PSIRA Grade B key terms

A person or business that supplies security services, such as guarding, for reward, and must be registered with the authority before offering those services to clients.

The formal document issued to an approved security service provider or officer confirming that they may lawfully operate or work in the private security industry.

The process of applying to the regulatory authority, submitting required information and paying fees so that a provider or officer is entered on the official register.

The periodic re-application to keep a registration or certificate valid after its expiry date, usually requiring updated information, fees and proof of continued compliance.

The loss of valid registration status that occurs automatically when a certificate expires and is not renewed, or when a condition of registration is no longer met.

A temporary withdrawal of a registration or certificate by the authority, usually pending investigation or corrective action, during which the holder may not operate.

The permanent cancellation of a registration or certificate by the authority, after which the holder must stop providing security services and may have to reapply afresh.

An individual employed to perform guarding, patrolling, access control or similar protective duties, who must be registered and trained to work in the industry.

A lettered classification (such as Grade E through Grade A) showing the training level, experience and responsibility band of a registered security officer.

Structured instruction delivered by an accredited provider that equips a security officer with the knowledge and practical skills required for a specific grade.

Formal approval granted to a training institution or programme that meets the authority's standards for facilities, instructors, curriculum and assessment.

An organisation accredited to deliver security training and assessments, issue certificates of competence and keep records of learner results.

The demonstrated ability of a learner to perform required tasks to the standard set for a grade, usually confirmed by passing both written and practical assessments.

The formal process of testing a learner's knowledge and skills against set criteria, conducted by an accredited provider to determine whether competence has been achieved.

A person who delivers security training and must hold the qualifications and registration required by the authority to teach a particular subject or grade.

Documentation kept by a training provider showing each learner's enrolment, attendance, assessment results and certification, available for inspection by the authority.

An authorised official of the regulatory authority who visits premises, examines records and questions persons to check compliance with the governing legislation.

A planned or unannounced examination of a security business, training site or officer's documentation to verify that legal requirements and conditions are being met.

A written instruction from an inspector requiring a provider or officer to correct a specified contravention within a stated period, failing which further enforcement may follow.

Any act or omission that breaches a provision of the governing security legislation, a condition of registration or a lawful instruction issued by an inspector.

A breach of the law for which a person may be prosecuted, fined or imprisoned, such as operating without registration or obstructing an inspector.

A written authorisation issued by a judicial officer permitting an inspector to enter and search premises when entry is refused or the law requires such authorisation.

A written or verbal report by any person alleging that a provider, officer or training institution has acted unlawfully or failed to meet required standards.

The person who lodges a complaint with the authority or a provider, and who is normally entitled to be informed of the progress and outcome of the matter.

The structured gathering and examination of evidence by the authority to establish whether an allegation in a complaint is substantiated and what action is warranted.

The formal conclusion reached after an investigation, stating whether a complaint is substantiated or not and identifying any contravention that was established.

A penalty imposed on a provider or officer after a substantiated finding, such as a warning, fine, suspension or revocation of registration.

A formal request to a higher body or court to review a decision of the authority, such as a refusal, suspension or revocation, within the prescribed time.

The Act and regulations that establish the regulatory authority, set registration and training requirements and create offences for the private security industry.

Detailed rules made under the governing Act that prescribe procedures, fees, standards and forms needed to give practical effect to the legislation.

The statutory body responsible for registering providers and officers, accrediting training, conducting inspections and enforcing compliance in the private security industry.

The prescribed standards of behaviour and professional ethics that registered providers and officers must follow, breach of which can lead to disciplinary action.

The deliberate process of changing ownership, management and employment in the security industry so that historically excluded groups participate meaningfully and equitably.

The holding of a controlling or meaningful share in a security business, which is assessed when the authority evaluates whether a provider meets transformation and registration criteria.

A situation where a person's private interests could improperly influence their official duties, such as an inspector or board member with ties to an inspected business.

The obligation to create and retain accurate documents such as registers, contracts, training files and incident reports so that compliance can be verified during inspections.