Following a successful six-month trial between April and October 2025, the new Welfare Check Framework has been adopted as business as usual.
Under this framework, trained supervisors at the Police Assistance Centre (PAC) assess mental health and welfare-related calls to determine the most appropriate response. This ensures police are deployed when there is a clear safety risk or legislative requirement, while people who are not in immediate danger are directed to more suitable support services.
Previously, police often attended welfare-related matters that did not require police attendance or an emergency response. In many cases, police attendance is not the most appropriate first point of contact and can reduce the availability of frontline officers for emergencies and crime-related incidents across the community.
Since the trial, the PAC has assessed 42.1 per cent (20,161) of welfare checks as not requiring police attendance, saving an estimated 30,241 officer hours (based on an average 90 minutes per attendance).
This allowed frontline police to be available for higher-priority and emergency incidents, while also ensuring vulnerable people were connected with the most appropriate care and support services.
When to Call 000 for a Welfare Check
Police conduct welfare checks in emergency situations where there is a serious and imminent risk to safety, including when:
- There is an immediate risk of serious harm or death
- A criminal offence, including family and domestic violence, is alleged or likely to have occurred
- A child is at risk of serious harm
- A person is reasonably suspected to be deceased
In these situations, community members should call Triple Zero (000) for immediate police assistance.
If urgent medical help is required, callers should dial 000 and request an ambulance.
If You Are Worried About Someone's Welfare but They Are Not in Immediate Danger
If you believe a situation is non-emergency there are steps you can take before contacting police to request a welfare check:
- Check on the person in person at their usual place of residence. If you are unable to do so, ask a trusted friend, family member or neighbour to check on them.
- Contact them directly by phone, text message or social media to let them know you are concerned and ask if they are okay.
- Check recent social media activity for updates or interactions that may indicate their wellbeing.
- Reach out to mutual connections such as friends, family members, neighbours or colleagues to see if they have had recent contact.
- If appropriate, check with their workplace to understand when they were last seen or contacted.
These steps may help establish the person's wellbeing and ensure they receive appropriate support without the need for immediate frontline police involvement.
If a Person Is Missing but Not Believed to Be in Immediate Danger
If someone is missing and there are no indicators of immediate risk, reports should be made through calling
131 444 or by attending your local police station. You do not need to wait 24 hours before making a report.
Support Services
There are a range of non-emergency services that may be better placed to support welfare and mental health concerns. These include community mental health services, crisis and counselling services, and primary healthcare providers.
Accessing the right service at the right time can help ensure individuals receive appropriate care and support, while allowing emergency services to remain available for situations involving immediate risk or danger.
For more information on available support services - including mental health, relationships, family violence, alcohol and drug support, housing and accommodation, children and adolescents, and general health - visit: https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/western-australia-police-force/police-welfare-checks
Commander of State Intelligence and Command, Jason LONGHORN, said the focus was on prioritising emergencies and saving lives.
"This is about more timely and effective responses to calls for help, which can save lives.
"This framework gives police greater capability to prioritise life-threatening and emergency situations - when every minute counts.
"This is not about discouraging people who are genuinely concerned about a loved one or a member of the community. If you are unsure whether a situation is an emergency, it is always appropriate to call Triple Zero (000) and allow trained professionals to assess and prioritise the response.
"Having this framework in place allows trained supervisors to better determine the most appropriate response, saving police resources thousands of hours each year and enabling officers to better protect victims, prevent crime and enforce the law.
"If someone you know is at immediate risk of serious harm or death, or a child is at risk of harm, do not hesitate to call Triple Zero (000).
End release.
Police Media Unit
20 March 2026
MEDIA REF: 27659
