Why does LGIRS need a police clearance?
Because an Approved Manager carries the licensee's legal responsibilities, LGIRS must be satisfied you are a fit and proper person before issuing the red card.
Under the Liquor Control Act 1988 (WA), the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (LGIRS) approves the individuals who manage licensed venues — hotels, taverns, small bars, restaurants, clubs and liquor stores. A Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC) is how the department confirms your history across every Australian state and territory, not just WA. It is required for both restricted and unrestricted cards, and again every five years when you renew.
The 3-month rule: when should you order it?
Order your clearance once you have finished your training and are ready to lodge — not months before.
LGIRS will not accept a clearance that is older than three months at lodgement. Ordering too early is the single most common reason WA Approved Manager applications are bounced. The safest sequence is:
- Complete MLPLCA001 (or your RSA for a restricted card). Job Trainer Australia delivers MLPLCA001 online and most students finish in a few hours.
- Order your police clearance from National Clearance Australia at ncaust.com.au. Most come back within 24 hours.
- Complete the LGIRS online application and print the Application Summary.
- Lodge at a participating WA Australia Post outlet within the same few weeks — well inside the 3-month window.
Tip: the 3-month clock runs from the issue date printed on your certificate, not the date you applied. If a manual review pushes your result out by a few days, that only helps you.
Which check do you need?
The Employment check ($59 inc. GST). The volunteer check is not valid for licensing.
| Check | Price | Accepted for Approved Manager? |
|---|
| Employment NCCHC — paid work, positions of trust, licensing and accreditation | $59 inc. GST | Yes |
| Volunteer NCCHC — unpaid community roles and student placements | $29 inc. GST | No |
When you apply, choose "Employment" as the purpose and enter your intended role — for example "Approved Manager, licensed premises" — so the certificate clearly matches the licensing application.
What ID do you need?
Three documents, one from each category, plus a photo of yourself holding an ID.
- Commencement of identity — Australian birth certificate, citizenship certificate, or a passport/visa for overseas-born applicants
- Primary use in community — Australian driver licence or passport
- Secondary use in community — Medicare card, bank card or utility bill
Together they must show your full name, date of birth and a photo. Our team compares your selfie to the photo ID before the check is submitted — that identity step is what makes the certificate valid for licensing. The full list is on our accepted identity documents page.
How long does it take?
About 70% are issued in real time or within 24 hours; the rest can take up to 10 business days.
Every ACIC-accredited provider submits through the same National Police Checking Service, so the timeframes are identical wherever you apply. A check is referred for manual police review when there is a possible name match — common surnames and hyphenated or changed names are the usual triggers — and that review can take up to ten business days. You'll get email updates throughout, and your result is delivered as a PDF you can print for Australia Post.
What to take to Australia Post
Once your clearance arrives, lodge the complete application at a participating WA Australia Post outlet that can take your card photo. Bring:
- Your printed police clearance certificate (under 3 months old)
- Your MLPLCA001 Statement of Attainment (or RSA for a restricted card)
- The two-page LGIRS Application Summary, printed
- The application fee
Keep your receipt — it lets you act as an Approved Manager immediately while LGIRS issues the card (usually four to six weeks). For the full process, including fees, renewals and restricted vs unrestricted cards, read Job Trainer Australia's MLPLCA001 Approved Manager course page, or the LGIRS lodgement guide.
Police clearance for Approved Manager WA: FAQs
How old can my police clearance be for a WA Approved Manager application?
No more than 3 months old on the day you lodge at Australia Post. LGIRS will reject older clearances and you will have to order a new one.
Which police check do I need for the Approved Manager card?
A Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC) for employment purposes — the Employment check at National Clearance Australia, $59 inc. GST. The $29 volunteer check is not valid for licensing.
How long does the police clearance take?
Around 70% of checks are issued in real time or within 24 hours on business days. The rest are referred to police for manual review and can take up to 10 business days. Timeframes are set by the National Police Checking Service and are the same for every accredited provider.
What ID do I need for the police clearance?
Three identity documents — one commencement-of-identity document such as a birth certificate or citizenship certificate, one primary document such as a driver licence or passport, and one secondary document such as a Medicare card — plus a photo of yourself holding an ID so we can verify it is you.
Is a police clearance from National Clearance Australia accepted by LGIRS?
Yes. National Clearance Australia is an ACIC Accredited Body and every check is processed through the National Police Checking Service, so the result is the same nationally recognised certificate LGIRS requires.
Can I use a police clearance I got for another job?
Only if it is a national (NCCHC) clearance and it is still under 3 months old when you lodge. State-only checks and older certificates are not accepted.