Our organisation
Our presence across Queensland
The Queensland Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) employs more than 490 full-time equivalent staff, most of whom work on the front line. This strong workforce allows us to deliver a high-performing prosecution service that upholds justice and serves communities across the state.
We are Australia’s most decentralised prosecution service, with nine offices located in Beenleigh, Brisbane, Cairns, Ipswich, Maroochydore, Rockhampton, Southport, Toowoomba and Townsville. From these offices, we provide services to 45 regional and rural courts across Queensland. Our reach extends from Cape York and Thursday Island in the north, to Mount Isa and Cunnamulla in the west, and down to the Gold Coast and Goondiwindi in the south.
Each office includes a team of crown prosecutors, legal officers, legal administration support staff and victim liaison officers. Our corporate services are based in Brisbane and provide essential support to all metropolitan and regional teams, ensuring we operate effectively and consistently across the state.
Our independence
With the exception of the Director and Deputy Directors of Public Prosecutions, staff of the ODPP are employees of the Department of Justice (DoJ), which also provides administrative support. The ODPP however operates independently when it comes to legal decision making. This independence is critical to maintaining fairness, impartiality, and public confidence in our work.
Director's guidelines
All ODPP legal staff follow the Director's guidelines which provide clear direction on how to manage a matter. These guidelines ensure that decisions are made fairly, consistently and efficiently. They help determine when to commence or end a prosecution, how to conduct court proceedings properly, and how best to support victims and witnesses throughout the legal process. The guidelines emphasise impartiality, transparency, and accountability at every stage.
Delivering a high-performing prosecution service
Legal preparation
We take care to prepare every matter thoroughly, gather and analyse evidence, draft legal documents and plan strategies to present a strong case in court.
Court appearances
We represent the state in a range of courts, from Magistrates and District courts to the Supreme Court, Childrens Court, Mental Health Court, Court of Appeal , and the High Court of Australia.
Victim support
We support victims and witnesses of serious crime by providing clear information about the prosecution process, victims' rights, what to expect in court when giving evidence and referrals to support services. Read more about our victim liaison service.
We understand that the term "victim" is important in how we support and speak with you. Before someone is found guilty in court, the term "complainant" is used when referring to a victim of crime who is giving evidence as a witness. This is because under the law every person is innocent until proven guilty.
Continuous improvement
We’re committed to constantly improving how we work — whether that’s through staff training, adopting new technology, or learning from best practices elsewhere.
Transparency and accountability
We uphold high standards in everything we do. That means clear communication with the public, regular performance reporting and being open to feedback and complaints.
Bringing justice to all parts of Queensland
Ensuring access to justice in rural and remote areas is a major part of our work. Circuit court appearances are essential to this. Our crown prosecutors and support staff regularly travel to Queensland’s 38 District Courts and 11 Supreme Courts for trials, sentences, and hearings throughout the year. By maintaining a strong presence in these circuit courts, we uphold our commitment to delivering consistent and effective prosecutorial services throughout the state.
Preparing for circuit work is a complex task and vital to ensuring every Queenslander has access to justice—no matter where they live. It involves organising travel and logistics, coordinating with local law enforcement, victims, and witnesses, reviewing evidence, and ensuring all necessary documents are ready for court.
Throughout the 2023-24 year, 156 staff spent an equivalent of 2419 days on circuit, with an average of 10 days across 25 different locations situated on the traditional lands of Queensland’s diverse First Nations peoples around Queensland which included:
- Bowen, Giya and Yuru Country
- Bundaberg, Gureng Gureng Country
- Cairns, Yidinjdji Country
- Charleville, Gunggari Country
- Clermont, Wangan Country
- Cunnamulla, Kunja Country
- Dalby, Barunggam Country
- Emerald, Gayiri Country
- Gladstone, Gureng Gureng, Bayali and Gangulu Country
- Goondiwindi, Bigambul Country
- Gympie, Gubbi Gubbi Country
- Hervey Bay, Badtjala Country
- Hughenden, Yirandali Country
- Innisfail, Djirbalngan Country
- Kingaroy, Waka Waka Country
- Mackay, Yuwi Country
- Maroochydore, Gubbi Gubbi Country
- Maryborough, Badtjala and Gubbi Gubbi Country
- Mt Isa, Kalkadoon Country
- Rockhampton, Darumbal Country
- Roma, Mandandanji Country
- Southport, Bundjalung Country
- Thursday Island, Muralag Country
- Toowoomba, Barunggam Country
- Warwick, Bundjalung Country
We aim to make a positive impact on people's lives and create a safer community.
Maryborough Court House