Age-progressed images of long-term missing people have been released to help spark information from the community that could bring answers to families.
This National Missing Persons Week (2-8 August, 2026), photos have been generated of eight long-term missing people - people missing for more than three months - with one from each state and territory.
The theme of this year's campaign is Answers Still Matter, which honours the ongoing hope and love held by families of missing people, while also recognising the enduring pain and anguish felt every day in the absence of answers.
The age-progressed images, developed by AFP forensic artists, are made to create an approximation of how a missing person may look years after their disappearance.
Forensic artists do not use artificial intelligence to develop the images and instead rely on invaluable feedback from families and state and territory law enforcement partners.
The images draw on a combination of family photographs, inherited characteristics and the natural effects of ageing. Artists work closely with families and investigators to ensure each image reflects the individual as accurately as possible.
The AFP's National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC) and its state and territory police partners are highlighting the following cases (in alphabetical order by state or territory):
- ACT - Amelia Hausia
- NSW - Elaine Johnson
- NT - Ronya Livoni
- QLD - Tanya Buckland
- SA - Mark Barnes
- TAS - Gilbert Midson
- VIC - Gregory Delaney
- WA - Sophie Woodman
In 2025, 49,084 people were reported missing to police in Australia. Of the people reported missing nationally in 2025, 53 per cent were female, and 56 per cent of all reports were for people aged between 13 and 17 years.
The number of missing persons reports decreased in 2025; however, missing persons activity remains a prominent part of state and territory police activity.
AFP Commander Human Exploitation Joanne Cameron said National Missing Persons Week brought awareness to the broader community and could lead to information or answers for the families of missing people.
"The uncertainty and pain for families can be overwhelming, so we will always highlight efforts to find answers to where their loved ones are," Commander Cameron said.
"The week raises awareness of missing persons and appeals to the public for information that could help investigations. Even the smallest piece of information can be crucial in these cases.
"We have developed these age-progressed images in the hope they resonate with a member of the public, who may have seen these individuals."
National Missing Persons Week
The disappearance of Tony Jones in 1982 was the catalyst for the establishment of National Missing Persons Week (NMPW) in Australia by the Jones family. The inaugural week took place with a memorial service in Townsville in 1988, where the Mayor of Townsville planted a tree in commemoration of Mr Jones.
NMPW continues to this day and is supported throughout the missing persons sector and within the broader community to bring much needed awareness and hopefully answers for those left behind.
Members of the community who share their stories and support online throughout National Missing Persons Week 2026 are encouraged to use the hashtag #NMPW2026 and follow NMPCC on Facebook, Instagram and X for the launch of Answers Still Matter.
Media is encouraged to read the Counselling Framework for guidance when working with families of missing people.
Anyone with information relating to a missing person should contact Crime Stoppers via the Crime Stoppers website or on 1800 333 000.
About the NMPCC
The AFP's NMPCC plays an active role in coordinating national police efforts and educating the Australian community to reduce the incidence and impact of missing persons in Australia.
The NMPCC is a non-operational arm of the AFP, which put simply, means the team is not involved in the investigation of missing persons. All investigations are undertaken by the relevant state and territory police.
In support of NMPW, the AFP NMPCC coordinates an annual police campaign with state and territory police, highlighting a different theme each year to raise awareness of the significant issues associated with missing persons and profile long-term missing persons to reduce the incidence and impact of missing persons in Australia.
The annual police campaign complements other campaigns, events, initiatives and memorial services run by families with a missing loved one, advocacy networks, government and non-government organisations, and members of the public.
