Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2021-05-11 Daily Xml

Contents

Security Officer Licences

In reply to the Hon. J.A. DARLEY (1 April 2021).

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer): The Attorney-General has advised:

Licensing for security agents is administered by Consumer and Business Services (CBS) with input from South Australia Police (SAPOL).

CBS performs initial vetting of applications for security personnel with respect to eligibility and qualification checks upon lodgement.

CBS sends applications to SAPOL within three days for more rigorous probity checks, which include fingerprinting and detailed background checks of the applicant and their associates.

I understand the current waiting time for applicants to have their fingerprints taken is around six weeks. However SAPOL commences background checks during this time. Applications with missing information or probity issues can take longer.

CBS finalises applications within two weeks of receiving the results of the probity checks by SAPOL.

Processing times are affected by application levels. These have been high recently, with the number received in March being the highest monthly level for the last two years.

CBS is working with SAPOL to streamline background checks and reduce workload for liquor and gambling approvals. This will have a flow-on effect that will improve processing times for security agents.