New definition of crowd controller and relevant place

The definition of crowd controller changed on 1 June 2023.

From 1 June, crowd controller was amended to mean a person who, for remuneration, exercises one or more of the following functions at a relevant place as part of their regular duties:

  • controlling or monitoring the behaviour of persons to maintain order,
  • screening persons seeking entry,
  • removing persons for behavioural or other reasons,
  • any other function prescribed by the regulations.

A definition of relevant place was introduced on 1 June to support the change and refers to the following places:

  • licensed premises within the meaning of the Liquor Act 2007,
  • a public entertainment venue,
  • a place at which a public or private event or function is held,
  • a hospital,
  • a quarantine facility,
  • retail premises,
  • a public place.

The changes mean that from 1 June:

  • you must hold the class 1A (Security Officer) licence if you carry on a crowd controller function for remuneration at a relevant place as part of your regular duties, including at a hospital, quarantine facility, retail premises or a public space
  • if you control or monitor the behaviour of persons at the above places for a purpose other than to maintain order, you will not be captured by the crowd controller definition.

The Security Industry Regulation 2016 (the Regulation) was amended to state that conducting health screening, including conducting health screening as a condition of entry to a venue, is not a security activity. Additionally, a medical practitioner at a hospital is exempt from requiring a security licence while acting in that capacity.

Why are these changes being introduced?

Currently, the Security Industry Act 1997 (the Act) and Regulation only cover crowd controller functions if they are carried on at a licensed premise, a public entertainment venue, or at a place at which a public or private event or function is held.

A review of the crowd controller definition identified some people are employed to undertake crowd controller‑like functions at other premises such as hospitals, quarantine facilities, retail premises and public places such as taxi ranks. These people currently fall outside the definition of crowd controller and may not require a security licence. However, in carrying on these activities, they pose the same risks as those who are required to be licensed.

The changes mean that people carrying on a crowd controller function for remuneration at a relevant place as part of their regular duties, including at a hospital, quarantine facility, retail premises or a public space, will be required to hold a class 1A (Security Officer) licence. A definition of relevant place has been included in the legislation for clarity.

Will I need a security licence if I am conducting health screening?

No. People that are only carrying on health screening, including health screening conducted as a condition of entry to a venue, will not be required to hold a class 1A (Security Officer) licence.

Will any premises be exempt from the meaning of a relevant place?

The Security Industry Regulation 2016 will include provisions that may prescribe specified places as not being a relevant place for the purposes of the Act.