How to Get a Police Report in Western Australia

In Western Australia, report a crime through 000 for an emergency or 131 444 and WA Police Force's topic specific reporting pages for other matters, and apply directly to WA Police Force, not under freedom of information law, for a copy of a Police Crime Incident report or a Crash Incident report.

How to report a crime or incident in Western Australia

WA Police Force does not run one general-purpose online reporting portal for every kind of incident. Its Report a crime or incident page instead sends a reporter down the channel that fits the situation: 000 for an emergency in progress, 131 444 or an in-person report at a police station for a past crime that needs police attendance, and a set of per-category pages, covering matters including assault, cybercrime, fraud and identity theft, theft or property damage, hoon or dangerous driving, and traffic crashes, each leading to its own topic specific reporting process.

Crime Stoppers, reachable on 1800 333 000 or through its own online form, is kept separate from this reporting structure. It takes anonymous information about criminal activity or suspicious behaviour, and it is not a substitute for reporting your own incident on 131 444.

Duty to report a crash in WA

The WA Government's crash reporting guidance says there is a legal requirement to report a crash on a road where the total damage exceeds $3,000, where a person is injured, or where the owner of damaged property or a vehicle is not present or represented. The report goes to police and the Insurance Commission of Western Australia through the online crash reporting facility. A driver must also stop, assist anyone injured, and exchange names and addresses with the other parties.

Not every reported crash is investigated or attended by police. For enquiries such as a lost crash report number, the Online Crash Help Desk is on 1300 155 470.

Getting a copy of a police report in WA

To obtain an official copy of an incident report, apply for a copy of your Police Crime Incident report. It is an abridged report about a criminal incident relating to a property or injury offence, and it names the offender only if convicted. Applicants are the individual or organisation named on the report as the victim (with photo identification, plus proof of business ownership for a business), an authorised representative such as an insurer, legal practitioner or loss assessor (with a letter of consent signed by the victim), or a personal representative such as a parent, guardian or executor (with documentary proof of the relationship and photo identification). If the investigation is still open when you apply, a follow-up report is provided free once it is completed. For help, contact Public Access on 08 6229 5900.

A crash has its own product: the Crash Incident report, applied for separately, is available only for crashes investigated by WA Police Force and does not state who was at fault. This is a direct WA Police Force service, not a freedom of information request; see the Western Australia freedom of information guide for the separate FOI process used for other kinds of records.

As of 1 July 2026, WA Police Force fees, including GST and set under the Police (Fees) Regulations 1981, are $30.00 for a Victim or Witness Incident Report Summary, $51.70 for a record of a crime incident, and $56.10 for a record of a crash incident.

A National Police Certificate, priced separately at $66.00, is a criminal history check, not an incident report, so it is not a substitute for the report described here. See the Western Australia police check guide if a criminal history check, rather than a record of an incident, is what you actually need.

False reports to police in Western Australia

Making a report knowing it to be false can be considered under Criminal Code (WA) section 171, creating a false belief. This is separate from section 170, false information to officials, which applies to a narrower situation where the person supplying the information was under a written-law duty to supply it.

Under section 171, a person who does or omits to do any act with the intention of creating a false belief, such as a belief that an offence has been committed, of a kind that would reasonably call for action by police or emergency services, commits a crime punishable by up to 2 years imprisonment. On summary conviction the maximum is 12 months imprisonment and a $12,000 fine. The court can also order the person to pay all or some of the reasonable expenses of any action taken as a result. These figures are from the current Criminal Code, as at 1 May 2026.

Support for victims of crime in WA

The Victim Support Service, run by the WA Department of Justice, is a free and voluntary service for victims of crime, on 1800 818 988.

For how reporting and record requests work in other Australian states and territories, see our police reports hub.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I report a crime in Western Australia?

Use 000 for an emergency in progress. For other matters, use 131 444, report in person, or use WA Police Force's per-category reporting pages for issues such as fraud, theft or a traffic crash.

How do I get a copy of a police report in WA?

Apply to WA Police Force for a copy of your Police Crime Incident report, or a Crash Incident report for a crash WA Police investigated. As of 1 July 2026, fees are $30.00 for a Victim or Witness Incident Report Summary, $51.70 for a record of a crime incident, and $56.10 for a record of a crash incident.

Is a WA police incident report request handled under freedom of information law?

No. Applying for a copy of your Police Crime Incident report is a direct WA Police Force service. Freedom of information is a separate process used for other kinds of records.

Do I have to report a car crash in WA?

Yes, where anyone is injured, total damage exceeds $3,000, or the owner of damaged property is not present or represented. The crash is reported to police and the Insurance Commission of Western Australia through the online crash reporting facility.

What is the difference between a Police Crime Incident report and a National Police Certificate in WA?

A Police Crime Incident report documents a specific incident and costs $51.70 ($56.10 for a record of a crash incident). A National Police Certificate, priced at $66.00, is a separate criminal history check product.

What happens if I make a false report to police in Western Australia?

It can be a crime under Criminal Code (WA) section 171, creating a false belief, punishable by up to 2 years imprisonment, or 12 months and a $12,000 fine on summary conviction. The court can also order the person to pay the reasonable cost of the response.