NSW Traineeships

We wish to clarify the previous advice regarding the reintroduction of traineeships by the Department of Education and Training (DET).

What was conveyed at the recent Security Industry Council meeting was that the implementation of the new Security Licensing Enforcement Directorate (SLED) structure may cause DET to review traineeship funding given the increased scrutiny that RTO's would be under as an argument to influence their decision making process.

As yet there has been no commitment from DET regarding any future Vocational Training Order in the security industry.

 

Reform of the NSW Regulatory Model

The NSW Government commissioned an independent review following the ICAC recommendations from the inquiry into security industry training. The Security Industry Registry (SIR) advised all Master licensees of the proposed changes by letter on 15 July 2010.

  • The Security Industry Registry (SIR) will take on a greater regulatory and enforcement role with additional staff and resources.
  • The SIR will become part of the NSW Police Force’s State Crime Command and will be renamed the Security Licensing & Enforcement Directorate (SLED).
  • The NSW Government has decided that the additional $4.7 million annually required to fund the new regulatory functions will be met in full by industry and will be acheived by an increase in licence fees.
  • Remove the industry monitoring role of the Security Industry Council and instead focus on the Council’s role as an advisory body to the Minister for Police.
  • Master licensees will no longer be required to be a member of an Approved Security Industry Association – this requirement will come into effect once the legislative changes have been passed by Parliament.
  • Master licensees can make submissions to SLED by 13 August 2010 on the proposed licence fee increase.
  • The proposed legislative changes and restructure of the Security Licensing & Enforcement Directorate (SLED) is expected to be completed by 30 June 2011.

SIR Letter to Master Licensees           Changes to the NSW Regulatory Model     SPAAL Letter to Members

NSW Master Licensees must maintain financial membership of their Approved Security Industry Association until the legislative changes have been passed by Parliament. SPAAL will be writing to members regarding the proposed changes and we will be able to provide further information to members following the next Security Industry Council meeting in August.

 

CPP07 Training Package for NSW security licensing purposes commenced 1 July 2010

Persons commencing the Certificate II or Certificate III in Security Operations on or after 1 July 2010 must be trained and assessed in accordance with the CPP07 Training Package and revised RTO conditions of approval that require the RTO's use of new NSW Security Licensing Implementation Guides.

No Certificate I in Security Operations (Pre Licence) courses may be commenced on or after 1 July 2010.

Persons that commenced the Certificate I in Security Operations (Pre Licence) Course, or the Certificate II or Certificate III in Security Operations qualification before 1 July 2010 may complete their training and assessment in accordance with the PRS03 Asset Security Training Package. Training and assessment must comply with the RTO's conditions of approval and Security Industry Registry requirements relevant to the PRS03 Training Package.

Important Note:  The NSW Police Security Industry Registry (SIR) will not recognise for security licensing a training qualification from the PRS03 Training Package issued after 31 December 2010. Persons currently completing security training and assessment from the PRS03 Training Package should contact their RTO to discuss training options.

 

ID Checks at Licensed Premises 

NSW Police have advised that promotional girls have not been given the green light to conduct security ID checks at licensed premises.

Under the Security Industry Act 1997, only licensed crowd controllers, such as hotel or club security, can check or verify identification produced to gain entry into a venue.

Non-licensed individuals can process or scan identification as a administrative role but are not allowed to check or verify identification.

The proposed Nightkey operating guidelines provide a clear delineation between the terminal operators administrative role and that of the licensed individuals carrying out security actvities.

 

NSW Police Security Industry Registry suspends approval to conduct training

The Security Industry Registry is not currently accepting applications to obtain Commissioner's Approval to conduct training for the purposes of security licensing in NSW. A revised application process will be implemented after the introduction of CPP07 on 1 July 2010.

Please contact the Security Industry Registry on 1300 362 001 or by email (compsir@police.nsw.gov.au) if you require further information.

 

ICAC Security Industry Training - Recommendations and Implementation Plans

The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) as a result of its corruption investigation into security industry training has released its recommendations and the implementation plans by regulators, the Vocational Education Training and Accreditation Board (VETAB), Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing (OLGR), Work Cover and the Security Industry Registry (SIR). Read More

 

NSW OLGR cancels Amstar Learning approval to conduct RSG & RCG

On 25 February 2010 the Casino, Liquor and Gaming Control Authority cancelled approvals held by Australian Business Skills Pty Ltd (trading as Amstar Learning) to conduct RSA and RCG training

It followed an investigation by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in 2009 into security industry training that found Amstar Learning had entered into an agreement with another training provider, the Roger Training Academy, to issue RSA and RCG certificates in its name.

All holders of RSA and/or RCG certificates issued by the Roger Training Academy should undergo approved training if they are working in the industry.

Licensees and security employers should also review copies of any RSA and/or RCG certificates held in their registers. Where there is any doubt about the validity of a RSA or RCG certificate, the person concerned should undergo retraining with an approved provider. OLGR Media Release           Approved Training Providers

 

NSW Police to charge a fee to respond to false alarm activations

From 1 June 2010 NSW Police will charge a fee of $200.00 to the building owner for each false alarm activation requiring Police to respond on more than one occasion within a 28 day period under the provisions of Section 209 of the NSW Police Act 1990. This decision was reached as a result of recorded responses under the Direct Access Service alarm response policy introduced in December 2008 which has seen a reduction in reported alarm activations by 65%, however, there was no improvement in the percentage of false alarm activations. Read More

 

Redevelopment of Security Industry Licensing Qualifications

The Construction and Property Services Industry Skills Council (CPSISC) has been commissioned by the Commonwealth Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations to redevelop the qualifications for the Private Security Industry. This work is being undertaken in response to recommendations made by the Ministerial Council for Police and Emergency Management-Police (MCPEMP) following the release of the COAG Harmonisation of the Private Security Industry- Stage One: Manpower Sector of the Security Industry Read More

 

RSA Marshal Guidelines

The Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing has produced guidelines on the employment, duties and responsibilities of RSA Marshals. RSA Marshals Guidelines RSA Marshal Guidelines

  

The NSW Government has launched a range of initiatives – including additional late night bus services, new rules on party buses and secure taxi ranks – to help people enjoy their nights out free from alcohol-related violence. To find out more visit hasslefree.nsw.gov.au

 

Glassing incidents.  Would you know what to do?

In response to requests from venue operators, the Office of Liquor,Gaming & Racing have reproduced an article originally published in liquor + gaming magazine last year and made it available online. The resource explains what managers and staff should do if a glassing incident occurs in their venue and also includes a new checklist resource.

 

ICAC finds corrupt conduct and recommends changes to clean up NSW security industry training

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has made corrupt conduct findings against 10 individuals and recommended that the NSW Police Commissioner assume ultimate responsibility for security industry integrity-related functions. Read more

 

NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing's eNews update

This service provides you with the latest news, information and regulatory changes in the liquor and gaming industries. Read More Read more

 

NSW Industrlai  Relations Update - December 2009

The announcement on the 19 November by the NSW Government of its decision to refer industrial relations regulations to the national system means all private sector business in NSW will be covered by the provisions of the Fair Work Act from next year.  The legislation was passed by the NSW Parliament on 1 December.

NSW Industrial Relations is providing regular information to assist employers in New South Wales as it moves into the national workplace relations system from 1 January 2010.

The second issue provides information about the various agencies that will be delivering services and assistance in relation to the national system and also provides some initial information about the implementation of modern awards which commence in January 2010.

Issue 2 - Fair Work - who is who? and modern awards 

For more detailed information please visit www.industrialrelations.nsw.gov.au

 

Alcohol restrictions for violent venues

In July 2009, the Premier announced a new scheme to regulate venues with high levels of alcohol-related assault incidents. This graduated scheme of restrictions will generally be based on the number of assaults on premises in a 12 month period.

The scheme replaces the current approach to the 'top 48' violent venues in the State and re-categorisation will be possible twice a year based in part on a review of annual assault data. The scheme will commence on 1 December 2009. Read more

 

NSW Industrial Relations Update - November 2009

NSW Industrial Relations is providing regular information to assist employers in New South Wales as it moves into the national workplace relations system.

The first issue provides important information about employer obligations to keep records and provide pay slips.

Issue 1 - Employment records and pay slips

To read the first issue go to Employment records and pay slips.  

Follow the passage of the Industrial Relations (Commonwealth Powers) Bill 2009 which details the referral of NSW industrial relations powers to the Commonwealth. 

 

NSW moves into national industrial relations systems

In an historic move, the NSW Government has decided that all NSW employers currently covered by the NSW industrial relations system (mainly sole traders and partnerships) will move into the national scheme from 1 January 2010. If you are an employer or employee currently covered by the NSW industrial relations system, there is some important information that you will need to know

In the coming weeks, NSW Industrial Relations will publish information on topics relating to the national scheme that will help employers who have been working within the NSW industrial relations system to come to grips with the changes to their workplace arrangements. They will find out what they need to do to get ready for their move to the national system.

More information can be found at the NSW IR website with regular updates in this What’s New service.

 

NSW Security Industry Registry issues licence revocation notices

On 22 October 2009 the Security Industry Registry (SIR) issued revocation notices to 1,871 security licensees that did not satisfy training upgrade requirements by their set deadline.  The revocation will become effective on 1 December 2009. Read More 

 

Roger Training Academy Pty Ltd

The NSW Police Force's position in relation to training certificates issued by Roger Training Academy Pty Ltd is being finalised.  Until finalised, the Registry regrets that the following application types cannot be progressed if supported by training certificates issued by Roger Training Academy Pty Ltd:

  • applications to obtain an initial security licence
  • applications for a new licence by suspended or revoked licensees
  • applications to add a new Provisional or Class 1 subclass to an existing licence
  • applications to upgrade a Provisional licence to a Class 1 licence

 

NSW Security Licence Validation – SIR Public Register of Licensees

Recent licence revocations by the Security Industry Registry (SIR) has highlighted the importance for both Master and Individual licensees to validate licences on the SIR Public Register of Licences to ensure that they are employing current licensed personnel and Individual licensees are employed by a current Master Licence holder.

Significant penalties apply under the Security Industry Act 1997  under Section 39 for Master licensees employing unlicensed persons and Section 29B for Individual licensees working for unlicensed companies.

The NSW Police are conducting ongoing licensing enforcement operations and ISE encourages all licensees to ensure compliance by regularly validating licences in the Public Register of Licences on the Security Industry Registry website.    SIR Public Register of Licences  

 

Language, Literacy and Numeracy Project

COAG in conjunction with NSW Department of Education and Training has provided funds to develop Language Literacy and Numeracy (LL&N) and Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) processes for the security industry.  The project will identify candidates to participate in the provisional licensing training program and assist licence holders to upgrade to current licensing arrangements.

The main reasons for funding the project is that security industry employers are currently experiencing problems meeting the demand for higher level trained operatives. All sectors of industry must upgrade skills to align with new licensing regulations introduced in 2007. This has resulted in a recent loss of trained security operatives within the security industry.

The project aims to address skills shortages in the vocational education and training VET system by building capacity of the training system to deliver quality LL&N and RPL processes for enterprises and for individuals, by driving good practice.

The Property and Financial Services Industry Training Advisory Body (PFSITAB) gave a presentation on the project and the role of the PFSITAB to members at our breakfast meeting on 4 March. LLN & RPL Project LLN & RPL Project     What is an ITAB What is an ITAB

 

Crowd Control - Licensed Premises

Brent Hedges of Walker & Hedges Solicitors has provided for the information of members 3 decisions handed down by the NSW Court of Appeal dealing with the obligations of owners of licensed premises and the security companies retained by them to protect patrons from injuries by other patrons. Read More

 

Security Industry Traineeship Suspension

The Vocational Training Tribunal Unit of the Department of Education and Training (DET) has released advice that the establishment of Security Operations traineeships has been suspended at the request of the Security Industry Registry (SIR).   
 
The SIR recommended the suspension of such traineeships because of the implications for them of the current investigation of security licensing training related matters by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

Under the circumstances, the SIR considers (and DET agrees) that it would be inappropriate to establish further Security Operations traineeships until the release of the ICAC's investigation findings.

For more information please visit the Department of Education and Training website.