Investing in early intervention programs

Why this is important

Early intervention programs aim to support people when they first need help, before they reach a crisis point. This not only ensures that people get the help they need but can also avoid the higher costs that come with providing acute services.

Examples of early intervention programs include:

• preventing family violence and supporting victim-survivors 
• supporting children at risk of homelessness or violence 
• youth crime prevention and support for a stable youth justice system 
• student health and wellbeing at schools.

Since 2021–22, the Department of Treasury and Finance's (DTF) Early Intervention Investment Framework has supported $2.7 billion in early intervention initiatives. DTF expects the framework will generate around $3 billion in benefits over the next decade, primarily by reducing demand for government services.

To receive funding under the framework, departments present business cases to DTF that include outcome measures that assess the impact of their early intervention initiatives and estimate avoided costs.

DTF supports departments to develop outcome measures and verifies their estimates. As part of the state budget process, DTF reviews departments' business cases to ensure they align with the framework's aims.

What we plan to examine

We plan to examine if the initiatives funded under the early intervention initiative are evidence-based and are being delivered in a way that enables benefits to be assessed.

Who we plan to examine

Department of Treasury and Finance

Department of Education

Department of Families, Fairness and Housing

Department of Health

Department of Justice and Community Safety