Victorian Private Security Act: What Businesses and Clients Need to Know Before 19 June 2025 (free checklist!)

Victorian Private Security Act: What Businesses and Clients Need to Know Before 19 June 2025

Last updated 15 June 2025.

Big changes are on the horizon for Victoria’s private security industry. As of 19 June 2025, substantial reforms to the Private Security Act will come into effect, impacting both security providers and the clients who engage them.

Whether you’re operating a licensed security business or outsourcing one for your venue, event, or facility—these updates are going to change how things need to be done. Here’s a breakdown of the most relevant changes for both providers and clients, and what you should be doing now to get ahead of the curve.

Read below for the relevant changes, the compliance checklist and an upcoming 2025 special offer!

🔹 Key Reforms for Security Providers & Individual Licence Holders

1. A Single Licensing System Will Replace Registrations (Business)

Business registrations will no longer exist as a separate category. All security service providers—whether individuals, sole traders, or companies, and regardless of being a security guard or advisor —must operate under a Private Security Business Licence.

This change aims to streamline regulation, but it will also require many currently registered businesses to reapply under the new system, including updated probity checks such as fingerprinting and criminal history assessments.

✅ If your business is currently registered and not licensed, you’ll have until 19 June 2026 to transition.

2. Independent Contractors Must Hold a Business Licence (Business)

The old model allowed individual licence holders to operate under their own ABN without holding a business licence. That’s no longer allowed.

Anyone acting as an independent contractor—whether working alone or subcontracting work to others—must now hold both an individual licence and a business licence.

⚠️ If you’re working under a sole trader ABN, you must apply for a business licence before the end of 2025.

3. Mandatory Refresher Training at Licence Renewal (Individuals)

Security officers, crowd controllers, and bodyguards will be required to complete refresher training upon each licence renewal. The content and delivery (including online modules) will be approved by the Chief Commissioner.

📘 The training is designed to ensure ongoing competency in core responsibilities, use of force, legal updates, and public interaction.

4. First Aid Certification Now Required (Individuals)

All individual licence holders must hold a valid first aid certificate (HLTAID011 – Provide First Aid) at the time of renewal. The certificate must be current—completed within the past 3 years—and issued by an approved training provider.

🩹 This applies across all licence categories, not just physical security roles.

5. A New Code of Conduct Will Be Introduced (All)

The Chief Commissioner will release a formal industry Code of Conduct setting professional standards for behaviour and service delivery.

Licensees who breach the code could face disciplinary action, including suspension or loss of licence.

⚖️ This will likely include standards around professionalism, integrity, conflict resolution, and public safety.

6. Business Application Requirements Have Been Simplified (Business)

Two previous administrative hurdles have been removed for business applicants:

• Referee letters are no longer required for new applications
• The need to advertise licence applications in a newspaper has been scrapped

🧾 This will streamline the onboarding process for new businesses.

🔸 Critical Responsibilities for Clients Engaging Security Services

It’s not just security providers who are affected—clients now have legal obligations, too. That means venue operators, event managers, facility managers, and corporate clients need to understand their role in compliance.

1. Clients Must Provide a Risk Management Plan (RMP)

For any security activity that involves bodyguards, crowd controllers, or security guards, the client must supply a formal Risk Management Plan prior to the engagement beginning.

This document should cover:

• The scope and objectives of the security task
• Identified risks and mitigation strategies
• Site-specific details and operational procedures

📄 If you engage security personnel, you are legally responsible for preparing this plan—even if a contractor is supplying the staff. The template is yet to be confirmed by the Chief Commissioner.

2. Required Pre-Engagement Information for Security Staff

At least one day before any security activity begins, clients are required to provide each security officer with:

• A copy of the Risk Management Plan
• Any prescribed equipment they’ll need for the job (as outlined in the RMP)
• Written details of their roles and responsibilities

This applies whether you’re employing the personnel directly or engaging them through a contractor.

🕒 Late delivery of this information could result in compliance breaches and financial penalties.

3. Written Consent Required for Use of Subcontractors

If your chosen security provider intends to use subcontractors, they must first obtain your written consent. This must be done at least one day before the job begins, and must include:

• The names of all subcontractors
• Their licence numbers

Short-notice subcontracting (less than 24 hours) is permitted under certain conditions, but written consent and notification must still be provided within 3 days of the activity commencing.

💼 This ensures transparency and accountability for everyone operating under your contract.

📌 What You Should Do Next

Step 1 is to look at your situation below, and then scroll down to see our checklist and special offer!

If you’re a security provider (business):

• Review your current registration or licence status.
• Begin preparing for dual licence applications if you operate independently.
• Organise training and first aid compliance for staff ahead of licence renewal cycles.

If you’re an individual security licence holder (individual):

• Be ready to complete renewal training and ensure your first aid is up to date.

If you’re a client engaging security services:

• Ensure you understand your obligations to deliver pre-engagement information and obtain subcontractor details.
• Review your procurement processes to include these new legal requirements.

GuardHERE Consulting Can Help

At GuardHERE Consulting, we’re already working with clients across Victoria to prepare for these changes. We provide licence transition support, compliance strategy, and risk management planning tailored to your needs.

🗓️ Don’t leave it until June—start preparing now to avoid rushed compliance and potential penalties.

📩 Contact us today for a confidential consultation: Click here.

✅ Victorian Private Security Act – Changes Compliance Checklist

Effective: 19 June 2025

🛡️ For Security Providers (Individual Licence Holders & Businesses)

🧾 For Clients Engaging Security Providers

💬 Need Help?

GuardHERE Consulting is here to support your transition.

📞 Call: 0406 176 557
📧 Email: info@guardhereconsulting.com.au
🌐 Visit: www.guardhereconsulting.com.au

Let’s ensure your business is fully compliant—before the deadline hits.

EOFY SPECIAL – Mark your calendars!
Be Tax-Savvy! 10% off storewide at checkout. Starts 00:01 on 29 June, and Ends 23:59 on 30 June 2025. Valid for EOFY 2025 only, Ts and Cs apply.

Sources:

1. EngageVIC – Proposed changes
2. Changes to private security licences and registrations – LRD
3. ASIAL News

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