first new crime prevention school. Queensland Government funding will enable the academy to cater to students in grades 7 to 10, expanding on its current grade 11 and 12 cohort, from 2026.

Program delivery will commence in 2027 for Townsville, Rockhampton, and Ipswich.