The functions of the Department of Justice included:

• Providing administrative and support services, technical facilities and accommodation to State courts and tribunals;

• Providing support, assistance, advice and counselling to victims of crime;

• Managing adult and juvenile offenders in custody and in the community in a manner consistent with court orders, community standards and preventing crime;

• Providing legal services to Government and its agencies;

• Translating Government policy into laws that are easily understood;

• Providing services to ensure the best interests of people with decision-making disabilities are represented at hearings and to promote and protect their rights in the community;

• Making trustee services available;

• Registering births, deaths and marriages;

• Providing information and support to the Mentally Impaired Defendants Review Board, Parole Board and Supervised Release Review Board;

• Regulating State-based corporate bodies such as Friendly Societies.

On 1 February 2006, the Department of Justice ceased to exist. Two new departments - the Department of the Attorney General and the Department of Corrective Services - have taken over the functions of the Department of Justice.