SAIWA Licensing and Regulatory Compliance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under Western Australian law, which body is primarily responsible for issuing security agent licences?
- WA Police Licensing Enforcement Division (Correct answer)
- Department of Commerce
- Office of the Attorney General
- WorkSafe WA
Correct answer: WA Police Licensing Enforcement Division
The WA Police Licensing Enforcement Division administers security agent licensing under the Security and Related Activities (Control) Act 1996.
In Western Australia, the Commissioner of Police, through the Licensing Enforcement Division of WA Police, is responsible for the administration and issuance of security agent licences under the Security and Related Activities (Control) Act 1996.
Question 2: What is the maximum penalty for performing security work without a valid licence in Western Australia?
- $5,000 fine
- $10,000 fine or 12 months imprisonment (Correct answer)
- $50,000 fine or 2 years imprisonment
- Community service order only
Correct answer: $10,000 fine or 12 months imprisonment
Operating as a security agent without a licence can attract fines up to $10,000 and imprisonment for up to 12 months.
The Security and Related Activities (Control) Act 1996 imposes substantial penalties for unlicensed security work in WA, including fines up to $10,000 or imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both.
Question 3: How often must a security agent licence be renewed in Western Australia?
- Every 6 months
- Every year (Correct answer)
- Every 3 years
- Every 5 years
Correct answer: Every year
Security agent licences in WA are issued for one year and must be renewed annually.
In Western Australia, security agent licences are typically issued for a one-year period. Licence holders must apply for renewal before expiry to ensure continuity of authorisation.
Question 4: Which of the following is a mandatory requirement for obtaining a security agent licence in WA?
- Minimum 5 years work experience
- A national criminal history check (Correct answer)
- Australian citizenship
- Ownership of a security business
Correct answer: A national criminal history check
A national criminal history check is mandatory for all security licence applicants.
All applicants must undergo a national criminal history check as part of the application process under the Security and Related Activities (Control) Act 1996.
Question 5: A licensed security agent discovers their licence expired two days ago. What should they do?
- Continue working until renewal is processed
- Immediately cease all security work and apply for renewal (Correct answer)
- Work only reduced hours until renewal
- Ask their employer to cover them under the company licence
Correct answer: Immediately cease all security work and apply for renewal
Once a licence expires, the holder must immediately stop performing security functions and apply for renewal.
When a security agent licence expires, the holder no longer has legal authority to perform any security functions. Continuing to work constitutes unlicensed security work, which is an offence.
Question 6: Under WA regulations, which licence class covers crowd control agents?
- Class 1A
- Class 1B
- Class 2 (Correct answer)
- Class 3
Correct answer: Class 2
Class 2 licences specifically cover crowd control agents at licensed venues and events.
In WA, crowd control agents require a Class 2 licence, which authorises the holder to perform crowd control functions including managing entry to licensed premises and maintaining order at events.
SAIWA Licensing and Regulatory Compliance 2
Under Western Australian law, which body is primarily responsible for issuing security agent licences?