Operation Newstart

Operation Newstart Victoria is a not for profit charitable institution that enlists the help and support of the Victoria Police and the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.



It is an early intervention program for adolescents between ages 14 and 17 who are deemed to be at significant educational risk, who may be reluctant to attend school on a regular basis, are having difficulty coping within the school environment, are often at risk of expulsion and of not completing their secondary education, and therefore not reaching their full potential while at school.

Some have come to the attention of the Victoria Police.

Students spend a school term with a Police Facilitator and a Teacher Facilitator who, in partnership and together with referring agencies and host schools, provide a multi-layered intervention focusing on the young person's relationship with self, family, school, broader systems and the community.

Activities are used to creatively engage the young person in a process of change. They include outdoor and adventure-based activities, vocational orientation, TAFE taster visits, community service, problem solving, teambuilding and most importantly, therapeutic work with parents, carers and their son or daughter.

There are currently seven Operation Newstart programs in place throughout Victoria.

The secondary colleges provide accommodation for the programs, use of some school facilities where appropriate and an allowance for each participant to provide financial resources to pay for programs.

Facilitators have access to school staff (teachers and SWC's) as well as mental health professionals where available (school psychologists).
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