Release: Help and Support

One of the first things you need to do upon release is register with different government agencies to access the services they provide.

You will need to establish your identity with documents that prove who you are.

Some documents have to be paid for, like a birth certificate and others are free like a Medicare card.

Some ID cards are free, while others require payment.

When you leave prison you are issued with an identification form with your photo that can be used for identification purposes.

ATM Card

You will need to provide 100 points of ID to open a bank account.

This could include your birth certificate, your Medicare card and a utility account that is less than 6 months old.

Birth certificate

You will need to provide proof of your name and date of birth to apply for a copy of your birth certificate.

You can apply by mail or in person at a Registry Office or at one of these Court locations in Albany, Armadale, Broome, Bunbury, Busselton, Carnarvon, Esperance, Fremantle, Geraldton, Joondalup, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Katanning, Kununurra, Mandurah, Manjimup, Merredin, Midland, Northam, Rockingham and South Hedland.

Medicare card

You will need to provide proof of your name to apply for a Medicare card.

First Medicare card
First Medicare card for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

Photo ID

You will need to provide proof of a link between your photo and your signature.

A photo card provides anyone aged 16 years or over with a recognised form of personal identity and is primarily used to access licensed premises in Western Australia. 

Take your completed form to the nearest driver and vehicle licensing centre along with 5 original documents or cards that show your full name, date of birth and current residential address, such as your Medicare card, bills or birth certificate.

Vote in an election

You will need to provide proof of your home address to get your name on the electoral roll and vote in an Australian election.

Acceptable proof includes a current bank statement, a tenancy agreement, educational certificate less than 12 months old or a utility account less than 6 months old.

It is compulsory for Australian citizens to enrol and vote in federal elections, by-elections and referendums.

Enrol or check your enrolment details, update address and contact details.

Government services

Medicare card 

You will need to provide proof of your name to apply for a Medicare card.

First Medicare card 
First Medicare card for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

Driving without a valid driver’s licence has been identified as a key pathway into the criminal justice system for Aboriginal people.

A number of not-for-profit organisations have been funded to driver training services to Aboriginal offenders in various regional locations.

There are a number of driving programs across WA that will help Aboriginal people get a driver’s licence, including those:

• recently released from prison
• involved with the police or courts
• on Community Corrections Orders or Juvenile Justice Teams
• with outstanding fines.

The Aboriginal Driver Training and Education Program can help you:

• sort out identification documents and outstanding fines
• pass your Learner’s Permit theory test
• take driving lessons
• organise a practical driving test
• complete driving hours for your log book.

Ask to be referred to your nearest Aboriginal driving program by police, courts, Transitional Managers, Adult Community Corrections, Juvenile Justice Teams or Sherriff Community Development Officers.

Find your nearest driving provider

Red Dirt Driving Academy
2 Wellard Street
ROEBOURNE WA 6718
Phone: 61 8 9185 8805
Find us on Facebook

Mowanjum Aboriginal Corporation
Shop 6 / 50 Clarendon Street
DERBY WA 6728
Phone: 61 8 91931228

Wunan
Kununurra:
Phone: 61 8 9166 5772
Halls Creek:
Phone: 61 8 9166 5740

Life Without Barriers
Kalgoorlie
Phone: 61 8 9092 2900

Lombadina
Phone: 61 8 9194 5400
Broome:
Phone: 61 8 9194 5400

The Department funds a number of agencies across the State called Reintegration Services to support ex-offenders in the transition from prison to release. Prisoners assessed as high and medium risk of re-offending will be referred to the service providers 6 months prior to release.

Reintegration Providers can assist with the following services:

• Adjusting to life after prison
• Connecting with family and community
• Finding a place to live
• Positive parenting relationships
• Preparing for and finding work.

Reintegration providers

AccordWest (South West)

AccordWest provides community service in housing and foster care.
Address: 26-28 Forrest Ave, SOUTH BUNBURY WA 6230
Telephone: 61 8 9729 9000
Telephone (Free call): 1800 115 799

Centacare Kimberley

Centacare Kimberley is the Social Service arm of the Catholic Church of Broome offering pastoral and social welfare care.
Address: 25 Robinson Street, BROOME WA 6725
Telephone: 61 8 9192 1325

Centrecare Kalgoorlie

Centrecare Kalgoorlie is the Social Service arm of the Catholic Church offering pastoral and social welfare care.
Address: 168 Egan Street, Kalgoorlie WA 6430
Telephone: 61 8 9080 0333

Pilbara Community Services (Pilbara)

Address: Shop 3 Wickham Shopping Centre, Wickham Drive, WICKHAM WA 6720
Telephone: 61 8 9187 0070
Website: https://pilbaracommunityservices.com.au/

Pivot Support Services (Great Southern)

Pivot Support Services provides rehabilitation and reintegration services to prisoners and ex-offenders, as well as support programs for the wider community.
Unit 2 / 121 Aberdeen Street, ALBANY WA 6330
Telephone: 61 8 9842 9699

Regional Alliance West Inc (Gascoyne, Mid-West and Murchison)

Regional Alliance West Inc (formally Geraldton Resource Centre) is a non-profit organisation that offers free services to people experiencing difficulty.
Address: Unit 1/114 Sanford Street, GERALDTON WA 6530
Telephone: 61 8 9938 0600

ReSet (Metropolitan area)

ReSet (Wungening Aboriginal Corporation) works with people in prison to prepare them for release.
Address: 211 Royal Street, EAST PERTH WA 6004
Telephone: 61 8 9221 1411.

Uniting WA

Reintegration | Uniting WA
Provides reintegration services to recently released prisoners and ex-offenders, including youth. Provides support in financial counselling, employment, education, training, accommodation and family relationships.
Telephone: 61 8 9220 1244
Email: srs@unitingwa.org.au