QLD - Australian Security Industry Association Ltd (ASIAL)

QLD News

Office Details

To contact our QLD office (Tania Laird) please call (07) 3114 2216 or email qld@asial.com.au

QLD- Call for feedback: "Crowd Controller Guideline"

The Office of Fair Trading has developed some "crowd controller" guidelines designed to assist in determining whether a particular classification of an activity, role or job description of a licensed person under the Act comes within the meaning of "crowd controller".

Read the guideline here

Changes to legislation

Amendments to the State Penalties Enforcement Regulation 2000, which came into effect on 1 July 2011 impact on compliance activities in the security provider, second hand dealer and pawnbroker industries.
The amendments give officers of the Queensland Police Service (QPS) the authority to issue on-the-spot fines for breaches of legislation in these industries.

What does this mean for me?

Currently, police give OFT written advice on suspected breaches of the legislation and these cases are then managed by the OFT investigation team. Once trained, QPS officers will be authorised to issue on-the-spot fines for security providers, second-hand dealers and pawnbrokers who operate outside the law.
These changes to the law will result in a wider and more efficient reach of enforcement activities by allowing police officers to issue on-the-spot infringement notices for offences detected during their normal activities.
This increased compliance is intended to improve consumer confidence in these industries. Licensed individuals and businesses will also benefit as greater compliance monitoring will improve trading conditions by keeping dishonest traders out.
OFT continues to be responsible for administration of all infringement notices – whether issued by a QPS officer or Fair Trading Investigator. QPS will be responsible for the prosecution of any contested matters arising from infringement notices issued by police.

When does it start?

QPS officers in the Gold Coast and selected Brisbane areas already trained to issue infringement notices started an active compliance operation during this year’s Schoolies event. This helped to protect the general public and particularly young people who converge on the Gold Coast at this time.
Further roll out of this important initiative across regional areas in Queensland will occur in the New Year.

Find out more from the OFT website

ASIAL AN APPROVED SECURITY INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION STATUS IN QLD

What are the new mandatory membership requirements?

From 24 February 2011, all security firms operating in QLD are required, as a condition of their licence, to be a member of an approved security industry association. Approved security industry associations will take on a key role of improving the integrity of the security industry, which is regulated under the Security Providers Act 1993.

Existing security firms are required to become a member of an approved association within 60 days of the new requirements commencing, that is, by 26 April 2011. Security firms who do not have an active membership with an approved association by that date will be at risk of having their licence cancelled.

Give your business an edge and apply to become an ASIAL Member today.

Please click on the image below to apply online:

Security providers to be fingerprinted

All security providers will soon be required to have their fingerprints taken as part of the licensing process.
If you are a current licensee, you will be required to have your fingerprints taken when you next renew your licence on or after 3 October 2011. The process will be explained in the licence renewal letter that you receive from OFT about two months before your licence expires.

Recent prosecutions by the Office of Fair trading

A Sunshine Coast night club licensee was fined $5 000 in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on 10 March for employing an unlicensed crowd controller.

Full story

A man was convicted and fined $2 500 in the Southport Magistrates Court on 10 March for working as a security officer while unlicensed.

Full story

What is Policelink?

Policelink 131 444 is the new number in Queensland to report non-urgent incidents including:
- wilful property damage
- stealing offences
- break and enters
- stolen vehicles
- lost property.

Contacting Policelink 131 444 provides you with an efficient way to report non-urgent incidents saving travelling time and transport costs to your nearest police station.

Your call to Policelink also provides the Queensland Police Service with more time to reinvest into proactive policing initiatives.

http://www.police.qld.gov.au/programs/policelink/

New training requirements for staff in QLD gaming industry

From October 1 2010 ‘Responsible Service of Gambling’ (RSG) training will be made mandatory in Queensland for staff engaged in gaming related work in licensed establishments.

View Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR) updates on the following:

Classifying a licensed premises as high risk
Timely reminder on restricted trading hours
Approved managers requirements are now in force