Tasmanian justice system’s $35m IT project delayed again until late 2027
Tasmania’s $35.2 million justice system upgrade has hit another snag, with its key component now delayed until late 2027 despite starting seven years ago.
The key part of a $35.2 million IT project aimed at improving efficiency in the Tasmanian justice system has been delayed again and will not become operational until the end of next year.
The Justice Connect (Astria) project was officially announced in July 2020 by then Attorney-General Elise Archer but work had begun in 2018.
Justice Connect’s implementation was earmarked to coincide with a legislative underpinning, provided by the Magistrates Court (Criminal and General Division) Act 2019.
“The legislative changes will require major improvements in information technology systems for both Tasmania Police and the Magistrates Court,” the Department of Justice annual report said at the time.
When first flagged in parliament in 2019 Ms Archer said Justice Connect was a $24.5 million information technology upgrade and described it as an end-to-end Justice and Corrections technology solution.
“The new solution will replace out dated paper-based and manual procedures [known as CRIMES] across the courts and correctional environment that can cause delays for people interacting with the Tasmanian justice system,” she said.
Just one of the three major streams of the Justice Connect project, Astria Prisons and Corrections (APAC), launched in April 2025, is so far in operation.
The other two streams Astria Victims Courts and Prosecution (AVCAP) and Courts and Prosecutions Management (CAPIM) are yet to begin.
“The anticipated go-live date (CAPIM) is scheduled for late 2027,” a department spokesman said.
In 2023 the Auditor General was critical of the project in a Case Study.
“We found the program to have underestimated the complexity of implementing an ‘end-to-end justice solution’,” the study said.
“One significant factor was the underestimation of the number of staff that would be required. “Subsequently, recruiting, deploying, and retaining the right staff, with suitable experience and qualifications, has been an ongoing issue throughout the program.”
The Auditor General’s report said that the budget for the project was tight from the outset because the vendor had underestimated its costs.
“Overall, the issue of the right people not being in the right roles from the outset has affected the program’s ability to deliver intended outcomes,” Auditor General said.
“We acknowledge that the governance model was modified in March 2023, which facilitated the rectification of some of the issues raised through the adoption of new governance arrangements and revised representation.”
In 2024 the Department, abandoned development of a unique Tasmanian system but sent officers to South Australia to examine their Courts Administration Authority’s Electronic Court Management System (ECMS).
“The Department in conjunction with key stakeholders has determined that the ECMS platform is well suited to the Tasmanian criminal jurisdiction and has made the decision to implement the system in Tasmania,” a Department spoksperson said.
However, ultimately the South Australian system required revision.
“A thorough gap analysis activity has been conducted to identify discrepancies between the South Australian ECMS and the needs of the Tasmanian justice system – for example to take account of legislative and procedural variations,” a Department spokesman said.
“This activity resulted in a refined scope for the remainder of the project to enable implementation in line with that newly refined scope.”
The Department says the project has not yet fully expended its full funding allocation of $35.2 million and a further $2.95 million from the Department’s retained revenues.
“As of November 20, 2025, $34.5 million has been spent.,” a spoksperson said.
“Should additional funding be required to complete the project, the Department will determine the most appropriate way to resource the remaining work.”
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Originally published as Tasmanian justice system’s $35m IT project delayed again until late 2027
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