The WA Police does not "clear" individuals for employment and licence purposes. All Western Australian residents are eligible to apply for a National Police Certificate and a Record of Traffic Infringement Notices.
National Police Certificate
A National Police Certificate, or NPC, lists an individual’s criminal and traffic court outcomes, and pending charges that are deemed disclosable at the time of application. The certificate is used by many employers and licensing bodies as part of their screening purposes.
Click here for more information.
State Traffic Certificate
As of 1 July 2012, the WA Police ceased the supply of traffic convictions on the State Traffic Certificate. To align with other Australian jurisdictions, an individual’s traffic conviction history is now disclosed as part of a National Police Certificate. Find out more about National Police Certificates.
The WA Police will continue to provide a certificate containing a Record of Traffic Infringement Notices.
Record of Traffic Infringement Notices
A Record of Traffic Infringement Notices is a five year record of infringements resulting from red light cameras, fixed speed cameras, multi novas and hand written notices issued by WA Police.
How to apply
You must apply in person at your local police station or the WA Police Information Release Centre and provide suitable identification.
Download the application form and instructions for submitting your application
Spent Conviction Applications
Having a conviction declared spent effectively limits the disclosure of that conviction. For example, a conviction which has been spent is not listed on a National Police Certificate. However, certain government departments, licensing bodies as well as the Police and Courts of Law have exemptions under the Spent Convictions Act 1988 and have access to convictions that have been spent.
WA Police can only spend a lesser conviction heard in a WA Court. A lesser conviction is one for which a fine of $15, 000 or less or a term of imprisonment not more than 12 months was imposed.
For a conviction to be eligible to be declared spent the conviction in question must be over 10 years old. In addition, the most recent conviction (which includes traffic and interstate matters) must be over ten years old or have a fine of less than $500.
How to apply
Method 1
Application forms can be downloaded here.
Your application needs to be witnessed before a person authorised to take a statutory declaration. This includes:
a) a justice of the peace
b) a Commissioner for declarations
c) an officer of the Public service
d) a Police officer
e) a local government official
f) a certified practicing accountant
Once the form is complete please post it to:
Spent Convictions
Locked Bag 35
Perth Business Centre, WA, 6849
There is no fee attached to an application under method 1.
Method 2
An application to spend convictions is also included as part of the National Police Certificate (NPC) Application Form.
This means when you apply for a NPC, WA Police will automatically assess the eligibility of convictions and declare them spent, if appropriate, before issuing a NPC.
A National Police Certificate application incurs a fee of $62.75.
More information can be found here or by contacting 1300 651 963.
Working with Children Checks
The Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004 was proclaimed on 1 January 2006. Under the legislation, people working with children in certain types of employment or volunteer work must have a national criminal record check.
Working with Children Checks for certain groups commenced on 1 January 2006, with checks for further categories being phased-in over five years.
The new law helps protect children in Western Australia by:
- deterring people with criminal records indicating they may harm children, from applying for work with children; and
- preventing people with such records, who apply for work with children, from gaining positions of trust in certain paid and voluntary work.
How to apply
Applications for a Working with Children Check must be made in person at selected Australia Post outlets statewide.
To view the latest fees visit the Working with Children website below
More information:
National Police Checks for Volunteers
The Department for Communities together with the Western Australia Police, runs a program providing Western Australian organisations with a National Police Check for their volunteers at a reduced fee of $13.00 per person checked.
The program has been extended to include any organisation involving volunteers, including State government and private sector organisations.
How to apply
Reduced fee Volunteer Police Checks are NOT available to individuals and cannot be applied for at police stations.
Organisations must register for the program with the Department for Communities.
An information package including a registration form can be downloaded at the Department for Communities website.
More information:
Department for Communities
Tel: (08) 6217 8500
Email us
National Police Checks for visa applications and other purposes
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) can provide National Police Checks for:
- people seeking employment with the Commonwealth Government
- people requiring a check under Commonwealth legislation
- Australian immigration purposes
- where the applicant resides overseas
- overseas employment
- overseas adoption
- visa applications for overseas travel.
Anyone requiring a police check for these purposes should go to Australian Federal Police website for further information.
Fingerprints for National Police Checks or other purpose as listed above can be arranged, via appointment, through:
Australian Federal Police Perth Office
(08) 9320 3444
Country applicants, please contact your local police station for advice.