About the Authority
The Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority (the Licensing Authority) was established under the Private Security Personnel and Private Investigators Act 2010 (the Act). The Licensing Authority replaced the Private Investigators and Security Guards Registrar.
The Licensing Authority:
- issues licences and certificates of approval to some people working in the security industry and private investigators,
- disciplines licensees and certificate holders, and
- keeps the register of licensees and certificate holders.
The private security industry includes a broad range of people whose work involves:
- patrolling and monitoring private property and responding to alarm callouts – property guard
- acting as bodyguards – personal guard
- monitoring entry to and behaviour inside premises – crowd controller
- installing security equipment such as alarms and cameras – security technician
- destroying confidential documents – confidential document destruction agents
- consulting on general security – security consultants
- conducting private investigations – private investigator
The Licensing Authority is appointed by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Minister of Justice. The Licensing Authority must be a barrister or solicitor of the High Court, with at least five years’ experience. Appointments to the position are for a term of three years, and a person may be reappointed.
The current Licensing Authority is Roger Gill. Stevan Cole is his temporary Deputy.
Legislation
The Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority is governed by the following legislation.
Private Security Personnel and Private Investigators Act 2010
Private Security Personnel and Private Investigators Regulations 2011
Private Security Personnel and Private Investigators (Fees) Regulations 2011
Private Security Personnel and Private Investigators (Specified Date) Order 2011
Private Security Personnel and Private Investigators (Forms) Regulations 2011
Earlier legislation
On 1 April 2011, the Licensing Authority replaced the Private Investigators and Security Guards Registrar. The Private Investigators and Security Guards Act 1974 was repealed and replaced by the Private Security Personnel and Private Investigators Act 2010.
In progress applications and complaints will continue to be determined by the registrar until 31 October 2011 unless resolved before. More information on this can be found on the PISG website.
