Amid great media attention, four women and nine children with links to Islamic State have returned from Syria to Australia.

Three of the women were arrested by police after touching down in Melbourne and Sydney on Thursday night. One was charged with terror-related offences after arriving in Sydney, while two were charged with crimes against humanity offences after arriving in Melbourne.

Those cases will be now play out through the courts.

They will all face other challenges, too, with Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett stating some of the group “will be asked to undergo community integration programs, therapeutic support and countering violent extremism programs”.

So-called “de-radicalisation” programs are complex and can differ depending on the age and location of the people involved.

Let’s unpack what happens in these situations, specifically in Victoria and New South Wales, where the women and children have returned to.

Different states, different programs

Each state and territory has different programs with slightly different focuses.

In Victoria, the program is more ideologically focused. It was originally led by the Islamic Council of Victoria in cooperation with Victoria Police and Corrections Victoria.

Since then it has been revised, evaluated and taken over by Victoria’s Board of Imams who continue to work closely with authorities.

It’s a voluntary,........

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