Tighter security licensing for Queensland
Under Queensland’s Security Providers Act 1993, security firms and those employed in the industry, including security advisers, security officers, crowd controllers, bodyguards and private investigators, must be licensed to work in Queensland.
On the first of July this year [2008], new licence categories came into effect, including the implementation of a restricted licence for industry newcomers.
People and businesses installing or servicing security equipment, conducting electronic surveillance, providing in-house security to their employers and providing security advice, must hold a license under the new regulations. The security officer license has been expanded to include electronic surveillance, such as monitoring a closed-circuit television and in-house security.
Minimum training and probity requirements now apply to those wishing to be licensed as a bodyguard, or a security officer providing in-house security to an employer. At the current time, security equipment installers and security advisers are not required to complete approved training courses before receiving a license.
Licenses for both individuals and firms will now be issued under two classes. A Class 1 (Manpower) license allows an individual to act in one or more capacities as a bodyguard, crowd controller, private investigator or security officer. Security officer licenses will be issued authorising license holders to perform their duties as an unarmed security officer, as a cash-in-transit security officer (carrying firearms), using a patrol dog or working in a control room/monitoring centre.
With a Class 2 (Technical) license, individuals can perform security equipment installation and security advisory functions. A person, partnership or company supplying security providers for a fee must hold a Class 1 or 2 security firm license, depending on services supplied.
The changes also allow for anyone entering the industry prior to completion of required training to apply for a restricted license to act as a bodyguard, crowd controller, private investigator or security officer. Restricted licensees will have a maximum of six months to complete their training and apply for an unrestricted license. Restricted license holders must be under the direct supervision of a licensed security provider who holds an unrestricted license to perform the same function.
Reduced training requirements will apply for those who can show they have worked for three out of the 12 months between 1 July 2007 and 30 June 2008 in previously unlicensed parts of the industry, provided they apply for their license before 30 September this year.
No further training will be required if applicants wish to renew existing licenses and can establish that they have performed the function for three out of the 12 months prior to lodging an application.
An individual security provider found to be operating unlicensed faces fines of up to $37,500 for a first offence, while an unlicensed corporation could be fined $187,500.
The Security Providers Act 1993 defines who is and who is not a security provider, and a number of occupations are not required to hold a license. Queensland police officers; member of the Defence forces; Commonwealth, State or Territory Departments, Ministers and employees; and Queensland Parliamentary Service employees are exempt from consideration under the Act.
Queensland security providers are encourage to visit http://www.justice.qld.gov.au/securityproviders/ for further information on the changes.