Security Industry Registration

In Victoria the Private Security Act 2004 regulates the private security industry.

While a major focus of the Act is on licensing Private Security Operators - Investigators, Body Guards, Crowd Controllers and Security Guards etc. the Act also provides for the registration of security equipment installers and security advisors.

As such the Act's requiriements affect many electrical and communications contractors and their employees.

Registration of Installers and Advisors

1. Private Security Business Registration

Section 9 of the Act makes it an offence to carry on the business of providing certain private security services without private security business registration.

"A person must not carry on the business of providing the services of other persons to carry on an activity specified in any of the following paragraphs:

• Acting as a security equipment installer, or
• Acting as a security advisor
  • Unless that person has a Private Security Business Registration that authorises that person to carry on the business of providing services of persons to carry on that activity:

The Act defines Security Advisor to mean "A person who is employed or retained to provide advice in relation to security equipment or security methods or principles".

Security equipment is defined under the Act to mean "Any mechanical, electronic, acoustic or other equipment:

• Designed, adapted or purporting to provide or to enhance security; or
• For the protection r watching of property that is prescribed by the Regultions.

Security Equipment Installer is defined to mean "A person who is employed or retained to install, repair, service or maintain security equipment.

Security Equipment

The Private Security Regulations define the term "Security Equipment".  The following equipment is prescribed as security equipment:

• Security Camera Systems;
• Security Audio Systems;
• Security Audio or Visual Recording Systems;
• Security Alarms;
• Security Alarm Monitoring Systems;
• Safes;
• Vaults;
• Security Intrusion Detectors including motion, infrared, micro wave or contact detectors;
• Electrical, Electromechanical, Magnetic or Biometric Access Control Devices, but not including stock inventory or product loss prevention monitoring devices.

Certain Persons Exempted

The regulations exempt apprentices and secondary students (undertaking training under a Practical Placement Agreement under the Vocational Education and Training Act) who are:

1. Acting as Security Equipment Installers in the course of their training; and
2. Aged less than 18 years; and
3. Accompanied and supervised by a holder of a Private Security Registration authorising the holder to act as a Security Equipment Installer.

Apprentices or Post Secondary Students aged 18 or more must be registered.

Probity Checks Prior to Registration

Businesses and/or individuals have to apply for registration through the Chief Commissioner of Police.  Registration in the Security Equipment Installation and Security Advice areas will be granted on the basis of a probity check.  The probity check in relation to Private Security Business Registration extends to "Close Associates".

In addition, businesses which are corporations:

• Must maintain Public Liability Insurance; and
• Satisfy the Chief Commissioner of compliance with existing statutory workplace obligations; and
• Satisfy the Chief Commission that the applicant has or will be able to obtain financial resources that are adequate to ensure the financial viability of business.

Further Information

Victoria Police's Licensing Services Division (LSD) regulates the private security industry and is responsible for:

• Issuing private security licences and registration
• Renewal of private security licences and registration
• Monitoring private security licence and registration holders 

Further information can be obtained from their website - click here