Profiling

Currently in Australia there are over 2,500 long term missing persons.

When a person has been missing for more than three months, they are classified as a ‘long-term missing person’.
At the three month mark State or Territory Missing Persons Unit will seek permission from the family to provide the National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC) with the profile information (and a recent photo of the person missing) for inclusion on the Public Register.
In addition to the Public Register, the NMPCC also works with corporate supporters, and looks for innovative ways to help profile missing persons cases across Australia.

Please note: The cases listed on the Public Register do not represent every missing person in Australia that has been reported to police. Due to the different nature of missing person investigations some profiles may not be suitable for advertising. It's at the discretion of the State and Territory police, as to which cases are displayed on the Public Register. If you believe a missing person should be displayed, please contact the relevant State or Territory Missing Person Unit.

+ Expand all headings

Public Register

In 2022 over 55,000 missing persons reports were made to police in Australia. That is over 150 missing events a day. While most people are found within a short period of time, there remain approximately 2,500 long term missing persons; those who have been missing for more than three months.

You can use the Public Register to search for long-term missing persons cases in Australia.

Please note: The cases listed on the Public Register do not represent every missing person in Australia that has been reported to police. Due to the different nature of missing person investigations some profiles may not be suitable for advertising. It's at the discretion of the State and Territory police, as to which cases are displayed on the Public Register. If you believe a missing person should be displayed, please contact the relevant State or Territory Missing Person Unit.

If you are searching for a specific missing person, or a person matching a specific description, please see our site search tips page.

 

 

National Posters

Have you seen any of these people?

National missing persons posters are published in April and October each year. Posters are sent to State and Territory Police Services, search organisations, community services, and other organisations for public display. If you would like to display missing persons posters in your organisation, please contact us.

If you believe you have seen a missing person, or have information that may lead to their location, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

We regularly update these posters as missing persons are located. The most current version of each poster is available by visiting this page.

Corporate Supporters

Only through the assistance of industry partners are we able to achieve the reach in advertising missing persons profiles.

Our Corporate supporters who advertise missing persons across Australia include;


McDonald's Restaurants Australia

McDonald’s Australia is supporting the AFP to help raise awareness of missing persons in Australia. Each month, McDonald’s Australia generously donates advertising space on their digital ‘community noticeboard’ screens to profile long-term missing persons cases.


The Outdoor Media Association

Outdoor Media Association (OMA) supports the NMPCC by facilitating the national outdoor media campaign in support of National Missing Persons Week (NMPW). The OMA network generously donates up to $1 million annually for outdoor advertising placement to promote missing persons profiles.


We are always looking for additional partnerships to further promote missing persons profiles and issues to the Australian community. If you would like to join our network please contact the team for more information.

Missing Person Martin Cowan

Martin COWEN

Martin Cowen last made contact with family from Gympie on 31 July 2005. Martin’s bicycle was located in bush land near his home in Gympie. No further contact has been made with...

Missing Person Sonia Naylor

Sonya NAYLOR

Sonya Marie Naylor, then aged 19, and Roy Frederick Naylor, then aged 27, were last seen alive in July 1984 at a motel on Anzac Highway, Glenelg. The Naylors were believed to be...

Missing person from NSW Kenneth Walter HANES

Kenneth Walter HANES

On 22nd of September 2020, Kenneth HANES took a few belongings from his Quarters Hill home and headed towards the city. He was last seen travelling on a ferry between Circular...

See all profiles