SECURITY related businesses are facing a big jump in fees, with charges doubling for some forms of licences in yet another apparent State Government revenue grab.
The Security Agents Institute said members had been hit by 100 per cent increases in some fees relating to three-year licences, as the WA Police Service-administered regulation started lifting costs unexpectedly.
The institute estimated the new charges could generate up to $3 million for State Government coffers over three years, by adding the impost to this growth industry that has 20,000 licensed participants.
Institute president Jim King said the fee changes had not been gazetted and the industry had been caught unawares.
Mr King said there had been no consultation and wondered why the State Government was hitting an industry which was growing as a result of the growing crime rate in WA.
“What are the funds for? How much will be put back into crime prevention?” he said. “All we are being used for is a cash cow.”
Security licences are required for a wide variety of work in the field, including patrol guards, crowd controllers and those who install security equipment.
The licence administration generally involves a police clearance.
A spokesperson for Police Minister Michelle Roberts said the fee rises were due to national requirements for increased scrutiny on the suitability of licence holders and applicants.
From July 1, the proposed three-year fee for an agent’s licence is $352 (up from $247) while a 97 per cent increase (to $136) is proposed for applications for any three-year licence.
