The Private Security Act 2004 also introduces changes to other private security sectors such as security guards, crowd controllers, bodyguards, investigators and security firms. The new requirements reflect the changing nature of the industry, specifically the growing responsibility the security industry has in ensuring the safety of the Victorian community. The Act was developed after extensive consultation with Victoria Police, the private security industry, the government and the community. Security advisers and security equipment installers operate as important members of the industry and have the capacity, through the nature of their work, to access and collect sensitive information about the personal and security arrangements of their clients. The need to regulate security advisers and security equipment installers through compulsory registration is in-line with community safety objectives and counter terrorism legislation, especially with the increasing number of security advisers operating in the industry. The new registration system focuses on probity and character requirements. A registration cannot be approved unless the applicant (and close associates in the case of businesses) meets the probity requirements set out in the Act. As part of these requirements, any person charged, convicted or found guilty of an indictable offence that in the opinion of the Chief Commissioner renders the person unsuitable will be refused a registration. The registration system will exist as follows: * A Private Security Individual Registration must be obtained by individuals operating as security equipment installers and security advisers. * A Private Security Business Registration must be obtained by persons wishing to provide the services of other persons operating as security equipment installers and security advisers. * A temporary permit must be obtained by interstate residents operating in Victoria for a specific event. The permit will only be issued for the period the event is occurring. It will be an offence to operate in any of the above capacities without first being registered. A security adviser is defined in the Act as a ‘person who is employed or retained to provide advice in relation to security equipment or security methods or principles’. A security equipment installer is defined as a ‘person who is employed or retained to install, repair, service or maintain security equipment’. The proposed Private Security Regulations define security equipment as the following: (a) security camera systems; (b) security audio systems; (c) security audio or visual recording systems; (d) security alarms; (e) security alarm monitoring systems; (f) safes; (g) vaults; (h) security intrusion detectors including motion, infrared, microwave or contact detectors; (i) electric, electro-mechanical, magnetic, or biometric access control devices, but not including stock, inventory or product loss prevention monitoring devices. Individuals or businesses requiring registration will have 6 weeks from 1 July 2005 to lodge the appropriate application with LSD. If an application has been lodged within this time frame the applicant may continue operate until a decision on their registration is made. The new legislation will have a significant impact on the private security industry and will address crime prevention issues and promote and maintain public safety in the places Victorians live and work. For more information please visit www.police.vic.gov.au. Please forward all enquiries to licensingservices@police.vic.gov.au.
